Another Trip disrupted by Climate Change
Published on 18.07.2007 - The Arctic Voice
"The Arctic Voice" has had to modify its program since ice has blocked the initial itinerary. They are no longer able to navigate along the coastline.
July 13 was the most important day for the first part of this expedition. Having reached Cape Dalhouzie and then taken the direction of Liverpool Bay, the Morris-Doughty duo tried to cross the stretch of water towards the Anderson River. But when they were in the middle of the water, the two kayaks found themselves circled in by threatening ice sheets. Glenn wrote in his July 13 press release: "The problem was that, after about 4 miles, we fell on some ice. The conditions were such that, first of all, we thought we would get through the ice, but then we realised that the ice formed a massive maze and that we were moving forwards, sideways and backwards. We then realised that these huge lumps of pack ice were closing in on us. The little entrances through which we had come through were no longer open behind us. So, we decided to err on the side of safety and we managed to pull ourselves out of this mess. We then realised that we weren't going to be able to cross Liverpool Bay and that this was going to be a problem. We spent a day or so on the coast wondering what to do, because it pretty much meant that our forward journey was thwarted. We could have taken a detour of about 100 miles down to Liverpool Bay but it would have eaten into our food supplies to such an extent that we wouldn't possibly have made it to Paulatuk."
Glenn Morris then called the meteorological service of the area. The Inuit in charge informed the expedition that, because of climate change, contrary winds had blown over the Northwest Territories and had pushed the ice towards the coast, leading to an abnormal water configuration in the areas' deltas.
Realising that they would not be able to pursue their coastal Itinerary, the two men had to call upon a helicopter to bring them back to Tuktoyaktuk. From there, they will reach Paulatuk by plane, from where they hope to continue their journey East and reach as foreseen Kugluktuk.
