Baffin Island conjures up images of rugged terrain and untouched wilderness. Nunavut is the kind of place that travellers from all over Canada, and the world, put on their list of must-see destinations.
Mark Synnott is an alpinist who has climbed all over the globe. After five trips to Baffin Island, he has compiled a book to guide other enthusiasts in their adventure trips. Most importantly, he states in the intro to his book, Baffin Island:
“Some faraway climbing destinations you visit once and it’s enough. Then there are places, like Baffin, which draw you back over and over again. I can safely say I’ve developed a bit of an obsession with Baffin Island myself, and I’ll never be done exploring in this Arctic wonderland.”
Auyuittuq National Park
One of the best known parks in Nunavut, Auyuittiq National Park covers 19,089 square kilometres and is home to the Penny Ice Cap, possibly all that’s left of the Great Ice Age. This is also where you’ll find Mount Asgard, a site with more than 10 grade VI walls on the northwest face, a worldwide record.
Climbing in the Weasel Valley area, just southwest of Summit Lake, only began in the 1950’s, picking up interest in the 70’s. Mark recommends planning your climb between June and August, when the weather is calmer and the snow has mostly melted.
Climbing in Nunavut, Canada
The dramatic peaks and untamed wild are not the landscape for beginners. There are countless mountains that have still not been climbed yet, let alone named.
Baffin Island: Climbing, Trekking & Skiing is a fascinating read; part guidebook, part history lesson of the area, it’s an enthralling resource for an island that cannot be restrained.
Photos gleam across the pages, showcasing the glorious expanse that is Nunavut. On a more practical note, original topographies are used, which Mark admits are slightly confusing, but offer another way to acquaint yourself with the land. Some of the photos also have lines drawn over them to accent the climbs and give perspective of the routes.
Climbing, Trekking & Skiing Baffin Island
On top of the history and gorgeous images, what Mark has written is a detailed guide to Baffin Island. He has taken an immense landscape and helped simplify it for those who want to adventure there on their own.
Along with details on hundreds of different routes that have been climbed before, practicalities like how to get to these remote areas of Nunavut, what the best season is to go, what permits are needed, and whether food is available, are all indispensable tips if you’re making arrangements to go.
A helpful list of accommodations, outfitters, adventure companies and airlines is located at the end of the book. If you’re ready to face the challenge of Nunavut and take in what looks to be the unsurpassed beauty of Baffin Island, this guidebook is highly recommended.
Baffin Island: Climbing, Trekking & Skiing can be found online at AMAZON.
Lori Henry - A travel writer, Lori flits between exploring the world with incessant curiosity and huddling over her laptop writing.
Join the Conversation