Tilman in a New Millennium (Year 2) - Rev Bob Shepton (with Mat Goodyear, Andy Prosser & Peter Maxwell in Greenland and Brian Duchart, Pat Duchart, Peter Maxwell, Polly Murray & Tash Wright on Bylot Island). June-September 2001)

In 2000, this leader sailed his 10m sloop 'Dodo's Delight from Scotland to commence an exploration of mountains close to the west coast of Greenland (MEF Ref 00/09, reported in the AJ 2001). After wintering the boat in Greenland, a year later he flew out to continue his exploration a little further inland. First ascents were made of 7 peaks c.2000m on the Akuliarusinguaq Peninsula and of 2 rock climbs in the Upernavik area. With a modified team, he then sailed to Bylot Island (north of Baffin) where Shepton & Maxwell repeated the epic ski traverse made by Bill Tilman and Bruce Reid in 1963: this took them 10 days and they made first ascents of 8 peaks en route. Meanwhile, the lady members made a longer but faster N-S traverse, with no ascents. The two-year project was completed by sailing the boat back to Scotland.