The temperature today is expected to be from sunny and 42-54 f – it hasn’t been nearly as cold as our Antarctica trip, at least so far.
Herschel Island, in the Beaufort Sea, is about 45 square miles, used to be a whaling community (bowhead whales) and has several historic buildings. It now has a population of 0. Rangers and researchers occupy the island during the summer months and camping is allowed. No trees but lots of driftwood which comes from the MacKenzie River. We were the first cruise ship allowed since 2019. It’s destined to become Canada’s next UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Climate scientists are particularly interested because the coast is eroding rapidly, the permafrost is melting, and the water level is rising fast. Some young researchers were very happy to show us their projects and the big winner among the passengers was a prototype of virtual reality education program that gave a vivid demonstration of climate change. It was the first time that Ron and I have tried VR and man, was it trippy.
One of the ship’s groups took a long walk and saw trail cameras which, among other animals, have captured polar and grizzly bears, lynx, caribou, and red and arctic foxes. Ron and I opted to wander with the Nat Geo photographers. They gave us an assignment to tell a story of the island in 3 – 5 images. We’ve taken walks with them on other Nat Geo trips and it’s a privilege to see the world through their eyes. Besides the “how to think like a paid photographer” insight, they’re also available to answer any sorts of technical questions regardless of how much you paid for your camera.
For more info I found an article by Smithsonian:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/endangered-site-herschel-island-canada-54373929/
And I found this on Wikivoyage under the heading of what you can do on the island:
“Hike, ski, focus on staying alive in this empty land, and ponder your own mortality. And of course, luxuriate in being alone in nature in an unspoiled land. Park rangers offer guided tours, and there are designated routes through the tundra.”
Various artifacts at the visitor center.
Tomorrow – exploring the ice in Canada.
HiHo
I’m enjoying following along on your adventure. Camping on Hershel Island behind the windbreak looks challenging.
All’s well
here. Kristy coming out last 2 weeks in September. I’m delighted!
Play on pal.
This is a great journal Ellen & Ron-very full of information and photos that make it so real…never heard of the term pizzly but I did know about the polar bear and grizzly getting interbred due to their mutual shrinking habitats. You are up on the very edge of our spaceship Earth and the ship sounds amazing!
You picked the ideal time to go north. There are now fires burning in Mendocino area and the Trinity Alps. This is the third day of smoky skies, bad air alerts and high hot days. Listening to the weather report last night – it got up to 116 in Fairfield and at 6 pm it was 107, eggs are frying on the sidewalks.
What have you learned about the permafrost melting?