While today’s Canadian Ice Service chart shows 44 icebergs in our vicinity, I’m pretty sure that everybody in St. John’s noticed only 1 of them, the one that almost moved into the Narrows:
It’s a good bet that this iceberg will be the year’s most often photographed iceberg. Not because it was special, it was rather flat and plain, like a big white Dorito. No, this iceberg distinguished itself by something it did: it was the first iceberg of the season to really ‘hit’ the coast, and it managed to do this just below Signal Hill, on a Sunday.
I’m not exaggerating when I say thousands of people saw this thing float by, me included. Flu or no flu, after spotting it on the webcam this morning I just had to see it for myself, I bundled up warm and headed for North Head.
I walked the sunny trail up and down several times, spoke to many people. Most of them were speculating on the height of the thing, I heard estimates ranging from 3 to 10 m, but without a ship next to it for scale, all the speculation was just that, speculation.
Enter a ‘ship’. A small coastguard vessel zoomed around the berg for a bit, giving me something to work with:
Let’s say, by the size of the operator, that this boat is about 7 m long. Taking that measurement I estimate this iceberg is an average of 7 m tall and about 270 m long on the long side, quite a berg after all!
Fort Amherst
After seeing the iceberg from all angles on Signal Hill, I moved on. During the course of the day the iceberg was steadily moving south, so Fort Amherst was the next obvious vantage point:
Next stop: East Coast Trail
After these crowded places, it was time for a better view from the East Coast Trail, so I headed up Deadmans Bay Path. The trail uphill was as slippery as slippery gets, ice flowed down every corner, making the ascent difficult to say the least:
When I made it op top I decided it was all well worth it though. First and foremost, I saw the iceberg, properly:
I also enjoyed squirrels chirping in the trees, watched bald eagles making inquisitive flybys and I snacked on deliciously juicy partridgeberries. Let me tell you, this hike almost cured my flu right there. Almost.
Some great shots there. The one with the boat certainly gives a good perspective. We hiked Biscan Bay trail yesterday and saw 3 bergs. Two were seen from Pouch Cove and one was almost at the Cape.. ……one of the bergs in Pouch Cove was flat like the one in the Narrows, but the other 2 were “normal” bergs with some height. The trail there was very icy in sections and made for some interesting footwork……
Thanks Marian, also for the update on the situation on Biscan Cove Path. It’s been a week since I was there last and the icebergs seem to be everywhere now… And yes, I know exactly what you mean by those icy sections, hiking in March is a slippery affair for sure! But fun too!
Soooo cooooooll!!!!! I am so exited for you!!!
Are the white spots in the distance in your last pictures icebergs as well???
I’m exited too Viola 🙂
Those white spots are indeed other icebergs, today too there were icebergs everywhere you looked. It’s hard to say what size they are though from this distance, today I saw a dozen bergs at the very least, one big one from very close by 🙂
To flu or not to flu, tha’s not the question in this case! Very nice iceberg!!!!!. I hope for you much more of this “bergs”. I hope to see much more pictures
Hi Edwin, I have some very ‘cool’ photos to show you, I’ll put them all in my slideshow for when you come to visit this summer.
Sunday morning on the West Coast and I am searching for hiking options in NL as I am coming out in late June this year – found your site and really appreciate all the information. Your advice on accommodations, must hike routes or whatever would be appreciated. Loved your comments about following icebergs – first time I saw one, it was like spotting wildlife in the mountains out here and you just keep hiking keeping the animal in sight as you creep forward, holding your breath and hoping it will be there! It’s bringing me back to your great province.
Hello Donna, glad you appreciate the info on my blog.
I can’t really recommend any accommodations since I don’t have any experience with them.
Must-hike routes, of course depend on how much time you want to spend on the East Coast Trail. I love almost all of the trails on this site, but in popular opinion Spout Path is the ‘best’ one. Stiles Cove Path is also pretty popular.
Late June gets you in the right timeframe of enjoying the whale season (little too early), and for that I recommend Cobbler Path (altitude) and Cape Spear Path, because whales have to swim around the cape sooner or later.
Hope this helps, let me know if you need more info.
Love your site
Glad you like it Kenny, I’m a big fan of Newfoundland. 🙂
Awesome