Bae operated an adventure company called Fram,[1] specializing in Arctic and Antarctic travel and survival courses.

In 2000/2001, Bae crossed Antarctica with fellow explorer Eirik Sønneland,[2][3] completing what was then the world's longest ski journey, 3800 km long, taking 105 days to complete; the record was beaten by Rune Gjeldnes in 2006.

On 27 December 2005, he arrived at the South Pole,[4] after skiing from the ice shelf, and on 24 April 2006, he reached the North Pole unsupported,[5] both expeditions together with Cecilie Skog, the first woman to complete the Explorers Grand Slam.

In 2008, Bae together with Stein-Ivar Gravdal, Bjarte Bø and Sigurd Felde reached the top of Great Trango Tower (6286 m) in Karakoram, Pakistan, via the "Norwegian Buttress" (VII 5.10+ A4).

[6] Rolf Bae died on 1 August 2008, in a climbing accident while taking part in an international expedition on K2 mountain.