Josée Auclair facts for kids
Josée Auclair is a famous Canadian explorer. She was born on May 20, 1962, in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Josée lives in Quebec, Canada, with her husband, Richard Weber, and their two sons, Tessum and Nansen.
Josée started cross-country skiing when she was ten years old. She began competing at age fourteen. She was part of Canada's National Cross Country Ski Team. Josée represented Canada in many international championships, especially in Sweden and Germany. Between 1979 and 1982, she won four national titles in skiing races. While studying at the University of Vermont, she was also on a relay team that won many awards.
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Exploring the Arctic and Antarctic
Josée Auclair has explored the Arctic many times since 1988. She has helped her husband, Richard, and his partner, Mikhail Malakhov, on several of their trips. Josée has also helped prepare for four big expeditions 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 well-known in the Canadian Arctic, especially in Nunavut. They are leaders in Arctic tourism and experts in planning trips to the North Pole.
North Pole Expeditions
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.
In April 2001, she became the leader of the first all-women team to ski to the North Pole from a Russian base. In 2006, Josée led another group of nine people. They were traveling from the North Pole to Ward Hunt Island in 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.
South Pole Expedition
In January 2007, Josée visited Antarctica for the first time. A team of four women asked her to lead their expedition to the South Pole. This made her the first Canadian woman to guide expeditions at both the North and South Poles.
Arctic Watch Lodge
The Weber-Auclair family also runs Arctic Watch. This is Canada's most northern lodge. It is located in Cunningham Inlet on Somerset Island in Nunavut.
Education and Learning
Josée Auclair has earned two important degrees:
- She has a Bachelor's degree in botany from the University of Vermont.
- She also has a teaching certificate from the Université du Québec.
North Pole Journeys
| Year | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 1999 | Skied to the North Pole from Russia. She was an assistant guide with Richard Weber. |
| 2000 | Skied 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 | Skied 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 from the North Pole to 88° 50’. |
South Pole Journey
| Year | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 2007 | Led a group of four women who skied to the South Pole. They traveled from January 20 to January 25, 2007. |
Other Arctic Adventures
| Location | Year | What Happened |
|---|---|---|
| Baffin Island | 1987 | Traveled by dog sled and skis from Broughton Island to Clyde River (400 km). |
| 1988 | Found a new route from Okoa Bay to Glacier Lake across the Penny Ice Cap, Auyuittuq National Park (150 km). | |
| 1989 | Went Sea kayaking and made a film in the Pond Inlet area. | |
| 1990 | Went hiking southeast of the community of Pond Inlet. | |
| 1996 | Camped and hiked near Milne Inlet, north Baffin Island. Also went sea kayaking in the Gold Cove area. | |
| 1997 | Spent two months with an Inuit family at a camp in Gold Cove. | |
| 1998 | Set up a tourist camp in Jackman Sound for hiking, kayaking, and seeing wildlife. Also went on a kayak trip around the southern tip of Frobisher Bay. | |
| Ellesmere Island | 1997 | Skied from Lake Hazen to Ward Hunt Island (250 km). Climbed Arrowhead Mountain, 1860 m high. |
| 1998 | Skied from Ellesmere Island across the Kane Basin to Siorapaluk, Greenland (300 km). |
Awards and Recognition
| Year | Award Description |
|---|---|
| 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 | Earned a varsity letter from the University of Vermont. This was for her excellent participation in cross-country skiing. |
| 1986 | Was given the All East Ski Team Award by the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association. This was for her great performances in cross-country skiing. |
See also
- List of female sportspeople
- List of polar explorers
