Alex's Arctic Panorama

Alex made this amazing panorama:

Click on this link to see the panorama in full screen mode when you click on it.

The Midnight Sun

Judith dragged me kicking and screaming from a warm bed,
but it was good (in the end).

On the night of June 20th, we got up in the 'night' to see the midnight sun.  The time at which the Sun actually hits due north was not midnight, however, because of daylight savings time plus the fact that Eagle Plains is fairly far west in the pacific time zone.  Consequently, the sun is due north at about 2:07 AM.  We were concerned first of all that we wouldn't see anything because of surrounding hills and secondly an unobscured sun would not show up on my little camera very well.  We had nothing to fear on both counts though -- what an amazing sight!!  Richard will add some comments about his efforts to be certain as to where true north actually was, but in the series of pictures below, it's just to the left of the little sharp peak.  The photos were taken between about 2:05 and 2:20 AM.

So what amazed me without some thought is that at the solstice the sun rises and sets together at true north.
I came running out with my compass to find the midnight sun about 20 degrees west of magnetic north.
After some thought all was well since the local declination is about 23 degrees (theoretician's error) east of true north.
This was truly a sight to remember for the `bucket list'.  

The Arctic Circle!

Eagle Plains is 32 km south of the Arctic Circle.  We immediately set out for this amazing location.  I love the following picture because it was taken (to within the minute) at 4:09 p.m. EDT (23:09 UT) on June 20 -- exactly the solstice!

Here's Richard pointing out a rather substantial bullet hole in the sign!

The next sequence of images is meant to be a panorama but since we don't actually know how to do it, so pretend that you're slowly moving your head around 360 degrees, and you'll get a feel for the terrain.

Dempster Highway to Eagle Plains

An imposing beginning.  The road is even paved for the first few km just to draw you in.   It is 372 km of wilderness and wildlife on gravel road from the beginning of the highway to Eagle Plains, our destination for lodging.

They warn you about the dust. Complete dirt-out when a semi crosses
your path. Pity the motorcyclists and the (idiot) cyclists.

Tombstone national park is about 80 km into the drive.

This is in Tombstone national park. Broad valleys surrounded by friendly  mountains

The snow is now BELOW us!

Lunch beside a stream of pure cold water.

Lunch by river holding desperately to the chip bag.

Friendly Mountain near river.

Miserable excuse for a tree. Black Spruce.

Close-up of Labrador tea that we had at the tombstone visitors centre.
Very good.

The meadows are full of Labrador Tea. It looks like snow
in the meadow. 

Nameless decaying mountain.

Red creek with red snow. Seems to be iron in the vicinity.

Into the dry decaying mountains.

The road goes ever on and on.

Self -explanatory. See pop.

We were there.

Arrival at Eagle plains lodge. Travelling under cover of dirt.