El Norte de Canada

Page 1

2012-13 Canada and the North

Adventure

Canada

Adventure Canada

14 Front St. S., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5H 2C4 | 1-800-363-7566 www.AdventureCanada.com | info@adventurecanada.com

Adventure

Canada


Cover photo © Michelle Valberg

Dear Adventurers, As the summer season approaches our excitement is palpable – Arctic travel is upon us. For the past twenty-four years we have known the delights of the northern landscape: wide open spaces, magnificent vistas, northern lights, warm smiles, towering peaks, wild and powerful animals and the many blues of an iceberg. For nearly a quarter of a century we have shared Canada’s great northern treasures with you. We began with a mission to make Canada better known to Canadians and now, we strive to bring the world to Canada. It is our renowned commitment to education, conservation and cultural immersion that has made Adventure Canada one of the most respected names in travel – a reputation that we are proud of and continue to build on. Through our Discovery Voyage Series we have revolutionized the travel experience to Canada’s distant coastlines, home to some of Canada’s best scenery and hiking. We offer fully escorted, thoughtful, high-quality, all-inclusive experiences for a congenial group of travellers – visiting many small and inviting communities that are only accessible by ship. Whether travelling by ship or on land we aim to create a capacity for understanding and dialog and the many joys derived from new truths and shared experiences. We do this by visiting extraordinary places and working with a resource team of outstanding experts, locals and academics that bring to the table a breadth of knowledge, experience, humour and passion. On the water, our vessel, the Clipper Adventurer, allows us to explore these remote areas in style and comfort. With sixty well appointed outside cabins, two lounges, a library, state of the art stabilizers, health and massage services, a fleet of Zodiacs and ample deck space she is the perfect platform for expeditionary travel. Our dining room has large picture windows, allowing for superb viewing while savouring delicious meals and fine wine. Enjoy the luxury of unpacking just once, yet covering large tracts of land and sea. Sailing aboard Clipper Adventurer, guests and resource staff mingle casually and develop a sense of camaraderie and intimacy widely associated with the Adventure Canada experience. In 2012, we have an outstanding line up of ship and land based adventures. Our shipboard series explores the diverse landscapes and people of Nunavut, Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories and Greenland. Looking ahead to 2013, we have included Iceland, the Faroes, Scotland and Churchill! Through our thematic small group programs you can hone your photography skills, experience wildlife in a natural setting, participate in festivals and conferences and meet with authors, performers, visual artists and community leaders. I invite you to peruse our catalog. We look forward to joining you on your next great adventure. Yours in adventure,

Cedar Swan Vice-President, Adventure Canada Special thanks to our partners:


©Michelle Valberg

www.houston-north-gallery.ns.ca Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Affaires autochtones et Développement du Nord Canada

Inuit Relations Secretariat

Secrétariat des relations avec les Inuit


Arctic Safari Epic High Arctic Into the Northwest Passage Out of the Northwest Passage Greenland & Wild Labrador Newfoundland Circumnavigation


Table of Contents My Arctic - Eh! Arctic Safari Siqiniup Qilauta Epic High Arctic Magic Happens Into the Northwest Passage A Bird’s Life Out of the Northwest Passage Mammals Loom Large in the Arctic Greenland & Wild Labrador The Power of Music Newfoundland Circumnavigation Storytellers Art on the Rock with Kevin Major Why Adventure Canada?

7 8 13 14 19 20 25 26 31 32 39 40 47 48 49

About Small Ship Cruising

The Clipper Adventurer 50 More than a Ship 51 Scotland & Greenland 52 Heart of the Arctic 56 Arctic Explorer 60 Newfoundland Close-Up 64 Gros Morne and the Northern Peninsula 65 Explore Eastern Newfoundland 66 Western Newfoundland: Fall Colours 67 Narwhal and Polar Bear Safari 68 Walrus and Bowhead Safari 69 Birding the Canadian Rockies 70 Birding the High Arctic & Northwest Territories 71 Quebec Birds & Whales 72 Santa Fe Style 73

Torngat Safari Alianait Arts Festival Great Bear Rain Forest Haida Gwaii: The Queen Charlotte Islands Bears of Churchill Caribou Migration Scotland Slowly Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands 2012 Rates 2013 Rates About our Discovery Fund Registration Form Terms & Conditions

74 76 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88

Adventure Canada specializes in soft adventure programs, where you can experience the best of the natural world while enjoying the comforts our friendly floating hotel. Our program features outdoor activities such as walking, wildlife viewing and Zodiac cruising in addition to a full lecture and entertainment schedule onboard our ship. Every day we offer a combination of lively shipboard activities and interesting shore excursions. Our guests choose what elements of the program they want to participate in, with nothing compulsory — we always provide several options. It’s up to you! Our excursions onshore will involve a relatively low level of exertion, but you will need a reasonable level of mobility. For example, you will need to be able to get up and down the gangway (floating staircase) and climb into and out of Zodiacs (assistance is provided) for excursions onshore, and some of our landings will be ‘wet’, requiring waterproof boots. Once you have left the Zodiac, you’ll find that we have designed our shore excursions to accommodate both those who wish to enjoy gentle strolls and those who prefer more active hikes. A few of the excursions may involve rough terrain, with rocky beaches leading to steep or rocky or marshy ground; we will brief you about the terrain prior to arriving at shore. In the seasons we travel, temperatures will vary, according to our altitude on land, or our ship’s position at sea. Itineraries are subject to change, and landings may depend on tides or weather, so, as with all outdoor activities, a flexible approach works best. When you register we will provide you with a complete list of recommended clothing, essentials to bring, and a suggested reading list. You will also receive a detailed booklet to help prepare you for your adventure. It includes information on the ship and a brief history of your destination, along with news about its people, landscape, wildlife, and distinctive culture. Meals in the ship’s dining room are a great opportunity to meet new friends and to plan or recount the day’s adventures. Special diets, including gluten-free, can be accommodated with advance notice. Many of our guests form life-long friendships (and even some marriages), and we are delighted to find that reunion events often involve people travelling great distances to renew these important ties. We know, of course, that everyone travels for different reasons. Over the years, however, we have found one common element among the guests who choose to travel with us — a thirst for knowledge and authentic experience. Knowing this drives us to ensure the highest quality learning experience on our trips, by taking the time to design in careful detail each trip we offer.


© Michelle Valberg

© Michelle Valberg

“The most memorable part of this journey was how breathless I felt when we were hiking and discovering by yourself. Walking around the communities. I wanted to see, smell, touch everything!” – Mary Lou, Arctic Safari 2011

6

© Dennis Minty

© Michelle Valberg

© Michelle Valberg


My Arctic - Eh!

Every destination I am lucky enough to visit inspires me to continue to explore and the list of unseen destinations seem endless. Though this lifestyle gives me the freedom to wander aimlessly, there is one part of this tiny planet that keeps me coming back as though it was home: The Canadian Arctic - My Arctic, Eh! 2001 marked the first time that I ventured up North to work on a scientific expedition on a remote bird colony near Resolute Bay and since then I have returned North every summer. It is my sense of home that many wanderers often seek but never find. It is familiar and wondrous, spooky and exciting, harsh and inviting; a land of delightful contradictions that make you care for it as you would a loved one. It is the place that gave me glimpses into the secret lives of arctic fox, seal and muskox. It is place that causes my heart to pound with close encounters of polar bears and it is the one that delights me when stories are shared with local friends. It is the most difficult place I have ever travelled but it has brought out the best in me and my companions, it challenges us, it teases us, and then it compliments us with its beauty and wilderness. Our Arctic is one of culture, of nature, and of vast landscape. It is my home, and one that I invite all to explore. -Shoshanah Jacobs, Expedition Leader

©Michelle Valberg

My mother says that the reason why I spent three years in Ushuaia, Argentina, was because it was the furthest that I could get from home. Well, half of that is true; it was the furthest that I could get - but the goal was never to distance myself from home, specifically. Adventure, exploration, these are things that have become synonymous with our species and it was very difficult for me as a child to contend with the fact that I could not just pick up and go off on my own. For several years now, home has been my big black canvas bag that can, miraculously and without explanation, contract and expand between 18 and 23 kg depending upon weight restrictions. I am a wanderer, a person without a fixed address.

Shoshanah Jacobs Expedition Leader

Shoshanah became a sailor when she was 6 years old and her parents bought a 12 metre motor yacht. Until that time, her first dive, though technically in a swimming pool at the age of 4, was by far the most exciting moment of her life. That experience created a path towards becoming a marine biologist from which she would never divert. Originally from Ottawa, Shoshanah moved to the east coast of Canada, where she earned a BSc in Marine Biology. Her MSc dissertation focussed on the acoustic ecology of seals and the effects of aquaculture on their population distribution. She returned to Ottawa in 2001 to complete her Doctoral dissertation on the energy dynamics of Arctic seabirds. Her fieldwork led her to some of the most isolated areas of Canada, sparking a passion for expeditions and travel. In 2005, she began taking tourists on ship-based expeditions to Canada’s North. She has worked in pretty much every onboard job from deck hand to Expedition Leader while maintaining an active scientific career and publishing record. Join Shoshanah on our 2012 Arctic Safari Epic High Arctic, Into the Northwest Passage, Greenland & Wild Labrador and Newfoundland Circumnavigation.

7


Arctic Safari

July 30 – August 9, 2012 July 17 -27, 2013 aboard the Clipper Adventurer

Š Michelle Valberg

8


T

he timeless lure of the North has drawn many to the upward reaches of our planet. The Aurora Borealis, the ice, the marvelous creatures, the midnight sun, the endless landscape are all a part of the magnetism that beckon us and calls us forward on our journey. Thousands of years of human history lies behind us on our journey of exploration. Northern people, attune to the harsh realities of their natural environment, have cultivated ingenious adaptations to thrive in Arctic. Only a few hundred years ago early European explorers navigated the icy waters of Baffin Bay in search of whales, gold, a route to the Orient and, in the case of the Vikings, a new home. Our classic Arctic expedition, Arctic Safari, connects areas of great cultural, historical and natural significance. Beginning in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland we set sail down one of the country’s longest fjords, crossing the Arctic Circle. Striking North past pretty colourful houses that dot the Greenlandic coast, we’ll call in at the splendid town of Ilulissat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A Zodiac cruise into the ice-fjord, where towering icebergs calve from the massive Greenland icecap as it tumbles down to meet the sea, will surely leave you breathless and refreshed.

Join us as we have a look at some of the wilder places in this untamed land: the sheer bird cliffs of Bylot and Prince Leopold Islands, the ocean trench paralleling Isabella Bay - home to bowhead whales, and the winding fjords of Northeast Baffin. With such a variety of excursions and peak summer weather – long days, blooming tundra flowers and (usually) calm, warm weather – we recommend this trip as the best way to experience the Arctic for the first time.

© Michelle Valberg

Crossing Davis Strait, we will encounter the east side of Baffin Island, one of the world’s dramatic coastlines. We will visit the vibrant Inuit communities of Kangiqtugaapik (Clyde River) and Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet) making new friends along the way. We’ll meet with local hosts; elders, school kids, community leaders - all eager to showcase their home. We’ll learn about centuries of traditions, the impact of modernity in the north and how communities are searching for a balance of old and new.

9


“I cannot overstate how much I loved the scenery and the wildlife. Having said that, the highlight of the trip was meeting the wonderful people- onboard, both staff and passengers, and the community people. What a wonderful gathering of like-minded people, kind, gracious, funny, bright and talented. I truly felt like I was among friends and family” – Judy, Arctic Safari 2011 © Michelle Valberg

© Michelle Valberg

Our Intended Itinerary Day 1: Kangerlussuaq Day 2: Itilleq Day 3: Ilulissat Day 4: Isabella Bay Day 5: Kanngiqtugaapik (Clyde River) Day 6: Buchan Gulf

10

Highlights

Day 7: Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet) Day 8: Bylot Island Day 9: Prince Leopold Day 10: Devon Island & Beechey Island Day 11: Qausuittuq (Resolute)

• Marvel at the Ilulissat icefield, where 90% of the North Atlantic’s icebergs are born • Thousands of birds on the cliffs of Prince Leopold Island • Visit the largest uninhabited island on earth during our stop at Devon Island • Cross the Arctic circle while sailing in the shadow of the longest fjord in West Greenland • Visit the historic graves of the ill-fated Franklin Expedition • Enjoy the town of Pond Inlet, with breathtaking peaks of Bylot Island and the hospitality of the townspeople • Have tea with locals in a traditional Greenlandic home • Opportunity to view the highly threatened bowhead whale in Isabella Bay

Our charter flight departs from Toronto and returns to Ottawa, the cost is $1,667 USD pp. Please call us for details.


Arctic Safari: Resource Staff

Denis St-Onge Geologist

Past President of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, Denis is a geomorphologist who has worked with the Geological Survey of Canada and on the Polar Continental Shelf Project, Denis has been fascinated by the Arctic since 1959 when he started studying the evolution of landforms of Ellef Ringnes Island. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada, a past Chair of Geography at the University of Ottawa, a fellow of the Arctic Institute of North America and recipient of the Scottish Geographical Medal. The Canadian Association of Geographers has presented Dr. St-Onge its Award for Service and the Geological Association of Canada its Ambrose Medal and in 2002 he was presented with Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal.

Paul Prior Ornithologist

Paul cannot recall a time when he was not birding, and his passion has always been for migrant songbirds. Paul’s passion for birds has taken him to passerine monitoring / banding stations in Israel, Costa Rica, northern Ontario and northern British Columbia and Arctic Canada. In more recent years his attentions have steered more to work with Ontario’s endangered breeding species, specifically with Bald Eagles, Loggerhead Shrikes and Prothonotary Warblers. However, he still finds time to indulge in grass-roots migration monitoring with the Toronto Bird Observatory, where as a certified banding trainer with the North American Banding Council he continues to pass on his experience from 15 years of banding on 3 continents.

Jane Sproull-Thomson

This is just a sampling of the outstanding staff on this voyage. Please visit our website for a full list of staff members.

Allister Pedersen

Archaeologist & Art Historian

Telecommunications Technologist

Jane writes and lectures in cultural history, archaeology and art history to museum, university and avocational groups. Until recently she was professor of Inuit and native art and culture at the University of Calgary, and is a former curator for the Glenbow, Newfoundland and Red Deer College Museums. She is a Research Associate and was appointed a Life Member with the Arctic Institute of North America. Jane has worked as lecturer, Zodiac driver and cruise director for the past ten years. With husband Callum she operates a consulting business in the field of environmental and heritage conservation, interpretation and planning and has had a key role in planning new heritage and tourism facilities throughout Canada.

Eight days aboard Canada’s largest icebreaker measuring satellite signals cemented Allister’s love of Arctic travel. Another similar trip involved a “very cool” 1370 km drive from Whitehorse to Inuvik and then along the MacKenzie Ice Road to Tuktoyaktuk. After 34-years in radio-communications, Allister turned his background and experience towards Search & Rescue (SAR). Allister volunteers with Cranbrook Ground SAR and Air SAR. He is a certified civilian spotter, military spotter and navigator. As Air SAR Training Officer he teaches courses in spotting, navigation, radio-communications, radio direction-finding and GPS. In 2011 he participated in 6 searches looking for hunters, an elderly diabetic, an earlyonset Alzheimer subject and an abducted 3-year old boy. Allister will offer navigation workshops and insight on Arctic shipping technology.

Danny Catt Photographer & Naturalist

Danny is an internationally published photographer and biologist, with close to 30 years of experience in the field of environmental education. He has a diploma in Fisheries & Wildlife management, a BSc in Biology and an MSc in Wildlife Ecology . His career with Parks Canada spanned 13 before he shifted to teaching at the post-secondary level in BC. Danny has explored over 60 countries around the world. His photographs have appeared in a broad range of publications including the Globe & Mail, New York Daily News, Chinese Geographic, Macleans and TIME. When not seeking adventures in exotic places, Danny is a faculty member in the Fish, Wildlife and Recreation program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

Dave Freeze Expedition Team

Dave grew up on the edge of a vast forest in North Vancouver. His teenage working life consisted mostly of outdoor education and wilderness travel with the YMCA, which lead him to a career as a backcountry guide and water based adventure specialist. With a flair for the unusual and a high degree of risk tolerance, he decided to start a business with Matthew Swan in 1987. The transition from a carefree guide loving his time in the outdoors to an office based environment, while perhaps the natural evolution of the maturing species, did not go well. Seven years later he took a fork in the trail to seek new adventures. Today Dave splits his time between training guides for Thompson Rivers University’s Adventure Guide Program and his business RippleRock Consulting.

Matthew Swan, Matthew James Swan, Heidi Langille, Lynda Brown, Pierre Richard, Shoshanah Jacobs and Cedar Swan will also be on this voyage. Please find their biographies within this brochure and online.

11


© Michelle Valberg

© Andrew Stewart

“This was a trip that far exceeded my expectations and I had high expectations. I fell in love with the arctic. I would love to return many times. The staff and passengers became so much more than travel partners, they became friends; or at least it felt like this. The group of us developed into family/community over the 11 days. The staff are exceptional. I can’t believe you got so many quality people to come on one trip. I felt very lucky. Thank you for making me feel so at home.” – Pam, Arctic Safari 2011

12

© Daniel J. Catt

© Daniel J. Catt

© Dennis Minty


Siqiniup Qilauta

© Robert Poulton

There is a legend amongst the Inuit about the halo that appears around the sun, known in some parts as “Siqiniup Qilauta” roughly translated to ‘The Sun’s Drum’. For Inuit it is a good sign, a symbol of good luck. There are approximately 56,000 Inuit living in Canada in four distinct areas as well as urban centres such as Ottawa. Led by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the National Organization representing Inuit in Canada, each area (Inuvialuit, Nunavut, Nunavik and Nunatsiavut) shares common cultural practices but celebrate different histories. For instance, in Nunatsiavut (Northern Labrador), the Moravian Missionaries have been present since the 1700’s, but in Nunavut, ongoing contact with government representatives didn’t really start to happen until the 1950’s. Inuit is the Inuktitut word meaning ‘the people’. One person is ‘Inuk’, two people are ‘Inuuk’ and three or more are Inuit, pronounced ee-new-eet. You may have heard the term ‘Eskimo’ which was commonly used until recently. Eskimo is a northern Cree word meaning ‘eaters of raw meat’, although it has truth behind it, Inuit much prefer to be called Inuit! Siginiup Qilauta is the group name of the duo, Lynda Brown and Heidi Langille, both located in Ottawa, they have travelled nationally and internationally demonstrating traditional and contemporary Inuit throat singing, drum dancing and games as well as providing interactive workshops on the history of the Inuit and current realities. They believe strongly in the strength and resiliency of a cultural people that moved from Igloo to iPod in such a short time span. They enjoy sharing their culture and the many questions and interests that people have surrounding the Inuit. Sharing the beauty and the strength of this dynamic culture, Lynda and Heidi hope to create a better world, full of understanding, for their children and all Inuit children and youth.

Lynda Brown Culturalist

Heidi Langille

Lynda was born in Nunavut, her mother’s family originates from Pangnirtung, and her father is of Scottish descent. Upon graduating from Trent University with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Native Studies and Psychology, she moved to the nation’s capital. In Ottawa, home to the largest southern Inuit community, Lynda and her husband Rob Nicholson, raise their three young children. Lynda loves her work with the Ottawa Inuit Children’s Centre and is very involved with her community. She volunteers her time, primarily focussing on Inuit women and children and affordable housing. She is the President of Inuit Non-Profit Housing Incorporation, and has been serving on this board for 6 years. She participated in the 2008 Governor General Leadership Conference. Lynda is a traditional throat singer and drummer, and shares her cultural knowledge through demonstrations, information sessions and workshops. She performs locally, nationally and internationally.

Heidi is an Urban Inuk with family roots in Nunatsiavut (Northern Labrador). She is one of the founders of the Ottawa Inuit Children’s Centre which empowers Inuit families in Ottawa with many programs and services. Heidi was nominated as one of the National Aboriginal Role Models in 2010-2011 which has enabled her to motivate and inspire Aboriginal youth across Canada. One of the many things that Heidi enjoys is providing interactive presentations to all walks of life about the Inuit Culture, including throat singing, history, current events, drumming and Inuit Games. Along with her husband, Heidi is currently raising six children.

Culturalist

Join Heidi and Lynda on our 2012 Arctic Safari.

