It really has been wonderful to have Martin in Tuk. He was able to get internet access as well as get a local to do their laundry. All is right in the world again.
In our discussions, Martin said that on the island of Tuk, the climate change has really affected the natural wildlife as well as the way of life for the Inuit village. Ice is a lot more fragile meaning that a lot of the animals that walk out on the ice fall through it because it hasn't built up like it has in past years. Also, where there were once beautiful formations of ice, they are now diminished to small blocks of ice.
In the picture below, you can see the permafrost melting...
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Melting permafrost layer that is causing the out gassing of carbon onto the landscape.
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While in Tuk, Martin was also able to send me some photos of the people and land. I thought they would be interesting to share.
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| Traditional Inuit Sod Hut |
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| Old Whaling Icehouse |
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| Old Graves |
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| Musk Ox Skulls |
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| Bear Skin being dried |
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| Inuit children playing |
Martin and his crew should be taking off in a short while and heading to Holeman where they will eventually try and work their way up to Cambridge Bay to wait out the ice. I hope to hear from him once he arrives in Holeman.
