Q&A with Børge Ousland
Read our interview with 2025 Founder's Medal recipient, Børge Ousland.
Børge Ousland is the recipient of the Founder's Medal for the encouragement and promotion of geographical science and discovery.
What did you want to be, or where did you want to work, when you were a teenager?
"When I was a teenager, I dreamed of sailing the world, visiting faraway places, and exploring. I think that spark came from all the trips we did as a family when I was a kid. My father bought an old, rebuilt lifeboat when I was four and every summer holiday since, we sailed around in southern Norway and Sweden, exploring new islands and places every day.
"What I would do professionally was a bit more out of the blue; I thought it was possible to travel and write, but I had no clear direction. Coming from a family of artists, I felt no pressure and was free to choose my own way when I grew up.
"Apart from sailing, which I also competed in as a kid (dinghy), I enjoyed the outdoors, skiing, and outdoor life, spending time in tents. The physical hardships were something I learned to appreciate from early childhood."
What role do you do now and how would you describe your work?
"After traveling around Europe after school, I got a job with a diving company, which led to a ten-year-long career as a deep-sea diver. It was through that two colleagues and I started to plan the first expedition, which was across Greenland in March and April 1986.
"I worked as a diver for a few more years, conducting expeditions at the same time, until after a solo and unsupported expedition to the North Pole in 1994, I became a full-time explorer."
What has been the highlight of your career, regardless of how big or small, so far?
"Although the crossing over of the North Pole and Polar Ocean in the dark with Mike Horn in 2019 was perhaps more extreme and borderline, I still consider the 1994 solo expedition my most significant achievement. It was a defining trip for me, and it marked my biggest mental leap."
What projects are you working on right now?
"I am currently crossing Ellesmere Island together with Vincent Colliard. This trip is part of our IceLegacy project, where we are crossing the 20 biggest icefields on earth to show what we are about to miss and how important snow and ice are for sustaining life on the planet.
"We have just crossed the Grant Icefield, which is the 14th icefield we have crossed, so far, on this mission. When we are done with the remaining two here on Ellesmere, there are four icefields left to cross, which we will tackle in the years to come. I am very much looking forward to continuing to share stories and fresh observations from the field on more expeditions.
"I see my role as an explorer shifting to becoming an advocate for the cryosphere, and continuing as an inspiration for others to take care of this wonderful planet, to follow their own dreams, and to keep exploring."
What are you looking forward to in the future?
"I hope that what I do will continue to inspire new generations to dare to say yes to challenges. I like to plan well, but nothing beats experience. A good piece of advice to start with is to buy a good pair of boots and walk out the door, leaving your fears behind."
Sign up to our newsletters
We regularly host exhibitions as well as in-person and online events, including our Monday night lectures (members only) and regional events.
Would you like to stay up to date about our upcoming events and news? Log in, or create an account, and sign up for our newsletter.