Sagvak
An ArcticQuest 1831 news item
Written by Dom Mee
- 10 Sept 2003
-
Well folks, I have crossed the Boothia peninsular a group of lakes, which meant two portages across the land. The beauty of the Kleeper Kayak is her ability to be packed into three bags so that she can be carried across the land or ice. I’ve got to say it’s been hard work but I got through it. The last expedition to cross Boothia were two Canadian Geographers back in 1953.
Their expedition notes came in very handy as I managed to use them for reference and other tests along the way. Unfortunately the Geographers were unable to pass through the rapids and were forced to retreat due to heavy sea ice. I have passed through the rapids and have made it Sagvak inlet.
Sagvak translated means it runs fast. Discovered by James Ross in 1830 Sagvak was first thought to be the holy grail of the Northwest Passage but it was not to be. I like the Canadian Geographers have encountered heavy sea ice conditions. I have navigated through the icy water and over the land which is covered in Polar Bear tracks I held my breath all the way.
I am currently at a plateau on a cliff where I have pitched camp but the weather has taken a turn for the worst. A force-8 snow blizzard has forced sea ice into the inlet and Lord Mayor bay is full of ice. I have battened down the hatches and am currently trapped. Victoria harbours lies 35 miles away but the whole area is enclosed in ice. The worsening severe weather conditions have forced me into making a few hard decisions. I am currently planning my best way forward to safety – watch this space.
Curse of the day – The Inuit have told me that this place is notorious for Polar bears and before leaving Talyoak I was gripped by a fear of being alone here. Now that I am here I feel that I can cope. I have built a stone cross and when I sleep it goes on sentry at the door of my tent.
Who’s doing your sentry?