Overview

• Camilla Hempleman-Adams initially claimed to be the first woman to solo traverse Baffin Island, Canada’s largest island, after completing a 13-day expedition in March 2025.
• Inuit representatives criticized the claim, stating it ignored their historical and cultural connection to the land, where such journeys were a traditional way of life.
• Hempleman-Adams issued a public apology on April 9, 2025, acknowledging the offence caused and revising her claim to being the first British woman to complete the route.
• The controversy has reignited discussions about the erasure of indigenous histories and the colonial framing of exploration achievements.
• Hempleman-Adams faced extreme conditions during the trek, including temperatures as low as minus 104°F and high winds, underscoring the physical challenge of the journey.