June 12, 2025
We are in Chemideoya a small island just 500 miles from the North Pole.
Our adventure today puts boots on the ground to search for polar bears. After a zodiac ride from the ship to the shore and a scary landing at the beach where we had to climb on wet rocks we grabbed hiking poles and headed off in the deep snow in search of polar bear tracks.
After searching for a bit we came upon some fresh bear tracks so we knew we were headed in the right direction. A bit later we found tracks where a bear had rolled down a hill on it stomach!!! We hiked on and shortly we saw a bear in the distance. We stood quietly and observed this incredible created though binoculars as it played in the snow. For any of you that are concerned it was totally safe as were were at a safe distance and the guide had both a flare gun and a rifle to use in case it decided to have a yellow jacketed human for lunch.
I love the picture of a group hiking up the hill. Our guide told us that is their version of having their ducks in a row because of our yellow jackets…lol.
On our way back to the landing spot we spotted an Arctic Fox!! What an unexpected treat.
After hiking almost 5 miles in the deep snow I was exhausted but happy! Back in February when I was doing the heart surgery I doubted that I would ever be able to adventure again and here I am just a few months later doing it….so incredibly blessed.
Back on the ship we found out that one of the guides had slipped on the rocks and needed to be helicoptered out…..a reminder that even the professionals can get hurt in this environment.
A we moved closer to the North Pole we encounter an ice field where the ship had to navigate carefully. Once we reached the northern most point we weren’t on the top deck and toasted our adventure.
Absolutely another “Best Day Ever…..so far”!!!!!
