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Ellesmere Island National Park Preserve protects a natural area in the Eastern High
Arctic. Including enormous tracts of ice, snow, and glaciers, and Lake Hazen which is
the world's largest Arctic Lake (about 50 miles long), it is a hiker's paradise.
Covering an area of over 15,000 square miles, it contains a rich and fragile ecology
of plant, animal and bird life. The area around Lake Hazen is an Arctic oasis, with
summer temperatures commonly going into the 60's - its hard to believe that you're
only 550 miles from the North Pole.
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| Tanquary Fiord.
The "entrance" to the park is at Tanquary Fiord, one of the few spots where a Twin
Otter can land. The fiord cuts deeply into the island and exhibits the traditional
glaciated valley shape. With no trees to block the view, it is often possible to look
back and see where you were three days ago. Your sense of distance is completely foiled
by the landscape.
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| Light Dusting of Snow.
In the Arctic, snow is a possibility every month of the year. Fortunately in July and
August, it provides an additional element in coming up with some interesting
photographs.
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| Crossing The Glacier.
In this one area, we had a choice of going around the Glacier, or going over it. Going
over it proved both the shorter route as well as the more scenic one. As with all
glacier travel you have to keep your eyes open for crevasses, but its not much of a
problem in this area - the glacier movement is very minor.
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| A Wide Wide Stream.
The two mile wide Henrietta Nesmith Glacier juts out from an enormous ice cap, and
drains into Lake Hazen. The meltwater from this glacier forms countless braided
channels, that are guaranteed to keep your feet wet for an hour or two. As you can
tell from the image, it is another cold day - we had to wear our heaviest T-shirts.
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| Cleanliness Is Next To the North Pole.
When on an extended hike, maintaining personal cleanliness standards always requires
some additional effort. Some people go to extraordinary means - including carrying
their own shower with them.
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| Cozy Dinner Tent.
If the weather was a bit inclement, we would all cram into a 3-man tent. Eating was a
bit difficult - it was hard to lift your elbow without hitting someone else in the chin.
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