Erling Kagge
Encyclopedia
Erling Kagge is a Norwegian
explorer/adventurer, lawyer, art collector and publisher.
, the South Pole
and the summit of Mount Everest
. Kagge was also the first to walk to the South Pole alone.
In 1990, Erling Kagge and Børge Ousland
became the first men ever to reach the North Pole unsupported. The expedition started from Ellesmere Island
on March 8, 1990 and reached the North Pole 58 days later on May 4, 1990. They traveled approximately 800 kilometers on skis pulling their supplies on a sledge.
Less than three years later, in 1992–93, Kagge completed the first unsupported expedition to the South Pole, covering the 814-mile (1310 km) route in 52 days. Kagge had no radio contact to the outside world for the duration of his expedition. His was featured on the international edition of TIME magazine on March 1, 1993.
In 1994, Kagge summited Mount Everest, thus becoming the first person to complete the "Three Poles Challenge
".
After his record-breaking feat of reaching the "three poles", Kagge attended Cambridge University to read philosophy for three terms. In 1996, he founded Oslo-based publishing house, Kagge Forlag, which quickly grew to become one of Norway’s most profitable publishing companies. In 2000 Kagge Forlag acquired one of Norway’s oldest publishing companies, J.M. Stenersens Forlag. Kagge himself has written five books which have sold more than 100,000 copies.
In addition to running his publishing business, Kagge collects international contemporary art and Russian icons. He serves on the board of the Astrup Fearnley Museum for Modern Art. Adventure and exploration remain intrinsic to his nature, Kagge continues to do major expeditions, although with a lower profile than in the nineties.
Norwegians
Norwegians constitute both a nation and an ethnic group native to Norway. They share a common culture and speak the Norwegian language. Norwegian people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in United States, Canada and Brazil.-History:Towards the end of the 3rd...
explorer/adventurer, lawyer, art collector and publisher.
Biography
Kagge is among Norway's most acclaimed polar explorers and one of the greatest adventurers of our time. He is the first person to accomplish the "three pole challenge" of reaching the North PoleNorth Pole
The North Pole, also known as the Geographic North Pole or Terrestrial North Pole, is, subject to the caveats explained below, defined as the point in the northern hemisphere where the Earth's axis of rotation meets its surface...
, the South Pole
South Pole
The South Pole, also known as the Geographic South Pole or Terrestrial South Pole, is one of the two points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects its surface. It is the southernmost point on the surface of the Earth and lies on the opposite side of the Earth from the North Pole...
and the summit of Mount Everest
Mount Everest
Mount Everest is the world's highest mountain, with a peak at above sea level. It is located in the Mahalangur section of the Himalayas. The international boundary runs across the precise summit point...
. Kagge was also the first to walk to the South Pole alone.
In 1990, Erling Kagge and Børge Ousland
Børge Ousland
Børge Ousland is a Norwegian polar explorer, photographer and writer. He made the first unassisted Antarctic solo crossing, finishing on 18 January 1997. He ventured to the South Pole on 8 December 2005...
became the first men ever to reach the North Pole unsupported. The expedition started from Ellesmere Island
Ellesmere Island
Ellesmere Island is part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region of the Canadian territory of Nunavut. Lying within the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, it is considered part of the Queen Elizabeth Islands, with Cape Columbia being the most northerly point of land in Canada...
on March 8, 1990 and reached the North Pole 58 days later on May 4, 1990. They traveled approximately 800 kilometers on skis pulling their supplies on a sledge.
Less than three years later, in 1992–93, Kagge completed the first unsupported expedition to the South Pole, covering the 814-mile (1310 km) route in 52 days. Kagge had no radio contact to the outside world for the duration of his expedition. His was featured on the international edition of TIME magazine on March 1, 1993.
In 1994, Kagge summited Mount Everest, thus becoming the first person to complete the "Three Poles Challenge
Three Poles Challenge
The Three Poles is an adventurer’s challenge to reach all three of the North Pole, the South Pole, and Mount Everest.The Norwegian explorer Erling Kagge was the first in recorded history to accomplish this challenge in 1994. Kagge reached the North Pole on May 8 1990 with Børge Ousland; the South...
".
After his record-breaking feat of reaching the "three poles", Kagge attended Cambridge University to read philosophy for three terms. In 1996, he founded Oslo-based publishing house, Kagge Forlag, which quickly grew to become one of Norway’s most profitable publishing companies. In 2000 Kagge Forlag acquired one of Norway’s oldest publishing companies, J.M. Stenersens Forlag. Kagge himself has written five books which have sold more than 100,000 copies.
In addition to running his publishing business, Kagge collects international contemporary art and Russian icons. He serves on the board of the Astrup Fearnley Museum for Modern Art. Adventure and exploration remain intrinsic to his nature, Kagge continues to do major expeditions, although with a lower profile than in the nineties.