2002, 1st edition. Two recent expeditions visited northern Greenland to ascend the most northern unclimbed peaks on earth, and discover the most northern point of land. Team members included Vernon Tejas and Galen Rowell. Hardcover. SIGNED by John Jancik and other team members.
In July 2001, a team of nine modern-day adventurers journeyed to North Peary Land, Greenland, an area located north of the Arctic Circle that encompasses the world's largest national park. Known as The 2001 Return To The Top Of The World Expedition, the team summited several of the remaining unclimbed peaks in the northernmost mountain range in the world. They also took measurements to determine which of these is actually the northernmost mountain peak on Earth. In addition to their historic climbing adventure, the team conducted a series of scientific studies aimed at determining the effect of global pollution on this pristine Arctic environment.
For six members of the team this was their second trip to the far north. In 1996 team leaders John Jancik and Ken Zerbst, along with team members Terri Baker, Steve Gardiner, Joe Sears, and Jim Schaefer were part of an expedition to locate and verify Oodaaq Island, the current northernmost point of land on the planet. It was in the aftermath of that journey that the plan for the current trip was born.
Early on the team decided to dedicate the 2001 return expedition to the memory of legendary singer/songwriter John Denver, in honor of his commitment to the environment and protection of the wilderness. On July 18, 2001 the Expedition team successfully summited the highest unclimbed peak in the Roosevelt Range. The Expedition has named this mountain, one of the northernmost on Earth, "JOHN DENVER PEAK". Feeling that it is very fitting that this peak be named in honor of the late humanitarian and environmental activist, the Expedition has received worldwide support and congratulations. Such notables as Jean-Michel Cousteau, Annie Denver and Colorado Governor Bill Owens, as well as several of John Denver's family members, have participated in this honor of Mr. Denver.
In the true spirit of this extraordinary man, StarsEnd Creations is pleased to have been a supporter of this expedition through a corporate sponsorship. We are also excited to announce our latest publication, Under The Midnight Sun, the story of this epic journey to the Arctic. Drawn from the journals and photographs of the team, John Jancik, Steve Gardiner and Javana Richardson (author of A Tribute To John Denver), will tell the exciting story of this expedition into the unexplored reaches of our planet. With magnificent photos inside and on the cover by National Geographic photographer, the late Galen Rowell, this is an extraordinary work that anyone with an interest in our beautiful wilderness, the world's environment, or who is a fan of John Denver, will want to own.
From the Inside Flap
The 2001 Return To The Top Of The World Expedition achieved numerous successes with their latest adventure in original exploration. Consisting of six members of the 1996 American Top Of The World Expedition and three new members, the team traveled to Northern Greenland, home of the world's largest national park, to verify previous discoveries and to accomplish exciting new goals.
The 2001 RTOW Expedition started their adventure before climbing a single mountain or walking a solitary mile by confirming a discovery that changed the geography of the world! On Friday, July 13, 2001, the Colorado-based team, in association with the Danish Polar Center in Copenhagen, Denmark, confirmed through air reconnaissance the existence and location of an island approximately five kilometers off the northern coast of Greenland. This island, which was first visited by the 1996 American Top Of The World Expedition, lies farther north than the previously known northernmost point of land on Earth -- Oodaaq Island. This great geographical discovery of a new northernmost point of land on Earth will change maps and atlases for all future generations.
The 2001 RTOW Expedition went on to accomplish a mountaineering goal that had its origins in Colorado, but received widespread worldwide support. In making the first ascent of the highest unclimbed peak in the northernmost mountain range on Earth, the 2001 RTOW Expedition placed all nine members on its summit with the team's ultimate goal of naming this mountain "JOHN DENVER PEAK", in honor and memory of Colorado's singer/songwriter, John Denver. Taking over 20 hours to successfully climb, this breathtaking peak is approximately a mile high and overlooks the Arctic Ocean.
Highlighted by stunning and historic photographs, Under The Midnight Sun is a compelling chronicle of original exploration and mountaineering adventure. Written by Steve Gardiner, author of books: "Why I Climb" and "Devils Tower National Monument Climbing Handbook"; and by Javana M. Richardson, author of "A Tribute To John Denver: Poems Prayers & Promises"; and by John A. Jancik, co-leader of both the 1996 and the 2001 Top Of The World Expeditions, this story sets a true example of personal achievement and supplies proof that with determination, drive, and the spirit of the wild and free, dreams do come true.
