Undiscovered Worlds with Steve Backshall – Arctic Part 1 – Adventurer, naturalist, and renowned explorer Steve Backshall embarks on an audacious mission, venturing into some of the most uncharted territories on our planet. Guided by an insatiable curiosity and an unwavering commitment to understanding the Earth’s wildest corners, he sets his sights on the Arctic, a land of unparalleled beauty and mystique. In this ambitious expedition, Steve and his intrepid team find themselves navigating the vast expanse of the Arctic, determined to kayak up the colossal fjord that holds the title of being the largest in the entire world. However, it’s not just any ordinary expedition; it’s a captivating journey into the heart of climate change and its profound effects on this untouched paradise.
Their timing couldn’t have been more significant, as they witness the aftermath of the warmest winter ever recorded, witnessing firsthand how the once-impenetrable sea ice has fractured and broken up early. This natural event, though facilitating their expedition, is a poignant reminder of the alarming impact of global warming on our planet’s delicate ecosystems. As the team glides through the icy waters, they can’t help but feel a mix of exhilaration and trepidation. The Arctic’s enchanting beauty belies the harsh realities that lie ahead. With every paddle stroke, they delve deeper into this mesmerizing, but perilous, realm.
The expedition presents a unique opportunity to observe and document the transformations occurring in this pristine wilderness due to the ever-changing climate. Steve and his fellow explorers meticulously record their observations, collecting invaluable data that could contribute to a greater understanding of the Arctic’s ecological balance and its fragile response to global environmental shifts.
Yet, even amidst their dedication to science and exploration, they cannot escape the innate sense of wonder and awe that comes with every encounter they have with the untamed inhabitants of this icy realm. As they paddle along, they remain vigilant, knowing that at any moment, they might cross paths with some of the Arctic’s most magnificent and fearsome creatures.
One such heart-stopping moment arises when a polar bear, driven by the scarcity of its melting habitat, curiously approaches the kayakers. The team, awestruck and humbled by this breathtaking predator, is reminded of the delicate balance that must be preserved for both humans and wildlife to coexist harmoniously.
Despite the challenges and the dangers that accompany their Arctic odyssey, Steve and his team press on, recognizing the urgency of their mission. They hold the conviction that by sharing their experiences and discoveries with the world, they can instill a profound sense of responsibility and inspire global action to protect and preserve our planet’s last great frontiers.
In the end, this daring expedition goes beyond the boundaries of geographical exploration; it delves into the realm of environmental consciousness and underscores the importance of collective efforts to safeguard the wonders of our world for generations to come. As Steve Backshall and his team return from their epic journey, they carry with them not only unforgettable memories but also a powerful message of hope, encouraging us all to take action in safeguarding the precious, unexplored corners of our planet.
Undiscovered Worlds with Steve Backshall – Arctic Part 1 – Into the Unknown: An Arctic Expedition at the Frontiers of Climate Change
Venturing to Greenland’s Remote Shores
The vast expanse of the Arctic represents one of the last true wildernesses on our planet. Yet as climate change accelerates, even these remote polar lands are transforming at an alarming rate. To document the impacts firsthand, veteran British adventurer and naturalist Steve Backshall embarked on an ambitious expedition to the rugged east coast of Greenland. His mission: to kayak up the monde’s largest fjord system and experience the raw power of nature at Earth’s northernmost reaches.
Joining Backshall on this grueling journey through shifting pack ice and frigid waters were polar veterans Sarah McNair-Landry and Martin Rickard. Their goal – to push deeper into the fjord than any explorers before as the sea ice retreated to unprecedented lows. Along the way, the team witnessed the harsh realities of a warming Arctic, confronting hungry polar bears displaced from their usual hunting grounds and finding wildlife starved of their habitual platforms of sea ice.
“This place is what adventures are made of,” Backshall remarked upon arriving in Greenland, the least populated country on Earth. After assembling in the remote Inuit village of Ittoqqortoormiit, the expedition set off into the wilderness, prepared to navigate the challenges ahead. Their initial attempts to weave small kayaks through broken floes would prove to be just the first test in an epic journey towards the top of the world.
