Iberville on the left, with the icefield below


 

Expedition to the Torngat Mountains

Day 5: Monday, August 13
Holes of blue sky

We decide to make a quick push for Mont d'Iberville at 8:00 this morning, although we are greeted by grey, cloudy, drizzly, windy weather... not the best conditions for a summit attempt. The rocks are slippery and there are loose talus slopes to traverse. The icefield is visible from the caribou trail we are following, but the summit is hidden by low cloud and fog. We continue nevertheless, and stop for a snack and a rest not too far, in terms of distance, from the summit - maybe a good hour and a half away - which remains hidden by cloud. Vinh and Normand continue up and stop at the beginning of the fin-like crest that leads to the top of Québec's highest peak. Bruno and I follow shortly after, leaving Lisette with our daypacks below. We also stop at the crest.

The conditions are not good enough to push for the summit. With the strong gusts of wind and the sharp dropoffs on either side, we decide to head back down. After lagging behind the other members and losing the caribou trail, Lisette and I negotiate a precipitous route to the alpine lake below, where Normand, Bruno and Vinh wait for us. We manage to get down safely and return to camp, tired, slightly disappointed, but in good spirits nevertheless. The view from the crest was incredible: cirques and peaks, fins and craggy cliffsides, small patches of snow and alpine lakes, all shrouded by a veil of mist and fog, vaulted by grey clouds with occasional raggedy holes of blue sky beyond.

As if toying with us, on our way down, the weather cleared and Mont d'Iberville revealed its craggy glory.

This weather pattern would repeat itself throughout the expedition.


Day 6: An Easy Day


this travelogue is part of the subside travelzine
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