Mike Horn reports on the first stage of the big What's Left project

‘Climate change in Greenland is shocking, but it is inspiring to see how local people are learning to adapt. We have a lot to learn from these experiences.’

More than a year has passed since the departure of the great What's Left project by Mike Horn, a true living legend in the world of exploration and a long-standing ambassador of Ferrino.

Aboard his sailing boat Pangaea, Mike has set sail on a long journey that, over the course of four years, will take him back to the places that have been the destination of his great adventures, to discover, precisely, what is left, what has changed, and how nature and human populations are adapting to the climate changes taking place on a global scale.

The journey began in the summer of 2023 and, in the months that have passed, Horn and his team have written the first chapter of this new story among the sea and glaciers of Greenland. It is now time to hear directly from him about his experiences and emotions.

Mike, you have decided to stay for several months in Greenland, spending the entire winter there. It seems that what you are looking for is not just a trip, but a way to live and inhabit these wild places. Is this impression correct? What led you to make this choice?

‘What's Left wants to be a deep immersion into nature, to live it, breathe it and really become part of it. Spending the winter in Greenland was not just about surviving the cold; it was about embracing it. I wanted to experience these wild places as they are, to understand the land and its people from the inside. It's no longer just about the thrill of the journey; it's about finding a way to coexist with these incredible environments and see what we can learn from these experiences and apply them to our lives.’

One of the aims of the What's Left project is to see what has changed over the years in the places that have been the scene of your great adventures. In these first months of your expedition, have you already been able to perceive these differences? What has struck you most, not only in the environment but also in the lifestyle of the people living in Greenland?

‘The changes are undeniable. The glaciers are retreating and the climate is unpredictable. Places that I remember as solid ice are now crossed by water. It is shocking and sad to see this first hand. The people here are adapting in extraordinary ways. They are combining their traditions with new methods to cope with these changes. Their resilience and creativity in the face of such drastic environmental changes is truly inspiring.

By spending several seasons in Greenland, have you also been able to feel the effects of climate change there?

‘Absolutely. The ice is thinner, the winters are not as harsh and the summers are warmer. It is a real wake-up call to see these changes up close. It is affecting everything: the landscape, the fauna and the lifestyle of the local communities. It is a clear reminder that climate change is happening now, before our eyes, and it is hitting places like Greenland hard'.

More and more often we hear that the world has become small and there is nothing left to explore. Living in a frontier land like Greenland, have you also had this impression or do you think there is still room for exploration and great adventures? Have you experienced new situations or challenges that you didn't expect to face?

‘There is still so much out there! Greenland, with its rugged terrain and difficult conditions, is proof that there is still a lot to explore. Every day brings a new challenge, something unexpected. Whether it is navigating through unfamiliar ice fields or dealing with unpredictable weather, there is always something to keep you on your toes. The adventure is far from over; it is just taking on new forms.

What will be the next stop on your journey?

‘The next stop is the Amazon! It is like closing the circle, because that is where my career as an explorer really took off when I swam the entire course of the Amazon, from source to mouth, in 1996. But before going there, Pangaea will make a stop in Europe for a much-needed overhaul after the hard winter spent stuck in Greenland ice. The Amazon is crucial not only because of its personal significance for me, but also because of the rapid changes it is undergoing. It is a place of incredible biodiversity and beauty, but it is facing serious threats from deforestation and climate change. This trip is about directly observing these changes, understanding their impact and sharing that story with the world. There is still so much to learn and explore in the Amazon, and it is vital to shed light on its current state'.