Paul Hubner
and his 13 year old son Ryan accomplished a 10 day polar exedition to Baffin Island in March 2009.
As they journeyed through Auyuittuq National Park, Paul and Ryan shared some the challenges
and rewards they experienced to date.
Ryan discusses his adventures during the expedition. "We woke up today and almost instantly we went into a mile of ice fields...sliding down a 20 foot drop ice wall…". The weather in Nunavut during this trip fluctuated between -10C to -27C during the day.
living on the ice
They arose early
in the morning to the sight of miles and miles of snow and broken ice.
The team trekked on sites plagued by ice caves and pressure ridges, through howling winds and
gusting snow. As if this wasn't challenging enough, Paul carried an additional 100 lbs of
dog food on his sled. As he says on his blog "My legs were jelly and my hands felt like
they were painfully severed from my arms".
The beautiful natural phenomena which awaited the team made up for all these obstacles. “The surreal Northern Lights in the evening make it all worth it in the end,” says Paul. As the exploration continued, the weather fluctuated between -30C with intense wind-chill, to more pleasant conditions of -10C.
adjusting to the cold
Exploring Baffin
Island doesn't leave much free time as Ryan noted, "We woke up today and
almost instantly we went into a mile of ice fields." Calling it a night isn’t so so easy for
Paul and Ryan, as the cold and whistling winds contribute to many a sleepless night. "Most
people may find the tent a very harsh way to spend the night but it’s all a matter of
appreciation and perspective," says Paul.
The next day, after a long day of skiing, the team sets up camp for the night. "It amazes me how comfortable you can feel in a small cramped tent after a hard cold ski," says Paul.
