Arctic Ascent With Alex Honnold Uncovers Climate Change

Exclusive Interview with World Record-Setting Adventurer Aldo Kane

- By Lindsey Feth

Alex Honnold in a moulin. (National Geographic/Mikey Schaefer)

The exciting series Arctic Ascent With Alex Honnold, which captures legendary Alex Honnold and a team of world-class climbers braving uncharted peaks of Greenland, premiered on National Geographic. The goal of the expedition is to summit the 3,750-foot rock formation Ingmikortilaq. Beyond the thrill of climbing, this journey is a ground-breaking exploration to discover the impact of climate change in remote areas.

Aldo Kane on the Pool Wall. (National Geographic)

The expedition’s safety and logistics lead, Aldo Kane, joined forces with Honnold while making the series. As a former Royal Marines Commando sniper and seasoned explorer, Kane navigated the treacherous terrain with precision and expertise. In an exclusive interview with Innovation & Tech Today, Kane shares details of this daring mission, such as the cutting-edge technology used for climbing and how the series contributes to climate change awareness.

Innovation & Tech Today: What motivated you to join Arctic Ascent?

Aldo Kane: I wanted to be part of it because it’s not just exploration and adventure, which is my background. I was in the Royal Marines and British Elite Forces for 10 years. I've been chasing that adventure and traveling around the world for 30 years now.

The last five years have also been about exploration, travel, and adventure, but with a deeper meaning—whether it involved climate and environment conservation or the protection of forests and wild animals. And so this fitted firmly in that. It’s a pigeonhole of adventure with a purpose. Also, working with an elite team doesn’t get any bigger or any better, and the challenges themselves were just pretty epic.