Day 5, 6 & 7; - Qilaqitsok (the Mummies),
Qikiqtarjuaq and Auyuittuq National Park on Baffin Island
On day five we arrive at Qilaqitsok an archaeological site, 450 kilometres above the Arctic Circle on the Nuusuaq Peninsula.
Eight mummified bodies were found in this
secluded cove 1972.
We learn the tomb where hunters found the mummies was dated to 1460 CE.
The mummies appear to comprise a family group that includes six
women, a boy, and a baby.
This precariously balanced rock has apparently stood sentry over looking the bay since the last ice age.
As we head out to Baffin Bay we pass the settlement of Uummannaq dominated by Uummannaq Mountain.
We take advantage of the spectacular weather as well as the Greenland coastline.
One of the Adventure Canada staff checking out our current position.
We say good-bye to Greenland.
And strike out across Baffin Bay to Canada.
Day six we wake up to the shores of Baffin Island.
We pass through "strict" Canadian Boarder Security at Qikiqtarjuaq.
The main street of Qikiqtarjuaq.
Lighting the qulliq, a seal oil lamp made of soapstone. At one time this was the most important piece of furniture for the Inuit people.
Today it is lit as a welcome to visitors.
Our guide shows off some harp seal skins.
From the cairn on the hill outside of town the locals pointed out some narwals in the bay.
Rob tried to capture them on film with the telephoto
lens ..... his comment ....
"I've seen better pictures of the Loch
Ness monster."
Sunset at 8:30 pm.on day six.
Day seven, sunrise was at 4:17 am, I didn't get up
for it.
We enter Nedlukseak Fiord.
Auyuittuq (the land that never melts) National Park
Base Jumpers, trekkers and climbers are drawn to Auyuittuq's spectacular peaks.
We start out on an eight km trek up the valley.
At the end of the hike we were greeting by a small
flock of Canada Geese.
I wondered at the cost effectiveness of coming
this far to see Canada Geese.
On the way out of the fiord someone spots a polar
bear.
As eeveryone crowds along the rail there is a chorus of "Where
.. Where ?"
Rob finally captures him with the telephoto lens.
