It's time to get serious.
I have been checking out the route and adding up the kilometres. Before calculating in any detours or back-paddling to avoid huge whales the kilometre total still stands at approximately 450km.
I have been looking into interesting variations on the route and emergency contingency plans should the weather or ice demand them. The most interesting variation is a portage of 3km (multiplied by the number of times I walk it!) to get from one fjord into another. I can pack the Kodiak into a large backpack and carry it overland to put in at a hunter's cabin opposite two huge glaciers. Jane and I visited this area a few years ago and walked the portage route. We didn't carry anything though. Jean-Luc Grossmann and his team portaged it on their 2007 expedition. I saw them off from Uummannaq that summer and wished I was going with them - this summer I will follow at least part of their paddle wake!
Jean-Luc's expedition comprised 4 guys in hardshell boats, paddling 600km over 45 days. I will be one guy, one folding boat and about 450km in about 30 days. I just hope I can take pictures at least half as good as Jean-Luc's!
Back to the drawing board ... I am also confident that I can get on the water at midnight on the 22nd June. Leaving Uummannaq and paddling an easy 8km over to Stor Øen. When I was reading a lot of desert literature in my late teens I came across a passage describing how nomads began long journeys by travelling just a very short distance the first night. In the event that they forgot anything when they struck camp, they could easily return for it. Whereas I don't intend to forget anything, I really like the camp on Stor Øen! Good memories of summer trips.
I will then paddle on to Umanatsiaq on Ikerasak island and then on, and on and on ...
Exciting stuff Chris! Am looking forward to seeing how much gear you have to take with you (and portage, if required). Will you take a sled set up to drag gear along the ice if need be?
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