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> What do you do on a layover?, GO EXPLORING, OF COURSE
John_Sode
post Jul 13 2005, 12:35 AM
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After breakfast, our crew examined a topographic map and selected a hiking trail. We chose to travel east, into the hills surrounding Kanger. We left shortly thereafter and headed east along the road. Soon we were climbing the hills. As we climbed the wind increased. The wind was a welcome relief. Every time the wind stopped, dive-boomming misquitos swarmed in like minature attack bombers. I was treated to the flavorful experience of having several fly directly into my mouth. Actually, they taste better than Missouri misquitos, they are larger and have more "meat" on them.

As we climbed higher into the hills the river below became dramatically visible. Feed by glacier melt, the river has carved a gorgeous path through the hills. Vast plains of sediment deposit form the backdrop for rushing rapids and rapidly moving water.


Climbing higher into the hills we began to notice many wildflowers and other small plants. As we climbed behind the first ridge, we came across a musk oxen carcass. Judging from the size, this must have been a young musk oxen. Later on we passed a caribou skull.

We continued into the hills, climbing still higher up the ridge. Behind the ridge we came to a beautiful mountain lake. This lake is actually a groundwater fen, geologically similar to the groundwater fens of southern Missouri. This is interesting because 10,000 years ago, at the peak of the Wisconsonian Glacier Period, southern Missouri rested along the southern edge of the glacier.

Just before we creasted the ridge, we were treated to a tremendous view of the fjord leading from Kanger to the open ocean. In the far distance, about 185 km from us, were high mountainous peaks covered with snow peaking behind majestic, drifting clouds floating through the peaks. What a view!!

We continued our walk, discovering many more fens and trying to determine why one particular plant species was dying in large swaths (patches) across some of the slopes. Ultimately, we concluded that the plants were dying from lack of water, probably caused by low snow cover and steady winds drying them out.

As we turned to come back, we were treated to our first view of a caribou. The young caribou raised his or her head, pranced around, lifting each leg high in the air as he settled on an escape route and quickly disappeared into the hills.

In the distance we could see the ice sheet. Measurements have shown that the ice sheet is retreating. The hills we were climbing have been ice free for about 10,000 years. Between us and the ice sheet are more hills, the ones most visible to us have probably been ice free for about 5,000 years.

We continued down hills and discovered a beautiful fen. Here the water was cold, beautiful, and crystal clear. Just to much for some of our party, within minutes they were preparing to take advange of their "best opportunity" to go swimming north of the Arctic Circle. Yes, they actually went swimming in the fen.

Following the swimming trip, we heading quickly back to Kanger and dinner.
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