Across the Arctic Circle on Foot on Baffin Island

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My introduction to Baffin Island wasn’t a warm one – as far as the temperature was concerned. And it didn’t really get much better for several days. Fortunately though the scenery did. Our plan was to hike along the Weasel River to the high point at Akshayuk Pass by Summit Lake, crossing the Arctic Circle in Auyuittuq National Park on Baffin Island in the process.

Although distances were short, the hiking was slow because of the 50 – 60 pound loads we were carrying.

Most days we did only 10 or 11 kilometres – a few hours outing if I’m hiking normally in the mountains – but the better part of a day with a load.

Heading out - on the beach for starters — Heading out – on the beach for starters

What it’s like to backpack in Auyuittuq National Par

From the Weasel River to the high point at Akshayuk Pass by Summit Lake it would take us about a week. Our days fell into a rhythm pretty quickly. Coffee at 7:45 AM, breakfast at 8 AM and hiking by between 9 and 9:30 AM. We’d stop for lunch around noonish with lots of boulder breaks to rest our bodies along the way.

Most days we’d finish between 4 PM and 5 PM. Then we’d set up the tents. We all had that down to a fine art in a hurry. Inside the roomy tent everything had its place too – or you’d be hunting for stuff all the time.

Photos of across the Arctic Circle on foot on Baffin Island in Auyuittuq National Park

Crossing the Arctic Circle on Baffin Island offers a view up the Weasel River towards Mount Overlord — A view up the Weasel River towards Mount Overlord

Dinner the first night - notice how many clothes Natalie our guide is wearing — Dinner the first night – notice how many clothes Natalie our guide is wearing

Juxtaposition of sand on the moraines and ice

Crossing the Arctic Circle on Baffin Island you pass ice covered Crater Lake — An ice covered Crater Lake

Hikers looking for a way across the river

Crossing the Arctic Circle on Baffin Island doesn't have much elevation change but heavy loads — Not much elevation change but heavy loads

Crossing the Arctic Circle on Baffin Island requires fording icy streams — Fording an icy stream in Auyuittuq National Park

A small tarn above Windy Lake is bathed in sunshine on Day 3

You're more likely to drown in the park's rivers than kill yourself on Mt Thor - or any other mountain in the park — You’re more likely to drown in the park’s rivers than kill yourself on Mt Thor – or any other mountain in the park

Tents are dwarfed by the mountains in this landscape

Crossing the Arctic Circle on foot on Baffin Island

Somewhere around here – we will have crossed the Arctic Circle at a latitude of 66 degrees and 33½ minutes. That means that on June 21st any point above it has 24 hours of sunlight and on December 21st and point above it has 24 hours of darkness.