Qaanaaq: A Comprehensive Guide

Photo: Dan Normann

Greenland means everything to me and Qaanaaq is a special place. It is the northernmost community in Greenland only 850 miles from the North Pole and very isolated. But that isolation has left Qaanaaq’s traditional Polar Inughuit Culture intact. Hunting and fishing are the only ways to survive so the town depends on its hunters and the Greenland Sled Dogs.

Qaanaaq has a heartbreaking history because its residents were abruptly and forcibly relocated there in the 1950s to construct Thule Air Base. To add to the challenges, now the sea ice is melting away and ancient traditions are now being threatened. Visiting places like Qaanaaq bring a human connection to climate change and make it a personal. It did for me and that inspired me to keep thinking about what I could do with my time and talents.

Remote Greenland is wild and untamed. the way of life there is unlike anything I could have imagined let alone experienced. I’m so thrilled that more of you are interested in visiting Qaanaaq to experience it for yourself. There is additional information near the bottom of the destinations page on this website.

I normally recommend people watch Nat Geo’s program ‘Life Below Zero’ or ‘The First Alaskans’ but the lack of access to resources in the remote areas are not comparable. Here are some videos from creators I trust on the subject but books remain the best resource. The Meaning of Ice Project and Jean Malaurie’s Ultima Thule: Explorers and Natives of the Polar North

There are multiple posts on Qaanaaq. The first is a brief outline of the basic facts and attraction to Qaanaaq for most visitors, with an emphasis on photographers and filmmakers. Videos used to be mostly unavailable but now they’re more available so I will be linking to those as well. Lonnie Dupre’s film just came out last week and is particularly relevant.

Personal collection of my photographs from Qaanaaq

The light is unique this high north as is the fog. Here are some examples from my trip to Qaanaaq a few years ago in the October period. There was an unexpected harvest of beluga whales so the town came out to butcher and distribute the catch to everyone for their freezers as winter was arriving. It was jarring to see but also beautiful to witness communal sharing and the we / us mentality versus the I / me that we are taught in the west.

 Location and Basic Information

  • Located in North Greenland (Avanersuaq Municipality)

  • Northernmost town in Greenland

  • Latitude: Approximately 77°26'N

  • Population: Roughly 600 inhabitants

  • Climate: High Arctic, with extreme seasonal variations

  • Nearest larger settlement: Thule Air Base (operated by the United States)

Traditional Culture - Inuit Heritage

  • Primarily Inuit population, specifically Thule Inuit descendants

  • Traditional subsistence activities:

    •  Hunting marine mammals (seals, walrus)

    • Fishing

    • Traditional dog sledding

    • Strong preservation of traditional hunting and survival techniques

 

Cultural Practices

  • Seasonal migration patterns

  • Complex hunting and food-sharing social structures

  • Traditional clothing made from animal skins

  • Extensive knowledge of sea ice and navigation

 

Access and Logistics

  • Extremely remote location

  • Limited transportation options:

  • Seasonal air services

  • Occasional boat connections

  • No road connections to other settlements

  • Challenging travel conditions, especially during winter months

Photographic Considerations - Landscape Characteristics

  • Dramatic Arctic landscape

  • Extensive sea ice

  • Minimal vegetation

  • Stark, minimalist terrain

  • Extraordinary light conditions during polar day and polar night

 

Recommended Photographic Periods

  • Late winter/early spring (March-May): Sea ice photography

  • Summer (June-August): Midnight sun, potential for color photography

  • Winter (October-February): Polar night, aurora potential

 

Scientific Significance

  • Climate change research zone

  • Unique ecological environment

  • Indigenous adaptation studies

  • Glacial and sea ice dynamics

 

Environmental Uniqueness

  • Part of the North Water Polynya (NOW)

  • Critical marine ecosystem

  • Significant wildlife habitat

  • Rapid environmental transformation zone

 

Potential Photography Themes

  • Human adaptation to extreme environments

  • Climate change impact

  • Traditional vs. modern survival techniques

  • Minimalist landscape documentation

  • Cultural preservation

  • Human-environment interaction

 

Practical Recommendations for Photographers

  • Extensive cold-weather gear

  • Specialized photography equipment

  • Local guide/translator recommended

  • Permissions for cultural documentation

  • Respect for local customs and privacy

 

Recommended Local Contacts

  • Visit Greenland / Explore North Greenland

  • Thule Hunters and Fishermen's Association

  • Ultima Thule by Saki Daorana

  • Kista and Qillaq Henson - Qaanaaq Accommodation

  • Hotel Qaanaaq

 

Suggested Equipment

  • Robust, cold-resistant camera bodies

  • Wide-angle and telephoto lenses

  • Extreme cold battery solutions

  • Protective gear for electronics

  • Backup equipment recommended

 

Potential Documentary Angles

  • Survival in changing Arctic conditions

  • Intergenerational cultural transmission

  • Environmental resilience

  • Human interaction with extreme landscapes

Arielle Montgomery