BAFFIN- Climbing/Skiing Trip report w/ pics

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Messages 1 - 127 of total 127 in this topic
DaveT.

Big Wall climber
southeast face portaledge
Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 8, 2009 - 04:23pm PT
Hey Friends,

EDIT 3/29/2014-

It seems that the photos from this trip report have disappeared, so I have reposted this photo trip report on my website. You can find it here-

http://sierraparagliding.com/baffin-island-solo-expedition-2009/
Lambone

Ice climber
Ashland, Or
Jul 8, 2009 - 04:29pm PT
SICK TR!
Norwegian

Trad climber
Placerville, California
Jul 8, 2009 - 04:34pm PT
those who say that the world is round,
aren't looking close enough.

way to celebrate the irregularites dave.
Studly

Trad climber
WA
Jul 8, 2009 - 04:38pm PT
Whoa, great TR! The Walker Citadel looks intense. Polar bears and Baffin Babes, good memories.
FrankZappa

Trad climber
80' from the Hankster
Jul 8, 2009 - 04:43pm PT
Awesome. Did you ski any of the big couloirs??
jewedlaw

Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
Jul 8, 2009 - 04:44pm PT
You are making me cry in my office.... bwahhh I want to go!!
the Fet

Supercaliyosemistic climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
Jul 8, 2009 - 04:46pm PT
Best thread ever.

Edit: after the 2nd time reading it. Best Frickin' Thread Ever!
jahil

Social climber
Does this rock make my ass look fat?
Jul 8, 2009 - 04:51pm PT
wow thats some sick TR.

steve
Brian in SLC

Social climber
Salt Lake City, UT
Jul 8, 2009 - 04:52pm PT
Friggin' awesome, Dave!

Baffin' Babes, Bears, Boo ya!

Sounds like a great trip.

-Brian in SLC
ps: a 303 for a polar bear? Really? Better'n nothin'...
Charlie D.

Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
Jul 8, 2009 - 04:55pm PT
OMG Dave you just lifted me up miles from a low orbit, thanks for sharing!!!
survival

Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
Jul 8, 2009 - 04:56pm PT
Beautiful Beautiful beautiful beautiful!!!

Thanks for sharing man, great pictures, and quite an adventure!
matty

climber
po-dunk
Jul 8, 2009 - 05:03pm PT
Bad Ass!!! GoDAVE
Ghost

climber
A long way from where I started
Jul 8, 2009 - 05:04pm PT
The thing that bothered me most when I was up there was the thought of becoming a midnight snack. What good is a rifle if you're asleep?

My solution was 10mg of Valium at bedtime, but I've always wondered why people who camp on the fjords don't get eat eaten while they sleep.

Did that bother you at all? Skiing home through the bear tracks to your little nylon shelter and then having to close your eyes and go to sleep?

David
micronut

Trad climber
fresno, ca
Jul 8, 2009 - 05:07pm PT
Unbelievable Trip man! Thanks for the report. You are the epitome of "Gittn' after it."

I sharpened up a couple of your shots to give them some zing.

Thought you might like 'em. Maybe not.
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
Jul 8, 2009 - 05:15pm PT
Dave,

Can't thank you enough for sharing that trip report with us.

Just awesome!

thx!!!
Munge

bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
Jul 8, 2009 - 05:24pm PT
Wow!!!

I'm in awe.....f*#king gorgeous!!!!!


Oh yeah, iwas wondering if you took a rifle, my first thought was this guy's crazy to go solo out there without a rifle.

I'm sure you were glad you had it.
micronut

Trad climber
fresno, ca
Jul 8, 2009 - 05:31pm PT
I love the name Odd Roar Wiik. Just thought I'd mention that. Possibly the coolest name ever. Like something from Beowulf.
Ottawa Doug

Social climber
Ottawa, Canada
Jul 8, 2009 - 05:37pm PT
Hey Dave,

Thanks for posting up the report of your awesome trip. I know that 'being there' is always better than a picture, but your pics are so out of this world that 'being there' must have been mind-blowing. Kite skiing, seal holes, base jumpers, polar bears and last, but not least - THE BAFFIN BABES! What a rockin' trip!


