'Nunavut Island' Dubawnt Lake
Distance 0 km [642km]
Portage 0 [14]
Very Fast Water 0 [30]
Rapids 0 [24]
It was very windy when we woke so we took the chance to have a lie in and consider what we might do to avoid the ice we could see up ahead. Once up we realised we were on a small island off a larger island about 6km SW of Snow Island. We paddled the empty canoe across to the main island and walked five or six kilometres to the top of the hills to survey the ice conditions. It appears we may be able to make some progress tomorrow by skirting along behind the islands to the western shore and find a lead going north, as far as we can see it looks open along the shore.
The countryside is now devoid of trees, covered in boulders and a surprising diversity of low growing plants. Many of the shrubs we saw further south appear here but only grow up to a few centimetres high rather than as bushes. The island is very hilly with several chains of small shallow tarns. These lakes create valleys that provide sufficient shelter for a few shrubs.
Sitting on the highest point of the adjacent large island 6km SSW of Snow Island mapping ice edges and leads
Looking NE from the ‘Big Island’ towards an almost completely frozen Dubawnt Lake
After lunch we washed our ‘smalls’, had a sleep and then took the canoe into the bay to catch dinner. John quickly had a bite but that fish got away. Soon after he caught a large trout which made a delicious and plentiful dinner served with couscous. Even better there is enough for breakfast tomorrow. I think John really enjoys his ability to provide a great and filling meal. His filleting technique has improved so we rarely get a bone in our meal. He even takes over the cooking when it’s a fish he caught as he enjoys completing the process from catching to cooking. The day has been very cold and the wind persists so all meals have been eaten in the tent and an early night is likely.
Catch of the day
NOTE
Tarn: A landlocked pool or small lake such as those that occur within tracts of swamp or muskeg.