[MCR] Sirmilik National Park, Pond Inlet, Baffin Island, Nunavut Dec 1-5

Subject: [MCR] Sirmilik National Park, Pond Inlet, Baffin Island, Nunavut Dec 1-5
Date: Wed, 8 Dec 2010 18:07:56 -0500
I was in Pond Inlet, Baffin Island, Nunavut last week (Dec 1-5).  The weather has been unseasonably warm in the Arctic, with the sea ice only just forming within the past couple weeks to allow safe travel.  We received about 25 cm of low density snow in the 5 day period, with variable winds from calm to moderate, SW and W. 
 
We travelled with Inuit by snowmobile for an overnight trip, across Eclipse Sound to Bylot Island, spending a night on the edge of Sirmilik National Park.  The weather was quite good on the overnight trip, with temperatures between -15 and -25 deg C, and generally calm wind.  This time of year, there is no direct sunlight at this latitude, with only dusk/dawn conditions from about 10:30am to 2:pm. 
 
We didn't travel into any avalanche terrain.  Windward slopes are stripped pretty bare, with the main concern being slab formation on lee N and E aspects.  Visibility was limited due to some low cloud/light snow and limited daylight.
 
I am presently in Arctic Bay, a Nunavut community to the west of Pond Inlet.  The temperature has dropped to a constant -30 deg C and the sky is totally clear. 
 
Jordy Shepherd
Mountain Guide
 
 
 
_______________________________________________
These observations and opinions are those of the person who submitted them. The 
ACMG and its members take no responsibility for errors, omissions, or lapses in 
continuity. Conditions differ greatly over time and space due to the variable 
nature of mountain weather and terrain. Application of this information 
provides no guarantee of increased safety. Do not use the Mountain Conditions 
Report as the sole factor in planning trips or making decisions in the field.
Please check out http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.