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The Trip

Please note that the trip dates have changed from what was originally published. If you have questions, please contact us.

If you dream of experiencing a place that is both pristine and magical, a land of spirits and polar bears rarely seen by humans, this is the trip you have been waiting for. There are no roads, signs, or campgrounds. The Torngat Mountain National Park stretches from the northern tip of Labrador to Saglek Fjord in the south, and west from the Atlantic Ocean to the Quebec border. It is a land of 5,000-foot mountains, black bears, polar bears, caribou (Torngat Mountain herd and George River herd), muskoxen, and small glaciers. We will penetrate into the soul of the Torngats where we'll see spotless icebergs, turquoise fjords, sapphire lakes, and mountains that touch the ocean.

Early explorers called this area the Ghost Coast because the strong winds could sound haunted. It can be an area of extreme weather. There are strong winds that blow across the area that can knock you off your feet. The park is located above the tree line, and animals and plants have to grow during a very short growing season. We will visit during that season.

We will be there during the summer season, which is prime time to see the waterfalls, wildflowers, and the large and small animals. Hopefully we will also see nesting birds.

We'll start out in a lodge where we will prepare for our trip and then fly out in small groups to the Nachvak Fjord. From there we'll hike for 11 days to the Komaktorvik Fjord, where we'll be picked up and return back for an additional night at Barnoin Camp Lodge.

Itinerary

Day 1: We'll meet in Montreal and all fly together (cost of flight not included) up to Georges River (900 miles north of Montreal) and then to Barnoin Camp Lodge (25 miles south of Ungava Bay). There we will have a pre-trip meeting to discuss the route and safety issues. We'll have dinner at the Lodge and overnight there.

Day 2: In the early morning we'll be taken by floatplane on a spectacular flight to Nachvak Fjord. We'll set up camp and hike to Mount Ford to see an incredible view of the Fjord.

Days 3-12: We'll hike between fjords and mountains, encounter waterfalls, and see magnificent landscapes. We'll have a mix of hiking days and layover days.

Day 13: We'll get picked up by our plane and have another spectacular flight on our return to the lodge. We'll have another gourmet dinner and sleep overnight at the Lodge.

Day 14: Following breakfast at the Lodge we will retrace our flights back to Montreal.

Getting There

The trip leaders will coordinate the trip members in meeting in Montreal to begin the trip to Barnoin River Camp, 25 miles south of Ungava Bay in Quebec.

Accommodations and Food

All meals and snacks, from dinner on day one through breakfast on day fourteen, are included in the trip price. Please let the leaders know if you have any particular food requirements. Our delicious meals will be lightweight backpacking food except at the lodge. As usual on Sierra Club trips, all members help with cooking and cleanup chores, with each person (as a part of a team) assisting for a number of days.

Trip Difficulty

There will be no trails, so the hiking could be difficult. We will be crossing streams and may be hiking on wet tundra, so you may have wet boots much of the time. We may have some rain and the temperatures may go down into the 40s. We may also have days of sunshine and T-shirts. If you are prepared and can greet adverse weather as part of the adventure, you will enjoy this trip. Most days will be moderate in distance. Trip members should be in excellent physical condition and have recent backpacking experience.

Equipment and Clothing

Trip participants are expected to furnish their own personal gear. The leaders will mail out a detailed equipment list. The Sierra Club provides group equipment including pots, cooking utensils, stoves, fuel, a cooking tarp, a satellite phone, bear cannisters, bear repellant spray, flare guns and an electric fence, a repair kit, and a first-aid kit. Please feel free to contact the leaders with any questions about equipment.

References

Brochures from Parks Canada:

• http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/nl/torngats/visit/brochures.aspx
• http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/nl/torngats/natcul.aspx

Link to videos about the park:

• http://besthike.wordpress.com/2010/01/27/want-to-hike-torngat-labrador/
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME2ABA_tUBU

Canadian Geographic article: http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/magazine/mj07/feature_torngat.asp

Map of the park: http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/magazine/mj07/indepth/wildlife.asp

Conservation

The Torngat Mountains National Park became the newest Canadian national park in 2008. It is the 42nd national park in Canada. It is a region of approximately 9,700 square km in Northern Labrador and all south of 60 degrees.

The park is a result of two groups of Inuits (Labrador Inuit and Nanuavik Inuit) working with Parks Canada as equal partners to create a reserve and then national park. The three groups now share the resources and management of the area. It is managed by a board represented by the three groups.

For additional information see Parks Canada link (http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/nl/torngats/plan.aspx).

This area has been occupied by the Inuit for many years. If we are lucky, we may see evidence of the historic activities. In the past, the Inuit’s beliefs focused on Torngarsoak, who was a powerful Inuit spirit that controlled the life of sea animals and appeared as a polar bear. Today they still believe that the spirits still live in the Torngat Mountains. The Inuit people still hunt and fish in this area. However, people no longer live within the park boundaries.

We will try to set up a meeting with a representative of the Inuit groups prior to our departure from the Lodge.

Travel in Alaska and the Arctic

Sierra Club outings in Alaska and Arctic Canada are special experiences in true wilderness, but they also carry an element of risk. Trip locales are often remote, away from the amenities of civilization, including sophisticated medical care and immediate evacuation possibilities. Many of our Alaska and Arctic Canada trips now carry satellite phones, but even with this technology, communication with the outside world can be difficult and emergency assistance can be days away. Weather in Alaska and Arctic Canada is unpredictable, and inclement weather can be severe. Among other hazards are cold river and stream crossings, tidal activity, calving glaciers, the psychological effects of remoteness, and the presence of large wild animals. You're in good hands, though, so don't worry: Your trip leaders have vast experience in the Last Frontier, and they'll provide all the guidance you need.

Trip Price

See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

Staff

This is Marta and Rich's 14th trip together. They have led numerous arctic trips that have included areas that were previously unexplored.

Leader:

Rich Gross has been leading Sierra Club National Outings in Alaska, Canadian Arctic, Rocky Mountains and California for 23 years. He is also an avid mountaineer, having climbed a number of long alpine routes in the United States (including Alaska) and Canada. His very first backpacking trip was a Sierra Club outing in Yosemite, during which he made many mistakes resulting in his being cold, wet, tired, and incredibly thrilled. He has a particular love for the Arctic because it makes him feel small and insignificant. His other passions include music (he sings in the San Francisco Symphony Chorus). His 21-year-old son, Zack, has come on a number of the trips led his first Sierra Club trip last summer. In his real life, he works fo a non-profit organization that finances and develops low-income, multi-family housing.

E-mail: rgross@enterprisecommunity.org

Co-Leader:

Marta Chase has been leading Sierra Club National Outings in Alaska, Canadian Rockies and Arctic, Washington, and California for 16 years. An experienced backpacker and leader, she was also an American Youth Hostel leader. Her delicious backpacking meals have made her famous among trip participants. She will be bringing her husband along on the trip. He is a great help and loves to carry 80-pound packs. When Marta isn't out traveling, she is a consultant in the medical diagnostics area.

E-mail: chasemarta@gmail.com

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General Notes About Sierra Club Trips

• Carbon Offsets
• Carpooling
• Electronic Devices
• Equipment
• How to Apply for a Trip
• Leader Gratuities
• Liability Release and Assumption of Risk
• Medical Issues
• Non-discrimination Statement
• Participant Approval
• Reservation and Cancellation Policy
• Seller of Travel Disclosure
• Travel Insurance
• Trip Feedback
• Wilderness Manners