On the land

Today was exciting! We got to go out on the land with the class. The weather was not great, and it seemed like we may have to adjust our plans to short dog sled rides, where 90% of the class would stand around in the -30 windchill waiting. HOWEVER... we ended up heading to a place called Ujurasukjuk (oo ya ra sook juk). Most of the class was pulled by skidoo on komatiks, but a few of the kids got to be pulled by two dogteams! Very cool.

This is an outpost camp on the other side of the island that is mostly used when there is no snow. There is though, an elder woman who lives here with her grandson (i've also heard grandchildren). Our plan was to hopefully visit and have her talk to the class. She shot a polar bear that had been hanging around her cabin last month. I heard this story from a polar bear researcher in town and one of the guides today. Anyway, the guides realized when we got there that she was actually in town. My guess is that someone brought them into town before the blizzard hit.We ended up just playing around for an hour or so. Was kinda neat to learn that some of the kids had camped here before and new a fair bit about this place. There was all sorts of interesting 'stuff' around. Here's a few pics of the day.

Some of the students waiting in a Komatik.

Our guides getting one of the dog teams ready. Igloolik in the background

Walrus on top of a cabin (now ground level), once left to rot buried under rocks, now frozen, will be ate eventually.

Skins on top of one of the cabins.

One of the dog teams arriving a little later.

When you are out there, the blue of the sea ice really stands out, unfortunately the camera doesn't pick up on it as well.

A few of the students getting ready for the dog teams to head home.

What i'm listening to:
Joey - Sugarland
Lie - David Cook
Just Another - Pete Yorn
What i learned today:
Dogs are insanely tough
Complete the sentence:
I think I could live for _____ days/months in the winter without 'services'.