Shapeless Fulfillment (Film)

In 2017, adventure photographer and polar guide Ben Haggar (@benhaggarphoto) attempted to be the first person to traverse the Arctic Circle Route in western Greenland by bike in the warmer months. But first, he had to get there. Luckily, Ben works as a polar bear guide and Zodiac driver on a small ship exploring Canada’s fabled Northwest Passage en-route to Greenland. Beginning in the inland town of Kangerlussuaq and finishing on the coast in Sisimiut, Ben found himself battling through rough terrain, loneliness, trench foot, and extreme weather, but he ultimately found solace in the simple act of moving across the barren tundra (plus a few kilometres of beautiful singletrack). Watch his self-shot film, Shapeless Fulfillment, below followed by a short reflection from Ben and some stunning photos from his trip.

Words by Ben Haggar:

Have you ever thought of heading to Greenland for a bikepacking trip? Neither had I until a friend told me of an obscure point-to-point hiking trail beginning in Kangerlussuaq and finishing at the coastal town of Sisimiut, roughly 200km to the west, that he had just finished. I asked if he thought the trail was rideable on a mountain bike, but he just shrugged his shoulders and continued to tell me about the amazing camping, endless tundra, and the legendary bugs. The seed had been firmly planted and the challenge was set.

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I work as a photographer and polar guide, and in 2017 I had a contract to sail through Canada’s Northwest Passage as a polar bear guide and naturalist interpreter, which conveniently finish in the town of Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, the starting point for the Arctic Circle Trail. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to talk anyone into flying to Greenland to meet up and ride the route with me, so I decided to tackle the route alone.

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By September, autumn has a firm grasp on the Arctic, with daylight hours reduced by 20 minutes per day and snowstorms more frequent than rain. When I landed in Greenland early in the month, the weather forecast was not promising. Despite bright sunshine, a hurricane was grinding its way across the Atlantic and tracking directly towards my location in central Greenland. The storm was projected to make landfall in five days’ time. Could I finish the route before the storm hit? Would I be able to find shelter? If not, would my ultralight one-person tent be able to withstand the 100+ km/hr wind? Was the trail even rideable at all?

These and many other questions swirled in my head, creating knots in my stomach and filling my chest with anxiety as I took the first pedal strokes towards the Greenland ice sheet and the beginning of the route.

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About Ben Haggar:

Ben is a highly accomplished adventure photographer, writer, filmmaker, and polar guide who deeply loves wild places. Whether it be pioneering singletrack mountain bike routes in Greenland, climbing peaks in Garibaldi Park, or exploring the cultural side of cold water surfing, Ben strives to tell engaging, original stories with a focus on adventure and environmental stewardship.

Some of his recent accolades include being a three-time finalist for the esteemed BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Eco-buisness Climate Photo Challenge Grand Prize, Nature’s Best Photography Award, MEC Expedition Grant and VIMFF Adventure Grant recipient, Deep Summer Photo Challenge – People’s Choice Award, an Editor’s Favourite Photo in National Geographic’s Travel Photographer of the Year contest. He has penned and photographed features in Outside Magazine, Mens Journal, Bike Magazine, Adventure Kayak Magazine, Mountain Life Magazine, and the National Post with featured gallery photos and articles in numerous other international publications.

Ben also works as an expedition leader and polar guide running logistics and wilderness first response in the polar regions with a specialization driving small boats in extreme conditions and working with polar bears.

See more of Ben’s work on Instagram (@benhaggarphoto) and at his website BenHaggar.com.