R+W NATURALS: Børge Ousland
Exploration is deeply embedded in human nature—the instinct to venture beyond the familiar, to seek out the unknown, and to push the boundaries of what is possible. From the earliest migrations to modern-day expeditions, humans have been driven by an innate curiosity to discover new lands, understand different cultures, and connect with the natural world in its rawest form. True exploration is not just about reaching a destination; it’s about the journey, the personal transformation, and the deep connection to the environment that unfolds along the way. Whether navigating uncharted terrain, crossing vast oceans, or trekking through frozen landscapes, explorers embody the spirit of resilience and the pursuit of something greater than themselves.
To truly explore is to strip life down to its core—a return to a primitive state where survival, adaptability, and endurance become second nature. Facing the unknown and stepping into extreme environments challenges both physical and mental limits, creating space for self-discovery and growth. In the most remote and untamed corners of the Earth, where nature is both awe-inspiring and unforgiving, explorers find a meditative power in the extremes—the silence of the Arctic, the vastness of the desert, the isolation of an untouched mountain range. These moments, experienced in the wildest landscapes, provide an unparalleled sense of clarity and presence, reinforcing why exploration is not just about discovery, but about reconnecting with the world in its purest form.
Børge Ousland
Few embody the modern explorer’s spirit more than Børge Ousland, a Norwegian polar explorer, hotelier, and photographer who has redefined the limits of human endurance. With groundbreaking solo crossings of the Arctic and Antarctic, Ousland has cemented his place among the greatest explorers of our time. His unassisted expedition across the North Pole during winter, battling extreme cold and darkness, remains one of the most remarkable feats in exploration history. Beyond his record-setting journeys, he continues to push boundaries with new projects focused on sustainability and raising awareness of climate change’s impact on polar regions. Through his adventurous spirit, pioneering expeditions, and unwavering dedication to the natural world, Børge Ousland exemplifies what it means to be a true explorer in the modern age.
Photo by Bjorn Tore Moen
Manshausen is a continuation of Ousland’s lifelong relationship with the wild—a place where the spirit of exploration meets the comforts of considered design. Nestled among the remote Steigen archipelago in northern Norway, the hotel’s striking sea cabins are perched at the edge of the water, seamlessly blending with the raw, untamed landscape. The architecture, with its floor-to-ceiling glass walls, dissolves the barrier between indoors and out, offering uninterrupted views of the sea, rugged mountains, and the ever-changing Arctic light. By placing guests in direct contact with nature while maintaining a sense of warmth and security, Manshausen captures the essence of Ousland’s philosophy: to be present, to embrace the moment, and to reconnect with the natural world in a way that is both restorative and deeply humbling.
In R+W Naturals, we connect with extraordinary people making waves in sustainability, art, design, architecture, gastronomy, wellness, and wildlife — from travel and hospitality industry icons to acclaimed architects, designers, influential artists, forward-thinking musicians, boundary-pushing chefs and visionary explorers. We spoke to Børge about shifting your perspective, the meditative power of isolation, and reconnecting with the world in its purest form.
Manshausen by Steve King
R+W: Growing up in Norway, where some of the world’s most renowned explorers hail from, how do you think the Norwegian culture and landscape inspire a deep connection to nature and extreme exploration?
BO: In Norway nature can be raw, long winters, and the knowledge of how to handle it, has helped me in the extreme north and south. At the same time it has also made me humble. I know that there is a greater force that I need to be on the same page with, working with nature not against it.
“I know that there is a greater force that I need to be on the same page with, working with nature not against it. ”
Børge Ousland
Børge Ousland
R+W: What does it mean to be an explorer in today’s world, and how do you define that role personally?
BO: One role is to be an inspiration for others. I strongly feel that we need to connect more with nature, we are a part of but have moved away from the natural state and feeling of belonging that was once an obviousness. My role also has the element of wanting to protect it, I am an eyewitness to climate change and have seen the ice change over the years myself. My expeditions now, especially with the IceLegacy project, is very much about communicating how important snow and ice is for sustaining life on the planet.
“I am an eyewitness to climate change and have seen the ice change over the years myself. My expeditions now, especially with the IceLegacy project, is very much about communicating how important snow and ice is for sustaining life on the planet. ”
Børge Ousland
R+W: Can you share your experience crossing Greenland, your very first expedition? What initially drew you to such extreme endeavours?
