Ilhan had a late introduction to nature. Well-behaved as a child and teenager, he stayed at his desk and studied, but that all changed with an eye-opening experience at a ski resort. There, the enormity of nature impressed and thrilled him. After this, he spent his twenties outdoors, including surfing in the Philippines and hiking in Hawaii. Taking his passion further, Ilhan took part in the 2019 Fjällräven Classic Sweden and the 2022 Fjällräven Classic South Korea. He perceives Fjällräven Polar to be like those treks, but more extreme. Completing it, he hopes to make his two daughters proud and teach them the new skills he learns. That’s what such expeditions are all about after all: inspiring a passion and respect for nature that the next generation can emulate.