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69° 0’ 0” N 72° 0’ 0” W
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ISLAND – INFO
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baffin
source: Google
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For climbers and trekkers worldwide, Baffin Island (Qikiqtaaluk) holds an unrivalled mystique. From its perch above the Canadian mainland it stretches north into the Arctic Circle. Though notorious for its remoteness and unpredictable weather, Baffin Island has earned a reputation as one of the world’s most dramatic and beautiful environments. Though much of the island is uninhabited just over 10,000 people call it home, and 70% of this population is of Inuit heritage. The Inuit people are thought to have migrated from modern-day Alaska over 1,000 years ago. Though there are some small outlying settlements, the majority of Baffin’s residents – Inuit and otherwise – live in Iqaluit, Baffin’s capital and largest city. Visitors to the island are usually keenly interested in Baffin Island’s magnificent diversity of ecosystems and landscapes. For most, the draw of the island is to the terrain along the northeastern coast. Here a string of austere valleys and soaring granite spires make up the central portion of the Arctic Cordillera, the world’s northernmost mountain range. The majority of expeditions hoping to explore this range seek out Auyuittuq National Park, which contains Baffin’s most celebrated peaks: Mount Thor and Mount Asgard. Drawing their names from Norse mythology, these granite monoliths have become proving grounds for the world’s best alpinists. But you needn’t be an elite-level climber to enjoy Auyuittuq National Park and its arctic magnificence. The park’s ice caps, peaks and fjords attract a small but steady trickle of backpackers, ski mountaineers and kayakers each year. If the prospect of an unguided expedition seems daunting, a number of experienced outfitters can provide support ranging from boat transfers to guided treks. Though Baffin Island hosts its fair share of objective hazards, it offers the chance to experience a place that, at least for the time being, is still utterly wild.
Getting There As one of the more remote places on earth, a trip to Baffin Island requires a little more co-ordination than a flight and a car rental. Most parties dedicate at least three weeks to an expedition as variable rain, snow and ice conditions make any trip subject to weather. The most common way to reach the island is via air transfer to Iqaluit, Baffin’s capital and largest city. A number of carriers offer flights from Ottawa, Montreal and Yellowknife. Once arrived on the island, access to Auyuittuq National Park depends on the season and objective. Most will choose to enter the park during the peak summer months (late July to October) and head by boat to Qikiqtarjuaq or Pangnirtung, the northern and southern gateways to the park, respectively. For early-season trips (March to early May), these entry points can be accessed by snowmobile. However, once the ice floes covering the island’s many fjords begin to break up in early summer, the park is inaccessible. Due to extreme conditions, travelling in winter (October to February) is not advised.