Cheers,

Doug
Peter Haan

Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
Jul 8, 2009 - 05:37pm PT
This TR is almost a book. It is so wonderful. This edit of your Walker Citadel is even better:

poop_tube

Big Wall climber
33° 45' N 117° 52' W
Jul 8, 2009 - 05:41pm PT
These pics are so friggin sick!

Thanks for sharing with us.

Cheers!

Kia
TKingsbury

Trad climber
MT
Jul 8, 2009 - 05:41pm PT
Very, very enjoyable read and photos.

Wow, really good.

Like some sort of surreal frozen dream spun into a reality here in front of my screen...

thank you for sharing your adventures

Cheers!

TK
klk

Trad climber
cali
Jul 8, 2009 - 05:42pm PT
great trip, wonderful pix.

glad to see aac supporting worthwhile tours.
poop*ghost

Trad climber
Denver, CO
Jul 8, 2009 - 05:49pm PT
Wow Dave. You went big bro!! Very nice TR... probably the best I've ever seen.
F10

Trad climber
e350
Jul 8, 2009 - 06:04pm PT

Holy sh!t dude
goatboy smellz

climber
लघिमा, co
Jul 8, 2009 - 06:33pm PT
What a beautiful adventure, thanks for sharing your trip with us!
'Pass the Pitons' Pete

Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
Jul 8, 2009 - 06:59pm PT
Superb photo trip report, and what an amazing adventure, Dave! Sorry I missed you at the Bridge this spring, but see you in the fall, eh?

Man - it really takes some kinda sick/crazy heart of passion to want to go on so long an adventure by yourself in such cold. I might be from Canada, but I'm like the penguin that hated the cold. I'm sure I'd bail from such cold conditions, so I really admire you, Dave, for sticking it out and finally managing to climb something, despite your frostbitten toes.

Thanks for Matt for posting, it must have taken you hours.

Cheers and nice warm beers out of my haulbag on sunny El Cap,
Pete
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
Jul 8, 2009 - 07:00pm PT
Dang! now that's some cool adventure.
yo

climber
a tied-off Tomahawk™
Jul 8, 2009 - 07:11pm PT
Two of the Baffin Babes™ are expecting.
micronut

Trad climber
fresno, ca
Jul 8, 2009 - 07:27pm PT
Baffin Babes.com rocks!
Lambone

Ice climber
Ashland, Or
Jul 8, 2009 - 07:31pm PT
Thanks for Matt for posting, it must have taken you hours.

bout an hour, no big deal. one of these days Dave will figure this sh#t out for himself but until then, I'm happy to help. He's got better things to do and is probly out climbing while I'm at the office desk.
micronut

Trad climber
fresno, ca
Jul 8, 2009 - 07:47pm PT
Not to Hijack Dave's killer thread.....but.....More from Baffin Babes.com!

erratic rock patagonia

Ice climber
Puerto Natales, Chile
Jul 8, 2009 - 08:08pm PT
That seal just looks like another street dog from Puerto Natales...!

Now stop messing around and come back to work!

You're livin' it man!
R-
Nohea

Trad climber
Aiea,Hi
Jul 8, 2009 - 09:14pm PT
Great photo selection. Thank you for sharing an incredible experience.

Now I am going over to Baffin babes website.

Aloha,
wil
roy

Social climber
New Zealand -> Santa Barbara
Jul 8, 2009 - 09:25pm PT
Excellent trip report! That looks like a lot of fun.

Cheers, Roy
'Pass the Pitons' Pete

Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
Jul 8, 2009 - 09:48pm PT
Dave - I forgot to ask. But how the heck did you catch that seal?? Too funny!
Porkchop_express

Trad climber
the base of the Shawangunk Ridge
Jul 8, 2009 - 10:46pm PT
that was outstanding. super inspirational! I was actually wondering the same about the seal! Wonderful photos too. What sort of camera were you using?

