Melfjord
After spending the last month and a half above the Arctic Circle, early this morning Endeavour finally cruised below this imaginary line located at 66º33.6’ N. Although the line itself is not visible, it represents an observable fact: due to the tilt of the earth on its axis, those who live above this latitude will experience up to three months of continuous sunlight – hence the nickname “Land of the Midnight Sun.”
Our adventure this morning started deep within Melfjord. Endeavour anchored within feet of the shore, making it seem as though we could drop the gangway off the bow to the land, or perhaps for the really adventurous have a quick swim to shore. Instead we opted for our two unique methods of transportation: Zodiacs and kayaks. The Zodiacs shuttled eager hikers ashore. This particular landing is quite enticing for those who wish to stroll leisurely along, as well as those who would have climbed one of the peaks, given the chance. The diversity of fauna along the shoreline, as well as in the forest behind the landing was astounding, and had people on their knees all morning, carefully looking at the small plants covering the terrain. But it was not all “schoolwork,” one of the favorite pastimes was to snack on the fresh raspberries and blueberries that were growing along the trail. Those who wished to really get their hearts pumping headed up a glacier graveyard, so to speak. Up along an old glacier melt river they went, scrambling over boulders, and jumping small streams, until they reached all that was left of this once massive slab of ice, two small ice bridges arching over a tumbling melt stream. But the view! Looking down over the lower forest, across at towering peaks, and out the long entrance of the fjord.
Traveling in such beautiful landscape can mesmerize a person. You just want to let the world glide by without interruption, and Endeavour’s kayaks are just the answer for those longing for solitude and scenery. Launched from our own portable platform, the guests crisscrossed the fjord, exploring the deep coves, roaring waterfalls, and lush greenery.
The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent cruising further south, passing small fishing villages, low-lying islands, and strange-looking mountains. Probably the most bizarre natural site the guests of Endeavour will see this trip, appeared right after dinner: a mountain with a hole through and through. Torghatten, “the market hat” is said to have been pierced by an arrow shot by “the Horse Man” in an attempt to kill the woman Lekamøya. However, a local man named Sømnafjellan, intervened and threw his hat down in order to distract the archer. At sunrise the whole scene turned to stone. Those with a less fanciful mind, say this 160m long and 20m wide hole is from eons of wind and water erosion, but I am partial to the fairytales.
These dramatic fjords, carved by centuries of glacial erosion, are some of the most breathtaking sites in the world. To experience it expedition style, as the guests of Endeavour are doing, will prove to be a unique and unforgettable experience.
After spending the last month and a half above the Arctic Circle, early this morning Endeavour finally cruised below this imaginary line located at 66º33.6’ N. Although the line itself is not visible, it represents an observable fact: due to the tilt of the earth on its axis, those who live above this latitude will experience up to three months of continuous sunlight – hence the nickname “Land of the Midnight Sun.”
Our adventure this morning started deep within Melfjord. Endeavour anchored within feet of the shore, making it seem as though we could drop the gangway off the bow to the land, or perhaps for the really adventurous have a quick swim to shore. Instead we opted for our two unique methods of transportation: Zodiacs and kayaks. The Zodiacs shuttled eager hikers ashore. This particular landing is quite enticing for those who wish to stroll leisurely along, as well as those who would have climbed one of the peaks, given the chance. The diversity of fauna along the shoreline, as well as in the forest behind the landing was astounding, and had people on their knees all morning, carefully looking at the small plants covering the terrain. But it was not all “schoolwork,” one of the favorite pastimes was to snack on the fresh raspberries and blueberries that were growing along the trail. Those who wished to really get their hearts pumping headed up a glacier graveyard, so to speak. Up along an old glacier melt river they went, scrambling over boulders, and jumping small streams, until they reached all that was left of this once massive slab of ice, two small ice bridges arching over a tumbling melt stream. But the view! Looking down over the lower forest, across at towering peaks, and out the long entrance of the fjord.
Traveling in such beautiful landscape can mesmerize a person. You just want to let the world glide by without interruption, and Endeavour’s kayaks are just the answer for those longing for solitude and scenery. Launched from our own portable platform, the guests crisscrossed the fjord, exploring the deep coves, roaring waterfalls, and lush greenery.
The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent cruising further south, passing small fishing villages, low-lying islands, and strange-looking mountains. Probably the most bizarre natural site the guests of Endeavour will see this trip, appeared right after dinner: a mountain with a hole through and through. Torghatten, “the market hat” is said to have been pierced by an arrow shot by “the Horse Man” in an attempt to kill the woman Lekamøya. However, a local man named Sømnafjellan, intervened and threw his hat down in order to distract the archer. At sunrise the whole scene turned to stone. Those with a less fanciful mind, say this 160m long and 20m wide hole is from eons of wind and water erosion, but I am partial to the fairytales.
These dramatic fjords, carved by centuries of glacial erosion, are some of the most breathtaking sites in the world. To experience it expedition style, as the guests of Endeavour are doing, will prove to be a unique and unforgettable experience.
