The southern part of Melville BayAs the planning of the expedition route progresses, we are becoming increasingly interested and curious about a fascinating region called Melville Bay.
Melville Bay which is called in Greenlandic Qimusseriarsuaq (meaning "the great dog sledding") is a large, mostly ice covered area which lies north of Kullorsuaq extending up to the Thule district.
This bay is covered with frozen sea and many tidal calving glaciers with only small scattered pieces of land. This lack of firm ground isolated the polar Inuit from the rest of western Greenland till as recently as 100-120 years ago. For that reason the polar Inuit are more closely related to the Canadian Inuit and have their own dialect, which differs significantly from that of southern Greenland.
The area of Melville Bay is isolated and totally unpopulated and we still trying to find reliable information on the ice and sea conditions from the perspective of sea kayakers.
In addition to all the ice, the area is often affected by windy conditions and stormy seas. However these conditions have a favorable effect ensuring a lot of long leads, or cracks in the ice, that narwhal and belugas exploit. This ice kingdom also attracts polar bears to hunt these waters all year around.
In fact, there is so much wildlife in the area that parts of the bay have been declared a nature reserve to protect the breeding populations of polar bears, belugas and narwhals.
The actual reserve, starting from approximate latitude 75deg 30min north, is off limits to expeditions except for scientific endeavors with special permits.
We will attempt to reach the southern boundary in the hope that the reserve's inhabitants, animal and ice exist unaware of the human designated limit.
The ice does not clear from Melville Bay every summer. But we hope that with local advice, good navigation, favorable sea conditions and a lot of luck we will succeed in approaching the area.
We know that currents and winds often pack the ice together forming an impenetrable barrier along the coast however these are the accepted terms and also part of the charm of arctic travel.
Melville Bay which is called in Greenlandic Qimusseriarsuaq (meaning "the great dog sledding") is a large, mostly ice covered area which lies north of Kullorsuaq extending up to the Thule district.
This bay is covered with frozen sea and many tidal calving glaciers with only small scattered pieces of land. This lack of firm ground isolated the polar Inuit from the rest of western Greenland till as recently as 100-120 years ago. For that reason the polar Inuit are more closely related to the Canadian Inuit and have their own dialect, which differs significantly from that of southern Greenland.
The area of Melville Bay is isolated and totally unpopulated and we still trying to find reliable information on the ice and sea conditions from the perspective of sea kayakers.
In addition to all the ice, the area is often affected by windy conditions and stormy seas. However these conditions have a favorable effect ensuring a lot of long leads, or cracks in the ice, that narwhal and belugas exploit. This ice kingdom also attracts polar bears to hunt these waters all year around.
In fact, there is so much wildlife in the area that parts of the bay have been declared a nature reserve to protect the breeding populations of polar bears, belugas and narwhals.
The actual reserve, starting from approximate latitude 75deg 30min north, is off limits to expeditions except for scientific endeavors with special permits.
We will attempt to reach the southern boundary in the hope that the reserve's inhabitants, animal and ice exist unaware of the human designated limit.
The ice does not clear from Melville Bay every summer. But we hope that with local advice, good navigation, favorable sea conditions and a lot of luck we will succeed in approaching the area.
We know that currents and winds often pack the ice together forming an impenetrable barrier along the coast however these are the accepted terms and also part of the charm of arctic travel.
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