An Icy Obstacle Course
As the team departed Ittoqqortoormiit to paddle up the inlet of the Scoresby Sund, they quickly encountered the fickle and formidable nature of Arctic sea ice. In these frigid waters, the narrow kayaks were vulnerable to capsizing, which could instantly become life-threatening. The ever-present risk was the ice itself – massive floes that could close up and crush the kayaks or drift inexorably out to sea.
“The ice may look harmless, but stealthily and menacingly, it moves,” Backshall remarked during the first day alone, as shifting flows trapped his teammates scant minutes after they had passed through. Crossing the wide inlet to reach the opposite shore turned into a perilous maze, as the ice drifted unpredictably with wind and tide. Far from land amidst the heaving slabs, Backshall realized the terrible danger. “We’re being taken away from shore and out to sea,” he observed grimly.
After seven grueling hours navigating the treacherous obstacle course, the team finally reached the inlet’s far side and regained open water. But the satisfaction was tempered with unease – in these parts, sea ice should stretch unbroken to the horizon. Its absence was yet another disquieting sign of warming temperatures wreaking havoc on the region’s ecology.
Ghostly Encounters in a Melting Land
Pressing deeper into Scoresby Sund the next day, Backshall half-expected to see seals and other Arctic wildlife. But open water greeted the team instead of the platforms of ice critical for seals to rest and rear their young. “I just have a feeling this isn’t right,” said Backshall, unnerved by the absence. As the ice shrinks each summer, dwindling faster than ever, the cascading effects on local species are becoming evident.
That night, after setting up camp in the abandoned Inuit settlement of Kap Hope, the ice echoes with spectral voices from another era – eerie sounds that highlight humanity’s fleeting mark on these extreme environments. Backshall is in a land where the rhythms of life are changing inexorably as climate change disrupts millennia-old patterns.
The following morning brought an even closer encounter with one iconic denizen struggling as its icy hunting grounds fracture and melt. As the team breakfasted, a polar bear was lured to camp by the tantalizing smell of food. Undeterred by flares and warning shots, the young bear persisted in approaching, leaving Backshall no choice but to throw stones to drive it away.
While unharmed, the encounter was a sobering reminder of the growing conflicts between bears and people as nutrition-starved animals venture nearer settlements in search of sustenance. “He could smell food and he just kept on coming,” Backshall reflected soberly afterwards. The warming Arctic is bringing uncertain times for both its human and wildlife inhabitants.
Among the Towers of Ice
Pressing ever deeper into uncharted reaches of Greenland’s frozen fastness, Backshall and team marked each new day spent battling the elements as a victory. In a realm of ice, wind and frigid waters, progress was often measured in mere kilometers. Energy-laden snacks like cheese and hot chocolate sustained them between camps. Morphing ice floes remained an ever-present threat, as did the specter of wandering polar bears.
Hardships aside, the expedition was also rewarded with breathtaking sights – majestic towers of ice carved from massive glaciers, some 100 meters high. Often azure-hued and fantastically sculpted by the tireless action of wind and sea, these floating behemoths awed Backshall’s team during a brief respite on the seventh day. The titanic icebergs were yet another reminder of the power of nature in a land still cloaked in mystery.
But the splendor was bittersweet, as the ice towers melted and crumbled into the sea faster each year while the waters warmed around them – implicated in the quickening rise of global sea levels. “Breathtaking, but it’s a potentially lethal place,” Backshall remarked warily before steering the group clear of the icy leviathans. There was no time to linger amidst such beauty.
The Sea Ice Edge
After over 240 kilometers and seven grueling days of paddling, Backshall’s expedition finally glimpsed its goal – a solid white line spanning the entirety of the fjord. Weaving through a labyrinth of house-sized blocks of ice, they approached the barrier cautiously. After sawing through the last clinging slabs impeding their way, Sarah McNair-Landry clambered out onto the solid ice with cheers of elation from the team. They had reached the frozen frontier, deep inside the Arctic Circle.
