The first Greenland expedition of the year started from Ilulissat and Disko Bay and then continued through Vaigatsundet towards the heart-shaped outpost Uummannaq. Mia Lundqvist, Guide Manager at PolarQuest, had the privilege of being on board to kick off the season. In this blog post, she describes a moment when she and the guests had the chance to experience the mighty Eqip Glacier up close, and shares her expectations for the season.
How does it feel now that the season has started, and what are your expectations for the rest of it?
– It feels fantastic to have started our season in Greenland. Being here in this magnificent nature, among the ice, mountains, and sea, is a privilege. Right now, we are in northwestern Greenland, where we started from Ilulissat and headed north towards small communities like Uummannaq. It's an exciting mix of nature and culture. I look forward to following our ship when she will eventually make her way south and all the way round to East Greenland and the Sermiliik fjord system.
The day started with a long hike in Ataa Sound. At a comfortable pace, we made our way through the Greenlandic landscape. We often stopped to admire the vegetation that is beginning to emerge; one must bend down low to identify the low-growing flowers, but it is well worth it. When we looked up instead, we could glimpse the Eqip Glacier in the background, one of Greenland’s many mighty glaciers that constantly calves large icebergs which then drift out into the fjord and the sea.
Once back on board our small ship, the captain steered us closer and closer to the glacier. From a suitable distance, we could then enjoy this incredible sight. In Greenland, the scales are vast, and being able to sit quietly and simply absorb the landscape is a significant part of a trip to these regions.
