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Ataa Sound
Ataa Sound (Ikerasak) runs first in a northerly direction for about 18 km between the mainland and Arveprinsens Ejland. Then it bends to the north-northeast for about 10 km after which it opens into a wide, nameless basin. The Sound's width varies from 1 to 3 km. At latitude 69°35' N it merges with Kangerluaarsussuaq Fiord. Water depths in the Sound are well known following measurements made by M.C. Engell. In the southern part, water depths reach 400 to 500 m, while in the northern part depths only reach 200 to 300 m. Approaching the basin, depths again reach 400 m. The southern coastline of Arveprinsens Ejland is fairly straight without any bays or protruding points. The coast line is fairly high and steep so that there are only a few places where one can travel down to the shore. One of these places is about 3 km south of Ataa Station where the most commonly used sled track "over the Ataa hills" to Ritenbenk/Appat begins. The other place is about 7 km farther south in a creek valley called Aqqartarfik, meaning "the place where one drives down". The other part of the coast, from Ataa northwards, is much lower and easier to travers, but has no bays either. The mainland coastline between Pakitsoq and Kangerluaarsussuaq offers more variation: there are bays and inlets that can be used to give harbour, and the headlands offer protection from the elements. The region between these two fiords, Qitermiut Land, encompasses about 150 square km in an almost equilateral triangle, which, to the south, peaks at over 400 m. Out towards Ataa Sound is the old settlement of Qitermiut. Kangerluaarsussuaq is a fiord approximately 20 km long and 3 km wide. It runs southeast and ends in a 4 km long valley which leads to Paakitsoq's northern arm. This valley is well suited as a sled track when the ice in Ataa Sound is impassable due to the effects of ocean currents. There is also a sled track on land along the northern shore to the inner part of the basin near Eqe. The fiord's coastline is very steep and barren. These bare hills give a light grey reflection which can be seen from far away. This colour comen part, especially in the inner fiord, because the hills are sprinkled with a fine ice granule. Nothing is known about the fiord's water depth. In the middle of the fiord lies a 2.5 km long narrow, low island called Qeqertaq. The land between Kangerluaarsussuaq Fiord and the basin is rectangular in shape with an area of about 450 square km. The land is high and there are two promontories, Qaarsorsuag and Oqaatsunnguit, towards Ataa Sound. There are also highly populated rookeries found here. A stream draining a small lake tumbles down the steep coastal cliff in a beautiful waterfall. The northern coast towards the basin lies lower and is easier to access. Between Arveprinsens Ejland's northern extent and the mainland, the basin meets Ataa Sound to the southwest. To the north, two channels, one on each side of Qeqertakassak Island, lead into Torsukattak ice-fiord. Within the basin is a triangular island with an area of about 16 square km and a peak of over 400 m. On the south side of this island is the now abandoned settlement of Illuluaarsuit. Four small islands and many islets lie between the triangular island and Qeqertarsuaq, of which the northernmost is called Illutalik (meaning "the one with houses"). Here are numerous well preserved building sites, graves and naangissut of very old dates. The boundary of the Trading District lies between these small islands. Two tongues from the inland ice cap flow into the basin and then to the open sea. They are separated by a nunataq (land surrounded by glacier) about 6 km long by 3 km wide. This nunataq has a high coastline. There is a small lake, called Ilulialik, on the slope towards the inland ice into which a small tongue from the inland ice calves icebergs. Due to the strong currents, the ice in Ataa Sound is usually poor along the west side. This is why the sled trail is closer to the opposite side. Even there, it normally becomes necessary to drive up onto Qitermuuat Land in several places. Major currents occur near Ataa Station, both east and west of the Station. They also occur outside Kangerluaarsussuaq Fiord. The outlets from the basin, on both sides of Torsukattak Fiord, are only occasionally passable by sled. On the other hand, the ice in the southern part of the basin usually forms early and often stays into June. Occasionally the trail from Ataa to Ritenbenk/Appat and northern and western destinations must make a bend up towards Arsivik and in over land to the bottom of the fiord after it crosses Arveprinsens Ejland. When possible, one takes the trail along the east coast and uses all the ice flows one can. Because of the extremely steep and rocky terrain, the sled trail, Qilersuit - Ilulissat, is perhaps the most difficult of all the regular mail and general travel routes in North Greenland. Occasionally it is possible to travel from Ataa via Arsivik, Ulussat and Torsukattak straight to Qeqertaq in the Ritenbenk/Appat District. In Kangerluaarsussuaq and Ilorteq Fiords, the ice often forms before Christmas and, as a rule, remains undisturbed long into June. |
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Ilulissat Tourist Nature - P.O. Box 169 - 3952 Ilulissat (Greenland) |
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Tel. +299 944420 - Fax +299 944624 - Mobile +299 545420 - email: touna@greennet.gl |
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