04 Aug 2017

SOE: Wrangel Island Wrap Up

It has been an incredible four days for the expeditioners, staff and crew aboard the Spirit of Enderby at Wrangel Island. There is still so much to process, we have had so many incredible experiences, one after another, so it is difficult to summarise them all. However, here are a few highlights which are very clear. 

A Zodiac Cruise of Herald Island, as the sun shone down on us in perfectly blue skies. We managed to find one point on the Island that had 22 Polar Bears in small area of just 400m x 400m!! We sat in the zodiacs and observed them quietly including a mother and her cubs who played and relaxed in the sun.

At Cape Waring, we had fantastic sightings as we cruised its abundant bird cliffs before spotting a mother and two Polar Bear cubs sitting below the bird cliffs. They were happy to just sit and observe us as we did the same to them, when we reluctantly left them, we were delighted to cruise around the next rocky point to find a mother and three of her cubs.

We spent an afternoon in the pack ice, north of Wrangel Island, where we all enjoyed the amazing light, icescapes and wildlife around the ice.

In addition we enjoyed a landing on Wrangel Island at Dreamhead which gave us the opportunity to explore different parts of the landscape. 

We also explored Wrangel Island's Pitchy Bazaar in the golden evening light where the warm rays shone brightly on the bird cliffs.

We enjoyed a picture perfect morning with the Rangers at Doubtful Inlet. It is always as fascinating experience for our expeditioners to learn more about what it is like to live in this Arctic wildlife sanctuary, where Polar Bears roam through the village. The rangers' warm hospitality as they welcomed us into their homes, will be warmly remembered. In addition, we enjoyed seeing the wonderfully bright Arctic flowers dotted on the tundra.

Kolyuchin Island provided an excellent landing with its birdcliffs and scenery combined with a lovely light meant that the photographers in the group were very happy indeed and everybody enjoyed the opportunity to stretch their legs in excellent scenery.

As I write this we are about to turn south into the Bering Strait as we head south to explore new areas as we return to Anadyr, stopping to explore new areas in Chukotka on the way home.

Nathan - Spirit of Enderby Expedition Leader.