Greenland / Iceland Adventure 2023

I recently returned from exploring Iceland's Litli Hrutur volcano eruption and Highlands prior to an intensive 10 days on the East Coast of Greenland. The eruption was surely a highlight and a bucket list moment to witness as well as to photograph. I had planned my visit to Iceland, which is generally the jump off point to visiting Greenland, months earlier and the latest eruption happened to coincide with my travel plans. I had arranged a Cessna charter months earlier, and the volcano was close enough to the south coast and highlands that I was able to view from above as well as during a hike. Just incredible to see in person. I drove to the West Fjords briefly and the Highlands before flying into Kulusuk, Greenland. Our pilot needed to abort the first attempt to land in Greenland due to dense fog. So, back to Iceland we flew for an extra day until weather was clear enough for a landing on the following day.

Greenland is a wild place, where ice river inlets connect to the North Atlantic. Not much green to report, mostly ice covered igneous rocky shorelines with the Greenland Icecap creeping toward the water's edge. I encountered all types of weather during my short stay. Brief periods of clearing sandwiched between rain, thick fog, and even some high elevation snow. Seas were generally calm, with long periods of profound stillness that made for some great photo opportunities. Many whales were spotted, just not in photogenic conditions so I just enjoyed them without taking photos. My Iceland images are probably more exciting to view, as the incredible vastness, emptiness, and harshness of the Greenland landscape was a challenge to convey in photos. With little direct sun, sunrises and sunsets were generally muted at best. Chances of Polar Bear encounters were slim, but safety concerns limited my ability and freedom to roam for compositions as I am usually accustomed to.

Here are some favorites from the locations. Galleries for the trip may appear in the near future. Enjoy!