4 days in
The Torngat Mountains National Park
4 Days In The Torngats
The Torngat Mountains are like no other place on earth. 3000 ft mountains look down upon narrow fjords, massive icebergs, and untouched land.
On a TV / filming expedition we spent 4 days disconnected from the outside world, exploring a land that feels older than time… and larger than life.
Giant Iceberg near Hebron.
Helicopter at North Arm beach.
Massive cliff overlooking the North Arm Fjord.
Dome accommodations at basecamp.
Day 1 — Base camp
Twin Otter Flies Over Hebron — 12 pm
It’s not often that a trip to a new place begins before you ever get off of the plane… but in this case, our pilot surprised us with a low flight through the mountain ranges of Hebron into Saglek. As we descended through the clouds it felt like seeing a new world for the first time, a world filled with icebergs, giant cliffs, islands and wildlife in it’s most natural form.
Torngat Mountains Airstrip — 1230 pm
Upon landing at Saglek Airstrip I had no Idea what to expect. We exited the plane, and almost instantly it was gone again, and we were left alone on the airstrip as we awaited further transportation. After a few minutes, and some photo taking, we hear the sound of a helicopter in the distance, and sure enough it appears over the mountain top heading toward us.
The helicopter lands — we get a quick safety brief and we’re off into the sky again… heading deeper into the park.
Helicopter to base camp — 1 pm
10 minutes by helicopter we find ourselves in Torngat Basecamp. Surrounded by a 15,000 volt electric fence and populated with dome structures, it felt like being on a distant planet somewhere.
Hiking to the first waterfall — 230 pm
Our first hike of the trip had us on our toes… a mandatory polar bear safety briefing was done just before it, so we kept our eyes peeled the entire time. Lucky for us, we had our own bear guard equipped with a rifle.
Once we made it to the waterfall, it was easy to tell we were far from home. As far as we could see it was mountain ranges and islands. I didn’t realize that this kind of beauty could be so intimidating.
Arctic Char Fishing — 5pm
We arrive back at base camp and head over to the dock where a group from the camp are fishing for arctic char — one of the most abundant fish in the North.
I kid you not — My first cast and about 10 seconds later I caught the biggest fish I’ve ever had on a hook in my life, and it was a fight getting it up to the dock.
Lounge Tent / Wick Tending / ‘Walter Mitty Moment’ — 7pm
After a long day of travelling, learning, adrenaline rushes, hiking and fishing — it was time for even more activities at the camp… we got together with a Inuit youth group to check out some of the projects they had been working on, which focused on Inuit culture and history.
We learned some of their ancestors survival tactics and how they crafted their handmade tools. Afterward, myself and the TV crew got together for what we like to call a “Walter Mitty Moment” — based on a movie scene where the character finds his place and fully lets himself connect with his surroundings.
It didn’t take long to feel at home here.
Day 2 and 3 — North arm
Departing base camp — 8am
Day 2 was fast paced and action packed, we arrived at the dock for 8am and sailed off in the long liner for 3 hours into the park. The scenery was a mix of Jurassic Park and Lord of the Rings…
Polar bears and black bears were spotted along the coastline the entire way up to our final destination — upon arrival we even had to scare one away from our cookout site using a rifle.
North Arm — 1130am
Once docked we hopped off and caught 5 Arctic char (2 from me). In fact I was feeling so confident in my fishing abilities that I was eager to catch 1 more before the day was out — resulting in a hook through my finger… through my pants… still attached to the fish. After a swift removal and tetanus shot later I was all good.
Skywalker Lake — 1230pm
Next we hiked through a 4000 year old Inuit grave site, leading up to a magical blue waterfall supplying some of the freshest water on earth. Truly a breathtaking experience.
Medivac Flight With A View — 1230pm
To top off the afternoon, the helicopter pilot decided to come pick us up due to my “injury” and took the scenic route home… landing on a 3000ft mountain top, hovering over polar bears, and flying past giant icebergs.
Back at base camp — 5pm
After a 45 min nap, carrot cake awaited us at base camp. The food here is top tier, especially after a long day in the park.
Day 4 — Hebron
Helicopter takes off for Hebron — 830am
To start off the day we headed to Hebron, an abandoned community that was forcefully relocated over 40 years ago. From crumbled buildings, to 100 year old grave stones, this was a place like no other.
Nat Geo Polar Bear Shot — 10am
Potentially the highlight of my trip was capturing two polar bears, a mother and a cub, on a distant island near Hebron — chowing down on a washed up whale carcass… This was a truly breathtaking moment for all of us.
I knew that travelling here would be epic, but I didn’t expect it to completely change my perspective on the natural world. This was an experience I could never forget.
Interviews — 3pm
To end the trip — we interviewed some locals, researchers, and Parks Canada staff about their experiences, stories and thoughts about the Torngats. Though different, they all had the same conclusion… this place is magical, and it deserves respect.
WHAT TO PACK
This was my first time going fully off the grid somewhere I’ve never travelled… and honestly I wasn’t entirely sure how to prepare. I didn’t know if I’d end up having to sleep in the wilderness, or supply food for multiple day hikes. But after some research and basically winging it I know exactly what essentials I’d pack next time:
-
That includes pants, jacket, gloves, hat, and backpack cover. Weather in the Torngats is highly unpredictable.
-
You’ll be doing some walking while there, a lot of walking. Do not bring brand new boots that you haven’t tested out first!
-
There aren’t exactly many options at basecamp, what you see is what you get. I for one can’t go anywhere without some chocolate to snack on after a long day.
-
Fishing hooks under your skin are painful. That is all.
-
Not that basecamp coffee wasn’t good… I guess I’m just particular.
-
The flies can be intense and very distracting in the Torngats, be ready with some 30%+ deet.
-
You’re going to want remember this experience, trust me.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Torngat Mountains are life altering. The flight to get there, the people, the fresh air, the scale of it all… I mean, it gives you an appreciation for this world like no other destination could.
It truly shows what a world without human presence looks like, and though that’s a scary thought — it makes you realize that our footprint on the earth is only getting more significant, and soon places like this won’t be thriving the way they are now.
The earth asks for nothing in return for what it has given us, other than the respect it deserves, therefore we need to all do our part to ensure the survival of places like The Torngat Mountains, and all the species that inhabit it.
BK
If you want to hear more or just connect send me a message or follow me on social!