Steve
Peter Haan

Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
Jul 8, 2009 - 11:05pm PT


Regan

Big Wall climber
Jul 9, 2009 - 01:35am PT
Hi Dave, Awesome trip, awesome TR and pictures
Thanks
Jan

Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
Jul 9, 2009 - 01:46am PT
Thank you so much! Absolutely amazing.

I hope you do some slide shows to share this incredible adventure with more people.

As I sit in hot, sweaty, over crowded Japan, it is restorative to know there are people and places like that. The next time I'm in a traffic jam, I'm going to think of your photos and chill out!
mucci

Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
Jul 9, 2009 - 01:56am PT
Unbelievable! Surreal comes to mind. I can not even fathom spending 2+ months out there even with the Baffin Babes! Good show and way to go, you just inspired many with your determination!

SWEET!

John Moosie

climber
Beautiful California
Jul 9, 2009 - 02:04am PT
Wow Wow Wow

Beautiful pictures. Thanks so much for sharing this. What an awesome psych.
Lambone

Ice climber
Ashland, Or
Jul 9, 2009 - 03:17am PT
Hey Dave, what's in the little green bag next to your rack?

:-)
Les

Trad climber
Bahston
Jul 9, 2009 - 08:07am PT
Quite possibly the best TR I've ever seen. Thanks for the stoke!

Re: the Baffin Babes, I had this Monty Python-esque image of Lancelot being "rescued" from the castle full of babes in The Holy Grail! hahaha! Dude, your karma had to have been WAY on the positive side on this trip!!!
Maysho

climber
Truckee, CA
Jul 9, 2009 - 08:42am PT
Great Report, thanks!

We used to joke, sitting in an East side hotsprings, "now would be a good time for the swedish womens nordic ski team to stop by" and for you they did!

Peter
Tarbuster

climber
right here, right now
Jul 9, 2009 - 09:21am PT
Absofockin'lutely the coolest TR !!!!
Fantastical architecture up there.
Ezra

Social climber
WA, NC, Idaho Falls
Jul 9, 2009 - 09:44am PT
Holy shite batman!
bump for the real deal!
Wow! you could prolly publish this thing!
-e
Paulina

Trad climber
Jul 9, 2009 - 09:46am PT
Just wow.
survival

Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
Jul 9, 2009 - 09:56am PT
Dave,

Your TR represents the quality of stuff that we wish we could have on Supertopo all the time. If we did, there wouldn't be so much nonsense off topic stuff dominating some...weeks.

This makes my sorry trip report look....well, sorry!!

Too bad so many of us are over-the-hill-job-family-broke!! If we weren't, a few more of us would be putting up the real thing too. (You'll be in the has been club someday, HA!)

Since you have so many photos, may I suggest a part two and a part three? They may not get as much attention as part one, but we'll certainly be looking.

Thanks again for putting up the real thing!
Bruce
ontos

Trad climber
Washington DC
Jul 9, 2009 - 10:09am PT
This is great stuff. This is why I hang around the taco!
MisterE

Trad climber
One Step Beyond!
Jul 9, 2009 - 10:23am PT
Absolutely stunning pictures and a mind-blowing TR.

Puts that BURT BRONSON character to shame. :)
Chris McNamara

SuperTopo staff member
Jul 9, 2009 - 11:07am PT
Great trip report, Dave! Baffin is still my favorite trip. Everyone should get there while there is still sea ice in June!
FeelioBabar

climber
Sneaking up behind you...
Jul 9, 2009 - 11:10am PT
Proper! Strong work Dave!
'Pass the Pitons' Pete

Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
Jul 9, 2009 - 12:38pm PT
OK, another question - what's with all this cold weather climbing? Why can't you go there in July and August, when it's nice and warm, and you get 24 hours of useable daylight? You know, it's WARM?? Pleasant? You don't have to melt freakin' snow just to make a coffee?

Or do the walls disintegrate when the ice holding them together melts? I don't get why you have to go in the winter. Sheesh.

