The European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) is delighted to announce that Rune Gjeldnes has agreed to become its newest Ambassador, promoting the work of the association. Rune was approached about the role by Bergans of Norway, one of his sponsors and an active and supportive member of EOCA. In his new role, Rune will be a passionate advocate for the work that EOCA and its members achieve in supporting the conservation of threatened wild spaces worldwide.
Rune has explored the polar regions on many occasions and achieved a number of firsts. In 1996 at the age of 24, he and Torry Larsen completed the first and only unsupported south to north ski trip of Greenland. They also achieved the first and only unsupported crossing of the Arctic Ocean in 2000. In
2005-6, Rune undertook the first and only crossing of both Poles without resupplies. The solo crossing of Antarctica resulted in the world’s longest ski trip (4804 km), pulling all his own fuel, food and equipment.
Rune said 'the great white polar regions’ hold a huge appeal to me – their vastness, their greatness – they are simply majestic. To spend time in such unspoilt environments makes me realise how important it is that we look after our planet and I hope to be able to play a part in this by working with EOCA.'
