Kayak trip from Ellesmere to Skraeling island. Hike on the tundra to search for arctic flora. Tundra pictures. Archeological remains left by ancient Eskimos

Camping on Skraeling islands just off Ellesmere's coast
First camp on Skrealing islands, after a short paddle from the airstrip. This island is very interesting for the many archeological remains left by ancient Eskimos.

*PICTURES*
	Tour of Toronto, Ontario Two days in Toronto, touring the city's museums and attractions, as the CN Tower and the Toronto Islands. GO.
	Tour of Edmonton, Alberta Two days in Edmonton, visiting the West Mall, the city, the Ukrainian Cultural Center and the Elk Island National Park. GO.
	Fly to Ellesmere island, via Cambridge Bay and Resolute Bay Is a long flight, with one stop in Yellowknife, one change in Ikaluktutiak (Cambridge Bay) and one night layover in Qausuittuq (Resolute Bay), before the final leg to Alexandra Fiord / Kane Basin on Ellesmere Island by chartered Twin Otter. GO.
	Ellesmere island - first camp on Skraeling island <YOU ARE HERE> First camp on Skrealing islands, after a short paddle from the airstrip. This island is very interesting for the many archeological remains left by ancient Eskimos.
	Ellesmere island - camp where Alexandra Fiord ends into Buchanan Bay Back on Ellesmere to set up a new camp, approximately where Alexandra Fiord ends into Buchanan Bay. Time for long hikes and for further observation of archeological remains from the ancient Eskimo. GO.
	Ellesmere island - long hike to inner glaciers We move again, paddling to a bay about 4 hours away. The following day, a spectacular hike to a mountain glacier ending into a frozen lake, awaits us under a perfect blue and clear sky. GO.
	Ellesmere island - second camp on Skraeling island With about 7 hours of paddling, we go back to Skrealing islands, setting up the camp on a different spot. There are many birds and archeological remains here. GO.
	Ellesmere island - camp on the opposite side of Alexandra Fiord We continue to north, close to 79th parallel, on the opposite side of Alexandra Fiord, a nice spot for long hikes and paddles around the nearby islands. GO.
	Ellesmere island - going back to the airstrip, camping halfway The advanture is about to finish. It's now time to retrace our steps back to the airstrip, with one night stop halfway. GO.
	Ellesmere island - camp at Alexandra Fiord near the airstrip Was located near the unprepared airstrip at Alexandra Fiord. From there, I've reached the beautiful Twin Glacier, by a short hike. GO.
	Back to Qausuittuq (Resolute Bay) The Twin Otter arrives on time and brings the group back to Qausuittuq, where is necessary to stay one night, before continuing south. A tour of the town is included in this section. GO.
	Flying to Yellowknife and Yellowknife city tour From Qausuittuq, I've flown to Yellowknife where I've spent two nights, before taking the connecting flights back to my country. GO.
	Digital photo equipment used during the expedition In a so adventurous trip, where no computer or recharging facility is available, is necessary to bring appropriate equipment and to protect it from water and mechanical shock. GO.

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After a short paddle thorugh Alexandra Fiord, we land on Skrealing island in the high arctic, where we build the first camp.


The tents are very confortable and require just 10 minutes to put them up.


Pedicularis lanata, height 3-4cm.	Saxifraga oppositifolia height 2-3cm, diameter about 4cm.


Silene acaulis, very nice flower, grows in dense cushions about 5-15cm wide and 2-6cm tall.


General aspect of the tundra, where mosses, lichens and other vascular plants use any available space, often creating wide and uninterrupted soft carpets.



The high tide moves large blocks of ice on the beach, where they remain trapped until the next high tide.


	Tent rings built by ancient Eskimo about 4500 years ago. Skrealing island is very interesting for such remains.


Other tent rings. As there are no trees here, the bones were used in place of wood. Sometimes the bones are just food scratches thrown away.


A nice lichen growing on a granitic rock (lichen's size about 4cm).


A birch, probably the only "tree" living up here.	Silene acaulis


Papaver radicatum, height including flowers, 10-15cm.


Cassiope tetragona, flower's size about 5mm.


Midnight sun!


A group of walruses rest on an icefloe.


	Along the way, we observe dozens of walruses. The pictures has been taken using a 420mm, stabilized lens.