The Baffin Island Expedition is complete, but the lessons learned and Inuit voices are just beginning to be reflected upon and shared. We have returned to Minnesota and to a new season - May in Minnesota is green and lush; lilacs bloom and spill over back yard fences; maples, elms and birches show off their brand new leaves. Up on Baffin Island it is spring too, with snow melting off the black rocks, ice opening up on the long rivers that run down from the interior, young seals learning to swim and polar bears mating.

The Arctic, though beautiful beyond words, is an unforgiving host. Those who wish to live and thrive there must learn to adapt as a means of survival. We came to listen to the voice of the Inuit people. Of course, as in any culture, there are a million voices each one with its own unique perspective on the world. Despite differing perspectives, however, we did hear common threads.

The day has finally come, to leave the beautiful snowy north we have come to know and love so dearly. Thank you, students, teachers, friends, family, whoever you might be, for following our expedition over the past three months. We hope our stories have provided at least a small amount of insight and inspiration, and have kindled a desire to protect the unique Arctic environment while we still can. We also hope you will continue to visit globalwarming101.com for global warming solutions, action stories and updates from upcoming expeditions. Think globally and act locally! Do what you can in your own community to slow global warming.

 

Abby and Elizabeth at the airport 653.33 Kb

With great hope and determination,
Abby Fenton & Elizabeth Andre

The trick for the mushers was going to be to get the dogs to run towards the edge of the polynia and then turn right, skirting along its edge, just between Jerry and his tripod and the edge of the water. There was no path for the dogs to follow, so Stetson in the lead sled would be telling Whisper, the lead dog, which way to go using "Gee" for "right" and "Haw" for "left.

I had asked Harry, one of our Inuit friends who met us with our resupply of dog food and fuel, if the ice was thin near the edge. "Oh yes," he replied, "very very thin." When Simon and I had fallen through thin ice a few days ago, it was merely an inconvenience - it was a warm day and we were close to shore in shallow water. This polynia, however, was in the middle of a wide stretch of sea ice with deep water below it.

Distance Traveled: 10 mi / 16 km
Temperature: 9 °F / -13 °C
Cloud Cover: Clear blue skies

The day we have anticipated for two months now is one sleep away. We spent our last full day of the expedition at a base camp on the ice, a mere 10 miles from Iglulik. Our campsite is pristine and quintessentially Arctic. To the north we face a striking display of jumbled ice. To the south and east lie a great white expanse of frozen ocean.

The layover day on the ice gave us a chance to visit with several important guests who came out by snowmobile to see our camp. Included among them were Shelly and Nelson Stetson (John's wife and son). The reunion was as joyful as anyone could expect, with hugs and laughter, and 5-year old Nelson wondering out loud where his father's mustache had gone. We were also joined by our expedition sponsors from Fagen Inc. and the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC). Nicole Rom, dedicated Executive Director of the Will Steger Foundation, also came out to welcome us in.

Distance Traveled: 10 mi / 16 km
Temperature: 9 °F / -13 °C
Cloud Cover: Clear blue skies

The day broke clear and breezy as we packed up our traveling camp for the last time. Simon mounted the bright Nunavut flag onto the back of his komatiq and tucked Sam's guitar safely into his wooden grub box. Lukie and Will led the caravan across the remaining 10 miles of ice and tundra with Simon at his heels, Stetson and his family following behind and Elizabeth and I taking up the rear. It was a cold morning with a biting wind, but the sun was warm on our backs and home a stone's throw away.