gets tossed around a lot but this truly is one of those experiences. Join Mountain Shadow Adventures and explore The Scoresby Sound by sailing yacht. Located in the Greenlandic arctic, the sound contains the deepest fjord system in the world and one of the last pristine wildernesses left with towering icebergs, tidewater glaciers, grand peaks and abundant wildlife including polar bears, musk oxen, whales and a host of seabirds. The inherent wonders of arctic Greenland alone make this a bucket list trip, but what truly puts this over the top is our position in the path of totality for a total solar eclipse at the end of the expedition.
Of all the Arctic and Subarctic locations in the path of totality, the Scoresby Sound area has one of the HIGHEST LIKLIHOODS of being CLOUD FREE for the eclipse (source: eclipsophile.com).
The overwhelming majority of large cruise ships will be positioned farther down the coast and subject to more consistent marine clouds. The larger ships do not have the nimbleness or flexibility to access the sound. This gives us a more private experience coupled with a higher likelihood of ideal viewing conditions.
Ten years ago, your guide and MSA founder, Jordan Cargill witnessed a total solar eclipse (pictured left) while studying in the Arctic Archipelago of Svalbard in the high arctic. To say that experience was life changing is an understatement. It set him on a path of dedicating his life to sharing such experiences and the wonders of the natural world and remote wild places with as many people as he can. It is a privilege to share one of nature's wildest phenomena with you. Be prepared for an intense sense of awe at the majesty of our universe and perspective on our place in it.
The path of totality is the zone where the moon completely covers the sun. This is necessary for the full eclipse experience. Even with 99% of totality, without special glasses it would appear to be a normal day. Our route is one of the most ideal viewing locations on earth and is directly in the path of totality.
Left image source: NationalEclipse.com
Weather in east Greenland during the summer is generally predictable. It is typically dry and overcast or sunny with occasional light rainy days due to influence from marine low pressure systems and more stable inland high pressure. Expect chilly mornings and evenings. Temperatures can dip near or below freezing. And remember... we will have artic sun 24 hours a day (bring your sleeping mask) which can make the air temp feel a bit warmer.
Weather Averages for August
Precipitation: Minimal - less than 1" (2 cm)
Highs: 40s °F (5-10 °C)
Lows: 30s °F (0-5 °C)
The Southern Star is a tried and tested Arctic vessel with over 17 major polar expeditions including 2 of the Northwest Passage. It's rugged functionality and nimbleness is combined with cozy comfort making it the ideal craft to explore the arctic.
23M (75') Bermudian Cutter
6 radiator-heated cabins cabins for guests (dual occupancy - single occupancy package available)
3 bathrooms, 2 with showers
Dining and Saloon space with Library
Jordan is the owner operator of Mountain Shadow Adventures. He is an IFMGA certified mountain guide and has guided skiing, climbing and mountain adventures around the world from Antarctica to the High Arctic, including several ship based ski programs.
His core love for the outdoors is rooted in high adventure and bearing witness to the power and beauty of mother nature. This expedition encompasses these values perfectly and he cannot wait to share this experience with you.
by MSA Owner and IFMGA Mountain Guide, Jordan Cargill
8/7-8/8 the night before flying to Greenland and embarkation aboard the S/Y Southern Star
8/7 in Reykjavik
8/8 at hotel in Reykjavik
8/8 From Hotel to Reykjavik Airport for flight to Greenland
Lunch 8/8 - Breakfast 8/15
as permitted by weather, local conditions and guide / ship crew discretion
We recommend booking this ASAP as the eclipse will make travel to Iceland popular during this time
from the airport to the hotel on the front end and to your final destination on the back end.
Always appreciated but never expected. This is a personal choice but as a general recommendation we suggest $300 - $700/person. EFT (e.g. Venmo) or cash (USD) is preferred.
$200-$400/guest is recommended. USD is accepted but Euro is the preferred currency.
Passport and visa expenses. Tourist entry fees may apply depending on your nationality. Any government arrival and departure airport taxes. Additional lodging and other unexpected expenses.
optional but strongly encouraged
Required
Excess/overweight fees
Satellite communication and foreign cellular plans.
due to (but not limited to) the following reasons. Evacuation or unplanned departure due to illness, other problems or by choice. Costs may include, but are not limited to additional lodging, shipping costs to return gear to you, and transportation. Delays beyond the control of Mountain Shadow Adventures and force majeure
Outdoor Clothing
Warm hat - wool, fleece or other insulating material
Sun hat or baseball cap
Softshell pants
Gore-Tex rain pants and Jacket for zodiac rides, kayaking and in the event of rain
Mid weight puffy jacket or Synthetic down jacket (bring two if you run cold)
Fleece jacket or softshell jacket for a mid-layer
Technical base layers (no cotton) L/S shirt, long underwear tights
3-4x pairs wool socks
Light gloves for trekking and warmth
Gear
25-35L Daypack - for hiking and excursions
1 or 2x drybags 5L to 15L to keep cameras, etc dry on zodiac
2L of water capacity. You can bring a bladder (Camelback, etc), but you need at least one hard lid water bottle in addition in case the bladder fails during the trip.