13


Epic High Arctic

August 9 - 19, 2012 aboard the Clipper Adventurer

14

Š Dennis Minty


T

he magic and mystery of the far north beckons as we once again combine its landscapes, people and communities into our favourite High Arctic Adventure. Travelling well-beyond the Arctic Circle and into the far North, we explore Devon Island and the historic route to the North Pole. Our journey begins where one of the most famous of Arctic expeditions went fatally wrong; on Beechey Island we find three graves, men of the lost Franklin expedition. An eerie mecca for history buffs, Beechey Island presents a convergence of the European narrative. From here, we will journey further north (dependant on ice conditions, of course!) into the Smith Sound. This expedition features some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Arctic - ice capped mountains, fjords, and glaciers. Here the vista should be filled with ice - a perfect scene for photographers! After crossing Smith Sound, we arrive in Greenland, a place where the ice comes alive in iridescent blues, delicate tundra flowers briefly bloom and towns shine with a brilliant montage of bright colours. This self-governing province of Denmark is the largest island in the world, covering nearly 3.5 million km2, and more than 80 percent of it is covered either by the ice cap or small glaciers. Throughout the voyage we have ample opportunities to view and photograph the unique wildlife that calls the Arctic home. Narwhal, polar bear, and the rare and immaculately white Ivory Gull are all found here. Nesting colonies on Coburg and Prince Leopold Islands host tens of thousands of Thick-billed Murres and Black-legged Kittiwakes. We are also likely to encounter shorebirds, Dovekie, Northern Fulmar, and, with luck, Gyrfalcon. At each stop, we board Zodiacs to go ashore, or position ourselves for the best views or photographs of the wildlife, flowers, icebergs and landscapes. Join us as we venture to the top of the world!

Š Michelle Valberg

15


“I have some amazing photo’s as a keepsake but hold a small piece of that amazing country in my heart. Look forward to traveling more with your group.” – Leon, Arctic 2011

© Andrew Stewart

Our Intended Itinerary Day 1: Resolute Day 2: Prince Leopold & Beechey Island Day 3 :Devon Island Day 4: Coburg Island Day 5: Grise Fiord (Aujuittuq) Day 6: Smith Sound Day 7: Kap York Day 8: Karrat Fjord Day 9: Ilulissat Day 10: Itilleq Day 11: Kangerlussuaq

16

© Michelle Valberg

Highlights

• Thousands of birds on the cliffs of Prince Leopold Island • Visit an abandoned RCMP Arctic post • Cross the Arctic circle while sailing in the shadow of the second-longest fjord in Greenland • Visit the historic graves of the ill-fated Franklin Expedition • Follow the route to the North Pole as we journey up Smith Sound • Cruise amidst North America’s largest Icebergs • Enjoy a cultural presentation at Canada’s northernmost community, in Grise Fiord • Take in the breath-taking scenery as we cruise Karrat Fjord - one of Greenland’s beautiful hidden gems

Our charter flight departs from Ottawa and returns to Toronto, cost is $1,781 USD pp. Please call us for details.


Epic High Arctic: Resource Staff

Jon Dudley Geologist

Jon has been reading the rocks and sharing their stories both as a career and as his passion for over 40 years. He first worked in the Canadian Arctic while still in high school and became enthralled with the land and its people. Having obtained degrees in geology in Toronto and Calgary, he pursued a career as a professional geologist, which included fieldwork and excursions across Canada. Both independently and as a member of a number of geological organizations, Jon continues to be very active in helping youth, teachers, the general public, and other geologists appreciate some of the marvels of our planet and how all life is connected to, and shaped by, the ever-changing geological landscape.

Jim Halfpenny Author & Scientist

Jim is an author, scientist and educator whose interest in exploration has taken him to all seven continents and Greenland. Jim’s specialties include environmental ecology, animal tracking and carnivores. His greatest love, bears, led to 20 years studying polar and grizzly bears. Jim has authored over 25 books and videos including his latest, Yellowstone Bears in the Wild and Track Plates for Mammals. He is a Fellow of the Explorer’s Club and received the Antarctic Service medal. A past Research Fellow of the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, Jim was Director of the Mountain Research Station and the Long-Term Ecological Research program in the Alpine. Currently he is president of A Naturalist’s World.

Steve Smith Naturalist

Steve has been involved in 20 seasons of field research in the Arctic, primarily studying seabirds. Over the past two decades Steve has led more than fifty journeys in the High Arctic. In 2004 he was Director of Operations for Abandoned in the Arctic a documentary film project that retraced a 500km historic retreat route of Adolphus Greely at 82° North on Ellesmere Island. An accomplished landscape and nature photographer, Steve’s photographs have been published in Natural History, Outside, National Geographic and National Geographic Adventure magazines. He is the co-founder of the Canmore, Alberta-based independent film production company, Meltwater Media. He recently co-produced and co-directed Arctic Cliffhangers, an award-winning one-hour documentary on Arctic seabirds.

This is just a sampling of the outstanding staff on this voyage. Please visit our website for a full list of staff members.

Romani Makkik Culturalist

Romani grew up in Igloolik, Nunavut with her grandparents, Guy and Alexina Makkik and her mother, Jacintha Makkik. Much of her childhood was spent with her grandparents during the camping and hunting season. After completing high-school Romani attended the esteemed Nunavut Sivuniksavut Training Program (NS) in Ottawa, ON. Upon completion she returned to Nunavut and was employed with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association before moving into the government services. Currently Romani is completing a degree in Indigenous Learning at Lakehead University.

Thomas Kovacs Musician

One word describes a musical performance by Thomas Kovacs … fun! Tom approaches his music with a great deal of seriousness and is especially proud of his vocal skills. Playing for soldiers in the Persian Gulf in 1991 for five months taught him some valuable lessons in connecting and having fun with audiences. Since then, Tom has focused on interacting with his audiences and making them a part of the show. Tom knows that people can easily listen to music in the comfort of their own home so going to see live music must offer more. And Tom does just that by providing humor, entertainment, and of course ... great music!

Deanna Leonard Marine Mammolist

Deanna was born and raised in the Northwest Territories where she developed a lifelong love of nature. After graduating from University, Deanna moved to Boston to work as a research-intern studying whales on the coast of New England. During her years on the Eastern Seaboard, Deanna became a skilled whale-watch Naturalist and fell in love with teaching in a natural setting. As the Director, of the Center for Oceanic Research and Education, she developed educationoutreach programs for both commercial whale-watch vessels and for classrooms. A true northerner at heart, Deanna made her way back home in 2007 to continue her work as a wildlife biologist in the Northern frontier, joining Fisheries and Oceans Canada in Yellowknife.

Matthew James Swan, Steve Gorman, Aaron Spitzer, Julia Szucs, Matthew Swan, Shoshanah Jacobs and David Freeze will also be on this voyage. Please find their biographies online.

17


© Dennis Minty

©Dennis Minty

“My favourite part was standing on deck & watching the ice bergs. Then being on the Zodiacs & driving right up to those massive chunks. But the biggest thrill was walking on the boardwalk in Ilulissat to the top of the hill & seeing the mighty icefield coming out of the ice cap fjord. Wow!!” – Robert, Arctic 2011

© John Sylvester

18

© Dennis Minty

© Mike Beedell

© Daniel J. Catt


Magic Happens “If you want to take better photographs,” I tell myself, “put yourself in front of better scenery.” It sounds like a simple solution – a surefire way to jumpstart your photographic creativity – and it is. There’s nothing mysterious about it, it’s utterly practical. You just have to be there, camera in hand, eyes wide open. When you are there, when you are ready, magic happens. So when I follow my own advice, I spend a lot of time in spectacular places, like the Canadian Arctic. I’m a better photographer when I‘m in the presence of something magnificent like the Grand Canyon, the Canadian Rockies, or the Ilulissat Ice fjord. In places like these opportunities to take great photographs are both bountiful and ephemeral. The scenery changes with the light from one moment to the next, and each scene is more breathtaking than the one before. It’s magical. This is the magic I know we will discover aboard the Clipper Adventurer as we explore the Epic High Arctic this summer. I want to be there to photograph the serrated, ice-capped peaks of Ellesmere Island; the haunting beauty of Devon Island; and the towering ice fjords of Greenland. I want to be ready to seize the moment. Every moment.

All images © Stephen Gorman

Stephen Gorman Photographer

Steve goes deeper into the wild for the perfect shot. For days, weeks and even months at a time, he sets off into the wilderness in search of striking images of the natural world. To portray the spirit of these special places, he uses his sharply honed photography and wilderness travel skills. His powerful connection to his subject matter results in the most evocative images. Steve’s colour photo books include the bestselling The American Wilderness: Journeys into Distant and Historic Landscapes; Thoreau’s New England; Wild New England; Northeastern Wilds: Journeys of Discovery in the Northern Forest, which was a finalist for the prestigious 2003 IPPY Award presented by the Independent Publishers Association; and Arctic Visions: Encounters at the Top of the World, which won the prized 2011 Benjamin Franklin Award for best gift book from the Independent Book Publishers Association. Join Stephen on our Epic High Arctic Expedition.

19


Into the Northwest Passage

August 19 - September 2, 2012 / August 6 -20, 2013 aboard the Clipper Adventurer

20

Š Michelle Valberg


V

enture with us through the famed Northwest Passage! The epic quest for a northern route west to silk and spice producing Asia occupied some of the best minds of European civilization for half a millennium. Until recently the ice-choked waters of the passage provided extreme challenges to navigators; it still remains an elusive route that few have had the privilege of travelling. Our journey begins in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, as we make our way through one of Greenland’s longest, and arguably most beautiful fjords, crossing the Arctic Circle in the process. As we make our way north along Greenland’s shore, we’ll have the opportunity to sail the coast, dotted with the colourful houses typical of Greenlandic communities. A highlight will be our visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Ilulissat Icefjord, where we will cruise amongst the icebergs, and marvel at the ice fields. Our first stop in Nunavut is at the picturesque community of Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet). We’ll be treated to a cultural presentation here, including throat singing and traditional Inuit games, before exploring the town. From here we enter the mouth of the famed Northwest Passage! We’ll keep a keen eye out for narwhal and walrus before landing on Devon Island, where we’ll find spectacular Croker Bay and the Dundas Harbour RCMP historical site. Arriving at Beechey Island we visit the home of the graves from the lost Franklin Expedition, and a base for many rescue missions, passage seekers and modern explorers. Sailing down the coast of Somerset Island, we’ll cruise through Bellot Strait seeking out whale and polar bear. Making landfall in Taloyoak, we continue to follow in the path of famed explorers. Formerly known as Spence Bay, the area has a long history of exploration, including the famed John Ross expeditions in the 1830s that resulted in the pinpointing of the Magnetic North Pole. The area later became central in the search for the legendary Franklin Expedition. Join us in tracing the passage that conjures a history at once tragic and inspiring, a history encompassing hardship and death, but also courage, determination, and superhuman endurance. © Michelle Valberg

21


“I can’t really name one most memorable thing, as I keep thinking about different parts of it, it was such a deep and rich experience in all ways. Everything was beyond my expectations, but at the top of my list, just looking at the landscape, listening to the icebergs, and feeling very small and insignificant, yet a part of it.” – Michele, Into the Northwest Passage 2011

© Michelle Valberg

© Dennis Minty

Our Intended Itinerary Day 1: Kangerlussuaq Day 2: Sisimiut Coast Day 3: Ilulissat Day 4: Karrat Fjord Day 5: Upernavik Day 6: Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet) Day 7: Devon Island Day 8: Beechey Island

22

Highlights

Day 9: Bellot Strait Day 10: Taloyoak Day 11: Rae Strait Day 12: Jenny Lind Island Day 13: Boothia Peninsula Day 14: Coronation Gulf Day 15: Kugluktuk (Coppermine)

• Visit the oldest museum in Greenland in Upernavik • Enjoy a Zodiac cruise at the head of a glacier in Croker Bay • Experience throat singing and traditional Inuit games at Mittimatalik • Seek out Narwhal and Polar Bear during our cruise through Bellot Strait • Visit the community of Taloyoak in the heart of the Northwest Passage • Enjoy hikes on the open tundra at surrounded by siksiks (Arctic ground squirrel) • See some of the best examples of Stromatolytes at Port Epworth • Sail the famed Northwest Passage

Our charter flight departs from Toronto and returns to Edmonton, cost is $1,950 USD pp. Please call us for details.


Into the Northwest Passage: Resource Staff

Ken McGoogan Author & Historian

The award-winning author of ten books, Ken is best-known for his four acclaimed narratives about Arctic exploration: Fatal Passage, Ancient Mariner, Lady Franklin’s Revenge, and Race to the Polar Sea. These works earned him the Writers’ Trust of Canada Biography Prize, the Canadian Authors’ Association History Award, the UBC Medal for Canadian Biography, and the Pierre Berton Award for Popular History. Before moving mainly to books, Ken worked as a journalist for two decades at three major dailies. He has a BA in journalism from Ryerson University and a MA in creative writing from the University of British Columbia. Ken made a cameo appearance in the docudrama based on his book Fatal Passage.

Andrew Qappik Artist & Culturalist

Andrew is a master printmaker from Pangnirtung, Baffin Island in Nunavut. Originally inspired by images in the comic books he read as a child, Andrew now finds his subjects in the stories, traditions and day-to-day events of his world. His images describe the local landscape, the animals, the people as well as family activities and camp life. As a printmaker, Andrew uses relief printing, etching and lithography. He is most widely recognized for the subtle layering of colours in his stencil prints. As a designer, Andrew uses symbolic colours and imagery to communicate ideas. He is best known for his contribution to the design of the Nunavut flag, logo and coat of arms.

Bernadette Dean Culturalist

Bernadette grew up in Coral Harbour on Southampton Island in northern Hudson’s Bay, where the spring and summer seasons were spent on the land hunting, fishing and harvesting what the land and hunters provided. Since then she has lived in different communities in Nunavut, and has worked very closely with elders and youth on cultural program development, culture camps for Inuit youth and women and Inuktitut language preservation projects producing several albums of traditional Inuit and contemporary songs, stories and legends. She has been a cultural advisor to various museum exhibits in the USA and a cultural advisor on documentary films about Inuit and arctic history. She produced and co-directed Inuit Piqutingit-What belongs to Inuit with famed Inuk film maker Zacharias Kunuk.

This is just a sampling of the outstanding staff on this voyage. Please visit our website for a full list of staff members.

John Houston Filmmaker & Culturalist

A member of the well-known Houston family, John spent the first eight years of his life in Kinngait (Cape Dorset). He studied art in Paris and graduated from Yale University in 1975. That same year, he began a five year adventure as Art Advisor to the Pangnirtung Co-op’s printmaking project, during which he regained his fluency in Inuktitut. After a career assisting in the making of films such as Never Cry Wolf, in 1998 he co-wrote and directed his own first film, Songs in Stone. The six Arctic films he has created provide glimpses into the world of Inuit ideas. All have won national and international awards. When not up North, or off on other adventures with his son Dorset and daughter Becky, John and his partner Ree are busy developing co-presentations, writing, and working on film projects from their Halifax home.

Carolyn Mallory Field Botanist

Carolyn is a field botanist and writer whose book Common Insects of Nunavut was published in December 2011. It is a follow up to her popular Common Plants of Nunavut, co-written with Susan Aiken. She is working on updating and revising the plant book as a new edition will be published in the near future. She is also hard at work on a picture book for children and a novel. Carolyn can always be recognized on activities off of the ship, as she is usually looking down at the amazing Arctic world a few centimetres above the permafrost. She has three children, four dogs, five cats, one cockatiel, a lizard, and a miniature pig. Carolyn and her husband Mark have recently made the move from Iqaluit to Canada’s East Coast after living in the Arctic for the last twelve years.

Michelle Valberg Photographer

Michelle is an awardwinning Canadian photographer, renowned for her soulful portraiture and stunning landscapes. She possesses a magical combination of artistic creativity, entrepreneurial spirit and community commitment with a diverse career and excellent reputation. Her work has appeared in numerous magazines and has been the subject of her two selfpublished books—Look Beyond: The Faces & Stories of People with HIV/AIDS and Dare to Dream: A Celebration of Canadian Women, which became a national bestseller. Valberg is currently at work on her third book, The Land & Life of the Inuit: Through the Generations, will showcase the splendour of the Canadian north and its people. Book proceeds will support Project North.

Shoshanah Jacobs, Cedar Swan, Clayton Anderson, Ree Brennin, Thomas Kovacs and Carol Heppenstall will also be on this voyage. Please find their biographies online.

23


© Michelle Valberg

© Michelle Valberg

“It is the most informative trip we’ve ever taken. Having such knowledgeable and friendly resource people (easy to talk with and readily available for our questions). It was great having the different resource people eat dinner with us and we wished we could have more opportunities greedy aren’t we!” – Michael & Barbara, Into the Northwest Passage 2011

24

© Michelle Valberg

© Michelle Valberg

© Dennis Minty


© Michelle Valberg

A Bird’s Life... Forget the ubiquitous cell phones, the white noise of city streets, industries or farm machinery, and even the regular passage of aircraft. When you get to the Arctic, what do you hear? Perhaps nothing (really … nothing!), but more likely you hear wind, either rolling gently over the tundra and shorelines, or swirling off of glaciers and cliffs. And what do you hear on the wind? Birds. The Canadian Arctic is full of birds, some 50,000,000 of them! Nunavut alone hosts over 260 species, and more than 150 of those have nested there. From the tiniest Hoary Redpoll to the giant Sandhill Crane, birds can be found in the verdant river deltas draining the barrenlands to the lunar landscape of glacial Devon Island. Some of their names connote polar images: Tundra Swan, Snow Goose, Snowy Owl, Snow Bunting (not surprisingly, all of which are white). The Arctic Tern lives here, the animal that travels farther each year than any other organism on Earth. When you cruise along Arctic coastlines, it is often difficult to reconcile the stark, (seemingly) simple and spartan surroundings with the abundance of life they support. How can 500,000 birds make a living on one chunk of rock and a lot of ice? Leaning on the railing around the rear deck of the Clipper Adventurer, watching Northern Fulmars effortlessly trail along the wake of the ship, wing tips just touching the crests of the waves, one cannot help but truly marvel at these creatures. To me, birds are harbingers of good news. I think of how much joy those early explorers must have felt as they crossed the ocean, and knew they were approaching land when they saw seabirds. How thrilled Hudson’s crew must have been to see the bounty of food available to them at the murre colonies of Digges Sound. The wonder that Sverdrup’s crew must have experienced seeing eiders and fulmars return to Hell Gate, despite hundreds of kilometres of sea-ice in every direction. Perhaps at no other point in history has the contrast between life in the Arctic and life in the “south” been so dramatic. Southern society can be fast-paced, hyper-connected and noisy. But step onto an Arctic coastline, and feel wonderfully slow, removed, and silent. But not for too long ... sooner or later, those little harbingers welcome you. - Mark Mallory, Biologist

Mark Mallory Biologist

Dr. Mark Mallory is a Canada Research Chair in Coastal Wetland Ecosystems at Acadia University, Nova Scotia, where he studies coastlines in the Canadian Maritimes and Arctic. However, from 1999-2011, he lived in Iqaluit, Nunavut, with his wife Carolyn and three children (Conor, Jessamyn and Olivia), where he was a government biologist studying seabirds, particularly the effects of climate change and pollution on their biology. Most of Mark’s northern work takes him to the High Arctic, where there are few mosquitoes, little warmth, and lots of pesky polar bears. He has written over 130 scientific papers, including co-editing a book on Hudson Bay called A Little Less Arctic – Changes to Top Predators in the World’s Largest Northern Inland Sea, and his studies led to the creation of two new national wildlife areas on eastern Baffin Island, and the uplisting of Ivory Gulls to Endangered status in 2009. Join Mark Mallory on the Into the Northwest Passage expedition!

