Nearly two weeks of isolation have come to an end with the arrival of the Spanish team (9 people and 52 dogs strong).  Now, our minds have started honing in on "home."  But first, we'll set out with four Inuit hunters to track polar bears and hunt seals.  During our time with them, I learn quite a bit about the Inuit hunting culture.  One fascinating note is that they convert their sleds into tents so that they can venture out for weeks on end. 

The transformer "tent-sled." 

Above: The last generation of Inuit hunters?  Below right: Polar bear tracks.

With some sad nostalgia they report that none of their children come out on these trips to learn the skills.  There simply isn't much hope for productive hunting in the future.  "Our roads are the seas," they tell us, and now that the sea ice is disappearing more and more every year, hunting as a way of Inuit life won't for long be a reality.  "We are losing our roads and soon will have nowhere to go." 

And so we've reached the end of our trip.  Our equipment has performed beautifully (minus the busted tent pole!), the strict, simple diet was actually incredibly energizing, and these human machines have behaved at their natural capacity, thanks in large part of regular "injections" of a certain "yoga energy oil" that was prescribed by Heather and Toni back home. 

Tonight we'll get picked up by a twin otter--the 12-seat plane that dominates the Arctic skies--that is chartered from Iqualuit, Canada, and it will take four days to finally get home. 

The twin otter that will bring us (the first leg) home.  

Thanks to the NRDC, IPF, and the home team for helping relay these reports. 

See you down home!