#1: [11-Jul-06] (incomplete)

02-Jul-2013 -- This is the third out of 6 reports of attempts to reach confluence points in Greenland. The story starts from 67°N 50°W. The previous confluence report is 67°N 51°W.

It is actually quite a coincidence that the Polar Circle Trail follows 67°N so well, that the hiker of the trail comes near 3 confluence points. The middle one (this one) however sits in the lake Tasersuaq, 178 m from its northern shore. Such little distance may seem no problem to overcome at the first sight. But a closer look at the topography shows you quite some degree of difficulty. If you have no boat available, you would need to swim at least 78 m in the lake in order to make it a successful visit. Since the water temperature is seldom above 5° C, you may consider taking a swimsuit that keeps you warm. In addition to the swimming part, it is difficult to reach the northern shore of the lake – as Peter Scharfenberg already mentioned: the deviation from the trail is a hike of 1-2 additional days not including some necessary climbs.

The southern shore can be easily reached on foot. But from the southern shore the minimal distance to the confluence is 1400 m, such that a boat is definitively needed.

In the neighbouring lake Amitsorsuaq there are lots of canoes for free use. It would be possible to take a canoe down to the lake Tasersuaq where the confluence is located. The task to bring it back upstream may require a portage.

Under these circumstances we stayed on the trail without an attempt. On the location with the best view to the confluence area, I took a close-up picture, where the confluence is right in the center of it.

So we went on, skipped the nearest hut in 5 km distance from the CP and stayed the night in one hut further on the trail.

CP Visit Details:

• Distance to an asphalt road: 50 km
• Distance to a track: 3.9 km
• Time at CP: 9:00 AM
• Measured height: 341 m (at viewpoint)
• Minimal distance according to GPS: 3.87 km
• Position accuracy: 4 m
• Topography: mountainous
• Vegetation: tundra.
• Weather: sunny, 8° C (felt temperature)
• Given Name: The Missing Canoe Confluence

The story continues is at 67°N 53°W.