In June 2025, a female+ team made history in a first ascent of “Lemnos in the Clouds” 5.11+ A0 on Eglinton Tower, the longest and most challenging technical route ever established by an all female+ team in the Canadian Arctic.

Natalie Afonina she/her, Shira Biner she/her, Heather Smallpage they/them, and Kelly Turner she/her, trekked for 29 days starting and ending in Clyde River. They skied 150 km across sea ice, pushed for 49 hours establishing the route, packrafted Kuugaaluk River, and hiked 25km back into town. With 200lb pulks, and 80lb packs, this was nothing short of a slog.

ODE TO THE SLOG, written and spoken by Smallpage illustrates the femme/them team’s experience in the arctic. It is a love letter to the accumulation of all the cavernous blisters, throbbing shoulders, and mental fortitude in a human-powered expedition.

THIS EXPEDITION AND FILM WAS SUPPORTED BY THE DIRTBAG FUND A NON-PROFIT THAT SUPPORTS SCRAPPY CLIMBERS AND THEIR CRAZY DREAMS.