This is a shot taken out of the aircraft window crossing the Greenlandic coast. The flat area in the foreground is snow covered sea ice. Shame they didn't clean the windows before flight.
After landing at Kulusuk it was a helicopter ride to Angmagssalik. Time for some more out the window photography. Cleaner windows this time.
After a walk to the
hotel, time for more out the window photographs. This time out the bedroom window of the hotel.
The following day it was time to meet the dogs and drivers. This first sledge outing was to
be two passengers to a sledge. When the driver was on the front as well this got quite cosy.The next picture shows us setting off across the frozen fjord. This fjord is tidal. The flat area you see is a single piece of ice that goes up and down with the tide.
The going was far from all flat. This is one section we had to go down on foot as it was too
dangerous to go down on the sledge. On later trips there was only one passenger to a sledge. We went down slopes as steep as 60° on the sledges, with passenger hanging by the upright
at the back of the sledge. There was always the danger of running over the dogs on these drops.
Lunch time on the first trip. Time for more photos. Starting with the only one of me you
have to suffer. The picture of the dog shows how they're prevented from running off without a
driver. The lead dog's front paw is tucked into his harness.
This last shot was taken during my wanders on foot the following day. I didn't venture too far
on foot on my own, just in case I met a polar bear. That would be too exciting!
Another day, different weather, and a different mode of transport, this time
skidoo. Despite the much greater speed of the skidoo many of the locals still use the sledges
to travel. Going cross country at 50mph was fun though.
This is the only turf covered house I saw in Angmagssalik. This type of building was common in Iceland. I don't know how representative of traditional homes in Greenland it is though.
On to the two day dog sledge trip. This going across the top of a glacier on the way to
Tiniteqilâq. Height here about 2000ft. At Tiniteqilâq I saw what a workmate
christened the flying bear.
You can tell it's off the usual tourist trail. This was our accommodation for the night in
Tiniteqilâq. It's the kitchen of the village hall. We shared the hall with a German ski expedition. They slept in the laundry room.
This picture shows the only road into Tiniteqilâq. Once the ice is melted they have the harbour for contact with the outside world. That and PC with a broadband internet connection in the village hall that is. Makes BT's efforts in this country look pathetic.
Here you see my fellow adventurers on the ten day expedition. From Left to right; Sue, Angela,
and Ralph.
The town of Angmagssalik has it's scruffy parts just like any other town. In a place where very
few people speak English, it's sad to reflect that the phrase shown painted on this shed seems
to have taken on an international understanding.
On the way home I had time to spare at Kulusuk airport. I took the opportunity to go walkabout and explore the area around the airport. Those are my footsteps in the snow. Others just took a well earned rest.