Ellesmere island trek to the icecap and glacier
We move again, paddling to a bay in the Arctic ocean 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.
(Click on a picture to see an enlarged version)
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We start to paddle again, moving to a different area. |
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| We set up a new camp above a beautiful bay. |
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| A 250 degrees panorama around the bay. |
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| A polar bear trap. |
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| From here, we start a full day hike to a mountain glacier ending in a frozen lake. |
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| The first obstacle is a river. We will have to cross it with naked feet and forming a chain, a quite chilling experience! | |
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| Nice red leaves. |
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We reach a spectacular point with a wonderful view. This is a 280 degrees panorama: the Bache peninsula is visible on the left; Greenland was faintly visible in the center / center-right sector of the panorama (but not visible in the picture) and finally, on the right, the glacier where we are going. |
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| We finally reach the glacier ending in the half-frozen lake. | |
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| It's now time to go back at the camp for a late-night dinner. |
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| Again... we have to cross the same river. |
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| Midnight on Ellesmere island. The sun is at its today's lowest elevation. |
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Although the sun is shining high in the sky, the temperature is quite low, so a thin layer of ice develops on the calm waters inside the bay... |
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| A macro of strange ice crystal. The picture has been taken from a distance of about 1 inch in super-macro mode (equivalent of 70mm lens). | |
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| The following day is again partly cloudy... |
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...but still cold, with the kayak behaving like a kind of icebreaker. |
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| Luckly, there is no ice out of the bay, and we can continue normally thru the Arctic ocean. |
PICTURES |
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Two days in Toronto, touring the city's museums and attractions, as the CN Tower and the Toronto Islands. GO. |
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Two days in Edmonton, visiting the West Mall, the city, the Ukrainian Cultural Center and the Elk Island National Park. GO. |
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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. |
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Ellesmere island - first camp on Skraeling island 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. GO. |
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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. |
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Ellesmere island - long hike to inner glaciers <YOU ARE HERE> 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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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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