Brrrrr....
poop*ghost

Trad climber
Denver, CO
Jul 9, 2009 - 12:49pm PT
pete, I think the sea ice that they are camping on in long gone by then.
'Pass the Pitons' Pete

Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
Jul 9, 2009 - 01:00pm PT
I know - that's the IDEA. Is there anything wrong with using a frickin' BOAT? That's how we climb in southern Ontario, you know. Take the boat to the crag. Very civilized. Have a swim along the way. A beer in a cooler, not one you have to thaw. [That's "unthaw" to you Merricans]

Or is there not a single flat area on the shore to camp on in the summer? Sounds unlikely.
Ghost

climber
A long way from where I started
Jul 9, 2009 - 01:02pm PT
pete, I think the sea ice that they are camping on in long gone by then.

Yup. And kite-skiing is way harder once there's only water to ski on.

More serious, though, is that the period between solid snow/ice cover and open water can last a long time, during which travel becomes impossible. And there's no way to know in advance when breakup will start, and when (or even if) there will be open water. If you plan your trip for July you may never get to your objective.
Lambone

Ice climber
Ashland, Or
Jul 9, 2009 - 01:39pm PT
Plus the summer is the wet season I hear.
altieboo

Boulder climber
Livermore, Ca
Jul 9, 2009 - 02:42pm PT
Holy crap, now THATS a trip report! Thats the best 35 mins I've wasted at work by far!
TKingsbury

Trad climber
MT
Jul 9, 2009 - 06:15pm PT
Read it a 3rd time now...gotta bump it cause...


Mungeclimber

Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
Jul 9, 2009 - 06:44pm PT
what's the open water season like? like how long?

Ghost

climber
A long way from where I started
Jul 9, 2009 - 07:32pm PT
what's the open water season like? like how long?

When I was going up there in the late 70s and early 80s that question had no answer. Well, other than "open water season lasts from whenever you can finally get a boat to where you want to go until you can't. Some years there really was no open water season.

But that was back in the ice age. So to speak. Plenty of reports now indicate that actic ice is going earlier and coming back later than it used to.

'Pass the Pitons' Pete

Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
Jul 9, 2009 - 07:35pm PT
Well, perhaps that explains it. Here in Ontario in cottage country, if you have a cottage on an island, there is the period during ice-in at fall, or ice-out in spring, where you can neither boat nor ski/walk/sled to your cottage. Perhaps that is a frequent summertime phenomenon? Anyone know?

You need to get a helicopter like those North Face dudes, who went way farther north in July, and had warm weather.
James

climber
My twin brother's laundry room
Jul 9, 2009 - 07:37pm PT
now if you could only stay out of trouble in the meadows...let's hang again soon Bobo!
graham

Social climber
Ventura, California
Jul 9, 2009 - 10:41pm PT
Awesome TR man!

Those photos looked surreal.

What’s the next great adventure Dave?
sunshinedaydream

Trad climber
the big granite bubble
Jul 9, 2009 - 10:43pm PT
Ummm... Are you allowed to just pick up the seals like that? Don't let the squirrel killer see that picture he'll get jealous!

Glad your back in the park, see ya soon!

Jess
Mighty Hiker

Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Jul 9, 2009 - 10:47pm PT
A fantastic adventure, and report - thank you!

If you happen to feel like doing a presentation on it, or your sponsors think it a good idea, you should consider doing one at next February's Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival (http://www.vimff.org/pages2.asp?portalid=2&pageid=22&news=8¤tpage=1); It would be welcomed.
smith curry

climber
nashville,TN
Jul 9, 2009 - 11:16pm PT
HELLYEAH!!!! I'm crying here in 95 degree Tennessee!
Fluoride

Trad climber
Hollywood, CA
Jul 10, 2009 - 12:14am PT
Holy crap Dave!! That was the MOTHER of ALL trip reports. You always manage to outdo yourself.

You have the best adventures and your successes are so well deserved. Congrats in every way and thanks so much for sharing this with us.

That place looks unbelievable. Cold as hell...but unbelievable.

Cheers Bobo. Such good stuff.
ryankelly

Trad climber
calistoga, ca
Jul 10, 2009 - 03:20am PT
DaDaDa Dave!!!!!!!!!

So sick!!!

Thank you for sharing the photos and write up.

Muchas gracias muchacho!

See you out there!

