OFF THE GRID
bit of courage and a genuine love of adventure,
but one is rewarded with unforgettable visual
memories. Not many people have entered a dive in
Semalik Fjord in East Greenland in their logbook.
The best is reserved for the end of the trip:
the icebergs on the Atlantic coast. This also
demonstrates the huge logistical effort that is
needed on a Greenland expedition to reach the
dive sites. From the accommodation in Tasiilaq,
the equipment has to be first brought by car to
the harbour, loaded onto a sledge and pulled
by muscle power to the ice edge. By this point
everybody wants the huskies back. Finally,
everything is stowed in a small day boat and
from there it goes through the icy fjord. As the
boat makes its way through the ice floes with a
seemingly relaxed Inuit captain, Ian from the USA
exclaims, “that is amazing!” He has been filming
the ride with his action camera and is now
looking back from the bow, grinning at the other
passengers. “I can’t wait for the dive!” he says,
anticipating the next adventure. But not every
iceberg that has broken off from the northern
glaciers and driven southwards along the coast
can be dived. “The iceberg must be as stable as
possible without overhanging edges or large cracks,
otherwise a piece could suddenly break off,” warns
Gust. Of course, this risk can never be entirely
ruled out, but thanks to the long experience of the
organiser he can assess the potential danger well
and unerringly chooses the correct ice giants.
The colossus reveals
unexpected forms, strangely
similar to a coral reef
In April, the underwater visibility on the coast
is exceptional. At least 20 to 30 metres is not
uncommon and it can be up to 60 metres. Some of
the 90 percent of the iceberg, which is supposed
to be underwater, can already be seen from the
surface. The structures of the giant are shimmering
blue-greenish in the strong sunlight. The colossus
reveals unexpected forms, strangely similar to a
coral reef with canyons, coves and small plateaus,
which extend far beyond the structures of the
part of the iceberg that can be seen over the
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SDOP
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