25


Out of the Northwest Passage September 2 - 18, 2012 / August 20 - September 5, 2013 aboard the Clipper Adventurer

Š Dennis Minty

26


E

xperience the spirit of adventure and exploration as we sail Out of the Northwest Passage! On this itinerary we’ll explore some of the least travelled regions in the Canadian Arctic. The presence of ice will dictate our precise route as we poke our way through the pack ice, exploring as we go. Our journey begins in Kugluktuk (Coppermine) where we’ll board the Clipper Adventurer and sail west to reach the waters of the Beaufort Sea. Entering Canada’s Northwest Territories we will, ice conditions permitting, head through Prince of Wales Strait, making expeditionary stops on both Banks and Victoria Islands. We also plan to visit the community of Ulukhatok (Holman) on the shores of the Amundsen Gulf. As we continue to make our way North-East, we’ll visit Winter Harbour and Neil Griffiths Point on Melville Island and delve into the rich waters of Lancaster Sound, famous for its abundance of beluga whales and other marine mammals. A highlight of the voyage will most definitely be Beechey Island, where history buffs will be struck by the eerie shores that house the lonely graves of the ill-fated Franklin expedition. After cruising among the icebergs and seeking out walrus, we make our way to Ellesmere Island, following the route to the North Pole. Here we pay a visit to Canada’s northernmost community Aujuittuq (Grise Fiord) “the place that never thaws”. We will continue our journey into Smith Sound as far as time and ice conditions permit, before crossing into Greenland. As we arrive at the world’s largest island, we’ll marvel at the large icebergs and vast fjords. Our journey along the Greenlandic coast will include stops at historic Melville Bay, and time to enjoy the natural beauty of Kap York and the quaint town of Upernavik. Another highlight will be our time spent in Ilulissat, the largest town in Disko Bay and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This itinerary is an expedition in the truest sense. The Arctic remains a landscape where nature reigns supreme, and we will go only where the ice and weather conditions permit. We recommend this expedition to our most adventurous guests! © Michelle Valberg

27


“‘Ship’s Time’ ! Everyday was an adventure and schedule changes make it all the better. It is like a surprise package every day.” – Jenny, Out of the Northwest Passage 2011

© Andrew Stewart

© Michelle Valberg

Our Intended Itinerary Day 1: Kugluktuk (Coppermine) Day 2: Ulukhatok (Holman) Day 3: Banks Island Day 4: Prince of Wales Strait Day 5: Banks Island & Melville Island Day 6: Winter Harbour, Melville Island

Day 7: Bathurst Island Day 8: Beechey Island & Devon Island Day 9: Devon Island Day 10: Aujuittuq (Grise Fiord) Day 11: Smith Sound Day 12: Kap Alexander

Day 13: Kap York Day 14: Upernavik Day 15: Karrat Fjord Day 16: Ilulissat Day 17: Kangerlussuaq

Highlights

• Sail some of the most remote waterways and least explored areas in Canada • Buy some prints and local crafts at Uluhaktok • Walk on the tundra on Canada’s westernmost Arctic island • Sail Prince of Wales Strait while seeking out muskox on Banks Island • Follow in the footsteps of Sir William Parry at Winter Harbour • Trace the route to the North Pole as we venture up Smith Sound

28

*This itinerary is an expedition in the truest sense. Our route will be determined by ice conditions and is subject to change at the Captain’s discretion. Our charter flight departs from Edmonton and returns to Toronto, cost is $1,950 USD pp. Please call us for details.


Out of the Northwest Passage: Resource Staff

David Pelly Historian

As a writer, David’s work has been largely based on Inuit traditional knowledge he collected over the past 30 years. He has published eight books and countless articles about the North, the land, its history and its people. His recent book, Sacred Hunt, is about the profound relationship between Inuit and seals. He has worked with biologists and archaeologists, developed and written documentary films, served as co-curator of Inuit art exhibitions, and assisted with numerous community cultural projects across Nunavut. An adventurer in his own right, he has also led several dozen northern expeditions, travelling by canoe and by dog-team for thousands of miles in the Arctic wilderness.

Ian Tamblyn Musician

Ian first began writing at the age of seventeen. Since the he has recorded twenty- nine albums and over 1500 songs; many recorded by other artists. Ian most recently won the English Songwriter of the Year for his CD Gyre by the Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2010 as well as being honoured with the Distinguished Alumni Award from Trent University in 2007. Ian has over twenty years experience in expedition travel, as lecturer , Zodiac driver and musician. Currently Ian is at work on CD three of the Four Coast Project - Walking the Bones of the Past - Arctic Coast. It is due for release in late June. He will also be producing an album for Peter Hodgson- aka Sneezy Waters in May of this year.

Lois Suluk-Locke Culturalist

Lois was born and raised in Arviat, the southernmost community in the Kivalliq Region, along the Hudson’s Bay coast. Lois followed the footprints of her grandparents, learning, preserving and performing Inuit traditional songs, and teaching about the mix of traditional and modern day life in the North. Working with youth and elders in Arviat, Lois teaches the different types of Inuit songs, including throatsinging, and the jaw harp. She has travelled to France, Europe, the United States and throughout Canada performing and speaking. She still resides in Arviat with her husband and two children.

Thomas Johnston Culturalist

Thomas has lived in the Baffin region of Nunavut his whole life including the communities of Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet), Kinngait (Cape Dorset) and his hometown Iglulik. He began performing Inuit Games and Drum Dancing during school days at the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program at small venues to fundraise for the program. Since then he has moved on to bigger things such as performing at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and stars as the host of tv show called Qanurli? What Now? which he is also the writer for and an editor. The comedy show airs on APTN (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network) and is completely in Inuktitut. He now lives in Iqaluit with his 5 and 7 year old daughters.

Latonia Hartery Archaeologist

Latonia has a PhD in circumpolar archaeology from the University of Calgary. Her exploration of this topic has taken her to the Canadian Arctic, Greenland and Scandinavia. For the past decade she has conducted excavations on Paleoeskimo sites in Bird Cove-Pond Cove, Newfoundland. At this location she integrates research, tourism and public education. She is also the president of AARA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to Arctic and sub-Arctic studies. As a filmmaker, she has worked on independent documentaries and other films for a wide range of broadcasters including APTN and the CBC. For her community efforts, and for preserving and promoting Arctic and sub-Arctic culture, she was recently given JCI Canada’s Outstanding Young Person Award.

Matthew Swan, Pierre Richard, George Sirk, Dennis Minty and Stefan Kindberg will also be on this voyage. Please find their biographies online.

David Reid Expedition Team

The last Scottish recruit for the Hudson’s Bay Company David moved from Glasgow to Canadian Arctic in 1989 and made the move to Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet) in North Baffin Island in 1991. For the past fifteen years, he has been involved in the adventure travel business and has since led, organized or participated in more than 260 Arctic and Antarctic expeditions. Experienced and comfortable exploring the polar regions, David’s passion and enthusiasm for sharing everything to do with ice and snow with passengers helps people understand just how unique and precious our polar regions are. A member of The International Explorers Club, David travels extensively in the off-season, working on various projects as well as promoting and marketing the Baffin region, Nunavut and Arctic Canada.

29


©Michelle Valberg

© Andrew Stewart

“Can’t decide whether it was the sunrise reflecting on the coast of Ellesmere under a double rainbow, or the twenty polar bears, or the magical combinations of light and colour at Etah, or just feeling very, very small in an enormous, still and ancient landscape.” – Kate, Out of the Northwest Passage 2011

30

© John Sylvester

© Dennis Minty

© Andre Gallant


A platoon of long-walkers made their way up a hill on Devon Island and upon reaching the top were shushed and told to pull out their binoculars and cameras and quietly move to the hilltop. Below the hill, about 600 metres down the slope, a dozen round brown shapes with golden mantles were standing in a sedge meadow. Big ones, small ones! “Muskox” whispered the trekkers excitedly, as they fumbled for their cameras. The scene was amazing. The muskox were in full light, between us and the shore, and a kilometre from shore in the background, the good ship Clipper Adventurer waited at anchor. Later that week, along the Greenland coast, the sea was perfectly calm and the setting sun bathed everything in a golden hue. Suddenly, a tall blow rose ahead of the bow, followed by the raspy sound of the whale’s breath. Soon another blow followed … and another; the ship was surrounded by six large whales, which lingered for an amazing 30 minutes until we lost them with the receding light. The Arctic’s treeless landscape and its waters provide priceless opportunities to admire terrestrial and marine mammals. While seabirds are the ship’s constant companion on Adventure Canada expeditions, the sudden appearance of a group of muskox, a polar bear, a large whale, or a pod of belugas, sends a wave of excitement through passengers onboard or onshore. Large mammals are plentiful in polar environments, but they tend to be aggregated and many are shy, so spotting them tends to be feast and famine. We go for days without seeing any and suddenly the ship is surrounded by them. Here, a herd of harp seals, there three walruses, and finally a polar bear. The Inuit rely heavily on large mammals for subsistence but they also marvel at their majesty and ability. Their conversations are rich with stories about these mammals and how they long for their meat, skin and fat. While stories of the demise of Arctic mammal populations abound in the southern media, they are often exaggerated. Most Canadian large mammal populations, with few exceptions are plentiful. They are nevertheless the subject of much debate regarding sustainable hunting levels and more recently how climate change will affect their numbers and condition. -Pierre Richard, Marine Biologist

©Michelle Valberg

Mammals loom large in the Arctic

Pierre Richard Marine Biologist

Pierre is a life-long naturalist and marine mammal specialist, who recently retired after 30 years of Arctic Marine Mammal research for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. His research focused on the population biology of belugas and narwhals of the Canadian Arctic, developing recommendations for the sustainable use and conservation of their populations and habitat. He is known in Nunavut as “Pieri, angutikutaq, qilalugalerei”, Pierre the tall man, the one who knows about belugas and narwhals, but is affectionately called The Big Mammal by his AC Family. Pierre joined Adventure Canada as a Marine Biologist Leader in 2005 and will be on two adventures this summer. He is the author of a Nunavut schoolbook Marine Mammals of Nunavut and several French language books on whales and mammals of eastern Canada and the Arctic. Pierre likes to spend a lot of time on the ships’ decks, out in a Zodiac or on land to spot and photograph mammals and birds. Join Pierre on our Arctic Safari and Out of the Northwest Passage expeditions.

31


Greenland & Wild Labrador September 18 - October 1, 2012 / September 5-18, 2013 aboard the Clipper Adventurer

32

Š Dennis Minty


J

oin us as we discover the divine landscape and sublime natural wonders of Southwest Greenland and the wild coast of Labrador.

Our journey begins in the gateway to Greenland - Kangerlussuaq. Here we board our vessel, the Clipper Adventurer before sailing down the 168km fjord to the coast. Drawing explorers and adventurers for thousands of years, Greenland is a powerful place of immense beauty - deep fjords, immense icebergs and colourful houses. A highlight will be our visit to Nuuk, Greenland’s capital and home to the 500-year-old Qilakitsoq mummies. From here we cross Davis Strait into Canada. Entering the Inuit territory of Nunavik, we are welcomed by our hosts at Kangiqsualujjuaq. Untamed and gigantic, Labrador is a land of inspiration. Entering Nunatsiavut, the home of the Labrador Inuit, we’ll spend the next three days sailing south, the view dominated by the awe-inspiring scenery of the Torngat Mountains National Park. From the Inuktitut word Torngait, meaning “place of spirits”, the Torngat Mountains have been home to Inuit and their predecessors for thousands of years and is one of Canada’s newest National Parks. It is a coastline of immense beauty and fjords surrounded by towering peaks - the highest mountains in Canada east of the Rockies - and a favourite destination among the AC staff! We’ll visit the abandoned settlements of Hebron, founded by the Moravian Church in 1776, as well as the communities of Makkovik and Cartwirght. Our first stop in Newfoundland is at L’Anse aux Meadows, the earliest known European settlement in the New World, with Viking reminders everywhere. Our adventure ends in St. John’s, North America’s oldest city, and an unforgettable end point to a remarkable trip. Adventure Canada’s expeditions have always been a combination of science and art, which has produced some interesting and rewarding collaborations. On our Greenland & Wild Labrador expedition we broadened our collaborative vision of arts and science with an extended troupe of visual artists, musicians and authors joining forces with our team of biologists, geologists and archaeologists, to explore the landscape in a multi-disciplinary fashion. © Dennis Minty

33


“There were times where I’d be alone on the deck of the ship staring into the most beautiful scenery I’ve every experienced. I was in a totally different world, if just for a couple of moments. Remembering those moments now, in the chaos of a regular day, helps keep me sane.” – Connie, Greenland & Wild Labrador 2011

© Michelle Valberg

Our Intended Itinerary Day 1: Kangerlussuaq Day 2: Evighshedfjord & Kangamiut Day 3: Nuuk Day 4: At Sea Day 5: Kangiqsualujjuaq (George River) Days 6-8:Torngat Mountains National Park Day 9: Hebron Day 10: Makkovik Day 11: Cartwright Day 12: L’Anse aux Meadows & Conche Day 13: Notre Dame Bay Day 14: St. John’s

34

© Matthew Swan

Highlights • Visit Greenland’s capital city, Nuuk • Purchase some highly prized qiviut (muskox wool) • A chance to experience the Northern Lights • Spend three memorable days among the spirits in the Torngat National Park • Visit the culturally significant abandoned site of Hebron • Take part in a traditional Newfoundland kitchen party • See the French Store Tapestry at Conche • Explore the earliest known European settlement in the New World at L’Anse aux Meadows • Experience a glimpse into Inuit culture and heritage in Makkovik • Participate in artistic workshops onboard • Enjoy daily onboard musical entertainment

Our charter flight departs from Toronto, cost is $1,036 USD pp. Commercial airfare must be arranged from St. John’s. Please call us for details.


About Our Partnership with Canadian Geographic The Royal Canadian Geographical Society is dedicated to imparting a broader knowledge and deeper appreciation of Canada — its people and places, its natural and cultural heritage and its environmental, social and economic challenges. The Society is one of Canada’s largest non-profit educational organizations and is funded primarily by its members and generous donations. The Society’s Board of Governors and its program committees are comprised entirely of volunteers.

About the Society

The Royal Canadian Geographical Society was founded in 1929 with a mandate “to make Canada better known to Canadians and to the world.” Celebrating its 83rd anniversary in 2012, its mandate is fulfilled mainly through the publication of Canadian Geographic in English and Géographica in French, and through the Society’s geographic education program, speaker series, research grants and expeditions programs.

About Canadian Geographic

Published by The Royal Canadian Geographical Society, Canadian Geographic is one of the most widely read magazines in Canada. Each issue of the magazine allows readers to explore, discover and learn about their country. The Canadian Geographic Photo Club, Canada’s largest online photographic community, is the home of the annual Canadian Geographic Photo Contest and the Wildlife Photography of the Year Contest. This year, the Society and Canadian Geographic are proud to partner with Adventure Canada to offer their Greenland & Wild Labrador expedition. Those on the Adventure Canada mailing lists are entitled to a one-year subscription to Canadian Geographic magazine at the special price of $24.95. Phone 1-800-267-0824 to subscribe. All 2012 travellers will receive a one-year subscription to Canadian Geographic, compliments of Adventure Canada.

© Mike Beedell, 2009

Please visit www.rcgs.org or www.canadiangeographic.ca for more information

35


Greenland & Wild Labrador: Resource Staff

Lena Onalik Archaeologist & Culturalist Lena grew up in Makkovik, NL. She spent her summers during childhood fishing in Island Harbour with her father’s family, the McNeill clan, who also fished with Bob Bartlett’s family. Lena is an archaeologist, the first Labrador Inuk to obtain this title. She also held the position of Chief Archaeologist for the Nunatsiavut Government. Through her knowledge and experience working in coastal Labrador, she has strengthened her interest in her own culture, which includes preserving her Inuit language. Lena is also a descendent of the Hebron and Nutak relocations that took place is 1957-59. She shares her culture through storytelling, crafts, singing, Inuit drum dancing and throat singing. Lena still enjoys hunting and fishing when she can and is the mother to two rambunctious boys and her little sister.

36

Richard Wardle Geologist Richard (Dick) arrived in Labrador in 1976 fresh from a doctorate program in geology. In the ensuing years a variety of field projects took him to most parts of Labrador but especially to the Torngat Mountains, where he was co-leader of a mapping project covering this magnificent mountain chain that separates Ungava Bay from the Labrador Sea. This work contributed to international collaborations aimed at deciphering the geological evolution of the eastern Canadian Arctic and Greenland. Dick looks forward to sharing his knowledge of Labrador – Greenland geology and to demonstrating how geologists have unraveled the 3 billion year history of this wild and exciting region.

Leander Baikie Culturalist

Fred Harrington Ecologist

Leander is a Labrador Inuit hailing from the beautiful central Labrador community of North West River. He loves to spend a great deal of time in the outdoors of Labrador with family and friends He has spent many years as a community volunteer and worked in the fields resource management, economic development and as a musician with traditional Labrador recording artists, The Flummies. He spent many years as a music festival organizer of the renowned North West River Beach Festival, did a stint in International marketing of Labradorite stone found at Ten Mile Bay, Nunatsiavut. He is a manager for his own family business, and is proud to be one of the few graduates of the Labrador Institute of Northern Studies.

Fred is a behavioural ecologist and retired university professor who has worked on a variety of wildlife species and environmental issues in Labrador since 1986. Caribou and the issue of low-level military jet fighter training introduced him to the “Land God gave to Cain.” Later, black bears became the focus of a five-year study in Hebron Fiord, just south of the Torngat Mountains. In the ‘90s, he wrote the wildlife inventories for both the Torngat Mountains and Mealy Mountains National Park feasibility studies for Parks Canada. Outside of Labrador, he has chased wolves from Minnesota to Ellesmere Island, and coyotes from Manitoba to Cape Breton. If you’ve watched the movie “Never Cry Wolf ” you’ve heard some of his wolf recordings.

Jerry Kobalenko Arctic Explorer Canada’s premier arctic traveller, Jerry has logged over 7,000 miles in the Arctic over the course of some 35 skiing, hiking and kayaking expeditions. He typically spends three months a year in a tent in the North. Both a photographer and a writer, Jerry’s work appears around the world in such publications as Canadian Geographic, Outside and Condé Nast Traveler. His literary travel book, The Horizontal Everest, “…is refreshingly free of the hubris that marks much adventure writing,” writes The New York Times Book Review. “The reader never feels assaulted by Kobalenko’s daring, only inspired by it.” His most recent book, Arctic Eden, combines Jerry’s photography, writing and travel skills. When he is not on an extreme journey, Jerry lives in Canmore, Alberta with his wife Alexandra.

Pete Barrett Artist & Culturalist

Pete has been a Fiber Artist for over 40 years with metal arts joining her repertoire in 1995 to create visual landscapes used in wall art or jewellery. Her art is often a combination of fabric, paint, metals, bone and clay. Her work has shown in several Centers for the Arts in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quilt Canada exhibit in Waterloo, Mealy Mountain Gallery, Cartwright, and in private collections internationally. One of her larger pieces was purchased for the Winter Games VIP Lodge in Whistler, BC. For 23 years she was the Craft Consultant with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Being nomadic like her Innu ancestors she roams between Labrador and Newfoundland and works from any of the three studios her husband George has created for her.

Matthew Swan, Matthew James Swan, Jason Edmunds, Dennis Minty, David Reid, Shoshanah Jacobs, Tom Barlow and Rob Saley will also be on this voyage. Please find their biographies online.


Tyler Yarema Musician Tyler is an award winning piano player, singer, and composer. He has played on over 50 cd’s ranging from blues and jazz, to reggae and pop. The Juno winner has been in constant demand for many Festivals, and theatre concerts nation wide. Tyler has been the main attraction every Tuesday and Saturday at the world famous Reservoir Lounge in downtown Toronto for a decade. His prowess at the piano, and crooners voice, and an absolute drive for people to have an unforgettable evening at his concert, Tyler is an absolute “Must See” performer. Tyler first ventured north with Adventure Canada in 2010 and has since been inspired by the bounty of the north and a spirit of adventure.

Margaret Atwood Author Margaret is a keen birder, ardent conservationist, and one of Canada’s most celebrated authors. Throughout her thirty years of writing, she has received numerous awards and several honorary degrees, and she currently serves as joint president of the Rare Bird Club. She is the author of more than fifty volumes of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction and is perhaps best known for her novels. The Blind Assassin won the 2000 Booker Prize, and in April 2003 her eleventh novel, the Man BookerPrize–nominated Oryx and Crake was released to great acclaim. Her most recent novel is The Year of the Flood, and her collection In Other Worlds: SF and the Human Imagination was released in the fall of 2011.

