Polar bear where we didn't expect it

We sleep well and after a splendid breakfast and relaxed morning we launch the dinghy to go climb to a mountain top. On the way out, we stop by Coro Coro for a chat with Jeri. Just in case, we exchange VHF channels: we carry two handhelds on ch 72.

The hike, as always, is awesome. Also hardly any mosquitos here, a nice change from Greenland! No sign of mammalian live anywhere, we feel alone and our guard decreases. We spread out as we scale the mountain. Yann is carrying the rifle, I am well ahead, others behind. When back at the shore we hand out on the beach when the VHF cracks to live: it is Jeri. There is a polar bear on the beach next to where Hafiz is anchored. Wow!

Even though I try to steer our dinghy to our anchorage in a subtle way, the bear reacts and increases distance. It is very shy. We take a few photos with the zoom lens on the big camera. The bear is both curious and cautious. It reacts to every move we make, keen to keep safe distance.

In retrospect we have been a bit laisser fair on our hike: the bears are around - whether we see them or not. In the future we shall stay together!

The weather is very calm, sunny and warm. Tomorrow we will make a short hop west to a neighboring inlet: Burnett Inlet.Read more