We awoke early to the ship surrounded by big, blue icebergs off the coast of Qaanaaq, formerly known as Thule. Our morning was spent exploring town and learning about traditional clothing, hunting techniques, and the Inuit games. We heard some captivating storytelling and listened to some music.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 20 Aug 2023
Qaanaaq, 8/20/2023, National Geographic Endurance
- Aboard the National Geographic Endurance
- Arctic
Jamie Coleman, Naturalist/Certified Photo Instructor
Jamie is from England. He grew up in Oxford, about as far from the sea as you can get in the UK, yet somehow decided he would work in marine biology and conservation. Ever since he reached his teens, he has dedicated time to this passion, working and...
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High Arctic Archipelago: Canada and Greenland
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Today began with a stunning sunrise as we sailed into the harbor of Ilulissat. The sun crested the horizon, casting a golden glow over the hundreds of icebergs floating majestically in the inlet of the fjord. The morning was clear and bright, setting the perfect stage for our day’s adventures. The long hikers embarked on the renowned Yellow Trail, a picturesque route from the city along the shoreline to the Ilulissat Icefjord Centre. They were treated to breathtaking views of colossal icebergs up close, their sheer size and intricate blue hues providing a spectacular backdrop. In the afternoon, we took to small local boats to navigate among the icebergs, some towering over 100 feet above us. The journey was both thrilling and serene, with the sun shining brightly throughout the day, enhancing the icy splendor around us. The evening brought a relaxing recap of the day’s experiences over dinner, followed by a fascinating talk from our guide on Greenlandic ice formations. The beauty and grandeur of Ilulissat left a lasting impression on all of us.
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Uummannaq Fjord
The day began with a Zodiac operation of the Inukassaat Fjord, north of Uummannaq. As we were greeted with the grand mountains of the west Greenland fjords, the icebergs made loud sounds of calving and the variety of birds flying over the landscape reminded us how vast the fjord is. For the afternoon activity, National Geographic Endurance proceeded further into the Kangerlussuaq Fjord where there was a landing site with an old hut used by the Greenlandic Inuit. The hikes that followed allowed us to get a clear view of the valley with the glacier and the tundra flora of the arctic autumn, giving us its last display of colors before winter’s descent. After the daily recaps and another lovely dinner, the evening movie, “The Eskimo Experiment”, was shown as our cultural ambassador Peter Freuchen provided some context to the movie.