Kevin Major Author

Daniel Payne Musician

Kevin Major has published 16 books, ranging from novels to non-fiction, from poetry and plays to works for young people. He has won numerous awards, including a Governor General’s Award for his first book (soon to be a film), Hold Fast. The best-selling As Near to Heaven by Sea: A History of Newfoundland and Labrador traces the story of his homeland from continental drift to modern political upheaval. His novel (and long-running stage play) No Man’s Land tells a tragic tale of the Newfoundland Regiment in WWI. His most recent novel New Under the Sun, dealing with the myriad of cultures to inhabit southern Labrador and the northernmost tip of Newfoundland, promises to be one of his most acclaimed works yet. All that and he writes a wine blog, too.

Daniel comes from a long line of traditional accordion and fiddle players from Cow Head on the Great Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland. He is a wellknown singer, actor and multiinstrumentalist who teaches at the Vinland Music Camp in Gros Morne National Park. Daniel has performed both as a musician and actor throughout North America, Australia and Europe. He is a recipient of the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council’s Emerging Artist Award and played a leading role in the Newfoundland-Ireland production of the TV miniseries, Random Passage, a portrayal of life in early Newfoundland. In 2004 Daniel started DOP Productions, which has since released four titles, an album of accordion music entitled The Four Stops, two button accordion instructional DVDs, and his first solo album, released in spring 2008 entitled Chain.

Graeme Gibson Author Graeme who is the author of four novels and two miscelanies, The Bedside Book of Birds and The Bedside Book of Beasts, is currently joint Honorary President, with Margaret Atwood, of BirdLife International’s Rare Bird Club. For almost ten years (in the guise of “The Great Auk”), Graeme organized, and frequently led, birding trips to Cuba and Ecuador. A long time conservationist he has been a council member of WWFCanada and is currently Chairman of the Pelee Island Bird Observatory. Graeme was an initial organizer and a founding member of the Writers’ Union of Canada and has been president of the Canadian Centre of International PEN. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 1992. He lives with writer Margaret Atwood in Toronto.

Cedar Swan Adventure Canada Cedar first began her travels to Northern Canada in 1994. Since that time she has travelled extensively through Nunavut, Nunatsiavut, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nunavik, and Greenland. Inspired by the beauty and serenity of the north she signed onto the family business with the dream of sharing the polar world with like-minded individuals from around the globe. Cedar adores Labrador and the Torngat National Park and through her experiences there has fine-tuned this adventure. She looks forward to sharing some of her favourite places with you and to ensuring you have an outstanding experience on Adventurer and in the Big Land.

37


© Matthew Swan

© Dennis Minty

“Spending two wonderful weeks enjoying the beauty of the sea, Zodiacing around icebergs and glaciers while basking in the sun, exploring remote Inuit areas and local villages, visiting Newfoundland, and making new friends. And for me, getting to spend two weeks with my very best girl friend who I normally only see a couple of weekends per year.” – Claire, Greenland & Wild Labrador, 2011

38

© Michelle Valberg

© Dennis Minty

© Dennis Minty


The Power of Music

Every culture in the history of the human species has had music as a central cultural touchstone. Many academic disciplines have ignored this remarkable fact for centuries. With modern developments in fMRI technology we have been able to look into our brains and see the effects of music on neural activity and other physiological processes for the first time.

The inclusion of musicians on Adventure Canada expeditions not only entertains passengers but also acts as a social passport in the various isolated communities we visit. Music allows a conversation to begin where language may leave us disconnected. Music conveys ancient stories and passes on traditional learning.

© Andrew Stewart

Hearing Aaju Peter sing in Inuktitut as we approach Baffin Island or Daniel Payne strike up a jig on his fiddle as visit a tiny community in Newfoundland connects us to those places in a magical and primal way – and in turn connects these places to us.

© Robert Poulton

The influence of music on the human brain and on human social interaction has spawned an exciting new branch of music-based research. Books such as This is Your Brain on Music have become best sellers examining the power of music to profoundly affect our minds our bodies and our interactions with each other.

© Robert Poulton

Music plays a major part in all our lives – songs influence how we feel, what we want to feel and serve as the emotional markers of our life. The inclusion of music as a key component to Adventure Canada’s adventures is a unique and, I believe, integral part of the company’s philosophy of opening up our minds and spirits to the cultures and landscapes we visit.

Tom Barlow Musician

Tom has been a writer and performer on the Canadian music scene for 20 years. During that time he has garnered three Juno Award nominations, a Canadian Radio Music Award nomination and won the Canadian Independent Rising Star Award. Tom has toured across Canada and around the world in such disparate places as China, Europe, The United States and Nicaragua. In January 2012 Tom released his sophomore album “Burning Days” (Coalition-Warner). Once again Tom is singing songs about the social realities of our planet and our communities, infusing pop melodies with keen lyrical observations. The debut video from the album, “Steal Like A Billionaire”, was partially shot during Adventure Canada’s 2011 Greenland & Wild Labrador expedition and features several passengers and AC staff. Join Tom on our Greenland & Wild Labrador expedition.

39


Newfoundland Circumnavigation October 1 - 11, 2012 / September 18 - 27, 2013 aboard the Clipper Adventurer

40


W

hat better way to see a place so shaped by sea than by ship?

Adventure Canada’s awarding-winning Newfoundland Circumnavigation is making a return in 2012. This tried and true itinerary has long been an Adventure Canada favourite! The rugged beauty, endless coastline, soul stirring music and endearing hospitality of this Island lures adventurers here year after year. Our fall itinerary is specifically designed to showcase the best of Newfoundland – the stunning autumnal scenery, the natural wonder of Gros Morne National Park, the only authenticated Viking Settlement in North America, coupled with visits to remote outports is sure to instill the spirit of Newfoundland within you! Setting out from historic St. John’s, North America’s oldest port, we sail to Fogo Island considered one of the four corners of the Earth. The next three days will have an emphasis on archaeology with visits to with L’Anse aux Meadows, Red Bay and L’Anse Amour. Located at the tip of Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula, L’Anse aux Meadows is the only authenticated Viking site in North America, and is widely regarded as one of the most important archaeological sites globally. At Red Bay, on the Labrador coast, we’ll explore the remains of the ancient Basque whaling station, where three 16th century Basque whaling galleons and four small chalupas haunt the deep waters, making it an important historical site and earning it a well-deserved UNESCO nomination. Continuing on to L’Anse-Amour, we visit the oldest burial mound in North America at about 7,500 years old. This important site, located on the Strait of Belle Isle, was occupied between 5500 and 2000 BC by the Maritime Archaic people who used the area for fishing and for hunting harp seals and walrus. As for Gros Morne, mid-way down Newfoundland’s coast we’ll be treated to spectacular scenery including Precambrian cliffs, deep inland fjords and volcanic “pillow” rocks formed as lava cooled underwater —where the ancient ocean bed lies on top of high hills, establishing the truth of the “Tectonic plate” theory. Spending the next few days along Newfoundland’s south coast, we’ll visit the isolated outport community of Francois and the Mi’kmaw community of Miawpukek (Conne River). Before disembarking the Clipper Adventurer at St. John’s we’ll pay a visit to France during our stop at Miquelon — the sole remaining vestige of France’s once vast North American possessions. The warmth, wit and hospitality of her people, the soul stirring music and the rough beauty of her shores draw us here year after year, each time with new surprises and delights to greet us along the way. Come, and discover Newfoundland the way it was meant to be seen – by sea.

© Robert Poulton

41


“This trip for me was the trip of a lifetime. I have always had a desire to see more of my own country in-depth. Newfoundland has a peculiar hold on me and at times during this cruise feel I have been there before and am sort of at ‘home’. I plan to go back again hopefully soon.” – Louise, Newfoundland Circumnavigation, 2011

Our Intended Itinerary Day 1: St. John’s Day 2: Fogo Island Day 3: L’Anse aux Meadows Day 4: Red Bay & L’Anse Amour Day 5: Gros Morne National Park Day 6: Cox’s Cove

42

©Robert Poulton

Highlights

Day 7: Garria Bay Day 8: Francois Day 9: Miawpukek (Conne River) Day 10: Miquelon, France Day 11: St. John’s

• Visit the earliest known European settlement in the New World at L’Anse aux Meadows • Investigate the remains of a 16th century Basque whaling station at Red Bay • Visit the “Galapagos” of geology hiking the tablelands in Gros Morne National Park • Pay a visit to France during our stop at Miquelon • Experience a piece of the Mi’kmaw culture during our community visit in Conne River • Take part in a traditional Newfoundland kitchen party and sample traditional Newfoundland cuisine • Enjoy the warm weather and rich fall colours as we sail “round the rock” • Roam the magical streets of St. John’s, the oldest city in North America • Visit Cox’s Cove, home of your own onboard guide Tony Oxford!


Newfoundland Circumnavigation: Staff

This is just a sampling of the outstanding staff on this voyage. Please visit our website for a full list of staff members.

Paul Dean Geologist

Fraser Carpenter Marine Biologist

Holly Hogan Wildlife Biologist

Paul was born and raised in Newfoundland and Labrador. As a professional geologist, he has already had a diverse career in research, mineral exploration, public service and public education. He is the former Executive Director of the Johnson GEOCENTRE, a world-class geological interpretation centre focusing on the geological evolution of Newfoundland and Labrador. In his 25 years of public service, Paul served as the Assistant Deputy Minister of Mines and Deputy Minister of Environment and Conservation. Paul is constantly engaged in exploring the links between geology, landscape and culture. He is also a story writer, a story teller and advocate for traditional music and dance. His stories have been published in the Newfoundland Quarterly and The March Hare Anthology.

Eugene Flynn Culturalist

Fraser has spent most of her adult life at sea or simply messing about in boats. Her career on the water was launched in the early 1980’s with a number of off shore yacht deliveries leading to a position working as a naturalist/crew on board a sailing yacht operating between Cape Cod and the South East Bahamas. Discovering a great love of all things and places wild she eventually, along with her partner, built a steel yacht and spent 14 years sailing around the world. Voyaging into the high latitudes of Svalbard, Greenland, Labrador, Iceland, and South Georgia she developed further her interests in nature and nature photography. Sailing to remote places brought her a variety of rewards, including the opportunity to join research projects in remote areas with a variety of subjects from rats to reindeers.

Holly’s fascination with birds began in her teens when she first discovered that they could be identified by sound. As a person with strong musical affinities, she found this particularly intriguing and she completed her graduate degree at the Memorial University of Newfoundland on songbird community ecology. Ultimately drawn to the marine environment, she has worked primarily on seabirds for the last 25 years, and has worked on seabird colonies including British Columbia, Alaska, Newfoundland and Labrador. Holly currently manages two seabird ecological reserves for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. When the birds leave their breeding colonies for the winter, Holly is singing the blues. Her husband and three children put up with it most of the time.

Eugene Flynn has a Masters of Science/ Education and has spent the past 20 years teaching natural history and outdoor pursuits primarily to Adventure Tourism students at a technical College on Newfoundland’s west coast. This position took him to many of the natural, cultural and historic sites around the province as part of the interpretative component of the program. During the summer months he leads tourists on ten day guided adventures to sites such as Gros Morne National Park, Red Bay, L’Anse Aux Meadows, Twillingate, Bonavista and more.

Tony Oxford Musician & Culturalist Born in a tiny rural Newfoundland fishing village, Tony has lived and learned the charm of outport living. Although at the insistence of his father he choose a career path other than fishing, he has kept a close eye on the fishery’s evolution. In many of his provincial, regional and local volunteer roles he has been a strong and outspoken advocate for rural Newfoundland. Since 2005 he has enjoyed the opportunity to present the music, language and culture of his province to the friends of Adventure Canada who choose to visit. Delighted with AC’s preference for visiting tiny and sometimes remote communities, he’s quite eager to help present “the essence of who we are”.

Latonia Hartery, Cedar Swan and others will also be on this voyage, please find their biographies within this brochure or online.

Rebecca Burgum Adventure Canada Rebecca started working for Adventure Canada in 2007 while completing her Psychology Degree at York University. When she graduated from school a few months later, she was offered a new position in the Marketing Department – one she eagerly accepted. Born and raised in Oakville, ON, she is an active volunteer in her community and enjoys meeting and working with new people. Working for Adventure Canada has heightened Rebecca’s love for travel and since gaining her sea-legs she considers the Clipper Adventurer her home away from home! Whenever she gets the chance, you’ll see her out on deck taking it all in. Rebecca looks forward to hosting you onboard!

43


What’s Differentwith about this Sailing Foundation About Our Partnership The Walrus In 2012 we are delighted once again to partner with the award-winning magazine The Walrus. The Walrus is published by the charitable, non-profit Walrus Foundation, which is dedicated to debate on matters vital to Canadians. The magazine – winner of more awards in its eight years of publication than any other Canadian title – is the principal means by which the foundation achieves its mandate, supporting Canadian writers, artists, ideas, and conversations. Along with publishing The Walrus, The Walrus Foundation strives to take the content of the magazine off the page and bring it to life, creating a public square for debate and discussion and an opportunity for Canadians to continue the conversations started by the pieces in the magazine.

The Passover Should we legalize polygamy? dilemma

Stealing land in Colombia

may 2011

published by the walrus foundation

The New Newfoundland

by lisa moore

Through its partnership with Adventure Canada, The Walrus Foundation has created a floating forum of its engaged, curious, intelligent, spirited friends—and this is your chance to become a Friend of The Walrus, just by coming aboard! You’ll receive a year’s subscription to The Walrus, and other Walrus-y treats onboard. And you’ll have a walrus of a time with celebrated author Michael Crummey. With the help of The Walrus Foundation, our joint Newfoundland Circumnavigation program will feature special guests, smart talk, and a Walrus Foundation Embarkation package. Don’t miss this unique floating salon! In the meantime, why not give The Walrus a try? Visit www.walrusmagazine.com/bestdeal for a free trial issue, and start enjoying one of Canada’s top magazines.

plus

Spring Books Seven new titles you need to know about

price $6.95

walrusmagazine.com volume no. 8 , issue no. 4

All photos ŠRobert Poulton

44

Visit www.walrusmagazine.com/bestdeal for a free issue


© Robert Poulton

© Robert Poulton

“The most memorable part of this expedition was the sense of the people of Newfoundland, their history and passions. This came most strongly through the resource people just being themselves; also through Tony’s presentations, the music onboard and ashore, and the opportunity to meet local people.” – Judi, Newfoundland Circumnavigation, 2011

© Robert Poulton

© Robert Poulton,

45


©Dennis Minty

“Please extend our sincere thanks to the staff and resource staff at Adventure Canada on the 2010 Newfoundland Circumnavigation. The expedition was truly wonderful: well planned, well organized and well executed. As we had not previously had the opportunity for similar travel, we did not know what to expect, but were surprised and delighted at every turn. Many many thanks! “ - Janet & Roger, Newfoundland Circumnavigation 2010

46

© Robert Poulton


Storytellers... When I travel on the mainland, I’m often asked to explain the remarkable national and international success of Newfoundland writers, musicians and entertainers. It does seem to require some explanation. For a province representing less than 2% of the population of Canada, the wealth of talent seems bizarrely out of proportion. Wayne Johnston, Great Big Sea, CodCo and This Hour has 22 Minutes, Lisa Moore, Michael and Kathleen Winter, Hey Rosetta!, Rick Mercer, Bernice Morgan, Ron Hynes, Republic of Doyle, Ameila Curran, the list seems endless. Maybe there’s something in the water. Or it might be a part of our cultural DNA. I grew up around storytellers, although I never thought of it that way as a youngster. It was just people talking or singing or telling a joke or some old foolishness. My father, in particular, had a repertoire of stories he would dip into on nights he’d had a drink or two. They were just incidents from his own life, but they diverting, often hilarious, and occasionally terrifying. Much of what I know about telling a story I learned from listening to him talk. It’s only as an adult I started to see the Newfoundlanders’ gift of the gab as a cultural trait, something unique to the place and its circumstances. Storytelling was how people in isolated communities entertained one another, how local history was kept alive, how the long winter nights were passed. It was a survival strategy as much as anything and its become a defining characteristic of the people here over the course of generations. You still hear it in local kitchens and pubs, at the corner store, on the wharves. And if I had to guess, I’d say that tradition is also part of what makes the contemporary novels and films and songs of Newfoundland so compelling and entertaining. Sit down a spell. Have a listen.

Michael Crummey Author & Culturalist Michael was born in Buchans, a mining town in central Newfoundland. He attended Memorial University in St. John’s and two years of graduate studies at Queen’s University before dropping out to concentrate on his writing. His first book, Arguments with Gravity, appeared in 1996. Since then he has published half a dozen others, including Hard Light and Salvage, Flesh and Blood and three novels. His first novel, River Thieves, was published internationally and appeared on half a dozen award shortlists, including the Giller Prize. The Wreckage, published in 2005, was a national best-seller, shortlisted for the Rogers’ Writer’s Trust Fiction Prize and long-listed for the Dublin IMPAC Literary Award. His latest novel, Galore, won the Commonwealth Writers Prize, the Canadian Authors’ Association Fiction Award, and was shortlisted for the Governor-General’s Award. His work has appeared in The Penguin Book of Canadian Short Stories and in The New Canon: An Anthology of Canadian Poetry. After fourteen years in Kingston, Ontario he came home to Newfoundland for good in 2000. He lives in St. John’s with his wife and three children. Join Michael on our Newfoundland Circumnavigation.

47


Art on the Rock With Kevin Major

L

iterature, music, visual arts, theatre—Newfoundland has it all, and in abundance far beyond anything you might expect of half a million people. Join celebrated Newfoundland writer Kevin Major for an insider’s look at the culture of his Island, three art-filled days at the edge of the North Atlantic. Let him take you through the multi-hued streets and back lanes of St. John’s, to his favourite galleries and music haunts. Meet artists and poets and musicians (sometimes all three in one). Spend time in their studios. Hear them explain their art. Listen as they read from their award-winning books, and relax and chat with them over wine. From the intimacy of an ornate nineteenth century reading room to the sweeping views of the city from the ultra-modern galleries of The Rooms (what The Globe and Mail has called ‘one of the world’s great small museums’), you’ll know you’re in the midst of a culture like no other in North America. Aesthetically, you might think yourself in Europe. Whether walking the stage of the LSPU Hall (where Mary Walsh and Rick Mercer honed their skills) or enjoying a pint and a song at The Ship or The Crow’s Nest, you’ll know for sure you’ve fallen into the arms of a spirited arts scene. Food? Of course. Whether your preference is fine international cuisine or fish ‘n chips at Ches’s, St. John’s doesn’t disappoint. Shopping? That, too. From books personally autographed, to paintings and prints, to fine and funky crafts. You’ll take a scenic trek south of St. John’s, part way down the Southern Shore, an hour outside the city. In Ferryland you’ll explore an on-going archaeological dig – the Colony of Avalon, where in 1621 the future Lord and Lady Baltimore and an intrepid group of colonists established one of the earliest permanent settlements in North America. Lunch is at The Captain’s Table, where fresh Newfoundland seafood fills the menu. All along the route are outport communities steeped in their Irish ancestry, as interesting as their names suggest – Bay Bulls, Witless Bay, Cape Broyle. And it is in these places that an array of artists and craftspeople have settled. You’ll visit them in their homes and studios, the full Atlantic seascape just outside their doorsteps. You might even be lucky enough to spot a whale or, if your eyesight is really good, a puffin.

48

Then it’s back to St. John’s for our last evening meal together in one of the city’s finer restaurants. There’ll be chance to relive the three delightful days, before offering a final rousing toast to Newfoundland’s culture and people.

