I knew how to ride horses before I could walk, and learned early on how to dream big​
My name is Gina Johansen and I'm a nature and wildlife lover, who cannot stop dreaming about my next adventure.
I currently live in Honningsvåg, Norway, the northernmost town in Europe, together with my boyfriend Stig-Rune, stepdaughter Sofie and our pointer dog Storm.
Expedition CV
2024
On skis
150km
8 days
Team
2019
Team
On foot
2642 km
102 days
2019
Solo
On foot
700km
14,5 days
2018
Solo
On skis
1000 km
60 days
2016
Team
On bike
2700 km
Together with six experienced Polar Skiing women, I skied across the Spistbergen Island in the Svalbard Achipelago, East Coast to West Coast, in April 2024. While we had clear skies for most of the trip, temperatures fell to -35°C at night. Memorable experiences include nighttime Polar Bear Guard.
Svalbard: East to West
Norge på Langs
Together with my partner, Stig-Rune and our dog, Storm, I hiked from the southernmost point of Norway (Lindesnes) to the Northernmost point (North Cape).
Crossing of Lake Baikal, Siberia
After 14,5 days of walking 50-60km/day with temperatures down to -40°, strong winds and crossing big ice cracks, I became the first woman to cross Lake Baikal in Siberia by foot, solo, from South to North. The lake is the largest freshwater lake by volume in the world​.
North Cape to Jäckvik
My first solo expedition. I crossed the Finnmarksvidda plateau on skis, experiencing temperatures reaching down to -37° and loved every minute of it. Winter storms, northern lights, skiing for days without seeing other people, living with the Sami people and much more.
Sydney to Cairns
While living in Sydney, I wanted to explore more of Australia. In a team of two, I cycled 2700 kilometer across Australia from Sydney to Cairns. This was the start of a life full of adventures.​
Certifications
I want to be a role model for children and teenagers. To inspire them to have an active lifestyle, reach for their dreams and dare to face their fears. I believe that anyone can follow in my footsteps to experience the elation of achieving a goal.
My story
01
Growing up far away from ice and snow
Growing up on a horse farm in the Swedish countryside, in a little town called Färgelanda, I learned how to ride before I could walk. At a young age I competed both in show jumping and harness racing with my horses.
As a child, I dreamt of working professionally with horses one day and learned early to work hard. I spent all her free time in the stable training the horses.
02
Escaping the ordinary
At age 15, I left school to follow my childhood dream and moved to south of Sweden to work as a showgroom in a professional showjumping stable, Springfield farm, for Alexander and Daniel Zetterman. I spent 3,5 years with them and travelled Europe to some of the biggest international shows.
03
Professional carreer in Sydey
At 19, Gina wanted to see more of the world and moved to Sydney, Australia. She worked eight years in the Thoroughbred Horse Racing industry and in some of the most successful racing stables in the world as a track rider, stablehand and travelling track rider. She worked for Chris Waller (world no. 1 at the time), the famous Bart Cummings, known as the "cup king" and his son Anthony Cummings.
04
Turning it all around
I have always wanted to explore the wilderness and remote places and in 2018, I travelled to Europe's northernmost point, North Cape, to embark on my first 60-day solo expedition on skis, despite never having skied or slept in a tent during winter before. After the trip, I moved permanently to Honningsvåg, near the North Cape.
