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Rock Formations

The Devil's Footprints and The Tombstones...  

...tell stories from the sides of the cliffs.   

The geology of the Saglek Fjord area is so varied that there are interesting rock formations almost everywhere. Many of these have stories attached to them, like the Devil's Footprints, where the Devil is credited with pushing apart the high cliff walls going into North Arm, and leaving his footprints in the rock. Whoever is buried at the Tombstones, we do not know, but their stone markers, huge slabs of delicately balanced rock, can be seen for miles atop the cliffs going into South West Arm. Thanks to Muriel Edmunds for both of these photos.        

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A Ramah Chert Point at Rose Island

The Dorset style of this point...  

...suggests a date between 3000 to 800 years ago.   

All around the Saglek Fjord there are artifacts from ancient cultures dating back thousands of years. We were on the trail to explore one of the many archaeological sites on Rose Island, when we spotted this lance point or arrow point chipped from the highly desirable stone Ramah Chert. Its style of construction suggests the point was made by people from the Dorset culture, possibly thousands of years ago. We left it in place for Park staff to examine later.

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Yes, We Saw Polar Bears, Part 2

Polar Bears...  

...are at home in the water and on the land.   

This bear noticed us while he was swimming, and he took a leisurely paddle to shore. Then he shook off the water that was weighing him down and gracefully trotted off along the rocks. Thanks to Muriel Edmunds for having the right settings on her camera and for sharing the photos.        

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A Reminder to Take the Time to Relax

In the Design Shelter Tents...  

... there is even a place to sit and think.   

Overall, the accommodations at the Torngat Mountains Base Camp are very comfortable. In the largest of the tents, the Design Shelters, table and chairs give space for writing, working or just sitting by the window and thinking.         

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Wake and Wash

The Wake and Wash of a Small Craft...  

...are the footprints of where we went.   

Every day at the Base Camp we went out to explore the park. Most days we went out in speedboat, zodiac or passenger boat. Behind us we left a mark of wherever we went, our wake of disturbed water behind the boat and our wash of splashed water, waves and foam. Unlike our footprints on the land, our watery tracks were erased by the sea after only a few minutes.

        

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Sea Caves

Mysterious dark spaces in the cliffs...  

...what treasures could be inside?   

The shores in and around the Saglek Fjord are a mixture of different kinds of rock, some stronger and some weaker than the rest. Over millions of years, the weaker rock has been broken down by wind, freeze-and-thaw cycles, and wave action. From this erosion, many sea caves have formed. Some caves are broken through from both sides and turn into sea arches. And some caves may never have been explored. What could be in there?      

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Icebergs, Mountains and Fog

Why Do Icebergs Look So Much Like Mountains...  

...is it the fog?   

Forms taken by the frozen water of the icebergs seems to mimic the structures of the ancient rock of the Torngat mountains. And the fog adds drama to the scene.