J L
Vancouver

Ellesmere Island

Journey to the North  — 3 years ago

I’m in the middle of Book 2: The Subtle Knife, in Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy (tetrology? Is Lyra’s Oxford a part of the series?). This series is incredibly inspiring indeed and makes me want to visit the North Pole, see the Aurora Borealis, Dust and the city in the lights. If I look hard enough, I just might see Cittàgaze =)

Okay, maybe that’s just a little too ambitious. But I would love to see the Aurora in person at least.

I want pictures of me standing one-legged on each of the three spots: the True North Pole (with the pleasure of saying, ”It’s all South from here!!”), the Magnetic North Pole and the Geographic North Pole (ie. with the Chandler Wobble taken into account).

I would love to go during February (or so?) and spend a few days to a week in the 24 hour darkness of the northern winter, then see the sun come up for the first time in the year. If I’m feeling social enough, I might even participate in whatever festival or ritual that’s open to travellers.

I’m Canadian. As such, I feel I should at least be able to describe “riding in a dogsled to school everyday” and “living in an igloo”. Just to satisfy the Americans when they ask because, afterall, that’s my way of life -smirk-

Comments:

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J L
Vancouver

I just don’t know how easy it is to travel to a place like Ellesmere Island and the North Pole.

I don’t either… I would have liked to go to the North via Canadian territory, but it might turn out that I’d have to go through Greenland… =P

gettingthere
2 places

"The Arctic Grail"

A long read but explains the exploration of the Canadian Arctic with a bit of content on Ellesmere Island. If you are into history. Pierre Burton writes to the seeming characters of the people leading the expeditions. After getting into the book I could be lured back to turn more pages. Describes the living in darkness over winter and adopting native ways of living.

If you get to Ellesmere Island let me know what its like.

Cheers

J L
Vancouver

Ooo, thank you! =)

And, yes, I’d definitely write about it if I do go =)

—J.


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