S.Powers

Social climber
Jtree, now in Alaska
Jul 10, 2009 - 07:07am PT
post bump to a great man, and to get rid of Onyx the A-hole.

And a badass TR
GOclimb

Trad climber
Boston, MA
Jul 10, 2009 - 02:42pm PT
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing!

GO
crøtch

climber
Jul 10, 2009 - 02:52pm PT
Superb pictures, solitary suffering, Baffin Babes, polar bears, enormous granite monoliths, kites, and climbing. What more could you ask for. Kick Ass™
S.Leeper

Sport climber
Austin, Texas
Jul 10, 2009 - 07:19pm PT
What a great adventure. Loved the picture of the seal. yeah, where next?
Russ Walling

Gym climber
Poofter's Froth, Wyoming
Jul 10, 2009 - 07:23pm PT
Dave.... lotta BS blown around this place, but you sir, *really* are the MAN!
fareastclimber

climber
Hong Kong & Wales
Jul 10, 2009 - 07:26pm PT
Yeah yeah yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mighty Hiker

Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Jul 10, 2009 - 07:27pm PT
There was an article in our paper today on diminishing fjord ice on the west coast of Kalaallit Nunaat (aka Greenland), just across Baffin Bay from the east coast of Baffin Island.

http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Climate+change+alters+lives+Arctic/1777959/story.html
hollyclimber

Big Wall climber
Yosemite, CA
Jul 10, 2009 - 08:07pm PT
Yeah Dave! Awesome trip report, glad that you came home safe and sound and nice accomplishments. Really good writing. Hope to see you at the bridge sometime soon.

Holly
Manley

Trad climber
Kentucky, living in St. Louis
Jul 11, 2009 - 04:29pm PT
YEAH Dave! Killer and an excellent trip report and photos- so good to hear you are still pushing it...

Hoping to make it to the Valley this fall- hope to see ya around-
Manley
elcap-pics

climber
Crestline CA
Jul 11, 2009 - 04:40pm PT
Nice stuff Dave!!
Chiloe

Trad climber
Lee, NH
Jul 11, 2009 - 05:23pm PT
I had to set aside time to read that, turned out to be well worthwhile. That's adventure climbing, sure enough.

Puts into perspective all those TRs we write about popular cliffs not far from the road.
Lambone

Ice climber
Ashland, Or
Jul 12, 2009 - 03:38am PT
bump^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
piquaclimber

Trad climber
Durango
Jul 12, 2009 - 09:28am PT
Dave,

Fantastic stuff!
Your adventures are incredible. I think if Shacklton had had a crew of folks like you, they would have swum back.
Bravo!

Thanks so much for sharing it with us here at the taco!
Brad
Captain...or Skully

Social climber
way, WAY out there....(OMG)
Jul 12, 2009 - 09:32am PT
Good stuff!

How's your toes?
crossman04

Trad climber
san diego, ca
Jul 12, 2009 - 11:25am PT
that was absolutely amazing. If I ever get to go there to climb I hope I can come close to what you put in this TR.
Roman

Trad climber
Boston
Jul 12, 2009 - 11:53am PT
Absolutely incredible and inspirational!
Ed Hartouni

Trad climber
Livermore, CA
Jul 12, 2009 - 08:39pm PT
thanks for giving us that utterly fantastic view of your amazing adventure
wonderful
Mimi

climber
Jul 12, 2009 - 08:53pm PT
Superlative, Dave! Wow and thanks for posting!
alik

Big Wall climber
edmonton
Jul 13, 2009 - 11:27am PT
sick Bobo. What an amazing adventure. All the best.
-Alik
Fluoride

Trad climber
Hollywood, CA
Jul 13, 2009 - 12:01pm PT
BUMP to keep this greatness on the front page.
the Fet

Supercaliyosemistic climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
Jul 13, 2009 - 02:12pm PT
Bump.

Everyone who appreciates good trip reports and wants to keep climbing topics on the first page of the forum should be commenting on this thread.
DaveT.

Big Wall climber
southeast face portaledge
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 13, 2009 - 02:51pm PT
A lot of people are asking the same obvious question here- Why not go in summer? When the sea ice is gone, and temps are higher?

