Lancaster Sound and Powell Inlet, Qikiqtaaluk Region, Nunavut, Canada

September 7, 2018 - Day 12 of Quark's Northwest Passage Voyage.

The morning's activities (Lancaster Sound), sights, and sounds on FLICKR:
flic.kr/p/2gJWCxX

The evening's activities (Powell Inlet), sights, and sounds on FLICKR:
flic.kr/p/2gKQ4Vz

LANCASTER SOUND
HISTORY
Lancaster Sound was named in 1616 by explorer William Baffin for Sir James Lancaster, one of the three main financial supporters of his exploratory expeditions. The abortive expedition by the British explorer John Ross in 1818 ended when he saw what he believed were mountains blocking the end of Lancaster Sound. This turned out to be an optical illusion known as fata morgana. In 1819, William Edward Parry got through it and went as far west as Melville Island. The sound was thoroughly explored during an extensive aerial mapping program of Northern Canada by the Canadian Government, which took from the 1930s until the late 1950s to complete. Coincidentally, the type of aircraft that was used to complete the mapping program was the Avro Lancaster, a World War II heavy bomber which had been converted for mapping.

Excerpt from Voyage Journal:
"With the snow flying outside this morning we carefully stepped outside into the cold air. Overnight we encountered a band of impenetrable ice, which slowed us down to 3kt. Unable to pass through the ice, we edged nearer until we were essentially parked in. Scanning the horizon, the ice continued deep into Lancaster Sound, and we found ourselves truly in the footsteps of Franklin."

"Unable to proceed further, staff looked for alternative opportunities. The ice was thick and stable so the decision was made to offer a very special excursion – a chance to step onto the sea ice. In small groups we took zodiacs to the very edge of the ice where staff were waiting to help us out. A bar had been set up serving hot chocolate and baileys, and the Nunavut flag was on had for photo opportunities. The ice stretched out far and wide, and as we turned around it seemed we were on a field of snow on land. Out time there was short but the memories will last a long time."

David Allcorn, Logistics Coordinator:
"It was a low ice year in the arctic - a trend these days. However, this was not apparent in the parts we tried to access. The ice prevented us from entering Barrow Strait and we could not get to our final destination of Resolute Bay on Cornwalis Island - the ice was just too heavy to effectively get through. The ice was jammed in key locations, blocking Canada's mighty arctic labyrinth."
___________________________________________
POWELL INLET

Powell Inlet, length 12 miles, lies off the southern coast of Devon Island in the eastern high Arctic. It is situated between Maxwell Bay and Croker Bay, north of Lancaster Sound and Barrow Strait.

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Lancaster Sound, Qikiqtaaluk Region, Nunavut, Canada

September 7, 2018 - Morning of Day 12 of Quark's Northwest Passage Voyage.

The morning's activities, sights, and sounds on FLICKR:
flic.kr/p/2gJWCxX

HISTORY
Lancaster Sound was named in 1616 by explorer William Baffin for Sir James Lancaster, one of the three main financial supporters of his exploratory expeditions. The abortive expedition by the British explorer John Ross in 1818 ended when he saw what he believed were mountains blocking the end of Lancaster Sound. This turned out to be an optical illusion known as fata morgana. In 1819, William Edward Parry got through it and went as far west as Melville Island. The sound was thoroughly explored during an extensive aerial mapping program of Northern Canada by the Canadian Government, which took from the 1930s until the late 1950s to complete. Coincidentally, the type of aircraft that was used to complete the mapping program was the Avro Lancaster, a World War II heavy bomber which had been converted for mapping.

Excerpt from Voyage Journal:
"With the snow flying outside this morning we carefully stepped outside into the cold air. Overnight we encountered a band of impenetrable ice, which slowed us down to 3kt. Unable to pass through the ice, we edged nearer until we were essentially parked in. Scanning the horizon, the ice continued deep into Lancaster Sound, and we found ourselves truly in the footsteps of Franklin."

"Unable to proceed further, staff looked for alternative opportunities. The ice was thick and stable so the decision was made to offer a very special excursion – a chance to step onto the sea ice. In small groups we took zodiacs to the very edge of the ice where staff were waiting to help us out. A bar had been set up serving hot chocolate and baileys, and the Nunavut flag was on had for photo opportunities. The ice stretched out far and wide, and as we turned around it seemed we were on a field of snow on land. Out time there was short but the memories will last a long time."

David Allcorn, Logistics Coordinator:
"It was a low ice year in the arctic - a trend these days. However, this was not apparent in the parts we tried to access. The ice prevented us from entering Barrow Strait and we could not get to our final destination of Resolute Bay on Cornwalis Island - the ice was just too heavy to effectively get through. The ice was jammed in key locations, blocking Canada's mighty arctic labyrinth."

