One of the most brilliant experiences has been trekking way out into the arctic wilderness.
It’s only the beginning…
Around six hours after setting out, walking across the tundra, scrambling over and up rocky inclines, crossing icy not-yet-frozen rivers, watching the last flocks of geese flying south for the winter, spotting snow buntings who were leaving their flight south a little late, climbing up steep mountain passes, lazing while enjoying hot drinks and chocolate in the sunshine, definitely not looking down in some places, absolutely looking down in others while looking for fossils, juggling the beauty of the open spaces with knowing it could be polar bear territory, trying to balance the warmth of sun and effort with the freezing temperatures when in the shadows, navigating which icy patches really were frozen and which ones were luring the uninformed into icy water, noticing the delicacy of the arctic flowers and lichens, being surprised at the fragility of some of the rocks, enjoying the challenge of up, up and further upwards towards a ridge that never seemed to get closer, stepping from one rock to another, trusting foot placements while also trying to defy gravity, trying to keep up with sure-footed dogs and a nimble guide, and revelling – finally – in the down hill that opened into this amazing valley. And reaching the cabin that would be home for two nights – but not without one more suspenseful river crossing. Many thanks to Emma the wonder guide, and Prikken and Eura the wonder dogs.
Out in the Arctic wilderness