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The 2002 Expedition saw a team of five cross the
Ashayuk Pass from Pangnirtung to Qikiqtarjuaq (Broughton Island) in seven and a
half days and raise £10,000 for the Mitchemp Trust. We were the first
group to travel the route in this direction this year. The entire journey was
140 miles and the average temperature was -22c.
We experienced
temperatures down to -43c (including wind chill), high winds and glorious
sunshine. From Pangnirtung we travelled along the sea ice towards the start of
the pass, wide open ice plains and distant mountains were the back drop to the
start of this incredible adventure.
As we entered the pass we realised
that the majority of snow had been blown off the route, leaving incredible ice
formations that would never cease to amaze. The skis would not work on this
terrain and so we adapted to walking with the sledges, progress was generally
good.
We followed the course of the Weasel River, past Crater Lake and
on towards Windy Lake. This aptly named area lived up to all expectations. In
this narrow section of the pass the wind funnels through and the wind speed
increases rapidly, it started to pick up grit from the rock walls and we then
found ourselves in the middle of a dust storm. The wind was strong enough send
us sliding back in the direction we had come and after some hard work and
determination we managed to find ourselves a camp site for the
night.
With the weather improving the next day we headed on towards
Mount Thor, this remarkable mountain has the tallest uninterrupted cliff face
in the world and looks like something from the lost world. This area of the
route combines steep rock walls and blue ice glaciers hanging from the sides of
the valley. Although the speed of travel with the sledges is slow and steady,
this journey was truly a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences.
We
then arrived at Summit Lake, the highest point on the journey where the wide
expanses provided contrast to the confines of the Weasel River. As the
landscape opened up we could see Turner Glacier which marks the route to Mount
Asgard. This unforgettable mountain with its steep face and flat snowy summit
rises high above the surrounding peaks. It is among one the many unforgettable
memories.
The Owl River now provided our route towards the North
Pangnirtung Fiord and the completion of our journey. We started to realise that
our expedition would soon be over and that our time in this special place would
be coming to a close. It is undoubtedly one of the most stunning and raw places
I have ever been.
We eventually arrived at the Emergency Shelter at
North Pangnirtung Fiord and met our two Inuit guides on Skidoos. With all our
equipment loaded onto one sledge and the entire team tucked into the other, we
set off for Qikiqtarjuaq (Broughton Island). Three and a half hours later we
arrived at our lodge and the finish of the trip.
Words cannot fully
explain the beauty of this environment, please take a look at the
picture gallery.
Report by:
Dan Margetts
HSBC
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