Route: Akshayuk Pass (NU, Canada)

Location
Nunavut, CA
Distance
97.8 km
Description

Submitted by Paul Galipeau, this must be one of the most remote routes on this entire site!

Located in Auyuittuq National Park of Canada on Baffin Island in Nunavut, Canada, Akshayuk Pass is a traditional Inuit travel corridor through spectacular mountain scenery. The 97 km pass connects Pangnirtung Fiord in Cumberland Sound (the closest community is Pangnirtung), with North Pangnirtung Fiord off Davis Strait (the closest community is Qikiqtarjuaq). Reaching either trailhead requires support and boat transportation from guides and outfitters in Pangnirtung and Qikiqtarjuaq. 

This 97km route is typically done in eight days (one-way) and can be hiked in the summer or skied in the winter. Although there are a number of waypoints along the way (including nine emergency shelters), this is an unmarked trail that gets very little visitation. Parks Canada provides mandatory polar bear safety training to anyone attempting the trail and has strict rules related to leave no trace. The Akshayuk Pass travels alongside a number of impressive mountains, including Mount Thor which features the world's highest vertical drop of 1,250 m (4,101 ft). It's a rugged trail that traverses several glacier moraines, soft muskeg and many river crossings.

I know two people who likely have the unsupported FKT of 25.5 hours (September 2018) but I'll let them claim it if they choose to.
 

Printed map available here:  http://www.chrismar.com/P05zAUY1.htm

GPS Track

Comments

There have been at least 5 people who have run this trail - the fastest known so far is 18 hours for men and 23 hours for women.

I'm wondering if you have any information on where I could locate an account of these speed attempts? Thanks!