The Coldest Spot in Nunavut

There has been a bit of a warming trend since the storm ended early Wednesday morning, here in Rankin Inlet. Not quite the plus temps of Niagara, by any means, but not the -55 wind chills of the past few weeks either. The trend for the next few days continues to warm...today is -19...and is sunny and bright. Since my arrival on February 12, the daylight hours have increased and so have the temperatures.

The view across 'Old Town' from atop the hill

Last evening, as the sun had just set there were five kids having a snowball fight outside my window...local time 7:30 p.m. The sun rises just around 7 in the morning and feels stronger every day. Just because it's cold out, that doesn't seem to stop the kids here from playing outside all the time. Extreme winds seem to be the only restriction.

A little frost

 With our weather shortened work week ended, it was a great day to go out and get some photos. The only problem I've found, is that after you are outside in these temperatures for extended periods, the cameras seem to seize up temporarily, until they are thawed or defrosted or whatever term you would like to use. They bounce back.

More frost on a cold saturday morning

Two weeks ago before one of the short weekend blizzards hit, I happened to visit the Matchbox Gallery. As I walked past the CBC building, I remembered being in the same area on a Saturday afternoon around 2, back in January 2008. This time, instead of heading directly back to the apartment, I turned right at the CBC building and climbed the incline, up the hill a few hundred meters and paused. There is a great view of Rankin Inlet from this lookout spot.

The weathered crosses of a wind swept area

The top of the hill is also a special spot in Rankin Inlet. It's the local cemetery. At -40C with another 10-12 degrees of wind chill as the winds here blow 25 km/hr or more, it has to be one of the coldest spots in Nunavut. The changes in 7 years are that the number of graves has increased and there is evidence that they are expanding it. The fence has been moved at the one end and it looks like work was underway to make it larger before the winter set in.

My visit here in 2008 was by mistake. I was following a road and trying to get some great overhead views of the town. That Saturday, there had been a funeral for a teenager in our hamlet. The young lad had hanged himself Tuesday after school. He had arrived by ambulance at the Health Centre and we tried our best..but failed him. I had stumbled upon the graveyard after family and friends had left. The wind was blowing the snow and the sun barley broke through the cloud cover. It was a cold place.

This year, when I visited the graves, I made a small wish. I, sincerely, hoped that we would not experience another situation like that one. I knew that mental health is a concern of many. There is much more conversation about it than there has ever been. Suicides of younger people here in the Arctic are too common. This trip, I had been here 5 weeks, when tragedy struck again. Another suicide.

The pickets of the fence are intricate

Thankfully, for this community here, it was not a local person. This time, the location was in Saskatchewan. That community is grieving their loss. His family has lost a son. A talented young photographer, and former associate of mine at the camera store was the victim.  He was a competent paramedic. Compassionate. Energetic. Trusting.  A guy who loved to climb, had a great girlfriend, Jill. They had stopped in at the store the last time they were in St. Catharines and I was fortunate enough to have a great conversation with them both. The seemed made for each other. There was talk of marriage.

There are few flowers, but many graves are surrounded by rocks

Jill and Jack left the store that afternoon and I said to myself what a nice couple. I only wished them well in their life together. Yesterday after lunch, I received an email...the kind no one likes to get. I'm sure that Jill is heartbroken in her grief. Jack's family...the same. There is no way that they'll ever know the real reason...just lot's more questions than answers. Rest in peace, Jack Spyker, rest in peace.     
 

The coldest spot in Rankin Inlet