PONANT EXPLORATIONS Recreates Iconic 1985 North Pole Journey

In the summer of 1985, a quietly assembled group of adventurers led by professional expedition leader Mike Dunn and including legendary mountain climber Sir Edmund Hillary, astronaut Neil Armstrong, adventurer Steve Fossett, and Canadian climber and photographer Patrick Morrow—travelled to the North Pole. 

At Armstrong’s request, the expedition remained out of the public eye. Today, the story is finally being told and the trip is being retraced by PONANT EXPLORATIONS exactly 40 years later.

Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s only luxury icebreaker, descendants and team members of the original mission have returned to the top of the world. 

Onboard Le Commandant Charcot are Peter Hillary — who participated in the original 1985 journey alongside his father, Sir Edmund Hillary — Mark Armstrong, son of Neil Armstrong, Alexander Hillary, grandson of Sir Edmund Hillary, and expedition leader Mike Dunn. 

They are retracing the original route through the drifting Arctic ice, supported by cutting-edge technology, polar research, and the enduring legacy of their fathers’ pioneering spirit.  

The expedition is part of a 15-night voyage from Svalbard that departed on July 22, and is organized with the support of PONANT EXPLORATIONS.  

The ship, which features a hybrid electric propulsion system powered by LNG, reached 90° North on the evening of July 26, and the team ventured ashore on July 27 to commemorate the moment. 

“It’s always both thrilling and humbling to reach the North Pole, and this expedition added even greater meaning to the moment,” Captain Étienne Garcia said. 

“As a company with exploration in our DNA, PONANT EXPLORATIONS is proud to support this extraordinary journey retracing the footsteps of two legendary explorers. Le Commandant Charcot was purpose-built for exactly this kind of mission — uniting safe polar navigation, scientific discovery, and cultural storytelling at the ends of the Earth.”  

 “I’ve been impressed by the ship’s capabilities — especially its robust science program,” Mark Armstrong said. “Researchers aboard are measuring salinity, nanoplastics, sea ice thickness –offering critical data in a rapidly changing environment. It gives me hope.” 

“The 1985 expedition was unique,” Mike Dunn said. “In order to understand the future of the North Pole, we need to understand its past. That’s what makes this return so important.” 

This ground-breaking return voyage also serves as the foundation for a new documentary, North Pole ’85, directed by Icelandic filmmakers Orly Orlyson and Rafnar Orri. The film will bring the original expedition to light for the first time, combining never-before-seen 1985 footage, contemporary interviews, and visuals captured from Le Commandant Charcot. The premiere date will be announced soon. 

With its Polar Class 2 (PC2) classification, Le Commandant Charcot is the only cruise ship in the world capable of reaching 90° North, the northernmost point on Earth. The company began North Pole expeditions in 2022 and recently announced 12-night voyages beginning July of 2027.