October 11-14, 2012 Cost: $999 USD + HST Single supplement please add $465 + HST Min: 6 Adventurers Tour cost includes: • Dinner Oct. 11 - Lunch Oct. 14 • Three nights accommodations • All transportation • Your guide, Kevin Major • Special guest appearances • Admission to galleries, museums and special events

Tour cost does not include: • Transportation to/from St. John’s • Alcoholic beverages • Items of a personal nature • Any expenses incurred due to itinerary changes beyond our control Fitness Level: Easy


Why Adventure Canada? 1. It’s A Family Business Adventure Canada is registered as a Corporation, but it very much operates like the family business that it is. The company was started by brothers Matthew and Bill Swan and their good friend David Freeze in 1988. The next generation of Matthew’s family – Cedar, Alana and Matthew James are actively involved in day to day operations. In Port Credit our office staff of 10 works like a family team that have been working together for years. A good tip when looking to select a tour operator – go on the trips the owners are on (so all of them!) 2. We Don’t Try to Do Everything By design, Adventure Canada does not try to operate trips everywhere; we believe that it is extremely challenging to do that and do it well. We are known for our polar programs, North and South as well as our expeditions to the Celtic Isles and Galapagos Islands – all AC classics. We are very well known for our programs in Canada, especially the coastlines – Newfoundland and Labrador and Arctic Canada and Greenland. When we do add a new destination, like our new Torngat Safari, it is thoroughly researched by a member of our team in order to provide the highest quality experience possible. 3. We Travel With People From the Area I have had the pleasure of travelling the world for more than thirty-five years. Although knowledgeable, I am still not born and bred and will never be able to speak with the same first-hand and life-long experience of those who call the area home. To experience a special place like the Arctic, you want to visit in the company of Inuit who are cultural ambassadors with excellent cross-cultural interpretation skills. We conduct training programs for both our Inuit and non-Inuit staff to enhance this level of interpretation and understanding. When we circumnavigate Newfoundland, the majority of the onboard expedition staff are Newfoundlanders, same in Ecuador, same in Scotland – anywhere we venture. 4. We Look At Every Departure As A Special Event Many years ago Adventure Canada made the decision not to become an “industrial tour operator”. We resisted the temptation to add departure after departure even when looked like we might be in a position to do so. Guiding at it’s best is a very demanding occupation, days are long, the staff are on the go morning till night. It is a great challenge to sustain the type of energy required trip after trip. The industry norm is to hire less than a dozen expedition staff for a half season, or even an entire season which could be up to 100 days long! Again by design, Adventure Canada usually

With Matthew Swan, Founder & President changes the majority of the expedition staff on each sailing, even as we offer back to back departures. This keeps the staff fresh and makes it possible for us to maintain the 70 to 80 people we work with in the field each year. The trip becomes a special event for the staff as much as it does for passengers. The typical Adventure Canada staff size on a 118-passenger vessel like Clipper Adventurer would be 15 to 18 resource team members (part of the extended AC family!). 5. Repeat and Referral is our Single Biggest Source of Business In the travel industry, good customer loyalty is both a silver lining and a good test of the quality of the product a tour operator is presenting. To have repeat levels on departures approaching 10% is considered good in the travel business. Adventure Canada benefits from a very loyal following of past travellers. Our usual repeat and referral level averages 35% on any given departure – one past traveller has been on 27 expeditions in 24 years! Often it is well above that, such as our last voyage around the Scottish Isles where 42% of our travellers were repeat customers, or our Circumnavigation of New Zealand where a remarkable 90% had travelled with us before. Now in our 24th year, we are seeing second generation travellers coming from the same family and increasingly grandparents bring children or grandchildren along with them. We are very appreciative and flattered to have this level of support. It also means that our expeditions are highly addictive – so watch out! 6. We Are English Majors Who Love Music Adventure Canada is a travel company who’s head office is dominated by History and English majors. We like scientists and we think we travel with some of the best biologists, naturalists, geologists and ornithologists. However one of the things that sets Adventure Canada apart would be our interest in the artistic perspective. We quite regularly travel with painters, sculptors, folklorists, culturalists, filmmakers, curators, photographers and we always travel with authors and musicians. We think the artistic interpretation lends a unique element to our departures. And we love the cross-over specialists; the archeologists and historians who can sing and the Zodiac drivers that write poetry! Our recent Greenland and Wild Labrador expedition was a case in point; we had five professional musicians, two authors, a painter and two culturalists who moonlighted as singers, and a photographer who plays the flute, and a passenger who brought her fiddle! Needless to say we have some fine evenings on board around the piano and some great community visits where we have music and dancing from both the hosts and the visitors.

Matthew Swan Adventure Canada Matthew’s parents emigrated from Scotland to Canada in 1959 and, has recognized opportunities that present themselves ever since that big move. He graduated with a BA in English from the University of St. Andrew’s. Encountering the outdoor training and adventure field while undertaking an outdoor instructor’s apprenticeship program at Strathcona Park Lodge on Vancouver Island Matthew shifted focus and worked in the emerging white water rafting industry on the Ottawa River. Strathcona and Ottawa were the catalysts for Adventure Canada, created in 1988 with his brother Bill and friend David Freeze. Researching and delivering travel programs has taken him to some of the most beautiful parts of the country, an experience he describes as having an “elemental effect” on his view of Canada. He developed many programs in the Arctic that continue to be the company’s most successful destination. Matthew and his three children, Cedar, Alana and Matthew James and grand-daughter Leah, live in a remote, wilderness part of Mississauga, but very near the airport. 49


The Clipper Adventurer

The 118-passenger Clipper Adventurer, is among the very few vessels in the world specifically constructed for expedition voyages to the far reaches of remote lands. She has advanced communications and navigation equipment, and newly installed, state-of-the-art Sperry Gyrofin stabilizers. With extensive renovations, the Clipper Adventurer is a handsome expedition vessel, done in the style of great ocean liners. With lots of varnished wood, brass, and wooden decks, the ship has all new outside cabins, with private showers & facilities. You will enjoy relaxing in the Main Lounge, Clipper Club, library/card room, sauna or beauty salon, keeping trim in the gymnasium, or picking up souvenirs in the gift shop. Meals include International and Continental cuisine. The ship has a fleet of 10 Zodiacs and a special loading platform. An ice class rating of A-1 allows the Clipper Adventurer to go to places that larger cruise ships can only dream of, and she does it in comfort and style unsurpassed by other vessels her size. Category 1 2 3 4

Technical Specifications: Registry Bahamas Gross Tonnage 4,376 Built 1975 - Russia Refurbished 2010 - Scandinavia Ice Class A-1 50

Length Beam Draft Capacity Electricity

101m 16.5m 4.72m 118 passengers 220 V.

5 6 7 8 9 10

Amenities

Quad Lower Forward, 2 upper 2 lower berths, porthole window. Triple Lower Deck, 1 upper 2 lower berths, porthole window. Junior Double, two lower berths, porthole window Double, two lower berths, midship, porthole window. Main Double, two lower berths, porthole window. Deluxe Double, two lower berths, midship, porthole or picture window. Superior Double, two lower berths, picture window. Junior Suite, two lower berths, sitting area, picture window. Suite, two lower berths, sitting area, picture window. Owner’s Suite, two lower berths, shower & bathtub, picture window.


More than A Ship Small-ship travel is more than a floating hotel and the Clipper Adventurer is more than just a vessel. Adventure Canada has been sailing aboard the Clipper Adventurer for three seasons now, and each summer when we first step on the gangway, it is like coming home. Year after year we are welcomed by the friendly and familiar faces of the ships crew – from the seaman helping us into and out of the Zodiacs, the friendly hotel staff who greet us each morning to our wonderful Captain. This feeling is not isolated to the staff (or the AC junkies who travel with us each year) – with a ship that carries a maximum of 200 crew and passengers, it is only a matter of days before a tightknit shipboard community is formed. The relaxed, casual feeling onboard, coupled with open seating plans, ample deck space and open bridge policy breeds a strong onboard camaraderie not only between the passengers and staff, but with the ship’s crew as well. It’s a form of travel that will change your perspective and many long-lasting friendships are formed.

“It was a small close group, we felt like family, very special to me” – Sarah, Arctic 2011 “I really appreciated the care of the crew. Felt cherished!” – Francine, Arctic 2009 “Safety was top priority for crew and it showed; next to that was knowledge and enthusiasm exhibited by all was impressive” – Sue, Greenland & Wild Labrador 2009 “It is very hard to say that anything was less than excellent, the Clipper Adventurer and her crew, the Adventure Canada staff, the resource staff, food, adventures, guests were all second to none. We had the best vacation ever!” – Randolph, Arctic Quest 2010

All photos ©Robert Poulton

Kenth Grankvist Captain Captain Grankvist signed on his first ship when he was only 16 years old, already then convinced that the “big blue” was his future. Sailing the Seven Seas for years, he was working his way from Deckhand to Chief Officer. At the age of 32, he became Master with licence for unlimited trade, and was happy to command his first ship. A few years later, he started his work onboard expedition cruise ships worldwide. He is very devoted to wildlife and loves to explore remote and unique areas in both arctic and tropical waters. Among all the exciting places he has visited around the globe, he fancies the frosty Polar regions the most. Ice navigation is one of his specialities, and he has captained several expedition ships safely on fantastic voyages in Arctic and Antarctic waters over the course of thirty years. His experience from places like Svalbard, Canadian Arctic, Greenland and Antarctica, has made him to one of a few, highly skilled Ice Masters in the world. In 2003 he bought his own expedition ship together with a colleague and started the ship management company Master Mariner AB. He is a well respected and competent Senior Captain/Operations Manager and is seen as a mentor and a treasured friend among past and present fellow officers. Kenth has been working with Adventure Canada since 2005.

51


Scotland to Greenland

June 12 - 24, 2013 aboard the Clipper Adventurer

PHOTOCLUB

CANADA’S PHOTOGRAPHY COMMUNITY

PHOTOCLUB

PHOTOCLUB 52


J

oin us for a new adventure as we journey from the rolling hills of Scotland, to the remote island shores of the Faroe Islands, the geothermal wonders of Iceland and the dynamic glaciers of Greenland. Our journey takes us from the North Sea, though the North Atlantic, touching into the Norwegian Sea and on to the Arctic Ocean. This is a voyage of variety and contrasts, with Celtic, Norse and Inuit cultures represented as we explore their language, culture, bird life and history. Beginning in Aberdeen, Scotland we’ll call in at beautiful Fair Isle. A key destination in Viking times, it now hosts a hospitable population of some 70 people who happily combine a respect for tradition with a modern outlook. Great skuas greet visitors seeking puffins, while a charming museum is devoted to island heritage. We’ll call into Lerwick, capital of the Shetland Isles, for our last taste of Scotland before heading out to the remote Faroe Islands. The Faroes have ancient ties to Irish, Scottish and Viking cultures, but today are a selfgoverning dependency of Denmark. As early as the fourth century, Saint Brendan, an Irish monastic saint, named one of the islands the “Paradise Island of Birds,” a moniker that remains true to this day. On our visit to the Mykines, we’ll find Faroese subspecies of the Common Eider, European Starling, Winter Wren, Puffin, Gannet and Black Guillemot. BirdLife International has identified this area as an Important Bird area, because of the almost 2,000,000 birds that come here to breed. We’ll also start to see the transition towards Arctic-alpine flora as we set sail for our next great island - Iceland. Iceland will bring us a new language, culture and landscape as we sample some of the natural wonders that have made this island famous. Volcanoes, bird and marine life will give way to the lively city of Reykjavik - and we’ll cap it all off with a relaxing visit to the famous Blue Lagoon. Twenty-four hours of daylight will let you enjoy each day to the fullest. From Iceland we sail onto the remote eastern side of Greenland, sparsely populated, but rich in glaciers, looming mountain ranges and marine life. Here, we’ll pick up the East Greenland Current and follow the icebergs down the coast of Greenland into the sheltered waters of beautiful Prince Christian Sound. Emerging on the west side of Greenland, we’ll make our way North, with visits to the small, colourful Greenland village of Ivigtut and then the world’s smallest capital city - Nuuk. Here we’ll visit the final resting place of the Greenlandic mummies, before heading North, into the Arctic Circle and one of Greenland’s longest and most picturesque fjords. This voyage promises to be one of great variety, with diverse cultures, dramatic landscapes and natural wonders as we head into the land of the midnight sun. ©Andrew Stewart

53


“Every day held a special appeal - it is really hard to pick just one! I am still trying to process all we saw and did and I want (need!) to go back and do it again!” – Patricia, Celtic Quest 2011

© Dennis Minty

Our Intended Itinerary Day 1: Aberdeen, Scotland Day 2: Fair Isle & Lerwick Day 3 /4: Torshaven & Mykines, Faroes Day 5: At Sea Day 6: Reykjavik Day 7: Westmann Islands, Iceland

54

Highlights Day 8: At Sea Day 9 / 10: Prince Christian Sound, Greenland Day 11: Ivigut Day 12: Nuuk Day 13: Kangerlussuaq

• Experience the Summer Solstice in Greenland • Enjoy and explore several distinct cultures and regions • Visit lovely Fair Isle and known for their famous woolen jumpers • Visit the bird cliffs at Mykines Island in the Faroes • Bathe in the healing waters of Iceland’s Blue Lagoon • Travel through the natural beauty of Prince Christian Sound • See the famous Greenlandic mummies in Nuuk • Sail the rich waters of Denmark strait, looking for marine mammals • Follow in the historic footsteps of the Vikings


©Andrew Stewart

©Andrew Stewart

“Beyond the excellence of the visits ashore, there is the entire Adventure Canada atmosphere. Opportunities to learn and to have fun at the same time. The resource people were top-notch.” - Theresa, Celtic Quest 2011

©Andrew Stewart

©Michelle Valberg

©Andrew Stewart

55


Heart of the Arctic

June 24 - July 6, 2013 aboard the Clipper Adventurer

56

Š Michelle Valberg


J

oin us in the land of the Midnight sun! We’ll be arriving in Greenland just after the Summer solstice, providing 24 hours of daylight as we explore some of the richest areas of Greenland and the Canadian Arctic. Here, as Spring turns to Summer, we have excellent chances of viewing wildlife as the ice is breaking up and the birds are in the height of their breeding season. This diverse itinerary will allow us to explore three separate regions of the north: Greenland, Nunavut and Nunavik. We’ll begin our Arctic experience with a cruise down one of Greenland’s most picturesque fjords. Turning north and crossing back into the Arctic circle, we will enjoy a hike on the tundra before spending two glorious days in the iceberg capital of the North Atlantic - Ilulissat. We’ll sail among the icebergs and hike out to one of the world’s most spectacular views as we watch as the Sermeq Kujaleq Glacier produce city-block sized chunks of ice. Crossing the Davis strait we’ll sail up Frobisher Bay into Nunavut’s capital city. Here we’ll have a chance to visit the recently-rebuilt St. Jude’s Anglican cathedral, built to resemble a traditional igloo, and have a chance to explore Nunavut’s only city. Continuing south, we call in at the Savage Islands, where there are good opportunities for polar bear, whales and bird life. No Heart of the Arctic voyage would be complete without visiting an artistic community, and the beautiful town of Kimmirut will not disappoint. Here, we’ll find a variety of carvings, tapestries and prints that the community has worked the long winter months to prepare for us, the first ship of the season. We’ll also be treated to Inuit games, fresh bannock and local music. Crossing Hudson Strait, we’ll enter into Nunavik and stop at the small hamlet of Kangiqsujuaq, also known as Wakeham Bay. With a population of just over 500, the arrival of a ship is a major event and we’ll be entertained by local throat singers and drum dancers. Moving onto Diana Island, we’ll have a chance to hike on the tundra in an excellent area to spot muskox. Heading south into Ungava Bay, we’ll stop by Akpatok island, which has historically been a great place for us to find polar bear, and it’s crowded bird cliffs are sure to provide for excellent Zodiac cruising. Join us on the Heart of the Arctic and enjoy the communities, landscapes and wildlife of the Arctic. © Michelle Valberg

57


“We had a great time - it was a trip of a lifetime and we hope to do another one sometime soon.” – Stuart, Arctic 2011

© Dennis Minty

© Michelle Valberg

Our Intended Itinerary

Day 1: Kangerlussuaq Day 2: Kangerlussuaq Fjord Day 3: Sisimiut Coast Day 4 & 5 :Ilulissat

Day 6 & 7: Crossing Davis Strait Day 8: Iqaluit Day 9: Savage Islands Day 10: Kimmirut

Day 11: Kangiqsujuaq Day 12: Diana & Akpatok Islands Day 13: Kuujjuaq

Highlights • Cross the Arctic circle while sailing in the shadow of the second-longest fjord in Greenland • Seek out muskox in Kangerlussuaq Fjord and Diana Island • Spend 2 days exploring the town of Ilulissat, home to the Sermeq Kujaleq Glacier • Enjoy a cultural presentation and town tour of Nunavut’s capital - Iqaluit • Seek out polar bear during our Zodiac cruise of the Savage Islands • Visit with world-renowned Inuit carvers in Kimmirut • Enjoy the sounds of talented throat-singers • Seek out birds, walrus, whale and polar bear at Akpatok Island 58


©Larry Frank

©Michelle Valberg

“The Zodiac cruises and wilderness hikes were an integral part of the trip. They gave the trip meaning, value and were a chance to see sights that few people are lucky enough to see” - Noreen, Arctic 2011 ©John Sylvester

©Andrew Stewart

©Michelle Valberg

©Michelle Valberg

59


Arctic Explorer July 27 - August 6, 2013 aboard the Clipper Adventurer 60

Š Dennis Minty


A

n amazing voyage of discovery awaits you on our Arctic Explorer Expedition. We’ll seek out rugged mountains, sweeping tundra, icecaps and glaciers, and be greeted by the warmhearted people who call the Arctic home. After setting sail from Resolute, we begin our journey remembering the Arctic explorers who came before us during our stop at Beechey Island – home to the graves from the ill-fated Franklin expeditions. The Summer months are peak birding season and we’ll get our first glimpse of the overwhelming amount of bird life found here during our cruise at Prince Leopold Island – a Migratory Bird Sanctuary and home to tens of thousands of ThickBilled Murres, Northern Fulmars and Black-legged Kittiwakes. Arriving in the community of Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet), we will be awestruck by the immense beauty of nearby Bylot Island. Our Inuit hosts will showcase their town and we’ll be treated to Inuit games and throat singing at their Community Centre. Heading south we’ll venture deep into the fjords of Baffin Island, surrounded by immense mountainous peaks indicative of Baffin Island and an ideal place to seek out whales and other marine mammals. Perched above a floodplain and surrounded by soaring mountains, we find the community of Kanngiqtugaapik (Clyde River). We’ll enjoy some country food with our friends in the community before taking a tour of the town. A highlight of our expedition will be our time spent in Isabella Bay. Isabella Bay (or Nigingnaniq) was designated a National Wildlife Area in 2008 and is a pristine late summer feeding ground for a large proportion of the threatened Davis StraitBaffin Bay bowhead whale population. We hope to catch a glimpse of these 18m whales as we cruise through the bay. Arriving in Greenland we are welcomed to the land of colourful houses and giant icebergs in the community Uummannaq, dominated by the 1175 m high mountain “Hjertefjeldet”, which means “Heart-shaped Mountain”, after which the city is named. We continue our route south, visiting the Ilulissat Icefjord and the small fishing town of Itilleq. Our journey comes to an end as we sail 168 km down the spectacular Kangerlussuaq Fjord. Our Arctic Explorer Expedition provides an ideal balance between expedition and community visits, allowing for wide breadth of Arctic experiences. Our adventure is spent entirely north of the Arctic Circle and the endless summer days provide ample time to explore on foot and in Zodiacs. Join us as we experience life North of 60! © Michelle Valberg

61


“I loved it all. I guess the thing that stood out in my mind were the zodiac trips. I loved going on shore. I liked the instruction we had because it made what we were seeing come alive with history and details. I enjoyed all talks on board and I learned a lot from them... all of them. The friendliness of the staff was great” – Dianne, Arctic 2011 © Michelle Valberg

© Andrew Stewart

Our Intended Itinerary Day 1: Resolute Day 2: Prince Leopold & Beechey Island Day 3: Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet) Day 4: Northeast Baffin Island Day 5: Kanngiqtugaapik (Clyde River) Day 6: Isabella Bay

62

Highlights Day 7: Karrat Fjord Day 8: Uummannaq Day 9: Ilulissat Day 10: Itilleq Day 11: Kangerlussuaq

• Experience the midnight sun • Seek out the thousands of birds that call the Arctic home during the peak Summer season • Search for whale as we explore Northeast Baffin • Enjoy a cultural presentation and country food at Kanngiqtugaapik • Keep watch for bowhead whale as we cruise Isabella Bay • Enjoy the breath-taking scenery as we cruise Karrat Fjord - one of Greenland’s most beautiful • Visit Greenland’s heart as we explore the colourful town of Uummannaq • Visit the site of the famous Greenlandic Mummies • Participate in or cheer during our annual sporting match in Itilleq


© Daniel J. Catt

©Michelle Valberg

“We would like to repeat that this was a great adventure! This has given us a completely different perspective of our Canadian North its people, climate, the mammals, polar bears, geography, geology and archaeology of the Arctic. We are now very concerned with the climate and its changes all over the world.” -Brian & Mabel, Arctic 2011 ©Michelle Valberg

©Robert Poulton

©Andrew Stewart

63


“I have only high praise for the quality of instruction, the hands-on assistance and the amazing itinerary (you) created for not only making pictures, but for enjoying some totally unique, thrilling and fun outings. And if you have never been to Newfoundland, the main character in this experience, just be prepared to be wowed.”

