The FRAM entered the channel into Paamiut just before 8am. The day
was sunny and without much of a breeze. We found the smallness and calmness of
Paamuit a welcome change after yesterday’s busy day in Nuuk. The museum and the
church were smaller as was the grocery store.
Some of us viewed the turf house on our walk to the overlook view
point. Others took to the water for kayaking and some went on a fishing trip
with the Fram’s officers. Seal were sighted throughout the trip but no edible
fish were caught.
While no hiking was planned this for this landing, we did some exploration and perhaps on our next landing we can organize a hike to the inland lake that is the town water supply.
Grønnedal means green valley and we were at this location about
1900 or 7pm. Gronnedal is now abandoned. Formerly it was a Danish military post
and prior to that it had been an American military installation both of these
military installations were to safeguard the nearby cryolite mine. Cryolite is
a very rare natural mineral composed of Sodium, Aluminum and Flourine.
During World War II this singular cryolite deposit was very important as
cryolite was used in the refining of bauxite ore to produce high quality
aircraft aluminum. At present cryolite is a manufactured mineral produced
artificially. In 1987 the mine closed and later the Danish military has
abandoned its nearby installation.
At present the snow hares and muskox are the only occupants of the
long green valley behind the abandoned boarded-up buildings. Most of the muskox
we saw were on the valley side-slopes.
However a few of these bulky and shaggy beasts were
photogenic-ally kind enough to continue grazing on the slopes just below the abandoned
base buildings.
It was 2200 or 10pm when we returned to the FRAM and looking back
a great time was had by all. The only local inhabitants we saw were musk-ox.
