Prince Christian Sound, Greenland

Today we were scheduled to stop at the small fishing village of Nanortalik located on the southern tip of Greenland, however, the North Atlantic wanted one more shot at us and gave us gale force winds with waves of 18 feet.   Our captain informed us the fishing village was small and he would not be able to safely put us ashore in such rough seas.  In its place, he sailed us through Prince Christian Sound, a 62 mile sea waterway and fjord system.


As we entered Prince Christian Sound an iceberg slowly floated by.  Greenland is covered by a huge glacier with many tongues, some reaching the ocean where they "calve" icebergs.  This sea passage separates Greenland from its southern Cape Farewell Archipelago and is responsible for creating many icebergs.


Named after the 19th-century King of Denmark, the Sound depicts all the majesty of a royal!  The narrow passageway connects the Labrador and Irminger Seas sometimes decreasing to just 1,500 feet wide.  The rocky, high peaks create a starkly beautiful and harsh landscape.


In a protected inlet we spot our first glacier tongue.  Glaciers began as stationary snow packs that eventually, due to their weight, began moving.  This often requires centuries and their movement is very slow.  

Further along we spotted what is referred to as the head of an iceberg.  This one spans several hundred feet across two steep-rocky slopes.


Another glacier reaching for the sea.


Midway through the Sound we passed the only human habitation, the village of Aappilattoq.  Their houses can be seen along the shore directly behind the boat.  The small boat was sent out to greet us.


The telephoto lens provides a closer view of their village.  Approximately 100 Inuits live here. Their livelihood is based on hunting and fishing.  A thousand years ago, the climate was warmer and supported farming.  The Danish government heavily subsidizes their life style with medical care and education to the 8th grade.  The village has a general store which receives supplies weekly by helicopter.


As we near the end of the Sound, we passed spectacular volcanic peaks, some reaching nearly 7,000 feet.  
Location: Prince Christian Sound, Greenland

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