Greenland - Baffin - Labrador

[hpeer]

Plan - Trip around Davis Straight, counter clockwise Greenland - Baffin - Labrador.

If all goes well I'll get to see the Norse cathedral, Prince Christian Sound, the midnight sun, largest berg creating glacier in North Atlantic, Cumberland Sound, Frobisher Bay, and the coast of Labrador.

Plans change, and there is a marriage counselor involved, so it may not come off. Still, time is running short and the likely hood increases daily.

I've been working pretty hard on the boat for a while. She is about ready. Will pull her in mid-March to replace some thru hulls, strengthen the sprit, do some paint, cutlass bearing, shaft seal.

Comments, cautions, etc. invited.

[SteveT]

Envy, envy, envy!

[SaucySailoress]

Originally Posted by hpeer

Plans change, and there is a marriage counselor involved, so it may not come off. Still, time is running short and the likely hood increases daily.

Comments, cautions, etc. invited.

Wow. Your marriage counsellor comes cruising with you guys? Now that's service!

[Bluemansailor]

Are you currently in philly? Looking forward to following your adventure.

[hpeer]

Originally Posted by SaucySailoress

Wow. Your marriage counsellor comes cruising with you guys? Now that's service!

Phone sessions, we pay the bill!

[hpeer]

Originally Posted by Bluemansailor

Are you currently in philly? Looking forward to following your adventure.

Live in Center City, boat is in Delaware City.

Nice place if you have never been there.

Very sea worthy looking yacht you have there. Nice.

[DeepFrz]

Heater, heater, heater...and lots of fuel. It can get hot up there in the summer but it can get very cold in a hurry. Maybe I think about that a lot because of my arthritis, but you do want to stay comfortable. Also, take a shotgun and the proper ammunition. Some whiz bang rounds might also be a good idea. A good safe dingy to get you around.

And I second what SteveT said about envy.

[hpeer]

We have an Airtronix 4, which does a reasonable job. I need to get some spares for that.

The aft cabin has a Taylors keros (think Cozy Cabin) that helps but not for real cold.

I also just bought a couple of Coleman pressure kero lamps. They put out a bit of heat, helpful as a back-up.

As for the shotgun do you have any specific knowledge on the Greenlandic regulations? I have heard that upon arrival one may be recommended and you might be directed to a purchase site. But that is only a fish tale at this instant.

The problem with a firearm is Canada. If I have a firearm they may get bent out of shape if I stop in on the way. Likely.

So the question is, can I buy one once I get there?

[ice]

Originally Posted by hpeer

As for the shotgun do you have any specific knowledge on the Greenlandic regulations? I have heard that upon arrival one may be recommended and you might be directed to a purchase site. But that is only a fish tale at this instant.

The problem with a firearm is Canada. If I have a firearm they may get bent out of shape if I stop in on the way. Likely.

So the question is, can I buy one once I get there?

Yes, you can get a long gun (30-06 is I think a more common choice than shotgun) in greenland. But there are in fact almost no polar bears left in greenland. You really don't need the gun there anymore.

There are polar bears still on the canadian side around Pond Inlet and in the entrance to the NWP, as they are protected there. (You can almost always find a couple around the town dumps!) The canadian officials in the North are fine with long guns and think they are sensible, so if you check in up there you are ok. But the officials further south don't like guns.

[seadrift]

If bringing a gun into Arctic Canada make it a shotgun, rather than a rifle, because it (regrettably) does more damage at very very short range - and this is the only distance at which you would fire it. Remember that the bear is protected and has much better lawyers than you can afford. And even if you are wholly justified in shooting a bear, you will still have to pay $ thousands in compensation to the nearest community.
Absolutely no restricted weapons (handguns).
Get a Non-Resident Firearm Declaration form before starting the trip:
Form CAFC 909 - Royal Canadian Mounted Police

[DeepFrz]

When entering Canada just make sure you declare your weapon. Don't try to hide the fact that you have one. The fact that polar bears are a protected species in many places was the reason for the suggestion of whiz bang ammo. I have seen it used effectively at Churchill.

I have seen mention of but not physically seen stainless shotguns.

Check out the Nordhavn Dreamer's group on Yahoo and search the archives. There was a discussion on Americans bringing guns into Canada on the BC coast. There was no mention of any difficulty.

I have heard, not verified, that a shotgun or rifle is required on the Labrador Coast. Maybe someone can clarify my statement.

Here is a link to an informed source.
Pilot Press - Cruising Guide to The Labrador Updates

[hpeer]

Thanks a lot guys.

Just the kind of stuff I'm looking for.

I was aware of Pilot Press and just got the guide but had not seen that particular article.

[ice]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

I have heard, not verified, that a shotgun or rifle is required on the Labrador Coast. Maybe someone can clarify my statement.

No, not required in Labrador- only required in Spitsbergen.

[hpeer]

Told work today I wouldn't be in for about 6 months starting May 1.

Went OK. They will put me on "casual" employment status. Don't know what that means but I guess I'll have a job when I get back.

Another milestone crossed. I am slowly getting under way.

Next to haul the boat and do some final work.

[Kalinka1]

Take lots of fuel! Nothing available North of Nain Labradore unless cached ahead of time. thjis is possible from fishing boats or air. Don't know about Baffin Island or Greenland. Lots of Bears along the Labrador would not go ashore without a Shotgun or rifle. Might be an idea to have one of each. Have done Labrador lots to see. enjoy.