Josée Auclair facts for kids
Josée Auclair (born May 20, 1962, in Sherbrooke, Quebec) is a Canadian explorer. She is famous for her incredible trips to both the North and South Poles!
Josée lives with her husband, Richard Weber, and their two sons, Tessum and Nansen, in the Outaouais region of Quebec, Canada. She started cross-country skiing when she was ten years old. By age fourteen, she was competing! She even joined Canada's National Cross Country Ski Team. She represented Canada in big international races, especially in Sweden and Germany. Between 1979 and 1982, she won four national titles in 5 km and 7.5 km skiing competitions. While studying at the University of Vermont, she was part of a relay team that won many awards.
Between 1999 and 2004, Josée skied to the North Pole five times. These were "last degree expeditions" organized by Canadian Arctic Holidays. This is an Arctic adventure company she runs with her husband. Josée was the assistant-guide on four of these trips. But in April 2001, she became the leader of the very first all-women team to ski to the North Pole from a Russian base.
In 2006, Josée led another expedition. This time, a group of 9 people traveled from the North Pole towards Ward Hunt Island. This island is at the northern tip of Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada. On April 27, the group reached latitude 88° 50′. However, the ice conditions became dangerous. They had to be rescued and taken back to the Borneo drifting station.
In January 2007, Josée visited Antarctica for the first time. A team of four women asked her to lead their "last degree expedition" to the South Pole. This made her the first Canadian woman to guide expeditions at both the North and South Poles!
Josée has traveled a lot in the Arctic since 1988. She has helped her husband Richard and his partner Mikhail (Misha) Malakhov on many of their expeditions. She has also helped prepare for four major trips to the North Pole. Richard and Josée have over 20 years of experience. They have completed more than 45 Arctic expeditions, with over 13 of them to the North Pole! They are very well known across the Canadian Arctic, especially in Nunavut. They are leaders in tourism and experts in planning trips and logistics for the North Pole and northern areas.
The Weber-Auclair family also runs Arctic Watch. This is Canada's most northerly lodge. It is located in Cunningham Inlet on Somerset Island in Nunavut.
Contents
Education and Learning
- Josée earned a Bachelor's degree in botany from the University of Vermont.
- She also received a teaching certificate from the Université du Québec.
North Pole Journeys
Josée has led or assisted on several expeditions to the North Pole. These trips often involve skiing the "last degree" to reach the Pole.
| Year | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 1999 | Skied to the North Pole from Russia. She was an assistant guide with Richard Weber. |
| 2000 | Another trip to the North Pole from Russia. She was an assistant guide with Richard Weber. |
| 2001 | Led a team of 10 women to the North Pole from Russia. Most of the women had never been to the Arctic before! |
| 2003 | Skied to the North Pole from Svalbard. She was an assistant guide with Richard Weber. |
| 2004 | Another trip to the North Pole from Svalbard. She was an assistant guide with Richard Weber. |
| 2006 | Led a group of 6 clients and an assistant guide. They skied from the North Pole to 88° 50’. |
South Pole Journey
Josée also led an expedition to the South Pole.
| Year | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 2007 | She was the expedition leader for four women. They skied from latitude 89°32′S to 90°S (the South Pole) from January 20 to January 25, 2007. |
Other Arctic Adventures
Josée has explored many other parts of the Arctic.
| Location | Year | What Happened |
|---|---|---|
| Baffin Island | 1987 | A dog sled and ski trip from Broughton Island to Clyde River – a journey of 400 km. |
| 1988 | She helped find a new route from Okoa Bay to Glacier Lake. This route crossed the Penny Ice Cap in Auyuittuq National Park – a 150 km trip. | |
| 1989 | Sea kayaking and making a film in the Pond Inlet area. | |
| 1990 | Hiking southeast of the community of Pond Inlet. | |
| 1996 | Camping and hiking near Milne Inlet, northern Baffin Island. Also sea kayaking in the Gold Cove area. | |
| 1997 | Spent two months living with an Inuit family at an outpost camp in Gold Cove. | |
| 1998 | Set up a tourist camp in Jackman Sound for hiking, kayaking, and watching wildlife. She also went on a kayak expedition around the southern tip of Frobisher Bay. | |
| Ellesmere Island | 1997 | A ski expedition from Lake Hazen to Ward Hunt Island – a 250 km journey. She also climbed Arrowhead Mountain, which is 1,860 m high. |
| 1998 | A ski expedition from Ellesmere Island across the Kane Basin to Siorapaluk, Greenland – a 300 km trip. |
Awards and Recognition
Josée has received several awards for her achievements.
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 1983 | Received a "sportive distinction certificate" from the Université de Sherbrooke. This was for her participation in cross-country skiing at the Canada Games. |
| 1986 | Was awarded a varsity letter from the University of Vermont. This recognized her participation and excellence in cross-country skiing. |
| 1986 | Received the All East Ski Team Award from the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association. This was for her outstanding performances in cross-country skiing. |
See also
- List of female sportspeople
- List of polar explorers
