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

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

www.PeakAlpine.com

jordy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

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