Pioneer of the Month: Brad Goes Kayaking in Greenland!
A dream that was two years in the making, outdoor photographer Brad cooked up the idea to go kayaking in Greenland, drawn by the special light of this land and the immense, open landscapes. Then he did exactly that! The problem was that it only left him wanting more!
What motivated you to visit Greenland?
I’ve always loved the experience of remote outdoor adventures lasting several days or more, like 2 week backpacking trips around Mount Rainier or across Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. And as an outdoor photographer, I love the big open landscapes like you often find in the Arctic. And so after taking up sea kayaking in 2015, a paddling trip to Greenland became my ultimate kayak tripping goal. I am drawn to it’s large open landscapes and warm Arctic light.
I'll always remember […] paddling through icebergs of all different shapes, sizes and colors. Some looked like deep blue glass, some had little flat-topped mushroom towers, some had stripes of black sand running through them, some had waterfalls pouring off their vertical faces.
How long was your stay? Did you travel solo or with a group?
I started with a 2 week family car tour around Iceland with my wife and daughter, and then I joined a guided 10-day paddling/hiking trip with 8 others from around Europe.
Which tour did you take and why did you choose it?
I selected the "Kayaking among Icebergs and Whales" tour because I wanted to paddle through fjords filled with icebergs and surrounded by high rugged peaks. I love the big open landscapes and knew that we would find great photography opportunities.
What is one thing you will always remember about your tour?
There are several things really: great guides, fun group of people, clear sunny weather, big scenery, kayaking camping, the list goes on. But the most unique thing I'll always remember is paddling through icebergs of all different shapes, sizes and colors. Some looked like deep blue glass, some had little flat-topped mushroom towers, some had stripes of black sand running through them, some had waterfalls pouring off their vertical faces. Just an endless variety to make one wonder about the forces that shape them.
What is something that you learned about Greenland that surprised you?
One of our guides told us about the Greenland Ice Cap, and how the ice on the bottom of it dates back over 100,000 years. That's pretty amazing to me.
If you had more time in Greenland, what else would you like to see and do?
I would love to go back to Greenland! I'd like to spend a week backpacking and another week sea kayaking, perhaps on a trip focused on landscape and wildlife photography. Maybe add a few days of boat-supported photography to focus on icebergs, glaciers and seascapes.
What tips do you have for people that want to visit Greenland?
Go!
Bring lots of memory cards and spare batteries ... shoot lots of photos. A small waterproof camera that fits in your life-jacket pocket can work well. I kept a D-SLR with a 24-105 mm lens handy on the front deck of the kayak in an Ortlieb waterproof bag, which worked wonderfully. I also had a 70-200 mm lens in a padded dry bag in the kayak hatch for use at camp, along with a small tripod.
What adventure are you off to next?
I'm planning to do some multi-week sea kayak camping trips off the west coast of Canada, as well as a 2 week canoe camping trip in British Columbia.
Have you been to Greenland with us and would like to be featured as a “Pioneer of the Month?” Feel free to email us at [email protected] or call +354-522-4933.
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