1-8-2024
Sissimut, West coast Greenland
The first of august! Start of the Caribou season. Hunters make for the hills in all sorts of watercraft. Fresh meat is vital to the local community. Although berries grow in summer and autumn fresh meat is the only supply of vitamins around. Early explores where slow to learn from the Inuit who were masters of these lands for thousands of years. They fall down dead of scurvy as they were blind to the sings that would have saved them. That is a nice bridge to the other season that is starting. The Northwest Passage. The 1st of august is the time one wants to be in the right position for starting an attempt on the fabled passage. Before that time the ice in Baffin Bay and Lancaster sound is likely to be to dense. That is if one is doing a East to West route. For me the 1st has meant serious ice watch for quite some years now. Also, the East Coast of Greenland is not likely to be open to navigation before that time. A magical date signaling the start of the short boating season in the high Arctic.
We are not that high yet. Just crossed the Circle yesterday. Found a nice anchorage and spent the day exploring the surroundings. The local shop was plundered for souvenirs and ice-cream. Then of into the lower hills for some more exploring. The sun had finally made its grand appearance in the early morning and was there to stay! Watching over us as we blundered over the rough terrain. In the evening, I took some time to soak it all in. Perfect spot amongst a superb alpine setting. The world spinning around. One of hunting one of boating another somewhere far away tending to her young children. Al under the same sky.
All is well
Gijs