Auyuittuq National Park

Infobox_protected_area|name=Auyuittuq National Park
iucn_category=II

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caption=Location of "Auyuittuq National Park" in Canada
locator_x=178
locator_y=69
location=Nunavut, Canada
nearest_city=Pangnirtung, Qikiqtarjuaq
lat_degrees=67
lat_minutes=53
lat_seconds=0
lat_direction=N
long_degrees=65
long_minutes=01
long_seconds=00
long_direction=W
area= 21,471 km²
established=1976
visitation_num=
visitation_year=
governing_body=Parks Canada

Auyuittuq National Park is a national park located on Baffin Island's Cumberland Peninsula, Qikiqtaaluk Region, in Nunavut, Canada. It features the many terrains of Arctic wilderness, such as fjords, glaciers, and ice fields. In Inuktitut - the language of Nunavut's Aboriginal people, Inuit - Auyuittuq means "the land that never melts". Although Auyuittuq was established in 1976 as a national park reserve, it was upgraded to a full national park in 2000.

Little vegetation can be found in Auyuittuq Park, although the plants that are found there range from flowers such as Mountain Avens, Campion, Papaver, and Saxifrage to shrubs like Dwarf Birch, Arctic Willow, and heather. Many of the plants in Auyuittuq Park grow in clumps to create their own warmer "microclimate" to survive the harsh Arctic conditions.

Because of the exceptionally low vegetation supply, wildlife is very scarce. There are only 12 species of mammals that live in Auyuittuq Park and these range from Lemmings (both the North American Brown Lemming and the Northern Collared Lemming), Arctic Hare, and Ermine to Polar Bear, Arctic Fox, and some Barren-ground Caribou.

The nearest towns are Qikiqtarjuaq and Pangnirtung. Visitors wishing to enter the park are required to register at the park office in Pangnirtung or Qikiqtarjuaq, and attend an orientation session. Park user fees apply.

The most common backpacking route in the park is known as Akshayuk Pass, and follows the Weasel and Owl Rivers via Summit Lake.

Well known peaks include Mount Asgard (shown in the James Bond film "The Spy Who Loved Me") with an 800 meter (2625 foot) face, and Mount Thor with a 1,250 meter (4,100 foot), 105° face.

Gallery

ee also

*National Parks of Canada
*List of National Parks of Canada
*List of Nunavut parks
*Arctic Cordillera

Further reading

* Ferguson, Steven H, Mitchell K Taylor, and Francois Messier. 1997. "Space Use by Polar Bears in and Around Auyuittuq National Park, Northwest Territories, During the Ice-Free Period". "Canadian Journal of Zoology". 75, no. 10: 1585.
* Hines, James E., and Steve Moore. "The Vegetation and Flora of Auyuittuq National Park Reserve, Baffin Island". Yellowknife: Dept. of Renewable Resources, Govt. of the Northwest Territories, 1988.
* Konotepetz, Larry. "Archaeological Sites of Auyuittuq National Park Reserve". Microfiche report series, 315. [Ottawa] : Environment Canada, Canadian Parks Service, 1985.
* Masterton, J. M., and B. F. Findlay. "The Climate of Auyuittuq National Park, Baffin Island, Northwest Territories". Toronto: Atmospheric Environment Service, Meteorological Applications Branch, 1976.
* Tarnocai, C. "Monitoring the Integrity of Cultural Sites, Auyuittuq National Park Reserve". Ottawa: Research Branch (ECORC), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 1998.
* Wilson, Roger. "The Land That Never Melts Auyuittuq National Park". Toronto: Peter Martin Associates Limited in association with Indian and Northern Affairs and Pub. Centre, Supply and Services Canada, 1976. ISBN 0887781438

External links

* [http://pc.gc.ca/pn-np/nu/auyuittuq/index_e.asp Official site]
* [http://www.summitpost.org/show/mountain_link.pl/mountain_id/2772 Mount Thor Peak climbing info]
* [http://www.qikiqtarjuaq.com/auyuittuqpark.htm Information and pictures - from The Tulugak Hotel]
* [http://www.canadianparks.com/nunavut/auyutnp/index.htm Auyuittuq National Park Information]