Well, it isn't that simple of a question to answer. But there are a few key things to remember when planning to go there-

*The weather is more stable and with less precip while the fiord and sea ice is still around.

*Transport over the frozen fiords is much easier, cheaper, and a whole heck of a lot easier to set up- logistically speaking.

*Many of the walls drop directly into the sea, making approaching them kind of complicated with a boat or kayak.

*You can use skis (or snowmobiles) to get around once there.

*BASE jumpers get something flat and featureless to land on.

*Kite skiing and dogsledding are possible.

*If you do get precip, it comes as snow, not rain, so you will stay drier.



OK, though. There are a few obvious downsides as well-
*Cold temps, hard to free climb before end of May.

Well, I guess that that is the only downside! Can't really think of any other big reason why summer is better than spring, I guess it really does just come down to being able to free climb in decent temps.
Karl Baba

Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
Jul 13, 2009 - 02:53pm PT
If the universe subjects me to reincarnation repeatedly on this planet, I'll look forward to visiting this place under more cush conditions

Thanks for the images and report!

peace

Karl
E.

climber
Jul 16, 2009 - 09:39am PT
Wow.

Really.

Ella
Jordan Ramey

Big Wall climber
South Pasadena, CA
Jul 18, 2009 - 10:11pm PT
Absolutely RAD!
Cosmin

Big Wall climber
Europe/China
Jul 22, 2009 - 05:51am PT
Super!
C
RobRebel

Trad climber
boulder, co
Jul 22, 2009 - 12:05pm PT
WOW! thanks for sharing! adventure at its finest. :)
Jim E

climber
away
Jul 22, 2009 - 04:30pm PT
bump for a true adventure. Awesome!
TLloyd-Davies

Trad climber
Santa Clara, ca
Jul 22, 2009 - 05:17pm PT
Thanks for the bump, I had missed this!

Amazing trip, looks like such a surreal big-wall wonderland.
Echo

Trad climber
San Diego, CA.
Jul 30, 2009 - 12:17am PT
Absolutely stunning read and photography! Its great to see that while most of us are stuck in society working, there is someone who is still out there living the dream! Dave, you are a complete inspiration and its a joy to read of your adventures.

Cheers,
Jonas
Alpinista55

Mountain climber
Portland, OR
Jul 30, 2009 - 01:45pm PT
Outstanding! I've never been much of a soloist myself, but now I know how they overcome the days of uninterrupted solitude. With BAFFIN BABES!

A seriously great tale, awesome photos, and a pleasure to read. Thanks for sharing!
NeverSurfaced

Trad climber
Someplace F*#ked!
Jul 30, 2009 - 08:09pm PT
Hey Dave, found this at the Japanese Camp - I think it might be yours:

Stop by Baguales next time you're in town, I'll buy you a beer!

Chad
Blakeb

Gym climber
Arafel
Jul 31, 2009 - 04:25pm PT
Sick TR dave, you are the man and i am very jealous. Awesome that your psych never dies and you are always getting after it! Hope to see ya soon,
peace blake
cleo

Social climber
Berkeley, CA
Aug 2, 2009 - 04:44pm PT
wow - loved the trip report - keep it up, and thank you!
the Fet

Supercaliyosemistic climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
Aug 7, 2009 - 01:09pm PT
Fletcher

Trad climber
Shivasana
Aug 15, 2009 - 01:42am PT
Bump for an all time great TR... beyond classification!

Eric
johntp

Trad climber
socal
Aug 15, 2009 - 01:59am PT
Thanks.
Keeper of Australia Mt

Trad climber
Whitehorse, Yukon , Canada
Aug 15, 2009 - 05:33pm PT
Good on ya! Keep it going! This is what life is all about. Just got back from Iqaluit and a short business meeting and the good stuff was on my mind to be sure. There is lots of small practice stuff - boulders and some single pitch slabs around the town - out in the Silvia Grinnell park - it was an awesome day and it reminded me of a good time on North Baffin in 1975 (long before I got into climbing). Apparently a couple of routes have been put in and kids have been seen heading out with crash pads and shoes. In awhile we could have Inuk youth putting up new routes on the big walls!