“This is the biggest fjord on the planet,” remarked Backshall as he took in the sight of that vast white plain stretching to the distant glaciers feeding it. Yet the moment also underscored the rapid changes underway in the region, as the fjord’s frozen surface shattered weeks earlier than historical norms. Backshall and teammates had paddled through 200 more square kilometers of open water than ever documented before. The decline was accelerating, and the Arctic ecosystem responses were profound and cascading.
Savoring their record-setting accomplishment, the group was nevertheless sober about the melting world they had witnessed. “Climate change is changing everything now, not in 100 years’ time,” Backshall reflected. The impacts could be ignored no more. With their message delivered from the front lines, it was time to turn home. But more undiscovered worlds beckoned – and uncertain environmental fates. The expedition had only just begun.
The Frontier Spirit
Backshall’s Arctic kayak expedition up the uncharted reaches of Greenland’s Scoresby Sund was born out of equal parts passion for adventure and concern for a rapidly changing Earth. Pushing deeper into the fjord than any before, his team experienced firsthand the visceral impacts of a warming climate on the Arctic’s frigid landscape and charismatic wildlife. As the famous conservationist Aldo Leopold once wrote, having an “ecological conscience” means “thinking like a mountain” – envisioning the complex interrelationships between organisms and their environment. Backshall’s journey cultivated this perspective as never before.
In the end, the value of exploration is not merely reaching some predetermined finish line or conquering the elements. Instead, it resides in observing with eyes wide open, listening with ears unattuned, and returning with hard-won wisdom to share. The melting sea ice, stranded seals, and hungry bears encountered along the way delivered ominous messages about our planet’s future. But the expedition also highlighted nature’s residual power to inspire. From mighty icebergs to tenacious musk oxen, life persists even in the harsh polar climes.
With their kayaks loaded and spirits full, Backshall’s team began the return voyage back down the fjord, eager to reconnect with civilization but taking the raw Arctic with them in memory. “The thought that we’re the first people ever to see them is almost beyond belief,” Backshall remarked about the remote landscapes witnessed. His accounts now ensure those jagged shores, gleaming glaciers and playful seals live on in the human experience. As climate change accelerates, all people must become explorers on this expedition called Earth. Eyes open, ears listening, a readiness for the wild.
FAQ Undiscovered Worlds with Steve Backshall – Arctic Part 1
1. What is “Undiscovered Worlds with Steve Backshall – Arctic Part 1” about?
– “Undiscovered Worlds with Steve Backshall – Arctic Part 1” is an adventurous and exploratory mission led by Steve Backshall, a renowned adventurer and naturalist. The expedition takes place in the Arctic, one of the most uncharted and pristine territories on Earth, where the team aims to understand the effects of climate change on this remote region.
2. Who is involved in the Arctic expedition?
– The Arctic expedition is led by Steve Backshall, an experienced adventurer and naturalist. He is joined by his intrepid team, including polar veterans Sarah McNair-Landry and Martin Rickard, who are all committed to documenting the impacts of climate change on the Arctic.
3. What is the primary objective of the Arctic expedition?
– The primary objective of the Arctic expedition is to kayak up the colossal fjord in Greenland, which holds the title of being the largest fjord in the world. During this challenging journey, the team aims to observe and document the transformations occurring in the Arctic due to climate change and collect valuable data to better understand the region’s ecological balance.
4. How is climate change affecting the Arctic?
– The team witnesses firsthand the aftermath of the warmest winter ever recorded in the Arctic, leading to the fracturing and early breaking up of once-impenetrable sea ice. The shrinking sea ice and warming temperatures have significant impacts on the region’s wildlife, including polar bears, who are displaced from their traditional hunting grounds and face challenges in finding food.
5. What message does the expedition aim to convey?
– Beyond geographical exploration, the expedition seeks to raise environmental consciousness and highlight the urgent need for collective efforts to protect and preserve the Arctic and other unexplored corners of our planet. Steve Backshall and his team aim to inspire global action to combat the effects of climate change and safeguard the wonders of our world for future generations.