-Rick, Newfoundland Close-Up 2011

Minty, 2008 All photos © Dennis Minty

Newfoundland Close-Up: Photographic Adventures

M

any of us feel that the best way to really see a place is through the lens of a camera. Whether we aim to capture expansive vistas or focus on the petal of a flower, a camera invites us to experience our world close-up with uncompromised intimacy. What better place to indulge your passion for photography than the magnificent island of Newfoundland. From the raw and primal landscape of Gros Morne’s Tablelands and the Northern Peninsula, to the charming historic villages of the Avalon and Eastern shores, Newfoundland presents outstanding photographic opportunities at every bend. Rich in colour and texture, wildlife and natural beauty, it broadens the traveller’s horizons and inspires creativity. Those who have discovered it are inevitably drawn to return. Join us for one of three unforgettable land-based photographic adventures: • Gros Morne and the Northern Peninsula • Eastern Newfoundland • Western Newfoundland’s Fall Colours Under the expert guidance of photographer, naturalist and author, Dennis Minty, you will have an opportunity to develop your photography skills. On these trips we don’t take photographs, we make them. We take our time, linger in places that inspire, spend time in the company of those who have chosen to make this place their home. Accommodations feature comfortable, cozy B&B’s and inns with congenial local hosts in wonderfully picturesque communities. Enjoy choice cuisine including traditional cooking with an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients (your chance to try toutons and cod tongues!). Limited to only six participants, there is ample opportunity for one-on-one coaching and room to explore your particular interests. Our passion is sharing this magnificent part of the world with fellow adventurers. Come join us for a look at Newfoundland Close Up.

64

With Dennis Minty And Antje Springmann

Your Guides:

Dennis Minty & Antje Springmann

Dennis’ winding path, from his small island roots in Twillingate, Newfoundland, to his current career as a photographer and ecotour leader has included: graduation as a wildlife biologist; designing and managing a nature education and wildlife rehabilitation centre; 30 years as an environmental educator in Newfoundland/Labrador, Africa, the Seychelles, and the Caribbean;. authoring seven educational and photographic books; a stint at dairy farming; and even serving as a polar bear guide in Churchill, Manitoba. Antje Springmann has called Newfoundland home since coming there from Germany when she was twelve. She guided her first cultural tours of St. John’s twenty years ago. She has a varied background in educational design, arts and culture, tourism, marketing, event organization and partnership development. After spending six years with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation she joined her husband, Dennis Minty, in developing tours and workshops designed to bring people closer to the natural world. “Newfoundland is close to my heart. It is uncompromising and yet will draw you in on its own terms. I have seen it transform people. It is my joy to help others discover this astonishingly beautiful place.”


All photos © Dennis Minty

Gros Morne and the Northern Peninsula

J

oin us on a photographic adventure featuring two magnificent UNESCO World Heritage sites and many delightful gems along the path that connects them. This is a tour for photographers ready to move beyond the basics and immerse themselves in an inspiring, rugged landscape as they hone their skills. We mix group instruction, experiential learning and professional one-on-one coaching for a custom tailored experience in the midst of cultural and ecological wonders. Gros Morne National Park is a spectacular natural phenomenon filled with sparkling bays, ancient fjords, and the awe-inspiring Tablelands. Rich in wildlife and magnificent vistas, it is also the place where geology commands centre stage. Our home base is the luxurious Neddies Harbour Inn, nestled in serene Bonne Bay where the North Atlantic laps at the shore outside our window. From here we explore the heart of Gros Morne with plenty of time to capture the landscape with our cameras. From Gros Morne we travel north, traversing primal, barren landscapes dotted with tiny, isolated communities where local Newfoundlanders still follow the traditional way of life. There are many hidden treasures along our way, from graveyards with stories to tell, to lighthouses and dune-strewn sandy beaches, even a glimpse of Labrador across the straight. Our destination is the very tip of Newfoundland’s Northern Peninsula, a finger that reaches high into the North Atlantic. Here we walk in the footsteps of the Vikings who wintered in this place over a thousand years ago in defiance of the barren land. On our return to Gros Morne we keep a look-out for icebergs that are often plentiful here. So pack your camera and join celebrated nature photographer, Dennis Minty, and his partner Antje Springmann, in this ancient, rugged place. Your guides are Newfoundlanders who will open doors to places and experiences undiscovered by the casual tourist. Don’t miss this extra-ordinary photographic journey that will leave you inspired and refreshed, and your photography portfolio brimming.

June 30 - July 7, 2012 Cost: $3,495 USD + HST Single supplement please add $595 + HST Max: 6 Tour cost includes: • All accommodations • All meals • Ground transportation • Your instructor/guide(s) • All park/tour fees Tour cost does not include: • Insurance • Alcoholic beverages • Flights to/from Deer Lake • Items of a personal nature • Any expenses incurred due to itinerary changes beyond our control Fitness Level: Easy to Moderate 65


All photos © Dennis Minty

Eastern Newfoundland: Avalon and Bonavista Peninsulas

L

July 22- 28, 2012

isten to the explosive spout of a humpback whale as it breaks the surface of a clear blue ocean. See the comical flight of a full-bellied puffin as it attempts to get airborne. Smell the salty landwash where the sea touches North America’s eastern-most land and where First Light really is first.

Cost: $2,995 USD + HST Single supplement please add $595 + HST

With camera in hand we will take you to the heart of the most easterly corner of North America, still largely undiscovered by the vast majority of travellers. This is a tour for photographers of all levels, their companions and the artistically-minded. Your particular needs and interests are addressed in a multidimensional tour that mixes group instruction, experiential learning and one-on-one coaching in the midst of cultural and ecological wonders. Presentations are interactive, inspiring and informative; the hikes are filled with vistas and natural beauty that invite hours of artistic contemplation; the traditional homecooked meals and accommodations celebrate the best of Newfoundland hospitality. We will amble through charming historic communities like Brigus, Cupids and Trinity; experience gannets, puffins and whales closer than most anywhere on earth, hike trails that take us along towering cliffs, through gentle meadows and explore Newfoundland’s famous rocky beaches.

Max: 6

Your guides have deep roots here and will open doors to places and experiences undiscovered by the casual tourist. So pack your camera and join celebrated nature photographer, Dennis Minty, and his partner Antje Springmann, for “Eastern Newfoundland Close Up”, an unforgettable experience that will leave you inspired and more adept at capturing the natural world with your camera.

Tour cost includes: • All accommodations • All meals • Ground transportation • Your instructor/guide(s) • All park/tour fees Tour cost does not include: • Insurance • Alcoholic beverages • Flights to/from St. John’s • Items of a personal nature • Any expenses incurred due to itinerary changes beyond our control Fitness Level: Easy to Moderate

66


All photos © Dennis Minty

Western Newfoundland ’s Fall Colours

G

ros Morne National Park is spectacular at any time of the year but it is in the fall that it shows its true colours. Vibrant oranges, reds and yellows of birch, larch and maple, are splashed among evergreens on rolling hillside. The majestic, primal Tablelands provide a stunning backdrop. Barrens along the coast sheltered only by ancient, stunted tuckamore explode with the vivid crimson, purple and magenta of wild blueberry shrubs cast among brightly coloured lichen. Based at the celebrated Neddie’s Harbour Inn, we spend four full days exploring the best Gros Morne has to offer in the fall, including the Tablelands, walks along the coast, hidden vistas and a boat trip on the sheltered waters of Bonne Bay. The final two days of our adventure takes us to the Bay of Islands hugging the mighty Humber Arm, which Captain Cook explored in the mid 1700’s. Charming outport communities along the way offer abundant photo opportunities and a view into traditional Newfoundland life punctuated by the bright orange dories unique to this area. Our tour ends in Corner Brook at the Glynnmill Inn, one of Newfoundland’s most historic hotels. It hugs the river that gives the town its name and on a fine evening invites a stroll along the Corner Brook Stream Trail.

“The best thing about the tour is that the photos I ‘made’ will always conjure up so many great memories for me - the places I stayed - the great friends I made - the wonderful food - the ‘unexpected’ and treasured moments with local people - the ‘quiet’ periods of reflection and introspection as I wandered off to ‘shoot’. You have exceeded any, and all, expectations…” - Marcia

October 7 - 12, 2012 Cost: $2,995 USD + HST Single supplement please add $495 + HST Max: 6 Tour cost includes: • All accommodations • All meals • Ground transportation • Your instructor/guide(s) • All park/tour fees Tour cost does not include: • Insurance • Alcoholic beverages • Flights to/from Deer Lake • Items of a personal nature • Any expenses incurred due to itinerary changes beyond our control Fitness Level: Easy to Moderate 67


© Andrew Stewart

Narwhal and Polar Bear Safari

N

estled between the majestic mountains of north Baffin Island and Bylot Island – Sirmilik National Park, experience abundant wildlife that congregates along the ice floe edge that only a few have seen. The spring floe edge is a fascinating eco-system where wildlife thrives. During this time in spring, wildlife gathers at the floe-edge and there exists the chance to see pods of narwhal resting only meters from the edge – their misty breathe sparkling in the 24 hour sun. In addition you’ll have a good chance of seeing polar bears, a variety of species of seals, an incredible variety of sea birds including thick billed Murre, Kittiwake, Guillemot, Ivory Gull, along with many other species of gull. Bowhead and Beluga also frequent this area. A senior Inuit guide will explain the traditional ways of Inuit life over five days as you embark on a journey of discovery of the arctic, the abundant wildlife and its beauty. Hiking on the land, breaking icicles off of glaciers, gazing up at thousands of birds at the nearby bird cliffs, and drinking glacier melt-water on day excursion are just a few of the activities that you can participate in. 68

© Arctic Kingdom

Price: $9,700 USD + HST Airfare: $3,256 (Ottawa to Pond Inlet) Max: 10 adventurers Fitness Level: Moderate Tour Price Includes: • Your guide • Accommodation • All meals during the tour • Transportation during the tour Tour Price Does Not include: • Flights from your home to Ottawa / Pond Inlet • Personal expenses • Mandatory Medical Insurance

June 10 - 17, 2012 Highlights • • • • • •

• •

Observe the tusked narwhal resting and feeding metres from the floe edge Polar bear, harp seal, bearded seal, ring seal, and possibly walrus Journey by snowmobile to traditional Inuit hunting grounds Enjoy tea made of melt-water from centuries old icebergs along the route Settle into a high-end tented base camp on the 2m sea ice at the floe edge. Hike on Bylot island and see an old whaling station, remains of a shipwreck, Inuit tent rings, and flowering spring flora Gaze up at 100m stepped waterfall of glacier melt-water that has carved it’s way through sea ice Visit the Bylot Island bird cliffs with 20,000+ birds


© Michelle Valberg

Walrus and Bowhead Safari he waters of the Foxe Basin are some of the richest in the T Arctic and have attracted Inuit hunters for more than four thousand years. Our daily sorties will take us across to the ice

floe edge via snowmobiles and qamutiks. From there, we take boats out into the open waters. Whether sitting quietly on the floe edge waiting for a passing bowhead or having lunch on the floating pack ice amongst the walrus, we will constantly be aware of the effect of the ice’s movements as we travel over, between and past almost every kind of ice. This a journey of amazing panoramas. Whether you’re facing a hundred walrus, reflecting on the beauty of an absolutely mirrorcalm ocean, staring up mountains of ice, or watching for animals along the tundra, there are countless unforgettable scenes. Some are so lucky as to connect with the animals and peer into the eye of a passing bowhead or directly into the eyes of a polar bear swimming by our boat. Watching the animals under the midnight sun is simply magical. Dusk moves directly into dawn, with each sunset followed by an immediate sunrise, creating a dramatic play of light and shadow across the ice and the open sea. The shallow depths are ideal for divers, who can easily reach the bottom while ice diving and can explore walls covered in life. Open water diving from the floe edge along walls of ice is an unforgettable experience, especially for snorkellers and divers wishing to experience the sights and experiences underwater without venturing below the ice.

©Andrew Stewart

July 8 - 15, 2012

Price: $9,100 USD + HST

Highlights

Airfare: $2,899 USD (Ottawa to Igloolik)

Max: 12 adventurers Fitness Level: Moderate Tour Price Includes: • Your guide • Accommodation • All meals during the tour • Transportation during the tour Tour Price Does Not include: • Flights from your home to Ottawa / Igloolik • Personal expenses • Mandatory Medical Insurance

• • • •

• •

See the northward migrating bowhead whales breach playfully, fin sideways and slap their immense fluke on the mirror smooth water amongst the floating ice Large herds of walrus sunning themselves on floating ice islands Snorkel or dive along the ice floe edge, and exhilarate in the moment when a bowhead whale swims by Listen to the chirps and whistles of the whale songs while underwater, or through a hydrophone on the surface Experience all aspects of the high Arctic from Inuit culture to spectacular wide open landscapes, to ancient Inuit sod house settlements A good chance of seeing polar bear hunting for seals among the floating pans of ice Bask in the warm glow of the midnight sun

69


Both photos ©Eagle-Eye Tours

Birding the Canadian Rockies

T

his tour combines great bird and mammal watching amidst spectacular mountain scenery. We visit the famed Mountain National Parks of the Canadian Rockies – Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay as well as Kananaskis Country and a few lesser known but equally charming areas. We explore both sides of the continental divide including the headwaters of the Columbia River and the very productive Columbia River wetlands – the longest wetlands in North America. We visit a wide range of habitats from alpine tundra to prairie grasslands. We amble through magnificent Rocky Mountain forests looking for warblers and other passerines, scan clear mountain streams for American Dippers, and search the prairies and astonishingly productive potholes for grassland birds, raptors, ducks and shorebirds. We take the longest tram ride in Canada to the Whistlers and look for high elevation species such as White-tailed Ptarmigan. Finally we should see lots of mammals - elk, moose, bear, deer, coyote, beaver, porcupine, mountain goat, bighorn sheep and more. 70

June 8 - 18, 2012 Price: $3,925 USD + HST based on double occupancy; single supplement please add $695 USD + GST Max: 12 adventurers

Highlights •

Fitness Level: Moderate

Tour Price Includes: • Your guide • Accommodation • All meals during the tour • Transportation during the tour

• • • • • • • • • • •

Tour Price Does Not include: • Flights from your home to Edmonton and home from Calgary • Personal expenses • Mandatory Medical Insurance

Spectacular mountain scenery in the heart of Canada’s Mountain National Parks Excellent bird and mammal watching across a range of elevations and habitats White-tailed Ptarmigan American Dipper Black Swift Lewis’s Woodpecker Black-chinned Hummingbird Ferruginous Hawk Varied Thrush Moose Mountain Goat Bighorn Sheep Pronghorn


Both photos ©Eagle-Eye Tours

Birding the High Arctic & Northwest Territories

T

his very special tour takes in three different areas; exquisite high Arctic tundra above the Arctic Circle and far north of the treeline on the south shore of Victoria Island at Cambridge Bay (Ikaluktutiak), where the sun never actually sets; boreal forest and lakes around Yellowknife, NWT, on the north arm of Great Slave Lake; and aspen parkland and potholes of Central Alberta where Beaverhill Lake and Elk Island National Park lie, and where we may find northern owls such as Northern Hawk-Owl and Great Gray Owl. We encounter a diverse array of birds and other wildlife on our tour; nesting King Eiders, Sabine’s Gulls, Greater White-fronted Geese, Pacific and Yellow-billed Loons and Long-tailed Ducks in arctic pools, breeding shorebirds such as Red and Red-necked Phalaropes, Semipalmated, Baird’s and Stilt Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, and American Golden-Plovers on the tundra, and Long-tailed and Pomarine Jaegers and Snowy Owls may be nesting, provided that lemmings are in good numbers. The sight of several herds of Muskox out on the open tundra will not be long forgotten! The area is steeped in history and culture, from explorers searching for the Northwest Passage and Amundsen’s Maud, to the Inuit of the western Arctic. The high quality, cultural experience and exciting wildlife viewing make for a long-remembered tour!

Price: $5,450 USD + HST based on double occupancy, single supplement please add $725 USD + GST Max: 12 adventurers Fitness Level: Moderate Tour Price Includes: • Your guide • Accommodation • All meals during the tour • Transportation during the tour Tour Price Does Not include: • Return flights from your home to Edmonton • Personal expenses • Mandatory Medical Insurance

June 27 - July 7, 2012

Highlights

• Amazing wildlife, from Muskox to jaegers and King Eiders to Yellowbilled Loons, amidst fascinating tundra and taiga habitats • Great breeding bird and flower photography opportunities • Yellow-billed Loon • King Eider • Sabine’s Gull • Red Phalarope • Long-tailed Jaeger • Snowy Owl • Thayer’s Gull • Great Gray Owl • Arctic Fox

71


Both photos ©Eagle-Eye Tours

Quebec Birds & Whales

G

ood birding and whale-watching at a fine time of the year, the fall, when autumnal colours cover the countryside, in la Belle Province, Quebec! Starting in historic Quebec City, we first explore the Leon-Provancher marsh and woodland trails for waterfowl, marsh birds, song birds and shorebirds along with Ospreys and Peregrine Falcons, then to the Cap Rouge area with its beach and parkland trails for aquatic and shore birds. Next we head down along the mighty St Lawrence River first to Cap-Tourmente where thousands of Greater Snow Geese and other waterfowl have gathered at the national wildlife area, next to the remarkable Grands-Jardins park for boreal and tundra species, followed by a day along the spectacular Charlevoix landscape on to Tadoussac and the mouth of the Saguenay River for shorebirds and whalewatching. Whale-watching boat rides should put us close to many whales of several different species - Fin Whale, Minke Whale, possibly even Blue Whale, and especially Belugas. We take the ferry across the St. Lawrence, looking for pelagics such as Razorbill, shearwaters, Common Eiders, jaegers and kittiwakes to Rivièredu-Loup, where we make an effort to find Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow. We make our way back along the St Lawrence, taking in several choice spots, and end in Quebec City.

72

September 28 - October 7, 2012 Price: $3,075 USD + GST based on double occupancy, single supplement please add $595 USD + GST Max: 12 adventurers Fitness Level: Moderate Tour Price Includes: • Your guide • Accommodation • All meals during the tour • Transportation during the tour Tour Price Does Not include: • Return airfare from your home to Quebec City • Personal expenses • Mandatory Medical Insurance

Highlights • Several splendid wildlife spectacles - from thousands of Snow Geese to impressive encounters with big whales • Charm of Quebec City • Spectacular autumnal colours • Greater Snow Goose • Razorbill • Boreal Chickadee • Common Eider • Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow • Beluga Whale • Fin Whale • Other baleen whales possibly including Blue Whale


Santa Fe Style

September 17 – 24, 2012 With Carol Heppenstall

T

he city different as it is called reflects a certain something that is hard to find anywhere in North America. UNESCO defines it as part of the creative cities network worldwide but those of us who live here simply rest easy in its ancient roots. It is a melting pot of ancient cultures, European conquerors, restless Anglos, artists, musicians and new age seekers. It is at once a spiritual landscape nestled in the shadow of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and a heady oasis for the postmodern traveller. Its population rises and falls with the cultural seasons yet its very fabric is enduring, constantly being reinvented by its ever-changing flow of admirers. If you come, be prepared for eye-opening extremes. From ancient Native Culture to sacred sites of the Spanish Colonial era – the palette is endless. We’ll meet contemporary artists and writers but catch up with mythic figures like Georgia O’Keeffe and Willa Cather who changed the perceptions of this once sleepy town. Remember the Old Santa Fe Trail? Once traversed by wagon trains and restless adventurers, this historic path still winds its way to the heart of the city - the famous plaza alive with shops, museums and restaurants. And speaking of food, our choices are limitless and we might indulge in a little experiential foodery at the world famous Santa Fe Cooking School. I invite you to come explore Santa Fe Style!

