“Adventure is for everyone.” That’s the message explorer Natalie Afonina carried home after six weeks of skiing, climbing, and packrafting across one of the harshest landscapes on Earth. This summer, a four-woman team set out on Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic—pulling 200-lb sleds across frozen sea ice, attempting a first ascent on Mt. Eglinton, and navigating polar bear territory.
Paradis Sport caught up with Natalie Afonina to hear her reflections on pushing limits, facing fears, and why the right gear matters when you’re living out of a sled.
“I’ve always been drawn to places that feel untouched and wild,” says Afonina. “When I was seven, my father gave me a book of polar explorers’ stories. Ever since, I dreamed about the Arctic. Baffin’s massive granite walls, polar bears, and endless skies have been calling me for years.”
Completing the 300km round trip felt surreal. “There were moments I doubted if we could pull it off. But standing back on solid ground, I felt proud of what we had accomplished,” Afonina recalls.
Big-wall and Arctic expeditions are rarely led by women. “With the heavy loads and unforgiving terrain, it can feel intimidating,” says Afonina. “Very few all-female teams come through this region, and being part of one was both empowering and eye-opening.”
The expedition unfolded in stages—skiing across sea ice while scanning for polar bear tracks, a climb on Mt. Eglinton, hauling sleds over mountain passes, and finally packrafting down the Kuugaaluk River to the Inuit village of Clyde River.
Highlights for Afonina were both raw and beautiful:
On Polar Bear Watch: While teammates bivvied on the wall, she kept camp safe through the night.
A Blizzard on the Ice: “One day, temperatures dropped to 0°F, with heavy snow and a horizontal headwind. Our sleds barely moved. We kept going, trusting each other’s footsteps in the whiteout.”
Moments of Awe: “Sitting on a boulder under the midnight sun, sipping tea while the fjord glowed pink, an arctic fox watching from the ridge—I was exhausted, but completely alive.”
Training wasn’t just about strength—it was about skills. Afonina honed packrafting techniques on the Grand Canyon with a swiftwater rescue instructor, and broke in every piece of gear before departure.
“Flexibility and problem-solving were just as important as fitness,” she says. “You need the mental fortitude to get up every day, lace your boots, and grind.”
What surprised Afonina most? The soundscape. “I expected stillness. Instead, there was constant noise: rockfall thundering, foxes barking, sea ice creaking like old ships. It was eerie and beautiful at the same time.”
For six weeks in the Arctic, reliable clothing isn’t a luxury—it’s survival.
“Comfort is everything when you’re pulling a 180lb sled,” says Afonina. “Paradis gear worked without me thinking about it—no chafing, dried instantly, and easy to wash in icy water. I rotated just four pairs of underwear, and they held up to every challenge.”
The challenges were immense—the storm on the ice, the weight of the sleds, the endless cold. But the rewards were greater.
“The best journeys aren’t just about reaching a summit,” reflects Afonina. “They’re about doing the hard things every day, when no one’s watching. You don’t have to wait for the perfect time—start now. Adventure is for everyone.”
As Natalie Afonina and her teammates returned home, they carried not only memories of pink fjords and frozen rivers, but also proof of what’s possible. With preparation, grit, and the right gear, boundaries fall away.
At Paradis Sport, we’re proud to outfit women like Natalie Afonina who redefine adventure—one bold expedition at a time.
