North Arm, Saglek Fiord, Torngat Mountains National Park

20 July 2012.

Base camp (where we were yesterday) is at the end of St. John's Harbour which is an inlet to the south off Saglek Fiord, just to the left of the L of LABRADOR at the bottom right of map, outside the Park. The original plan was to spend today at Nachvak Fiord, which is close to where it says North Atlantic Ocean. However, we need Parks Canada bear guides to go ashore, and the PC helicopter is not available, so they suggested we go to the North Arm of Saglek Fiord where they could join us by boat. Our ship anchored overnight near the junction of North Arm and Southwest Arm.

Folded sedimentary rocks.

View of North Arm.

North Arm is in top left of chart. 

Looking North up North Arm.

Ted watches us line up to board Zodiac.

Jacques is driving the Zodiac.

Ripply reflections.

A stream falling down the steep side of the fiord.

The chief Parks Canada guide/bear guard.

Mountain cranberry, Vaccinium viti-idaea.

A freshwater lake at the head of the fiord.

I'm in the "contemplative" group, stopping to look around at plants, the view etc. The "charger" group are heading uphill, and someone has spotted a black bear right above them.

The black bear is in a hollow in one of the green patches
near the top of the cliffs.

The bear - photo taken by someone with a telephoto lens.

We went to look at this rushing stream, and
the charger group gave up their idea of climbing
to the top and instead climbed down here.

Harebells.

Jacques with Parks Canada bear guard.

Me with another Parks Canada bear guard.
Yes, bug-hat was a good idea today.

When we got back to the beach around 11am we found that
the remaining Parks Canada guides/boat drivers had caught
twelve arctic char and proceeded to fry up three of them for us.
The remaining nine were given to the ship's chef for later.

Arctic char dusted with a little flour, then fried on the beach.
Mmm, delicious, particularly eaten with fingers... 

On the cruise back to the ship we saw a Harlequin duck
(also seals but too far away for my camera).

Harlequin duck, telephoto from slideshow.

Harlequin duck, telephoto from slideshow.

Saglek Fiord.

RV Akademik Ioffe in Saglek Fiord.

When we got back to the ship we were just in time for a
BBQ lunch on the stern deck. This was a first for the ship,
and off-duty members of the crew joined us.
I didn't have much room after the arctic char.

Shrimp kebabs on the barbie.

Jim Payne played the accordion for a while and then had some lunch.

The ship was built in Finland.

After lunch the McGill alumni (and parent (me)) gathered
on the foredeck for a photo. I'd hoped to have a snooze.