The Sounds of Greenland
When I first considered my trip to Greenland, I enthusiastically anticipated the breathtaking scenery of fjords and icebergs bobbing among crystal-clear waters. But what transpired far exceeded my expectations. The multisensory experience was a joyous surprise and contributed to this being an awe-inspiring adventure.
The Sounds of Greenland’s Wildlife
One of the first sounds to capture the group’s attention as we traveled to Nat Hab’s Base Camp Greenland on the private ferry was the sound of a whale’s blow in the distance. Once we located its spout of misty spray on the horizon, we eagerly anticipated an encore from this beautiful humpback whale. The whale did not disappoint, and we all sat in silence, watching and listening to the repeated performance. Fortunately, this was a sound I was able to experience multiple times during our stay in Greenland, and it never became commonplace.
Listening to Greenland’s Calving Icebergs
Hearing an iceberg calve for the first time is a memorable experience. This trip to Greenland was the first time I heard a calving iceberg, which reminded me of a shotgun blast reverberating from peak to peak across the fjords. The sound echoed for a few minutes as it gradually faded. The stillness that followed was as resounding as the calving was powerful.
While the iceberg’s calving was to be expected from the icy waters of the north, the sounds of the bubbling ocean waters were not. Our Zodiac sat quietly between two glaciers as we listened to the distant rush of a 100-foot waterfall. With the boat’s engine turned off, what remained were popping sounds as bubbles released from the melting ice floated to the surface from the depths beneath us. As we sat listening, I considered how this vast land of ice is very much alive and changing.
Exploring Greenland’s Tundra on Foot
Each hike brought its own auditory delights as well. From the spongy hike across the tundra to the crunching landscape of the valley, adventures by foot were melodic excursions. The group was surprised by these phenomena and marveled at the chorus our footsteps made.
Finding Peace in Greenland’s Arctic Silence
The most resounding moments were those that had no calving icebergs, no sounds from underfoot, no mammalian behemoth’s breath—they were the sounds of my own thoughts. When the quiet enveloped me as I sat on my deck in the early morning hours, what I listened to was the song of peace, calm and harmony.
Explore Greenland’s Arctic Wilderness with Nat Hab
Experience the sights and sounds of the Arctic on Natural Habitat Adventures’ East Greenland Arctic Adventure. From our exclusive Base Camp Greenland, a comfortable wilderness retreat overlooking iceberg-filled waters near the Greenland ice sheet, explore remote fjords by Zodiac, kayak among towering icebergs and hike across colorful tundra. Led by expert naturalist Expedition Leaders and limited to just 13 travelers, this small-group adventure offers an intimate encounter with one of the world’s last great wildernesses
By Nat Hab staff member Rachel Milton