BO: That first trip was simply the urge for a young man to go on an adventure, do something. That it was Greenland was due to the long Polar History, reading about Nansen and Amundsen from the golden age of polar exploration. We all stand on shoulders to others who have paved the way and inspired us to move forward into the unknown.
R+W: Describe your preparation process before each journey, from physical training to mental readiness.
BO: The first thing I do when I plan a big trip is to set a date, if you don't do that the chances are that you will never get going simply because it is so easy to postpone things. So my advice is to set a date and buy a non refundable ticket, and then you just have to use the time you have to be as prepared as possible when that date is coming.
Børge Ousland
Børge Ousland
“[My career’s most triumphant moment] was the first solo North Pole trek in 1994, it was a very defining expedition for me, where I unleashed my potential so to speak. That’s when I understood what is there, inside all of us, when you are digging deep enough, when it comes to mental and physical resources. ”
R+W: What has been your career's most triumphant moment? Has anything ever compared to that feeling?
BO: I think it must be the first solo North Pole trek in 1994, it was a very defining expedition for me, where I unleashed my potential so to speak. That's when I understood what is there, inside all of us, when you are digging deep enough, when it comes to mental and physical resources.
Børge Ousland
R+W: During your solo missions, what was your experience with isolation? Would you describe these extreme experiences as meditative? How do they affect your inner world?
BO: It is very meditative, I reach levels inside me that I didn't know existed, and the feeling of being one with nature and the universe is very fulfilling. I think this can only be obtained in solitude over time, because when you don't have anyone else to lean on you are forced to reflect inwards in yourself and also out towards nature. At the same time it is also challenging, since you have to be the doctor and the patient in the same person.
“[Isolation] is very meditative. I reach levels inside me that I didn’t know existed, and the feeling of being one with nature and the universe is very fulfilling. I think this can only be obtained in solitude over time, because when you don’t have anyone else to lean on you are forced to reflect inwards in yourself and also out towards nature. ”
Børge Ousland
R+W: How do you deal with challenges on your journeys, including moments of delusion or doubt? You have talked about shifting your perspective to stay focused and motivated - please describe your process.
BO: I don't think it's possible to do long hard expeditions without any kind of joy or happiness on the way. Gratitude, that I am able to do such things, and also the understanding that I am walking through an art exhibition every day, has been important for me. At the same time it's natural to have bad days, like everyone else, and then it's important to be able to change the perspective. On such days I draw the horizon very close, not thinking too far ahead. I know that feelings will pass and that the feelings I have tomorrow will be different. I accept my feelings, but know they will change over time, and by keeping a very short perspective on bad days helps.
“Gratitude, that I am able to do such things, and also the understanding that I am walking through an art exhibition every day, has been important for me. At the same time it’s natural to have bad days, like everyone else, and then it’s important to be able to change the perspective. On such days I draw the horizon very close, not thinking too far ahead.”
Børge Ousland
Børge Ousland
R+W: What has been the most awe-inspiring natural sight you’ve encountered during your expeditions? And what personal significance does the ice landscape hold for you?
BO: It must be the drifting ice of the polar ocean. It's like day one on earth or like a different planet. It never stop to amaze me, and there is only one place on earth you can experience such landscapes. I don't have one specific memory, but many flashes of situations and encounters with ice, that I somehow had to navigate through. The polar Ocean is a very dynamic place since the ice always drifts and shifts around. I have spent at least one year all together out there, and it's very unpredictable, you are alert in a different way than on dry land. You have to pay attention. I think you have to become more or less like an animal yourself to be able to function and adapt out there.
“It’s like day one on earth or like a different planet. It never stop to amaze me, and there is only one place on earth you can experience such landscapes. ”
Børge Ousland
R+W: What advice would you give to those looking to begin more extreme explorations? Where is a good place to start?
BO: My advice is to start with something you like to, and start gradually to build up experience. It is actually a good idea to go on a guided trip first, because then you can learn from the expert guides and get experience faster. I actually have a guiding company called Ousland Explorers, we have just launched new trips to Svalbard this winter and fall, that will give you a headstart to the world of polar exploration.
Børge Ousland
Børge Ousland
R+W: Over the years, what changes have you noticed in the ice and polar regions? How have these shifts affected your expeditions?
