Quttinirpaaq National Park

Quttinirpaaq means the top of the world, and the park occupies the northern end of Ellesmere Island, the northernmost land in Canada and about eight hundred kilometres from the geographic North Pole. Despite the ice caps it is technically a polar desert, receiving very little precipitation. Lake Hazen, sheltered by mountains, forms a thermal oasis that supports muskoxen, arctic hares, wolves and plants in surprising numbers for the latitude. Arctic wolves here have little experience of humans and approach without fear. Fewer than a hundred visitors reach the park in most years, and access is by chartered Twin Otter from Resolute.

Highlights

• The polar desert - ice caps in a landscape that receives almost no precipitation.
• Lake Hazen - a thermal oasis supporting unexpected life at 82 degrees north.
• The unafraid wolves - arctic wolves with little experience of people.
• Barbeau Peak - the highest mountain in eastern North America.

When to go

July and August only, the brief window when charter flights can land and temperatures rise above freezing; the sun does not set at all through that period.

Practical notes

Charter costs run to tens of thousands of dollars and fewer than a hundred people visit most years. There are no facilities and rescue may take days or weeks. This requires full expedition capability.

Nearby

Resolute is the staging community; the North Pole lies eight hundred kilometres north.

Key facts