A remarkable endeavor by German artist Katharina Kneip is currently unfolding, as she embarks on a multi-year, non-motorized circumnavigation of the Earth's northern regions. This ambitious undertaking, dubbed 'Round:Motion', commenced in January 2023 from Münster, Germany. Kneip's journey is a testament to sustainable travel, emphasizing the intrinsic value of human-powered exploration through hiking, skiing, and sailing, all while fostering cultural and artistic connections across diverse landscapes. Her unique approach shuns conventional adventure metrics, prioritizing the experiential and collaborative aspects of her global passage.
Kneip's expedition, spanning over two years, is founded on principles of environmental consciousness, cultural interaction, and a deliberate, unhurried pace. She purposefully avoids the competitive drive often associated with extreme long-distance journeys, such as setting records or tracking precise distances. Instead, her focus remains on the enriching experiences and connections forged along the way, embodying a philosophy of mindful movement.
Whether venturing solo or accompanied by friends, the artist-turned-explorer navigates land on foot or skis and traverses water by sailboat or kayak. Her reliance on a network of receptive communities and fellow sailors encountered during her travels highlights the communal spirit underpinning her project. This collaborative model contrasts sharply with typical solo expeditions, underscoring the importance of human connection in her global quest.
The initial phase of this multi-year odyssey began on January 23, 2023. This segment saw Kneip cover approximately 4,300 kilometers, journeying from Münster to Kirkenes, situated near the northern tip of Norway. The primary mode of transport during this leg was hiking, following renowned trails like Norway’s Olavsleden and Sweden’s Kungsleden. Additionally, shorter segments involved kayaking between Denmark and Sweden. She successfully reached Kirkenes in early September of the same year.
During her extensive trek, Kneip seamlessly integrated artistic collaborations into her itinerary. A notable instance was her partnership with Norwegian dancer Signe Alexandra Domogalla. Together, they delved into themes of movement and the natural world through a series of workshops and exhibitions held in Oslo, enriching the cultural dimension of her expedition.
Kneip maintains a refreshingly minimalist logistical approach: she does not pre-send food packages or rely on hitchhiking or public transport to access supplies. Her route planning is meticulously designed to ensure periodic access to shops. Her maximum self-sufficiency in terms of food carried was 20 days while hiking and 25 days with a pulka (sled) during her crossing of Iceland.
From Kirkenes, where she spent the winter months, Kneip recommenced her journey in March 2024. This leg involved a substantial 900-kilometer trek south to Tromsø. Approximately 750 kilometers of this distance were covered on skis, with the remaining 150 kilometers completed on foot due to challenging snow conditions requiring detours. For portions of this segment, Kneip was joined by two companions.
Subsequently, Kneip secured passage on a sailboat to Longyearbyen, Svalbard, where she contributed as both a guide and a crew member. By late summer 2024, she had sailed to East Greenland, proceeding to Isafjordur on Iceland's western coast. From there, she undertook a 500-kilometer hike in September 2024, journeying from Isafjordur to a farm near Akureyri, where she wintered.
In a further testament to her endurance, Kneip, alongside companion Dirk Langer, completed a 350-kilometer winter ski traverse of Iceland in March of the current year. This challenging crossing spanned from near Akureyri in the north to Eyrarbakki in the southwest. Following this, Kneip embarked on a solo 450-kilometer trek from Akureyri to Reykjavik, completed between May and June.
Most recently, Kneip arrived in Labrador, Canada, having sailed from Iceland to Greenland and then across to the Canadian coastline. From this point, her ambitious plans involve traversing approximately 7,000 kilometers by hiking and an additional 3,000 kilometers by skiing to reach Alaska. Following this, she intends to sail across the Bering Strait into Russia. With a significant portion of the journey still ahead and the inherent uncertainties of future travel in Russia, her return to Germany remains several years in the future.