-Carol Heppenstall

Price: $2,995 USD based on double occupancy; single supplement please add $950 Inclusions: • Seven nights in a Four-Star Hotel, including breakfasts • 4 lunches and 1 dinner • Daily cocktail wine and cheese • Georgia O’Keeffe home in Abiquiu • Museum passes for Georgia O’Keeffe, History and International Folk Art Museums • Sactuario at Chimayo • Private collections • Santa Fe Cooking School, class and lunch • Final Dinner

Your Guide: Carol Heppenstall Carol has been leading tours for Adventure Canada for nineteen years. Her love of Inuit Art that she showcased in her Philadelphia gallery first led her north in 1992. Her continuing passion for Inuit Art and her belief in the power of communication through the arts, has drawn her back repeatedly to the Arctic. Designing smaller tours with an art/ culture focus and working as a Resource Guide on the Arctic expeditions has allowed her to keep in touch with artists and community leaders in an everchanging artistic and cultural landscape that is the Canadian north. She graduated Cum Laude in Art History from the University of Pennsylvania and earned a Masters in Museum Education while running her gallery, ArtSpace.

73


Both photos ©Robert Poulton

Torngat Safari

A

dventure Canada is thrilled to present two intimate experiences on Labrador’s wild and stunningly beautiful Northern coast. This Inuit homeland is also Canada’s newest National Park, the Torngat Mountains. Inuit legend holds that in these mountains everything – the rock, the soil, the air - has a spirit - and we say, it’s where you can find yours. The Torngat Mountains have been home to Inuit and their predecessors for thousands of years. The spectacular wilderness of this National Park comprises 9,700 km2 of the Northern Labrador Mountains natural region. The park extends from Saglek Fjord in the south, including all islands and islets, to the very northern tip of Labrador; and from the provincial boundary with Quebec in the west, to the iceberg-choked waters of the Labrador Sea in the east. The mountain peaks along the border with Quebec are the highest in mainland Canada east of the Rockies, and are dotted with remnant glaciers. Polar bears hunt seals along the coast, and both the Torngat Mountains and George River caribou herds cross paths as they migrate to and from their calving grounds. Hosted by Adventure Canada guide extraordinaire, Mike Beedell, and a team of Inuit expedition professionals and scientists from Nunatsiavut and Parks Canada, our two excursions offer exciting opportunities for both the advanced and moderate adventurer and are designed to give you an up-close look into the life, culture and wilderness of this Northern world.

74

Your Guide:

Mike Beedell

Mike’s first journey to Newfoundland and Labrador began 30 years ago on an assignment for Parks Canada in Gros Morne National park. Since his initial explorations of the rugged and geologically outstanding coast Mike has returned to lead expeditions and photograph this inspiring landscape time and again . He has been inspired by living amongst its inhabitants who are sculpted by the sea and land and who create unique art ,music, literature & lifestyles. Mike began exploring the Torngat Mountains twenty years ago long before it evolved as a National Park. He has logged thousands of kilometres by ski, kayak, trekking and yacht over the years. He looks forward to sharing his passion for this place with the most impressive mountainscapes in eastern North America. Mike has had 30 years experience as a wilderness tour leader, photographer and guide. He is the director of O Canada’ Expeditions which specializes in small group travel to spectacular places less traveled. He has been a resource person for Adventure Canada since 1988. Mike’s love for wilderness travel and other cultures is infectious. His marvelous sense of humour and natural gift of music contribute to a most memorable experience.


Helihiking Get out and experience the true wilderness on this active hiking adventure. Kick off your week by experiencing the full grandeur of the Torngat National Park as you travel by helicopter over towering mountains and winding rivers from basecamp to our drop off point. Over the next five days we will cover 60km on foot in a stunning and exhilarating landscape. Accompanying Mike will be an experienced local bear guide who will share with you the many legends and recent experiences of the Inuit of the region.

July 20 - 28, 2012 Price: $4,995 USD + HST Min: 6 adventurers Fitness Level: Advanced Tour Price Includes: • Your guide • Trained bear guard • Charter flight • Accommodations • Breakfast July 21 - breakfast July 28 • Transportation during the tour • Helicopter drop-off • Stewardship levy Tour Price Does Not include: • Return airfare from your home to Goose Bay • Personal expenses • Mandatory Medical Insurance • Meals July 20

Base Camp

July 27 - AUG 4, 2012

Enjoy the wonders of the Big Land from our base, a safari-style standing tent camp complete with all the creature comforts. Designed after traditional Inuit camps, our tents are insulated and have raised beds for ultimate warmth. We will strike out from camp each day by longliner, speedboat, helicopter and foot to explore the majesty of Saglek Bay. Throughout our week we will experience wildlife viewing of polar bear, foxes and whales, archaeological site visits, fishing and cultural activities including soapstone carving, storytelling and sampling traditional foods. Throughout the week your guide, Mike Beedell will offer a series of workshops on photography tips.

Price: $6,995 USD + HST Min: 8 adventurers Fitness Level: Moderate Tour Price Includes: • Your guide • Accommodation • Trained bear guard • Charter flight • Dinner July 27 breakfast Aug. 4 • Transportation during the tour • Stewardship levy Tour Price Does Not include: • Return airfare from your home to Goose Bay • Personal expenses • Mandatory Medical Insurance 75


Both photos ©Ed Maruyama

Alianait Arts Festival

J

oin Adventure Canada for one of the coolest events at the top of the world! In 2012 AC heads to Iqaluit for the 8th annual Alianait Arts Festival. Bringing together music, theatre, film, storytelling, circus, dance and visual artists from across Nunavut and Canada, the Alianait festival is truly one of a kind. Your guide, Aaju Peter, is a resident of Iqaluit and is thrilled to share the ins and outs of her hometown. Throughout our week, you will have the opportunity to tour the many important historic and political sites, get out on the land, meet with local elders, artists, performers, youth and decision makers and participate in private behind the scene workshops at both the Alianait Arts Festival and the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Festival. The vibrant capital of Nunavut, Iqaluit is a bustling community. With a population of just under 7,000, Iqaluit is undergoing a period of great economic and social invigoration. As the gateway to Canada’s Great North, Iqalungmiut are joined by folks from around Nunavut and Canada, working together to build a fantastic community of creative, adventurous residents. We look forward to taking you behind the scenes and sharing Iqaluit’s dynamic culture and enthusiasm. Adventure Canada is excited to celebrate Canada Day with the Circumpolar World’s finest musicians and artists. We are proud to support the Alianait Arts Festival and the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association. 76

June 28 - July 5, 2012 Alianait is a non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to help build a healthier Nunavut through the arts. It works proactively with local schools and community organizations to present family-friendly, alcohol-free events, and to facilitate outreach opportunities between artists and students. The Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association (NACA) promotes the growth and appreciation of Nunavut artists, and the production of their arts and crafts. Created as a non-profit incorporated society in October 1998, NACA currently works on behalf of Nunavut’s visual artists - carvers, printmakers, ceramic pottery makers, painters, photographers, jewellers, tapestry artists and seamstresses. Through activities such as conferences, workshops, the yearly Nunavut Arts Festival and other events, NACA strives to create a better business and working environment for artists.


©Ed Maruyama

Your Guide:

Aaju Peter

Born in Arkisserniaq, a northern Greenland community in 1960, Aaju has lived up and down the west coast of her native country as a result of her father’s teaching and preaching career. In 1981, Aaju moved to Iqaluit, in Nunavut, Canada where she has taken up residence. Here, Aaju worked as an interpreter, and she has done volunteer work with various women’s and interpretation organizations. Aaju has a homebased sealskin garment business, translates, volunteers for the music society, collects traditional law from Nunavut’s elders, raises her five children, and is currently involved in promoting the Inuit right to make a living on hunting seal. Aaju has over a decade of guiding experience and looks forward to showcasing her hometown with you.

©Mike Beedell

Price: $4,295 USD + HST based on double occupancy. Single supplement please add $995 USD Minimum: 6 adventurers Fitness Level: Moderate Tour Price Includes: • 7 nights accommodation at the Frobisher Inn • Dinner day 1 through breakfast day 8 • Alianait Festival Pass • 2 private workshops with Alianait artists • 1 private workshop with NACA • Local transportation • Home visits • Guiding services • Local food sampling Tour Price Does Not include: • Return airfare from your home to Iqaluit (Group airfare is available from Ottawa the cost is $1,295 USD) • Personal expenses • Travel Insurance

Highlights • Behind the scenes involvement and workshops at the Alianait festival • Private workshop by master Nunavut artist • Opportunity to meet with artists and purchase art, clothing and crafts direct from artists • Organized meetings with notable Nunavut personalities • Personalized town tour • Spend time at Unikkaarvik Visitor Centre • Tour Nunavut’s Legislative Assembly building • Visit Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum • Visit Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park • Spend time with locals at an evening bonfire 77


Great Bear Rainforest

C

ome along with us as we explore the magnificent fjords and spectacular islands of the Great Bear Rainforest on the British Columbian coast. We travel aboard the 68 ft sailboat Island Odyssey enjoying birds as well as both grizzly and black bears, whales, and possibly wolves among pristine watersheds of towering forests. From Bella Bella, we cruise through the Queen Charlotte Strait to a backdrop of mountains and seascapes, and there is a good chance of Humpback and Killer Whales, Dall’s Porpoise and Pacific White-sided Dolphin. On our crossing to the Great Bear Rainforest area, birding can be very rewarding; possibilities include pelagic birds such as Cassin’s Auklet, Black-footed Albatross, jaegers, Sooty Shearwater, Leach’s and Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels. The Hakai Conservation Area, renowned for its tiny islets and white sand beaches is an excellent spot to search for Sea Otters, Brandt’s Cormorants nest on rocky shores, Harlequin Ducks bob in the sheltered coves, and Steller’s Sea Lions lounge on rocks. We have opportunities to walk through rainforest among giant trees, for songbirds and woodpeckers. Finally, we marvel at the west coast fjordland, for stunning scenery and lovely rivers and estuaries. Our voyage along the world’s largest intact temperate rainforest ends in the coastal town of Bella Bella. This will be an unforgettable voyage to a wildlife rich region like no other!

78

September 20 - 29, 2013 Cost: $6,495 USD + HST Max: 13 adventurers

Tour cost includes: • Most meals • Hotel night in Vancouver and Bella Bella • Return airfare from Vancouver to Bella Bella • Tips to ship’s crew • Admission fees • Passage onboard Island Odyssey • Guiding services of Mike Beedell

Tour cost does not include: • Roundtrip airfare from your home to Vancouver • Mandatory emergency medical and evacuation insurance • Items of a personal nature

Fitness Level: Easy to Moderate

Please call us to receive additional information on this departure.

Highlights • Magnificent fjords • Extensive forests of towering trees • Spectacular islands • Sailing along marvelous and inaccessible coastlines • Shore excursions to coastal forest • Seeing some of the wildest areas of remaining coastal temperate rainforest • Viewing of Grizzly and Kermodie bears


Haida Gwaii: The Queen Charlotte Islands

J

oin Carol Heppenstall on a journey to Haida Gwaii: the Queen Charlotte Islands and home of the Haida - one of the most culturally rich and developed groups of people to inhabit early North America. Among the southern islands are many ancient villages - K’uuna (Skedans), Cumshewa, T’annu and SGaang Gwaii (Ninstints). These sites contain the remains of the great longhouses and the best remaining examples of original totem poles in the world. Now is a particularly good time to visit these islands, since every year nature ages the magnificent totem poles which are slowly deteriorating. SGaang Gwaii is recognized as a World Heritage Site, and though the old villages are now uninhabited, the Haida have watchmen to protect their heritage and to greet visitors appropriately.

Cost: $5,495 USD + HST

The chance to listen to a Haida story, to learn about the traditional and modern Haida life, is for many people a highlight of the trip. — a unique opportunity found almost nowhere else on the coast. We find that our encounters with the Haida teach us about their art, legends, customs and food gathering methods. As a result, we gain an understanding of how the Haida related intimately to their environment to produce a unique and highly evolved art form.

Tour cost does not include: • Flights: your home to Vancouver and Vancouver to Sandspit return • Mandatory emergency medical and evacuation insurance • Items of a personal nature • Any expenses incurred due to changes beyond our control

With over one hundred islands, forested creek walks, rugged headlands and towering mountains, our excursions will provide ample scenery Bird watching is excellent, with puffins, auklets and eagles; hundreds of thousands of seabirds nest on the islands. We hope to see Stellar Sea Lions and spot a variety of whales from our vessel, the Island Roamer. Bring your camera, journals and sketchpads and be seduced by one of Canada’s most noble destinations.

Max: 14 adventurers

Tour cost includes: • Most meals • Hotel night in Vancouver • Accommodations • Museum and park fees • Passage onboard Island Roamer • All ground transportation • Tips to the ship’s crew

Fitness Level: Easy to Moderate

Please call us to receive additional information on this departure.

July 6 - 15, 2012

Highlights

• Visit to the Haida Gwaii Museum and new Qay’llnagaay Heritage Centre • A fabulous traditional Haida meal hosted at the home of a Haida elder • Village stops in old growth forests • Visit to Nan Sdins (Ninstints), the oldest recorded village on the island • Refreshing outdoor pools of healing waters • A chance to chat with Haida elders and watch age-old cedar bark craft demonstrations • Quiet moorings afford the luxuries to sketch or photograph. 79


Bears of Churchill

October and November 2012

ocated on the western shore of Hudson Bay and not accessible by road lies the small northern seaport of Churchill, Manitoba. In the fall, before Hudson Bay freezes over, the great white polar bears make their way to this tiny town.

L

Price: $5,399 USD + HST, Single Supp. $725 USD

Explore the world-famous northern town of Churchill where there are just as many polar bears as there are people. On this tour you’ll experience the arctic wildlife out on the tundra including ptarmigan, arctic fox and of course the mighty polar bear. We will also have the opportunity to learn about the culture of the people who call the North home. Led by an expert interpretive guide this adventure includes a dog sledding program, a town and area tour as well as visits to the Eskimo Museum, which is home to the largest collection of Inuit artifacts in the North. Our dog sledding program will showcase the role and importance of dog sledding in northern culture as well as take us on our own dog sledding experience through the beautiful boreal forest.

• Enjoy a guided tour of the area surrounding Churchill • Enjoy an exhilarating ride behind a strong team of huskies on a custommade sled • Visit the Eskimo Museum, one of Canada’s finest collections of Inuit carvings, kayaks and artifacts dating from pre-Dorset, Dorset, Thule, and modern Inuit times • An up-close encounter with the majestic polar bear (from the comfort of your tundra buggy!) • Picnic style lunches and refreshments while you are bear watching

We’ll spend two days on the open deck of a Tundra Buggy, along the shores of the Hudson Bay, safely getting up close to polar bears in the wild bringing us face to face with these magnificent animals truly a photographers delight!

80

Both photos © Robert R. Taylor

Highlights:


Caribou Migration: Photo Safari

W

itness both from the air and up-close, one of Canada’s greatest unknown natural spectacles – the great spring migration of hundreds of thousands of caribou. Every spring, in early May, the Qamanirjuaq caribou herd begins to gather together and the call to reach their calving grounds drives them northward 300miles/480km. The Qamanirjuaq caribou number in the hundreds of thousands and are one of the healthiest herds in Canada. The nature of the northern topography where the caribou roam, from treeless taiga and tundra, to river valleys, to large lakes, form natural corridors that the caribou follow on predictable routes that to reach their calving grounds. It is in these corridors that we will establish a tented base camp to fly you into and allow for unprecedented access to this natural spectacle.

Cost: $8,915 USD + HST Max: 8 adventurers

Tour cost includes: • Staff escort and local Inuit guides • All transportation to/from and the tundra base camp including private plane from Arviat • All day trips including snowmobiles • All accommodations from Arviat – 2 nights Arviat and 4 nights arctic safaristyle base camp • All meals from Arviat • Hotel transfers in Arviat Tour cost does not include: • Flights • Mandatory emergency medical and evacuation insurance • Items of a personal nature • Any expenses incurred due to changes beyond our control

May 6 - 11, 2013 May 12-17, 2013 Highlights: • Aerial view of the Qamanirjuaq caribou stretching horizon to horizon • Listen to the rumble of thousands of caribou passing by within arms length • Smell, hear, and observe caribou on their annual spring migration • Northern Lights • Wildlife photography • Short hikes • Snowmobiling

Fitness Level: Easy to Moderate

81


Scotland Slowly

©Andrew Stewart

S

© Larry Frank

cotland’s western and northern isles offer a rich supply of culture, heritage and natural history. In Medieval Times an already archaic society in the Hebrides evolved into the Lordship of the Isles, a seakingdom blending Gael and Viking under the powerful domination of Clan Donald. In the north, Orkney and Shetland were welded into a formidable Scandinavian earldom. Both island groups preserve some of the oldest monuments in Europe, dating back to the Stone Age, while today both exploit the latest computer technologies to place them at the forefront of modern developments. Kinship and community are two of the constants in this story; Gaelic-speaking clans retained their independence despite acknowledging the Lords of the Isles, while free Norse landholders battled the forces of feudalism in the Northern Isles. As our ship, Clipper Adventurer, winds its way through the western isles and the Pentland Firth to Orkney and Shetland, history will illuminate the present while tradition will enhance our understanding of the past. The abundant bird and mammal population of the area will be observed, studied and surely enjoyed. June is an ideal month to visit Scotland in search of birds, with breeding well underway, watchers will be rewarded with excellent opportunities. Photographers will have time to focus their attentions on improving technique and getting small group tutorials. Island folk have always been extremely conscious of the natural environment, as the riches thereof have sustained them. We’ll experience a bit of island life too with music and laughter in community halls and local pubs. With modern touches in many homes, the people who live here still remain close to their roots with nuances and traditions imbedded by the original settlers who first made their homes here hundreds of years ago. 82

June 2-12, 2013

Our Intended Itinerary Day 1: Glasgow & Oban Day 2: Islay & Jura Day 3: Isle of Skye Day 4: Staffa & Iona Day 5: Mingulay & Barra Day 6: St. Kilda Day 7: Isle of Lewis Day 8: Orkney Islands Day 9 & 10: Shetland Islands Day 11: Aberdeen


Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

Both photos © Rebecca Burgum

J

oin us once again for our voyage to the real Middle Earth as we experience Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands. Starting in the highlands of Ecuador, we’ll have a chance to explore the UNESCO world heritage site of colonial Quito, shop in the shadow of a volcano at the Otavalo Market, and stand on the equator before heading to the Galápagos Islands. We’ll explore the islands synonymous with Charles Darwin and the theory of evolution. Each day will bring us a variety of activities both above and below the water with daily chances to snorkel and hike. Our fleet of sea kayaks are also available at many stops in the archipelago. The islands promise an unforgettable experience where the water, land and air are alive with birds, plants and animals, many of which are found no place else on Earth. This is one of the most comprehensive voyages in the region, providing access to the best variety of wildlife. Each day brings new species and new experiences. Snorkel with sea lion pups, marine iguanas, penguins and sea turtles. Explore the volcanic islands alongside giant tortoise and the flightless cormorant. Our local resource staff are second to none, and will introduce us to the history, flora and fauna of these unique islands through guided walking tours, Zodiac cruises and onboard lectures.

April 2013

Highlights • Visit historic Quito and the beautiful highlands of Ecuador • Daily opportunities to snorkel and many chances to kayak • Join expert-guided educational walks among the wildlife on the islands • View tortoises in the wild in the highlands of the Galápagos Islands • Have ample time to relax and enjoy the tropical weather • Observe wildlife close-up with plenty of time to photograph • Find new species each day as we visit a fantastic assortment of island ecosystems • Swim with penguins and sea lions • Birders will love the variety and volume of bird life 83


2012 Rates

All rates are in USD. Prices are cash/cheque discounted; please find credit card prices on the back cover.

