Coordinates: N 65. 16. 314, W 067. 06. 291
Distance Traveled: 25 mi/ 40 km
Temperature: -5 °F/ -21 °C
Wind: 5- 15 MPH
Cloud Cover: Partly to mostly cloudy, light snow in the evening

Hello from the Outpost Camp on Cumberland Sound. I am sitting in a warm home with some of the nine family members who live here, writing this dispatch on our first day off after eight days of constant moving. Yesterday morning we picked up where we left off on our travel down the blue frozen river. We passed through Iqaluit Lake soon after the start and tried to convince our dogs to stay away from the tasty smells of the three fishermen and their plentiful catch of arctic char (for the record, Nyla and Frankenstein had superb discipline in that regard). Producer and cameraman Jerry Stenger joined us here for the duration of our trip to Pangnirtung with his snowmobile escort to document our expedition for the Steger Foundation. We continued down the luge run of the beautiful river at a quick speed, sledding over huge snow mounds and rough ice patches, trying to stay upright on skis. After a few hours of travel, we had hit the sea ice of Cumberland Sound and saw the record of past tidal movements in the jumbled aquamarine blocks that stood 15 feet taller than the flat sea ice at low tide. The walls of the fiord tower above the sound at 1400 feet.

 

The clouds moved in and the snow fell lightly as the four sleds headed out onto the windy Sound together. The dogs are very excited to catch the teams in front of them and getting a little behind in the train means that the dogs lose some of their motivation. It is hard to make up the distance once you lose it. Abby and I are getting very proficient at doing our various daily routines without stopping the sled since staying together in a dogsled caravan is paramount to safety and making daily distance. Eating, drinking, fixing ski bindings, taking layers on and off and even urinating become practiced habits while actively skiing behind a dog team and holding onto a tow rope. We travelled many hours on our way to the outpost camp with barely a stop as we watched the sun setting and the pink sky fade. The dogs continue to amaze us with their strength and motivation. It has been astounding to see their progress since the beginning of dog training in October to now. They are focused athletes in their determination and enthusiasm, yet still play and wag their tails when the work is done.

Around 6 p.m. we saw approaching snowmobile headlights in the distance and we soon had the chance to meet a few of the family members with whom we will stay for the next few days. Robbie, Lypa, Eric and Gordon greeted us and began leading us to their homestead. We spent another hour traveling in the dark, up and over cracked and piled ice, finally making it to the lighted cabin of the Pitsiulak home. the dogs were staked out and we set up tents. Our new friends came and visited with us while we made a quick dinner and talked over the day. It is a treat to have a rest day here and enjoy the warmth of their hospitality.

Until next time... Nancy Moundalexis