BO: There was huge changes in the early 2000, then the ocean temperature rose and the ice retreated big time. Since I did my first expeditions to the North Pole in 1990 about 1/3rd of the ice has disappeared and that old multiyear ice we had back then is mostly gone now. It has not affected my progress to any big extent since I am good at finding new ways of travel. For instance, on the winter crossing of the North Pole in 2019 we used small packrafts to paddle across the open leads, since it was much more water and thinner ice, but by doing that we were still as fast as before.
On glaciers it's different, where there were safe passages before, it can easily be impossible to traverse nowadays, since the ice retreats and breaks up in a different way.
“[The Polar Ocean] is very unpredictable, you are alert in a different way than on dry land. You have to pay attention. I think you have to become more or less like an animal yourself to be able to function and adapt out there. ”
Børge Ousland
“With IceLegacy, our mission is to traverse the world’s 20 largest glaciers, raising awareness of their vital role in Earth’s ecosystem and highlighting the urgent need for their preservation. We are not scientists, but we do collect scientific data whenever we can, thus bridging adventure and science.”
R+W: Tell us about The Ice Legacy Project and its mission to preserve vulnerable environments.
BO: Almost all glaciers worldwide are shrinking, with many retreating at an alarmingly fast rate. The primary driver of this decline is rising temperatures caused by human greenhouse gas emissions. With IceLegacy, our mission is to traverse the world’s 20 largest glaciers, raising awareness of their vital role in Earth's ecosystem and highlighting the urgent need for their preservation. We are not scientists, but we do collect scientific data whenever we can, thus bridging adventure and science. Some produce the nrs and statistics and others go out there and show what the world looks like. In addition we would like to inspire the young to interact with nature, and learn basic outdoor skills.
Børge Ousland
“Manshausen was a way for me to shape the landscape into what I envisioned. That was to create a place where people could relax and recharge. In daily life most people, including myself, live for something that is going to happen tomorrow. When you are on an expedition you are forced to be present in your own life, you have to focus on nature and what is happening around you to be able to move forward and to survive. I wanted to try to create some of the same feelings on Manshausen through architecture. ”
R+W: What personal experiences helped shape the vision behind Manshausen? What were your goals in designing the hotel, and how do you hope it connects people to nature?
BO: I grew up in a family of artists and have always been interested in art, design and architecture. Manshausen was a way for me to shape the landscape into what I envisioned. That was to create a place where people could relax and recharge. In daily life most people, including myself, live for something that is going to happen tomorrow. When you are on an expedition you are forced to be present in your own life, you have to focus on nature and what is happening around you to be able to move forward and to survive. I wanted to try to create some of the same feelings on Manshausen through architecture. I think I have been able to do that - it has become a place where people forget time, where you get the feeling of being outside in nature, at the same time as you are warm and comfortable inside. That brings a new dimension, it changes focus from the future to the present, and I think this is needed in this busy hustling life that most people live. In other words you charge your batteries, which is what Manshausen is all about.
Photo by Fergus Bell
R+W: Finally, what is the next frontier for you?
BO: I would like to develop Manshausen further, thinking about the researchers that we are so fortunate to be surrounded with. We already have a very good and renowned restaurant. Utilizing more of what we can grow in the garden and harvest from the sea, wild berries, seaweed, that will be the next level on our way to be as climate neutral as possible.
On the expedition side it is to continue the IceLegacy project. This year is selected by to be the international year of glacier preservation (IYGP) by UNESCO. I am leaving for Ellesmere Island to cross the three biggest icefields there, the Grant, Agassiz and Prince of Whales Icefield. This is a part of the IceLegacy project. We have so far done 13 icefields, so slowly but surely I am getting closer to the 20.
“This year is selected by to be the international year of glacier preservation (IYGP) by UNESCO. I am leaving for Ellesmere Island to cross the three biggest icefields there, the Grant, Agassiz and Prince of Whales Icefield. This is a part of the IceLegacy project. We have so far done 13 icefields, so slowly but surely I am getting closer to the 20. ”
*Images property of Manshaussen, Børge Ousland, Steve King, Adrien Giret, Jorunn Tharaldsen, Adrien Giret, Fergus Bell, Kjell Ove Storvik, Lars Ebbesen, Nadia Nordskot, Nadia Nordskot
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