Camping on Ellesmere island on the opposite side of Alexandra Fiord. Hike to a glacier moraine.

Camping on Ellesmere island and hike to a glacier moraine
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.

*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 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.
	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 opposite side of Alexandra Fiord <YOU ARE HERE> 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.
	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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Below dense, but nice clouds, the group move to a different camp, close to 79th parallel.


After setting up the tent, I start to explore the surrounding area.


	The water is very fresh and clean, safe to drink without taking any precaution.


A nice Saxifraga oppositifolia with flowers (flower's size about 8mm).


The following day the weather improves, the sky looks nice with small, low clouds.


After dinner, although it's quite cold and windy, I start a walk to a nearby waterfall. The sky is still nice, ideal for pictures.


	On the way to the waterfall, I discover i nice glacier moraine and I revert the hike to moraine climbing. Indeed, it's not easy at all to move over these rocks, but looks safe enough.


	Perhaps for the sheltered position or higher humidity (there is some water running between the stones), the mosses and lichens are particularly vigorous.


I then decide to descent and go back to the base camp. I don't have any idea about how far away the glacier is, it may perhaps require a full dayhike, and is already late night.


In the meanwhile, I've finished the memory cards, so it's now time to create a backup copy of the pictures, using a portable hard drive and a CD Recorder. Of each memory card, I usually make one copy on the hard drive and 3 CD-ROMs, before reformatting and reusing them. The equipment works with a homemade battery pack, accepting standard (and inexpensive) AA batteries.


After several hours, we reach a suitable bay.



Bones, some of them attacked by lichens.


	Sometimes there are steep climbs and very large stones.


The following day we leave again for a different area. Loaded with luggage and provisions, the kayak may be heavy, so the efforts of the entire group are necessary to launch them.