Hiking Boots or Shoes - waterproof recommended
Waterproof Muck Boots
Toiletries/Accessories
Sunblock (SPF 50+)
Lip sunscreen / Lip Balm (SPF 15+)
1-2 casual outfits for hanging out on boat and sleeping (cotton shirt, sweatpants or leggings, sweatshirt, same outfit for both hanging out and sleeping is ideal to save on space)
Boat Shoes - Crocs, slippers, etc (close toed)
2x Socks for sleeping/hanging on boat - wool recommended
Toiletries in travel size
Ear plugs
Towel for boat showers and/or polar plunges
Personal medications or supplements, including sea sickness medicine(s)
USB cords, etc for charging electronic devices
International plug adapter kit must contain type E for Greenland
Travel
Passport/visa and other travel documents depending on your home country
Credit cards and cash - cash in USD for tips (Euros preferred for ship crew but not required), other purchases while traveling can be made with a credit card - make sure your card works internationally (Master Card or Visa are best)
50-100L Duffel or soft bag without wheels to hold your belongings on the boat
Rescue/Evacuation Insurance - We recommend Global Rescue. Make sure whatever coverage you chose applies to the Arctic and at sea. Many insurance providers have exclusions that include polar regions.
Optional
Buff - For sun protection and warmth
Hiking Shorts
Sun Hoody
Warm mittens or gloves - if you run cold
Insulated waterproof sailing/fishing gloves (Showa 282 insulated waterproof gloves - highly recommended)
Trekking Poles
Biodegradable soap and shampoo - If you prefer a certain brand
Eye mask (to block out light)
Noise cancelling headphones or ear buds
Wet wipes/baby wipes/personal wipes
Swimsuit (for polar plunges)
Book or E-reader
Sunglasses for travel
Camera
Phone/electronics charging battery (as a backup to boat power)
What will the daily routine be on the ship?
We will wake to warm breakfast and finish with a hot dinner. Skies the limit for what happens in between! We have no strict schedule and will do what makes the most sense given the conditions, weather and interests of the team. We will spend some time on the move with viewing options from the deck and many opportunities for shore landings, hikes, iceberg exploration, fishing, sea kayaking, zodiac tours and more!
What type of wildlife will we see?
This is one of the highlights of the trip! The Sound is home to an abundance of Artic wildlife with super stars including polar bears, musk oxen, arctic fox, and the occasional narwhal! Read more about Greenlandic wildlife here.
Do I need previous sailing experience?
Nope! There will be opportunities to learn if you are interested but no prior experience required.
I am concerned about sea sickness? Is that an issue on our voyage?
The Sound is protected from the open ocean and tends to be quite calm, although rough waters are not unheard of. If you are concerned we recommend talking to your doctor about seasickness medication.
What will the food be like on the ship? Can you accommodate my dietary restrictions?
Expect a diverse menu with many familiar tastes to cuisine we have available in the US. We do our best to accommodate all dietary needs. Please be sure to describe your situation in detail in the onboarding questions.
How can my loved ones track the position of the yacht I am sailing on?
The current position of the Southern Star is available at: https://share.garmin.com/share/navigare
Can you take a shower during the cruise?
There are three bathrooms on the Southern Star yacht, two of which have showers available 24 hours a day.
Can I charge my mobile phone on the yacht?
Standard power outlets are available on board for charging electronic devices. These are available throughout the cruise.
Is alcohol consumption allowed onboard?
Yes - responsible consumption only. This is strictly enforced and your guide and captain have the right to prohibit consumption for any reason at any time. You may bring a small amount with you. We recommend using duty free while you travel.
We will explore the wonders of Scoresby Sound with our seasoned captain and crew. Our expedition includes shore landings and hikes via zodiac, sea kayaking excursions, iceberg landings, polar plunges, wildlife viewing, fishing from the ship and more as conditions and weather permit.
Follow this link to an interactive map with a sample daily schedule of the expedition including descriptions of main attractions.
All meals are prepared by the very talented crew of the Southern Star... We may even have the chance to incorporate some fresh caught Cod or other arctic delicacies!
Cabins are cozy, comfortable and dual occupancy - unless you purchased the "Single Occupancy" package, in which case you will have a private room.
US citizens are not required to get visas for trips lasting 90 days or less in Iceland or Greenland.
