Beautifully illustrated with stunning photos and detailed maps, Baffin Island is the best available volume for anyone considering a trip to - or even remotely interested in - the possibilities that a trek to Baffin Island has to offer.

 

From http://www.summitpost.org/

 

Big wall mountaineering came to Baffin Island in 1971 and 1972 with visits by British big wall climber and Himalayan mountaineer Doug Scott among others. New routes were put up on a number of rock faces including the classic free climb on Mt. Asgard the East Pillar (VI 5.10+). This was followed several years later by the amazing solo epic by Charlie Porter on the NW face of Asgard that was considered to be the first grade VII climb ever.

 

This publicity, and the establishment of a National Park in 1972, resulted in the increasing popularity of Baffin Island. One of the largest uninterrupted cliff faces in the world is found on Thor Peak's overhanging west face. This was the site of much activity in the 1980s and 1990s when very difficult aid routes were put up. The West Face (VII 5.10 A4+)was attempted at least 5 times and resulted in the fatality of a Japanese climber before it saw a successful complete ascent.

 

A good summary of some of the major big-wall routes on Baffin Island along with topos is found in the February 1996 issue of Climbing magazine and the 1996 issue of the Canadian Alpine Journal. Also, the Canadian Alpine Journal and the American Alpine Journal are some of the best sources of information for climbing routes, give ideas about conditions and challenges that can be expected on these, and sometimes even make for entertaining reading.

 

Cumberland Peninsula 

 

This region of Baffin Island is well-known for the impressive cliffs and mountains along the deep valleys of Akshayuk Pass. The most well-known landmarks are the two cylindrical towers of Mt. Asgard and the overhanging cliff face of Thor Peak. The highest point on Baffin Island is also here, although it is still debatable whether this is found on Mt. Odin's summit, Tęte Blanche, or an unnamed snow dome on the Penny Ice Cap 25 km away.

 

Most of this region is contained within Auyuittuq National Park, which is mostly covered by the Penny Ice Cap. Auyuittuq is Inuktitut for something like 'the Land that Never Melts', and ironically, the glaciers are melting fast and have been retreating significantly in recent decades. The popular Akshayuk Pass backpacking route traverses the park along the Weasel and Owl Rivers, and is one of the few marked trails in Nunavut. Parks Canada has erected 8 emergency shelters along the 90 km route, although sleeping in these is prohibited except for emergencies. Virtually all the major peaks and glacier approaches can be accessed from these valleys.