For the bears at night - carve up a piece of char or seal and embed as much Ex-Slax as you can in it. Stick it out where it is obvious. You will sleep well as if it gets consumed, the bear will be moving too fast with butt to the ground to ever consider gnawing on yer bones. Another option is the Father Mary approach from Nunguvik on Navy Board Inlet - a turnpike area for bears. He set up a trip wire all around his tent with it attached to a push button alarm clark. The bear trips the wire and then the clock and you know who is coming for dinner!
Would deal with all of them except those on tippy-toes!

Back up would be an RCMP taser for a close encounter of a gastronomical kind should the other two options be overrated. The Mounties have put have a few dudes into the land of angels recently so I doubt the bears would stand a chance of munching you up. Bear meat is edible so there is a value added component to the result - just don't don't eat the liver as you definitely would join the angels at Camp 5.

Thanks for the great report.
OlympicMtnBoy

climber
Seattle
Aug 15, 2009 - 08:42pm PT
Awesome TR Dave, I hope to get out there one of these days, maybe after I get back to Kyrgyzstan. Thanks for some added big trip psyche!
Haliku

Mountain climber
Denver, Co
Oct 25, 2009 - 11:09am PT
Wow! That just doesn't say it...not sure if any words will express what I feel. I do hope you are doing slide show presentations of this expedition? Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
sweet*c

Sport climber
chile, region metropolitana
Feb 12, 2010 - 02:57pm PT
AMAZING TRIP!
Congrats
C
gumbyKing

Trad climber
Vancouver, BC
Feb 12, 2010 - 04:25pm PT
Amazing.
Dirka

Trad climber
SF
Feb 12, 2010 - 04:42pm PT
I love this TR.
sweet*c

Sport climber
chile, region metropolitana
Mar 5, 2010 - 08:51pm PT
AMAZING JOURNEY!!!
Great pics!!!!
powderdan

Social climber
mammoth lakes
Mar 6, 2010 - 12:12am PT
you are so the man!!!!!!!!!
John Moosie

climber
Beautiful California
Mar 6, 2010 - 12:31am PT
This is absolutely one of my favorite trip reports.
willie!!!!!

Trad climber
99827
Mar 12, 2010 - 05:06pm PT
Bumped for Coz.
DaveT.

Big Wall climber
Mammoth Lakes
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 29, 2014 - 07:24pm PT
The photos from this thread have disappeared, so now you can find this trip report on my website-

http://sierraparagliding.com/baffin-island-solo-expedition-2009/
overwatch

climber
Mar 29, 2014 - 08:36pm PT
Incredibly cool! Thanks for the report
overwatch

climber
Mar 31, 2014 - 04:56pm PT
A bump to dump more junk off the front page
Sanskara

climber
Mar 31, 2014 - 05:08pm PT
That looked like a terrible time ;)
skcreidc

Social climber
SD, CA
Mar 31, 2014 - 05:13pm PT
Wow, what an adventure! And you answered my polar bear question about 2/3's the way through the TR. Thanks for posting.
DaveT.

Big Wall climber
Mammoth Lakes
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 1, 2014 - 08:54am PT
Those Canadians climbed Beluga this season, good job chaps!
Don Paul

Big Wall climber
Aurora Colorado
Nov 1, 2014 - 11:11am PT
Wow really rad, I sent it to my parapente friends in Medellin.
johntp

Trad climber
socal
Nov 1, 2014 - 01:22pm PT
Missed this until now. Whoa! Nice TR and ballsy trip.
John Duffield

Mountain climber
New York
Nov 1, 2014 - 01:36pm PT
Great report! I'm really impressed by how easily you live in that environment for so long.
Ed Hartouni

Trad climber
Livermore, CA
Mar 18, 2016 - 12:13pm PT
bump this
BigB

Trad climber
Red Rock
Mar 18, 2016 - 01:44pm PT
Holy shite! Great TR!
Did Dave ever answer about "how he caught the seal?"?
Messages 1 - 127 of total 127 in this topic
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