Into the Ice

The Northwest Passage, the Polar Sun, and a 175-Year-Old Mystery

By: Mark Synnott

Narrated by: Mark Deakins

New York Times bestselling author Mark Synnott has climbed with Alex Honnold. He’s scaled Mount Everest. He's pioneered big-wall first ascents, including the north-west face of the mile-high Great Trango Tower, and skied monster first descents. But in 2022, he realized there was a dream he’d yet to achieve: to sail the Northwest Passage in his own boat-- a feat only four hundred or so sailors have ever accomplished—and in doing so, try to solve the mystery of what happened to legendary nineteenth-century explorer Sir John Franklin and his ships, HMS Erebus and Terror.

Only a few hundred vessels have ever transited the Northwest Passage, and substantially fewer have done so in a fiberglass-hulled boat like Polar Sun. But Mark was determined to return to the Arctic, where he cut his teeth as a young climber, and in the process investigate one of the great mysteries of exploration: What really happened to Sir John Franklin and his entire 128-man crew, which disappeared into these ice-strewn waters 175 years ago?

In this pulse-pounding travelogue, Mark Synnott paints a vivid portrait of the Arctic, which is currently warming twice as fast as any other part of our planet. He weaves its history and people into the first-person account of his epic journey through the Northwest Passage, searching for Franklin's tomb along the way-- all while trying to avoid a similar fate.

In Into the Ice, Mark and his crew race against time and treacherous storms in search of answers to the greatest mystery of all time: What is it that drives someone to risk it all in the name of exploration?

Awesome read

Great writing paired with good storytelling and history. It's hard to summarize an experience like this. I felt mark did a great job, epic adventure!

Great read

This was an interesting read about quite an amazing adventure. I enjoy the books by Mark Synott and this one did not disappoint.

Great narrative, fascinating adventure, well researched and beautifully written

Mark Synnott has quickly become one of my favorite adventure/exploration writers. I’ve followed his travels via social media, and this book is such a great read/“listen” that fully complements the snapshots we see via his social media presence. His mix of historical information with the narrative of his own sailing adventure in the Northwest Passage is cleverly interwoven, maintaining a strong sense of mystery - both for historical figures (Franklin and company) as well as for him and his crew (“Will they get iced in?!?”). Synnott has a unique voice, authentic and mature. He’s not afraid to share his vulnerabilities along the way. I hope he continues to write about his adventures following in the path of explorers and helping us learn more about history. His books are an important part of my “climbing, exploration and aventure” library.

Exploring the Northwest Passage for the Franklin expedition

A modern day sailor does the extreme- he sails thru the Northwest passage using modern technology and still almost dies a couple of times. He is looking for Franklin’s grave hoping to find the log books to prove what happened to all of them.
He doesn’t find them.
This is like Trail of the Lost- a search and rescue ranger hunts for 3 young men who were lost on the PCT in one year. She describes every step she took, which was fascinating, but never finds them.

I love it.

Excellent listen!!!

This was a wonderful audiobook. It was very interesting, educational, and makes you want to adventure. Mark was my climbing mentor years ago and that personal touch makes this book even more enjoyable. I have always enjoyed Mark’s writing and can’t wait for his next book!!!