Arctic Traverse: Bleik Canyon and a Zodiac Tour

We awoke on September 5th, 2022, to the Endurance sailing above the Norwegian Sea's Bleik Canyon, with depths up to 3,000 meters. Each cabin had a video screen that, among other functions, could mark our location.

The upwelling of nutrients here attracts all kinds of oceanic life, and small fishing boats abound.

Our goal, however, was spotting marine mammals. Some watched from the bridge, where masks were mandatory,

while others were out on deck.

Orcas were in abundance, including family groups. (Click on the image to enlarge.)

Some spotted sperm whales, but I managed to miss them.

 After a while the ship sailed on, and before lunch Joan and I attended a mandatory briefing on using Endurance's zodiac fleet. After lunch, we set out on drizzly zodiac cruises.

We passed by islets and summer homes,

Chilly weather above the Arctic Circle.

while the Endurance awaited our return.

In a less-than-usual step, we disembarked from the zodiacs such that we were allowed to tromp through the "zodiac garage," where the craft are stored, to reach the mud room, where we kept our boots and rain gear.

After cleaning up, we gathered in the lounge where the expedition leader, Brett Stephenson, hosted, reviewed, and briefed us before Captain Oliver Kreuss' welcome-aboard cocktail party.

Despite the weather a jolly time was had by all, and we looked forward to tomorrow's promised landings.