Baffin Island Expedition: Akshayuk Pass Traverse

Expedition log Built on everything we’ve learned guiding in the Arctic and Yukon Refined through real expedition experience in remote northern terrain. Departure Date July 10 to 30, 2027 Book this expedition You’ll be redirected to our secure Square checkout to pay the first 20% installment. This confirms your spot on the expedition. A confirmation email with next steps, preparation details, and payment schedule will follow. Payment Schedule 20% due upon booking to confirm your spot. 40% due July 1, 2026 to support advance expedition planning, permits, logistics, and preparation. Remaining 40% due 3 months before departure. Because this expedition requires significant advance planning, logistics, and preparation, payments follow a custom schedule rather than our standard deposit structure. The expedition This is a backpacking expedition through the Arctic, moving entirely on foot across one of the most remote valleys in Canada. We carry everything we need, establish camp in the wild each night, and travel day by day through the heart of Auyuittuq National Park on Baffin Island. There are no marked trails, and travel follows natural lines through the landscape — across tundra, river valleys, and glacial outwash terrain. This is a fully guided backcountry journey focused on steady movement, good decision-making, and adapting to the conditions of the North. Each day builds on the last as we move deeper into the valley as a team. Terrain & environment Akshayuk Pass is a long glacial valley carved between steep granite peaks, surrounded by icefields and fed by constantly changing rivers. Travel here is defined by: Open tundra and rocky valley floors Glacial outwash plains and braided river systems Uneven, off-trail terrain requiring careful footing Multiple river crossings, varying in depth and flow Exposure to weather, with little natural shelter The terrain is non-technical and does not involve climbing or glacier travel. However, it is physically demanding and requires stability, endurance, and the ability to move efficiently over rough ground for consecutive days. Conditions can change quickly. Wind, rain, and temperature shifts are part of the experience, and flexibility is key. This is a place where distance is measured differently. Progress depends not just on kilometers, but on what the landscape allows. Expedition style This is a true backcountry expedition. We carry full packs with personal and shared gear Camps are established in remote locations each night Meals are prepared in the field There is no fixed infrastructure along the route Once we enter the valley, we are fully immersed in it. Days are structured but not rigid. Some will be long and steady, covering significant distance. Others may be shorter, depending on river levels, weather, or terrain. Built-in flexibility allows us to adapt to the environment rather than push against it. The focus is on moving through the landscape as a team, maintaining a steady pace, and making sound decisions in a remote setting. Before entering the backcountry We begin in Pangnirtung, where we take time to settle into the North before committing to the traverse. Cultural introduction and time spent in the community Fishing experience with a local partner A full-day hike to Mount Duval to prepare for the days ahead We believe it’s important to take time here — to get a sense of the land, and to better understand the people who live on it, before heading into the backcountry. This phase is intentional. It allows the group to adjust, organize gear, and step into the environment gradually. The traverse From Pangnirtung, we travel by boat to the edge of the park and begin the crossing of Akshayuk Pass. Over approximately 12 days, we move through the valley, establishing camp along the route and progressing steadily through one of the most striking Arctic landscapes. Surrounded by massive granite faces and glaciers, we travel beneath peaks like Mount Thor and Mount Asgard — not as objectives, but as part of the environment we move through. There is a strong sense of continuity in this journey. Each day builds on the previous one, and the experience comes from being fully immersed in the landscape over time. Return After completing the traverse, we hike out of the valley and return by boat to Qikiktarjuaq, after which we fly back to Pangnirtung. From there, we travel back to Ottawa together, closing the expedition as a group before everyone departs.