Voyage

Arctic Safari

Epic High Arctic

Into the Out of the Northwest Passage Northwest Passage

Greenland & Wild Labrador

Newfoundland Circumnavigation

Dates

3

July 30 - Aug. 9, 2012 Clipper Adventurer $3,600 $4,645 $5,845

Aug. 9 - 19, 2012 Clipper Adventurer $4,045 $5,145 $6,245

Aug. 19 - Sept. 2, 2012 Clipper Adventurer $6,995 $8,395 $9,495

Sept. 2 -18, 2012 Clipper Adventurer $7,195 $8,995 $9,995

Sept. 18 - Oct. 1, 2012 Clipper Adventurer $3,995 $5,095 $6,195

Oct. 1 - 11, 2012 Clipper Adventurer $3,595 $4,395 $4,995

4

$6,345

$6,895

$10,495

$11,295

$6,795

$5,495

5

$7,845

$8,545

$12,195

$12,595

$8,495

$6,395

6

$8,645

$9,045

$13,195

$14,095

$8,995

$6,995

7 9

$8,945 $9,345 $9,745

$9,345 $9,945 $10,545

$14,195 $14,795 $15,595

$15,095 $15,695 $16,295

$9,295 $9,895 $10,495

$7,895 $8,495 $8,895

10

$10,545

$11,445

$16,195

$16,995

$11,395

$9,295

Vessel Category 1 2

8

$250

Discovery Fund Your Voyage Does Not Include: • • • • • • • • • •

84

Commercial & charter flights Mandatory medical / evacuation insurance Personal expenses Additional expenses in the event of delays or itinerary changes Discretionary gratuities to ship’s crew (approx. $12 - 14 per passenger per day) Visas, or inoculations, if required Physician’s fees confirming you are fit to travel Possible fuel surcharges Pre & Post Hotel Nights Optional excursions

Your Voyage Includes: • • • •

All entry & park fees Your complete itinerary Team of resource specialists Educational program and pre-departure materials • All shipboard meals • All Zodiac excursions • Service charges and port fees

Pay in Full Bonus!

Book and pay in full on any 2013 shipboard departure and guarantee no fuel surcharges.

Clothing packages are available Please call us for details!

We Love Bagpipers!

If you can play the bagpipes, bring them along and ask about our bagpiper’s rebate!

30 UNDER 30 SPECIAL!

Family is important! In order to promote multi-generational travel, we are offering a 30% discount to travellers under 30 years of age. Please call us for details!


2013 Rates

All rates are in USD. Prices are cash/cheque discounted; please find credit card prices on the back cover.

Scotland Slowly

Scotland to Greenland

Heart of the Arctic

Arctic Safari

Arctic Explorer

Into the Northwest Passage

June 2 - 12, 2013 Clipper Adventurer $3,995 $4,995 $5,995

June 12 - 24, 2013 Clipper Adventurer $2,995 $3,995 $4,595

June 24 - July 6, 2013 Clipper Adventurer $3,895 $4,995 $5,995

July 17 -27, 2013 Clipper Adventurer $3,995 $5,395 $6,495

July 27 - Aug. 6, 2013 Clipper Adventurer $3,995 $5,395 $6,495

Aug. 6 - 20, 2013 Clipper Adventurer $7,195 $8,795 $9,895

4

$6,595

$5,495

$6,795

$7,395

$7,395

$10,795

5

$7,995

$6,695

$7,995

$8,595

$8,595

$12,595

6

$8,995

$7,495

$8,995

$8,995

$8,995

$13,595

7 8 9

$9,595 $9,995 $10,495

$7,995 $8,495 $8,895

$9,695 $9,995 $10,495

$9,995 $10,595 $10,995

$9,995 $10,595 $10,995

$14,595 $15,195 $15,995

10

$11,395

$9,995

$10,995

$11,795

$11,795

$16,595

Voyage Dates Vessel Category 1 2 3

Discovery Fund

$250

Out of the Northwest Passage

Greenland & Wild Labrador

Newfoundland Circumnavigation

Aug. 20 - Sept. 5, 2013 Clipper Adventurer $7,595 $9,395 $10,295

Sept. 5- 18, 2013 Clipper Adventurer $3,995 $5,595 $6,695

Sept. 18 - 27, 2013 Clipper Adventurer $3,695 $4,495 $5,095

4

$11,695

$7,495

$5,695

5

$12,995

$8,995

$6,595

6

$14,395

$9,895

$7,095

7 8 9

$15,495 $15,995 $16,695

$10,495 $10,995 $11,495

$7,995 $8,595 $8,995

10

$17,595

$11,995

$9,395

Voyage Dates Vessel Category 1 2 3

Discovery Fund

$250

Sailing Solo?

Single travellers not requiring private accommodation on shipboard programs can be matched with another single traveller at no extra charge. Single-occupancy cabins are also available at 1.6 times the regular cost. Please call us for pricing & availability

Already booked a trip with someone else? No problem! We’ll cover your cancellation fees with a credit of up to $500 if you chose to travel with us instead. Call us for details! 85


About our Discovery Fund Each area we visit has rich cultural experiences and wild treasures to offer. As guests, we have made a point to source and support local projects in the areas through which we travel. A contribution from each passenger represents a portion of the money we donate to ensure the longevity and success of educational, environmental and cultural initiatives in these regions. In 2011 the following programs were supported: Amina Anthropological Resources Association, Amos Comenius Memorial School, Atlantic Whales.com, Avanersuaq Cultural Qaannaaq, Greenland, Blueprint for Life, Hobbema RCMP Cadet Program, Killinik School Foundation, Kugluktuk Association, MLC – making life count, National Inuit Youth Council, Northern Youth Abroad Living Works, Pulaarvik Kablu Spousal Abuse Counselling, Royal Canadian Geographical Society, Skills Canada, The Walrus Foundation, Woody Point Historical Theatre,Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention, Ottawa Children’s Centre, Project North, Torngat National Parks Clean-Up Project, Nova Scotia Archaeological Society, Students on Ice, Options Mississauga, Unikkausivut, ImagiNative, Riverside Public School, ITK.

A

dventure Canada is proud to announce our four-year partnership on an exciting project with the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) and the Inuit Relations Secretariat (IRS) of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC).

P

roject North consists of a group of Canadians committed to enhancing and improving the lives of children in Canada’s North. Project North’s goal is to galvanize Canadians from coast to coast to coast to look North, become more aware, and lend a hand to support children - our country’s greatest resources.

Both literacy and fitness are significant contributors to health, well-being, success and positive personal development in later life. As Arctic children and youth are the future stewards of their land, Project North aims to contribute to enhancing their educational opportunities and physical well-being in order to better equip them to meet the challenges facing them as adults. Adventure Canada is thrilled to be involved with Project North and has assisted in bringing the donated hockey equipment to these Arctic communities on our sailings each year. Please visit http://www.projectnorth.ca/gear-up/ to donate today!

The Inuit have a long and vibrant tradition of passing tales and legends down from one generation to the next using visual arts and storytelling. For over 70 years, the National Film Board of Canada has been documenting life in the Arctic, producing an impressive collection of more than 110 films by and about the Inuit—a unique and powerful portrait of Inuit life, past and present. The goal is to provide this unique collection for free, to Inuit as well as to all Canadians in Inuktitut, French and English. This past fall, the project reached the 53 Inuit communities of Canada and the Inuit in the urban centres with the launch of a DVD box set of 24 films. This historic NFB undertaking will ensure this collection is available online by 2015, making Unikkausivut a bold heritage initiative of unprecedented scope. With your support the Unikkausivut: Sharing Our Stories will provide all Canadians with the opportunity to discover the traditions, culture and values of the Inuit, who have shaped a part of Canada’s history and continue to shape contemporary Canadian society. Please contact us to learn how you can support this important initiative. Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada Inuit Relations Secretariat

86

Affaires autochtones et Développement du Nord Canada Secrétariat des relations avec les Inuit


Registration Form SELECT YOUR TRIP Trip: Category:

SELECT PREFERENCES Double

Single To Share

Please call to confirm availability before sending in completed registration form.

contact Us 905-271-4000 or 1-800-363-7566 I/We understand that pricing is cheque/cash discounted and in USD funds

Smoker Non-Smoker

I/We have read, signed & agreed to the Terms & Conditions.

Passenger 1 Full Name:

Title:

Address:

Street:

First:

I/We understand final payment is due 120 days before departure.

Passenger 2

Last:

Title:

First:

Last:

(as on passport)

Street:

City:

Prov/St:

City:

Prov/St:

Country:

Postcode:

Country:

Postcode:

Home: ( )

Work: ( )

E-mail: Telephone:

Home: ( )

Emergency Medical & Evacuation Insurance is mandatory for this program.

Work: ( )

I require emergency medical insurance

I require Cancellation and Interruption insurance, please get me a quote

Date of Birth: Passenger 1 DD/MMM/YY Date of Birth: Passenger 2 DD/MMM/YY

ie. 01/JAN/45

No, I do not require insurance, I will provide you with my policy information. Participant(s) Signatures: (indicates agreement to Release and Terms and Conditions )

Passenger 1

SIGNATURE REQUIRED

Passenger 2

SIGNATURE REQUIRED

Where did you first hear of this trip? Method of Payment for $1,000 USD deposit per person to hold space

VISA MASTERCARD Cheque Enclosed

Card Number:

Exp:

Signature:

Please send this completed and signed registration form with payment to: Adventure Canada 14 Front St. S., Mississauga, ON, L5H 2C4 or by fax: (905) 271-5595.

Please make cheques payable to Adventure Canada.

Release The undersigned hereby agrees with these terms and conditions and further agrees that Adventure Canada shall have no liability or responsibility whatsoever for damages to or loss of property, or injury which may be sustained by reason of, or while engaged on, any Adventure Canada tour, whether due to (i) Adventure Canada (AC), Eagle-Eye Tours (EE) ownership, maintenance, use, operation or control of any manner of conveyance used in carrying out the tour (including, without limitation, Zodiac embarkations involving descending gangway stairs with double handrails and stepping into the Zodiac from a small platform at water level); (ii) the use of transportation or other services of owners, operators, or public carriers for whom Adventure Canada acts only as agent; (iii) passenger’s lack of proper travel documentation (such as visas, passports, etc.); (iv) any act, omission or event occurring during the time that passengers are not aboard AC/ EE carriers or conveyances; or (v) any act of war, insurrection, revolt or other civil uprising or military action occurring in the countries of origin, destination or passage, or changes caused by sickness, weather, strike, quarantine or other causes beyond the control of AC/EE. The undersigned hereby waives any claim it may have against Adventure Canada for any such damage, loss or injury. The passenger understands and acknowledges the ticket in use by the carriers concerned (when issued) shall constitute the sole contract between the transportation companies and the purchaser of these tours and/or passage. Adventure Canada of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (Ontario Registration No. 0400 1400) acts only as agent for all services described herein. AC/EE and its sponsoring organizations do not assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for any claims, damages, expenses or other financial loss related to the operation of this tour. All legal questions and actions against Adventure Canada must be brought in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, and by its acceptance hereof the passenger waives any right to bring an action in any other forum. The passenger hereby certifies that he/she does not have a mental, physical or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other passengers. The passenger agrees to deliver the medical form provided by Adventure Canada, duly completed by the passenger’s certified physician, prior to departure. The undersigned passenger clearly understands that the liability of AC/EE is definitively limited as aforesaid. The undersigned passenger has carefully read the terms and conditions set out herein as well as the materials regarding the tour provided by AC/EE and is aware that such tour involves the risk of personal injury or death and damage or loss of property. In consideration of the benefits to be derived from participation in the tour, the undersigned voluntarily accepts all risk of personal injury or death and property damage or other loss arising from participation on the tour and hereby agrees that he/she and his/her dependents, heirs, executors and assigns, do release and hold harmless Adventure Canada and its employees, officers, directors, trustees and representatives from any and all claims, including claims of negligence, illness, personal injury, death or property damage or loss, however caused, arising from or related to this tour. The undersigned has read carefully this agreement, and will abide by the conditions set by AC/EE and in the terms and conditions hereof or elsewhere published. The undersigned affirms that he/she has not received or relied on any oral or written representation of Adventure Canada as a basis for executing this Release.

87


Adventure

Canada

A

C

Adventure

Canada

Adventure

Canada

14 Front St. S Mississauga, ON L5H 2C4 Tel: 905-271-4000 1-800-363-7566 www.adventurecanada.com info@adventurecanada.com

Release, Terms and Conditions Please read this important information carefully. The delivery by the passenger of the deposit together with a signed copy of this document to Adventure Canada shall constitute the passenger’s consent and agreement to all of the provisions contained herein. Please note that fuel surcharges may be levied to offset rising oil prices. Payment Schedule and Rates A deposit of $1,000 USD per passenger is required to reserve a position for a tour. The balance of payment for the tour must be received by Adventure Canada at least 120 days prior to the scheduled departure date. Adventure Canada will only issue pre-departure boarding documents to a passenger once it has received full payment together with all required documents duly completed by the passenger. Tour fees quoted are based on (i) prices in effect at the time of printing (March 2012) and as such are subject to change without notice prior to departure and (ii) group participation. Prices are cash/cheque discounted, and in US dollars. Credit Card pricing is as follows: 2012 Arctic Safari: C1 $3,744, C2 $4,831, C3 $6,079, C4 $6,599, C5 $8,159, C6 $8,991, C7 $9,303, C8 $9,719, C9 $10,135, C10 $10,967 – 2012 Epic High Arctic: C1 $4,207, C2 $5,350, C3 $6,495, C4 $7,171, C5 $8,887, C6 $9,407, C7 $9,719, C8 $10,343, C9 $10,967, C10 $11,903 – 2012 Into the Northwest Passage: C1 $7,275, C2 $8,731, C3 $9,875, C4 $10,915, C5 $12,683, C6 $13,723, C7 $14,763, C8 $15,387, C9 $16,219, C10 $16,843 – 2012 Out of the Northwest Passage: C1 $7,483, C2 $9,355, C3 $10,395, C4 $11,747, C5 $13,099, C6 $14,659, C7 $15,699, C8 $16,323, C9 $16,947, C10 $17,675 –2012 Greenland & Wild Labrador: C1 $4,155, C2 $5,299, C3 $6,443, C4 $7,067, C5 $8,835, C6 $9,355, C7 $9,667, C8 $10,291, C9 10,915, C10 $11,851 – 2012 Newfoundland Circumnavigation: C1 $3,739, C2 $4,571, C3 $5,195, C4 $5,715, C5 $6,651, C6 $7,275, C7 $8,211, C8 $8,835, C9 $9,251, C10 $9,667 -2013 Scotland Slowly: C1 $4,115, C2 $5,195, C3 $6,235, C4 $6,859, C5 $8,315, C6 $9,355, C7 $9,979, C8 $10,395, C9 $10,915, C10 $11,851 – 2013 Scotland to Greenland: C1 $3,115, C2 $4,155, C3 $4,779, C4 $5,715, C5 $6,963, C6 $7,795, C7 $8,315, C8 $8,835, C9 $9,251, C10 $10,395 –2013 Heart of the Arctic: C1 $4,051, C2 $5,195, C3 $6,235, C4 $7,067, C5 $8,315, C6 $9,335, C7 $10,083, C8 $10,395, C9 $10,915, C10 $11,435 –2013 Arctic Safari: C1 $4,155, C2 $5,611, C3 $6,755, C4 $7,691, C5 $8,939, C6 $9,355, C7 $10,395, C8 $11,019, C9 $11,435, C10 $12,267 – 2013 Arctic Explorer C1 $4,155, C2 $5,611, C3 $6,755, C4 $7,691, C5 $8,939, C6 $9,355, C7 $10,395, C8 $11,019, C9 $11,435, C10 $12,267 – 2013 Into the Northwest Passage: C1 $7,843, C2 $9,147, C3 $10,291, C4 $11,227, C5 $13,099, C6 $14,139, C7 $15,179, C8 $15,803, C9 $16,635, C10 $17,259 – 2013 Out of the Northwest Passage: C1 $7,899, C2 $9,771, C3 $10,707, C4 $12,163, C5 $13,515, C6 $14,971, C7 $16,115, C8 $16,635, C9 $17,363, C10 $18,299 –2013 Greenland & Wild Labrador: C1 $4,155, C2 $5,819, C3 $6,963, C4 $7,795, C5 $9,355, C6 $10,291, C7 $10,915, C8 $11,435, C9 11,955, C10 $12,475 – 2013 Newfoundland Circumnavigation: C1 $3,843, C2 $4,675, C3 $5,299, C4 $5,923, C5 $6,859, C6 $7,379, C7 $8,315, C8 $8,939, C9 $9,355, C10 $9,771. For wire transfers, passengers should note that the transferring financial institution may charge a service fee, which shall be at the passenger’s expense. Returned cheques, credit card changes and refunds are subject to a $25 USD fee. Adventure Canada is a member in good standing of the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (“TICO”) which administers the Ontario Travel Compensation Fund, a fund established by registered travel agents and travel wholesalers in Ontario to insure payments such as those made to Adventure Canada in connection herewith. For more information on TICO, visit www.tico.on.ca Cancellations and Refunds All requests for cancellations must be received in writing. Upon Adventure Canada receiving a written notice of cancellation at least 120 days prior to the scheduled date of departure, the passenger shall receive a full refund of its tour fees, less an administrative penalty of $500 per person. If a written notice of cancellation is received by Adventure Canada between 91 and 120 days prior to the scheduled date of departure, the passenger shall receive a refund of 35% of its tour fees. Please note that within the 90-day limit, all fees, deposits and tariffs received by Adventure Canada are forfeited. For these and other reasons mentioned below, passengers are strongly advised to obtain trip cancellation insurance. No refunds shall be made to passengers who do not participate in any part of, or otherwise do not complete, the tour for any reason whatsoever.

Delays In the event of a delay, passengers will be responsible for all costs and expenses associated therewith, including, without limitation, any additional food, lodging or transportation costs resulting from such delay. We recommend you purchase refundable air tickets. Baggage Baggage is solely at the passenger’s risk and expense. Baggage is limited to a maximum weight of 20 KG in most cases. Also, airline luggage allowance is typically two pieces per passenger and one piece of carry-on luggage, subject to weight restrictions, but please check with your airline for current standards. Excess baggage is not permitted on charter flights. Any excess baggage charges for commercial flights are the responsibility of the passenger. Land-Based Group Size and Trip Costs In keeping with our philosophy of small group travel, most of our land based programs operate with 10 - 30 participants. If we do not get the required number of people and cancel a tour, you will be notified as soon as possible. In the event of a cancellation, all deposits and tariffs paid will be returned to the passenger in full with no further obligation on the part of Adventure Canada (AC), Eagle-Eye Tours (EE), and The Human Nature Company (HNC). Single rooms, if available, will be provided on request for an additional fee as outlined in program literature. For participants travelling alone, but wishing to share, AC will arrange for a room if possible. If a roommate is not available, a single supplement will be charged. Insurance Due to the nature of the tour in which the passenger will be participating, passengers must have in place prior to departure comprehensive insurance coverage including without limitation medical, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation and interruption, accident and baggage insurance. Emergency medical and evacuation coverage is mandatory for trip participation and policy documentation will be required. Any losses sustained by the undersigned passenger as a result of its failing to obtain proper insurance coverage shall be the sole responsibility of the passenger. For full coverage passengers are recommended to obtain insurance at the time of deposit. Images and Privacy On these trips we take many photos, some of which we use for promotional purposes. If you would not like photos which include you to be used, please let us know in advance. We may also celebrate your birthday onboard, let us know if you would like to abstain. Itinerary The itineraries/programs described are subject to change at the discretion of the ship’s master. These are expeditions to remote parts of the world. AC, reserves the exclusive right, in its sole discretion, to alter or omit any part of the itinerary or change any reservation, staff member, feature and/or means of conveyance without notice and for any reason whatsoever including but not limited to weather conditions, availability of anchorages, force majeure, political conditions and other factors beyond our control and without allowance or refund and with any and all extra costs resulting there from paid by the passengers. AC, expressly reserves the right to cancel, without prior notice to the passengers, any tour prior to departure, in which case tour fees will be refunded without further obligation on the part of AC, including, but not limited to the payment of interest accrued thereon. Decisions to alter the itinerary/program as aforesaid shall be made in the best interest of all passengers aboard the vessel. AC, expressly reserves the right in its sole discretion to cancel the reservation of, or remove from the tour, any passenger at any time. Additional Documentation Adventure Canada is a sub-charterer of the Clipper Adventure. Adventure Canada’s registration servers as the Passage Contract Ticket, which is the standard passenger contract and liability waiver of the vessels mentioned herein. Passengers are encouraged to read this document upon receipt. In accepting this Passage Contract Ticket, passengers agree to be bound by its terms and conditions.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.