Against the Ice

In 1909, Danish explorer Ejnar Mikkelsen sets out to lead an expedition to Shannon Island in East Greenland. His mission is to uncover the missing records from a previous failed Denmark expedition, setting the stage for a gripping journey into the unknown.

Ejnar leads his team on an initial attempt to locate the missing records but becomes stranded on their ship in the frozen Arctic landscape. During this attempt, crew member Jörgensen suffers from severe frostbite, necessitating an emergency amputation to save his leg, which dampens morale.

With a renewed sense of purpose, Ejnar recruits engineer Iver Iversen for a second journey, leaving behind the rest of the crew. Armed with a crucial diary containing a map of the original expedition, Ejnar feels confident but faces skepticism from his team, who are hesitant to continue.

As Ejnar and Iver prepare for their journey, the remaining crew expresses their reluctance to risk their lives for a daunting adventure. Iver, lacking sled dog expertise, agrees to accompany Ejnar despite the severe weather conditions and the threat of polar bears.

On Day 26 of their journey, Ejnar comes across the frozen remains of the Danish expedition. He discovers a crucial diary that leads them to the next stack of stones, reinforcing the urgency of their mission amidst extreme challenges.

As they continue their arduous trek, they lose two sled dogs when Iver’s lead dog, Bjoern, falls into a ravine. This accident adds to their struggle, costing them essential food supplies and pushing them further into desperation.

By Day 48, Ejnar and Iver escape the ice cap but are confronted with the reality of American claims on Greenland. The increasing tension of their mission weighs heavily on them as they grapple with dwindling supplies and harsh conditions.

On Day 84, after enduring extreme cold and sacrifices, they finally locate the stack of stones they have been seeking. Accompanied by a historical letter from 1907, this discovery aids in proving crucial territorial claims for the Danes.

As their ordeal continues into Day 132, Ejnar and Iver encounter a polar bear while hunting for seals. In a swift attempt to defend Ejnar, Iver loses two of their remaining dogs to the bear, underscoring the dangers they face.

Months later, Ejnar and Iver return to Shannon Island only to find that their crew has abandoned them. Seeking refuge in a makeshift cottage made from ship remnants, they brace for two bitter winters, relying on limited food supplies.

Back home, the remaining crew appeals to Minister Neergaard for a rescue mission. However, their plea is rejected, as Neergaard reprimands them for allowing Iver to join Ejnar, citing a lack of experience.

Haunted by a nightmare of losing everything to the bear, Ejnar makes a daring decision to retrieve his journals. On Day 439, he and Iver return to find the records barely intact, which are crucial for their claims.

By Day 471, they discover a note indicating a rescuer had already come. This revelation leads to a heated argument between Ejnar and Iver, exposing the strain of survival and communication breakdowns during their ordeal.

On Day 793, summer brings a glimmer of hope as Ejnar begins to hallucinate about a rescue. This only escalates into a frantic series of events that culminate in their eventual rescue in 1912 by Jörgensen.

In the aftermath of their harrowing experience, Ejnar ultimately marries Naja a year after their rescue. Meanwhile, Iver vows never to return to the harsh Arctic landscape, choosing instead to leave those memories behind.