© All Rights Reserved

Powell Inlet, Qikiqtaaluk Region, Nunavut, Canada

September 7, 2018 - Evening of Day 12 of Quark's Northwest Passage Voyage

The evening's activities, sights, and sounds on FLICKR:
flic.kr/p/2gKQ4Vz

Powell Inlet, length 12 miles, lies off the southern coast of Devon Island in the eastern high Arctic. It is situated between Maxwell Bay and Croker Bay, north of Lancaster Sound and Barrow Strait.

© All Rights Reserved

Lancaster Sound and Powell Inlet, Qikiqtaaluk Region, Nunavut, Canada

September 7, 2018 - Day 12 of Quark's Northwest Passage Voyage.

The morning's activities (Lancaster Sound), sights, and sounds on FLICKR:
flic.kr/p/2gJWCxX

The evening's activities (Powell Inlet), sights, and sounds on FLICKR:
flic.kr/p/2gKQ4Vz

LANCASTER SOUND
HISTORY
Lancaster Sound was named in 1616 by explorer William Baffin for Sir James Lancaster, one of the three main financial supporters of his exploratory expeditions. The abortive expedition by the British explorer John Ross in 1818 ended when he saw what he believed were mountains blocking the end of Lancaster Sound. This turned out to be an optical illusion known as fata morgana. In 1819, William Edward Parry got through it and went as far west as Melville Island. The sound was thoroughly explored during an extensive aerial mapping program of Northern Canada by the Canadian Government, which took from the 1930s until the late 1950s to complete. Coincidentally, the type of aircraft that was used to complete the mapping program was the Avro Lancaster, a World War II heavy bomber which had been converted for mapping.

Excerpt from Voyage Journal:
"With the snow flying outside this morning we carefully stepped outside into the cold air. Overnight we encountered a band of impenetrable ice, which slowed us down to 3kt. Unable to pass through the ice, we edged nearer until we were essentially parked in. Scanning the horizon, the ice continued deep into Lancaster Sound, and we found ourselves truly in the footsteps of Franklin."

"Unable to proceed further, staff looked for alternative opportunities. The ice was thick and stable so the decision was made to offer a very special excursion – a chance to step onto the sea ice. In small groups we took zodiacs to the very edge of the ice where staff were waiting to help us out. A bar had been set up serving hot chocolate and baileys, and the Nunavut flag was on had for photo opportunities. The ice stretched out far and wide, and as we turned around it seemed we were on a field of snow on land. Out time there was short but the memories will last a long time."

David Allcorn, Logistics Coordinator:
"It was a low ice year in the arctic - a trend these days. However, this was not apparent in the parts we tried to access. The ice prevented us from entering Barrow Strait and we could not get to our final destination of Resolute Bay on Cornwalis Island - the ice was just too heavy to effectively get through. The ice was jammed in key locations, blocking Canada's mighty arctic labyrinth."
___________________________________________
POWELL INLET

Powell Inlet, length 12 miles, lies off the southern coast of Devon Island in the eastern high Arctic. It is situated between Maxwell Bay and Croker Bay, north of Lancaster Sound and Barrow Strait.

© All Rights Reserved

Lancaster Sound, Nunavut, Canada

September 7, 2018 - Day 12 of Quark's Northwest Passage
Voyage.

HISTORY
Lancaster Sound was named in 1616 by explorer William Baffin for Sir James Lancaster, one of the three main financial supporters of his exploratory expeditions. The abortive expedition by the British explorer John Ross in 1818 ended when he saw what he believed were mountains blocking the end of Lancaster Sound. This turned out to be an optical illusion known as fata morgana. In 1819, William Edward Parry got through it and went as far west as Melville Island. The sound was thoroughly explored during an extensive aerial mapping program of Northern Canada by the Canadian Government, which took from the 1930s until the late 1950s to complete. Coincidentally, the type of aircraft that was used to complete the mapping program was the Avro Lancaster, a World War II heavy bomber which had been converted for mapping.

Excerpt from Voyage Journal:
"With the snow flying outside this morning we carefully stepped outside into the cold air. Overnight we encountered a band of impenetrable ice, which slowed us down to 3kt. Unable to pass through the ice, we edged nearer until we were essentially parked in. Scanning the horizon, the ice continued deep into Lancaster Sound, and we found ourselves truly in the footsteps of Franklin."

"Unable to proceed further, staff looked for alternative opportunities. The ice was thick and stable so the decision was made to offer a very special excursion – a chance to step onto the sea ice. In small groups we took zodiacs to the very edge of the ice where staff were waiting to help us out. A bar had been set up serving hot chocolate and baileys, and the Nunavut flag was on had for photo opportunities. The ice stretched out far and wide, and as we turned around it seemed we were on a field of snow on land. Out time there was short but the memories will last a long time."

David Allcorn, Logistics Coordinator:
"It was a low ice year in the arctic - a trend these days. However, this was not apparent in the parts we tried to access. The ice prevented us from entering Barrow Strait and we could not get to our final destination of Resolute Bay on Cornwalis Island - the ice was just too heavy to effectively get through. The ice was jammed in key locations, blocking Canada's mighty arctic labyrinth."

© All Rights Reserved