A long walk over the Tundra
 August 19th-20th, 2001

Two days trek from Ilulissat, to hike over soft tundra far away from civilization.

(Click on a picture to enlarge it)

 

Cabin or refuge in Greenland August 19th, 1:40pm local time. A small jet boat drops me here, about 10.7 miles (direct) north of Ilulissat (dropoff site onto satellite image). From now I will not see any other trace of other humans, until my return (on foot) to Ilulissat the following day. The actual miles to walk are about 15,6 because of the terrain's profile and the presence of many lakes to turn around.
Greenland trekking Greenland trekking

 

Tundra in Greenland Tundra in Greenland
Tundra in Greenland Tundra in Greenland
The arctic vegetation (tundra) is an immense garden, full of many different species in vivid colors. Often extensive areas of ground are totally covered by this magic carpet, soft and up to 10 inches high, containing a colorful mix of lichens, mushrooms, mosses, miniature ferns and flowers. Even the rocks are often fully covered by black, white and orange lichens.

 

At 8:30 pm I reach the hut (cabin / overnight onto satellite image) where I will spend the night, alone... The weather got worst, raining a lot and with some snow fakes, as the temperature was close freezing point.

 

Tundra in Greenland Tundra in Greenland
Tundra in Greenland
Tundra in Greenland

At 8:37am of the following day, I leave the hut and continue to Ilulissat. I carefully make a plan, with an alternate destination in case of problems.

I still continue to take a lot of pictures of all these beautiful plants, lichens and mushrooms.

 

Trekking at Ilulissat, Greenland Trekking at Ilulissat, Greenland
Trekking at Ilulissat, Greenland
Trekking at Ilulissat, Greenland Trekking at Ilulissat, Greenland
This is the landscape where I walk... crystalline lakes to turn around, streams to cross, icebergs, and hills to climb and descent.

 

Trekking at Ilulissat, Greenland
Trekking at Ilulissat, Greenland Trekking at Ilulissat, Greenland
Trekking at Ilulissat, Greenland The sensation of solitude and the silence is impressive: there is no picture that can be used to describe it. Still alone in the middle of nothing, I continue my long walk to Ilulissat.

 

Ilulissat airport, Greenland At 4:00pm the runway of Ilulissat Airport (see the satellite image) is in sight !.... In sight but still far away... I will reach the passengers' terminal only at 5:25pm, where I will take the SHUTTLE BUS back to my HOTEL !!!

 

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ILULISSAT TRIP 2011 PICTURES

 

ILULISSAT PICTURES FROM WINTER 2007 TRIP

 

ILULISSAT PICTURES FROM SUMMER 2001 TRIP

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