Arctic Explorer: July 3 - 12, 2008
We have just returned from a zodiac ice excursion off Cape Dorset. The ice conditions have prevented us from visiting Cape Dorset but we had a lot of excitement when Michael’s zodiac became engulfed in the fast-moving ice. Julio stayed to assist them and the remaining three zodiacs beat a hasty retreat from the encroaching ice. We saw many seals, both harp and bearded, lots of guillemots, murres, and couple of eiders (or perhaps only one on the move). We also saw the evidence of polar bears with the stained ice but it wasn’t possible to tell how recent they were there. Although we didn’t see the bears, it was an amazing experience to be so close to the ice. I even got a chance to dip my hand in the Hudson Strait. It was cold but not jarringly with a just a hand dip, but I won’t get out the bathing suit.
We have only had one landing on Baffin Island but the geography and fauna in the fiord at Nanuk Harbour was amazing. We were capably guarded by two Inuit guides armed with shotguns who nimbly ran up the cliffs to scout out the terrain. All this in Wellies. One of them, Aisa, is a star athlete who was very successful in the recent Arctic games.
Yesterday was rather an uninteresting day as we were mostly in fog, there were lots of lectures, movies, and (as usual) food, to keep us entertained.
There is never a dull day on board!
Monday the 7th at noon.
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2 comments:
what are the temperatures like please?
Right now it is about 15 degrees. Last week in Iqaluit there was a record temperature of 27 degrees! But Usually it is between 10 - 15 degrees in the summer.
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