In the heart of the Arctic, the Arctic Cowboys found themselves facing an unexpected challenge – a night paddle. Initially met with hesitation, the prospect of kayaking in the dark didn’t exactly thrill the team. However, the conditions were right, and their logistics team insisted it was the way to gain extra miles. They weren’t wrong.
Setting off at 9:00 pm, the Cowboys embarked on a daring adventure, paddling through the night and covering an impressive 38.7 miles. As the clock neared 9:00 am, they finished just in time, just as the winds were beginning to pick up.
But this night paddle held more surprises than they could have imagined. The team was treated to a spectacular show in the southern sky – the mesmerizing Aurora Borealis. As if that weren’t enough, they spotted a cruise ship gliding past the Richardson Islands, witnessed a plethora of shooting stars, and even caught sight of two comets streaking across the heavens. On top of it all, they were enchanted by the lights of a moored pleasure boat, encountered bioluminescent wonders beneath the water’s surface, and enjoyed a serene night under a blanket of brilliant stars. In the end, they were immensely glad they had taken on this nocturnal challenge.
The Cowboys are seeing more biodiversity including crabs, mussels, urchins, snails, and lots of Muskox Skulls and bones. Prior to Cambridge Bay, they primarily saw clamshells and Polar Corgies.
The team has taken refuge in a sturdy fishing cabin along the coastline of Lady Franklin Point Airport. “We’ve got a nice Coleman lantern lighting up and heating our cabin. It’s very cozy and warm,” said West.
The forecast predicts strong winds in the coming days, rendering paddling impossible. This channel seems to act like a wind tunnel, relentlessly funneling high winds and even higher waves through it. The Cowboys can only hope for a fleeting window of opportunity to cross to the mainland, and they hope it comes sooner rather than later. The Arctic always keeps them on their toes, and they’re ready for whatever challenges lie ahead.
Total: 1175.81 miles Today: 38.7 miles Expedition: 1113.81 miles
Photo Credit: Gerry Petrin