Plan to arrive and check-in to the hotel no later than 5:30PM to ensure you are able to attend the welcome dinner.
Single supplement available as add-on during booking.
Meet the team and brief for the expedition! It will be delicious and feature local cuisine. Iceland is famous for their seafood and creative dishes.
View the menu HERE. Dietary restrictions and preferences accommodated - details collected during the booking process.
Today we will travel from Reykjavik Airport (RKV) to Constable Point Airport (CNP) to meet our ship the S/Y Southern Star. After landing we will meet the ship crew, have an onboard orientation and get settled into our quarters for the expedition.
Time: TBA - RKV is busy domestic airport and we will be given our flight time closer to departure. Expect our flight to be on the earlier side.
Aircraft: Dash8-Q200 or similar
Luggage: 15kg (33lbs) checked and 5kg (11lbs) carry-on. luggage restrictions are strictly enforced.
Breakfast at the hotel.
All other meals on the ship.
Our first stop will be the small settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit, home to less than 400 year-round residents. The village was founded in 1925 and is steeped in history with native Inuit presence in the area dating back centuries. The region has abundant wildlife including seals, arctic fox, polar bears, musk ox, walrus and more which attracted native peoples. You will see evidence of many of the subsistence hunting traditions alive and well in the village.
Following our visit to Ittoqqortoormiit we will head west and deeper into the majesty of the Sound for an anchorage at Hekla Havn (directly translated to Hooded Harbor). Expect to see magnificent icebergs and tall peaks populate the horizon.
We anchor at Hekla Havn, off Denmark Island, named after Carl Ryder's ship, which explored northeastern Greenland in 1891-92. In addition to the remains of expedition huts, there are ruins of Inuit dwellings. The sites are well-preserved, with easily recognizable entrances, bear-proof meat storage, and graves.
We sail west through the narrow Føhnfjord, passing the basalt mountains of Gåseland on our port (left) side and the steep, 7,000-foot-high (2,000 meter) granite cliffs of Milne Land on our starboard (right) beam. We stop at Røde Ø (Red Island) and land on a red sandstone beach, where the stark blue-white of the glaciers contrasts sharply with the dark red backdrop of the sedimentary slopes.
The continuation of our northward passage through Rødefjord often takes place through dense debris from ice formations broken off from the Inner Ice Sheet. Arriving at Harefjord in the late afternoon, we drop anchor.
We spend the day exploring the southern slopes of Harefjord. There we have opportunities for trekking and observing musk oxen, arctic hares, capercaillies, partridges, and other Arctic wildlife that can be found on the often sunny slopes of Harefjord.
After a full day of adventuring will sail around the peninsula to Rypefjord, our anchorage for the evening. Rypefjord terminates at the Eilson Glacier, a mighty wall of calving ice sitting hundreds of feet above the ocean and our anchorage for the night.
The big day! Our expedition team will strategically position us in a location to maximize the length of totality and for optimal viewing. Sit back, relax and enjoy the cosmic show!
Eclipse Start: 3:33 PM (local time)
Eclipse Totality: 4:33:24 - 4:34:59 PM (duration - 1 minute, 35 seconds)
We will provide eclipse glasses for viewing as it approaches totality.
We continue east through the Øfjord. This is one of the most spectacular parts of the cruise and the ideal place to veiw the eclipse. High mountain peaks, including the 7000-foot-high (2,000 meter) granite Grundtvigskirken, and its almost vertical walls rise high above the fjord.
Typically, by mid-day, the sea breeze in the Øfjord allows us to raise our sails. We approach some of the most stunning cliffs and tidewater glaciers. The day ends with an anchorage at Jyttes Havn in the Bjørn (Bear) Islands.
We spend the day hiking around Jyttes Havn on the Bear Islands, as it is one of the most beautiful and picturesque places to anchor in Scoresby Sound.
Jyttes Havn is a place where brave souls can go for the polar plunge! At a latitude of 71°N (above the arctic circle), temperatures can be surprisingly high – up to 55°F (13°C) in summer.
We sail the straight between the Bear Islands and Milne Land aiming for an anchorage near Ittoqqortoormiit or the airport at Constable Point. Epic scenery, massive icebergs and wildlife will accompany us on the final leg of our journey.
After a final breakfast we will disembark from S/Y Southern Star at Constable Point Airport (CNP) for our return flight to Reykjavik Airport (RKV). Flight departure time is TBA. Once arriving in Reykjavik the expedition is concluded and you are free to continue your explorations on your own or return home.
Time: TBA - RKV is busy domestic airport and we will be given our flight time closer to the start of the expedition.
Aircraft: Dash8-Q200 or similar
Luggage: 15kg (33lbs) checked and 5kg (11lbs) carry-on. luggage restrictions are strictly enforced.
