OUR STORY

This story actually has two beginnings. The first was in 2014, when we celebrated the last evening at Willem’s parents‘ house. The families of Steffi and Willem came together to say goodbye before we embarked on a journey the next morning that would change our lives forever. We spent over a year traveling through Northern Europe, mainly in Iceland and Norway, where we worked with Alaskan Huskies for the first time.

As a child in school, I, Willem, was always told I was a dreamer. Someone who constantly thought about adventures and the experiences the world had to offer, while I could barely step outside without medication due to severe asthma and allergies. My dreams, they said, were for others.

In the icy cold of the Lower Arctic, where my hands go numb at -30 degrees Celsius while I harness the dogs, such limitations no longer exist. There are only the dogs, relying on us to keep moving forward. And this is where the deep love and profound understanding for these four-legged athletes and their world began.

We packed our sleds countless times, venturing deeper into the Arctic wilderness with an ever-growing team of dogs. After a while we started taking tourists along—team members whom we trained in handling the dogs, their care, and survival in this harsh environment. That way we followed the example of early sled dog schools in Greenland.

Then came 2019: During an expedition, we noticed the drastic changes in the Arctic landscape. What is now scientifically proven was already clear to us: the climate was changing, and the impact on both the culture and life with sled dogs would be dramatic.

This marked the second beginning—the beginning of PURE ICE.

eudaemonia – (ˌjudɪˈmoʊniə) the main universal goal, distinct from pleasure and derived from a life of activity governed by reason

 

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Eudaemonia – The ancient Greek concept of a fulfilled life guides us. It’s about living in a way that positively impacts your surroundings, the lives of others, the dogs, and ultimately, yourself. This idea centers on actively seeking out challenges to constantly push your own limits and discovering true happiness in achieving goals that aren’t driven by material gain.

Turning options into reality encourages others to follow

A visual journey

Our vision is to capture all our small and big adventures that are deeply linked within outdoor culture. But also to showcase the people of the Lower Arctic, their perspectives, traditions, and their views on the challenges that lie ahead.

 

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NORDGEHEN - Our first documentary

Together with Tilo, we filmed our move to Norway, capturing the challenges and our motivations behind the decision. Click on the picture to see the documentary.

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Russian border - A vlog

In addition to our major documentaries, we share short vlogs highlighting life in Northern Norway. Join Willem in this vlog as he ventures into the Russian border region. Click on the picture to see the Vlog.

There is more: On this site, we will only present a small collection of what you can see on Youtube. Click here to see them all.

Explore boundaries

STORIES ABOUT COURAGE

At the heart of our message is the belief that we, as humans, should bravely follow our dreams. In harmony with nature and our huskies, we form a team that continuously pushes personal boundaries. In our talks, we delve into the wonders of the Arctic wilderness, the unique bond between humans and huskies, and the importance of protecting this fragile environment. We also share insights into building strong teams and the incredible journey of transforming playful puppies into professional sled dogs.

By joining us, you’ll discover the art of leadership, teamwork, and a deeper connection with nature, all while exploring the limits of what’s possible with the power of collaboration and trust.

If you book a speak it will address the aspects above, but can be tailored to the relevant topics and themes within your organization.

Intrested? Write a mail: info@nordgehen.de

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