Arctic Traverse: Scoresby Sund

On September 16th, 2022, the Endurance entered the extensive collection of fjords at Scoresby Sund (Scoresby Sound),

Click on the image to enlarge.

and in the early morning,

we sailed deeper into the Sound.

Our path was sometimes strewn with pancake ice, thin sheets that announced, "winter is coming."

The ascending sun began to illuminate the fjord, revealing a prospect of rock and ice.

Icebergs littered the bay.

This morning we spotted two polar bears, both snoozing. They were patiently waiting for the sea ice to form, so that they can hunt seals and fatten up. This photo has a small white blob that's a bear. Click on the image to enlarge.

Then it was time for our first zodiac cruise. This was a typical line waiting to board. We were summoned to the mud room that held our boots and other gear by the deck number of our cabin, as in, "Deck 5 come to the mud room."

A view from our zodiac.

The air was icy cold, but the zodiacs were cozy in that we were shoulder-to-shoulder.

As some icebergs melt, they become top-heavy and fall over, leaving their layers pointing at the sky.

Our rubber craft could cope with the slushy ice.

Flat ice was an avian congregation point.

The Endurance remained in view.

A waterfall sluiced down from the melting glaciers.

Eventually, the sunny morning tour came to an end.

The Endurance sailed towards Gasefjord, another location in the Sound, during lunch. We passed a French vessel, the Polar Front, headed towards where we had just been.

Big ice and big mountains along the way.

At our next stop, lighting was subdued at first.

We passed a berg that was re-balancing itself.

This berg had picked up a coat of coal-black rubble.

As time passed the clouds dissipated, uncloaking the sun.

Excitement on the bridge ...

and out on deck.

Why? More sleeping polar bears!

All in all, a fabulous day at Scoresby Sund. I can't imagine the total number of photos the ship's guests took today.