From a young age I had a big interest in outdoor life. At the age of 20, along with Norwegian adventurer Lars Monson, I planned my first arctic expedition in Alaska. Over a period of 10 months, we hiked 3000km in Alaska’s wilderness. Despite the mental and physical challenges we faced, I realised the wilderness is my home. I felt safe there.

Since then I have been on many expeditions in the arctic, including the first female crossing of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago. Over the years I’ve learnt to work alongside mother nature, with all her extremities and challenges she may bring.

Since 2011 I have been practicing yoga and meditation, which helped inspire and inform the ethos at Guiding Posanger of being mindful. What I’ve learnt is you don’t have to climb the highest mountain or travel the longest distance to have an unforgettable experience in nature. I want my guests to connect with their surroundings and simply be present in the moment.

I have since found my happy place in Porsanger, northern Norway, alongside my husband Nils, 9 greenlandic dogs and hunting dog. Now I want to simply share the arctic wilderness as it is; a pure and magic beauty.

Marit Holm Pettersen x