We drove to Conception Harbour where we put in to paddle North to Bacon Cove. But first we ...
... we checked out the sunken wreck of a ship. Its the signature attraction in Conception Harbour for us.
After hanging out at the wreck for a while we headed north toward Bacon Cove and the reported iceberg.
As we came around Bacon Cove Point the iceberg came into view but it was a long way off.
We kept paddling and the berg got bigger. Well, closer. When we got to about a kilometer away we heard a loud bang and a piece broke off and crashed into the water. A few seconds passed and another piece broke off; and another and the thing just kept breaking apart. I was dismayed because I wasn't going to be able to see it in its huge, majestic state.
This is a screen shot of it (please note the lagoon in the center) before it collapsed and ...
... this is what was left after the crashing and banging was over. I figured I was between about 100 meters from the remnant when I took this shot. It looked like it was surrounded on all sides by a similar amount of broken ice.
Here's a link to a video posted on Facebook from a boat in the vicinity that captured the collapse.
A lot of the ice that was shed was small but several larger chunks floated in the debris field.
Hazen and I paddled to the north side where some of the floating ice began to disperse. The berg had rolled and the underside smoothed by the water had come to the surface on the left.
We continued to circle the berg. On the NW side there was no floating ice.
The extent of the roll was evident from the NW side as we got a little closer but still at a safe distance. We were forewarned! The area occupied by the lagoon in a previous picture was now tilted down almost vertical (left of center, semi-circle).
My signature cap that I've had forever was no longer fit to wear. I bought a new one which I wore today on its inaugural paddle. Still supporting Oranje!
Back on the south side the ice surrounding the berg had not dispersed Some of the ice was just slivers that was refreshing as it melted in my mouth. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take a piece home to drop in a glass of rum as it would have melted before I could get it there.
We took one last look before heading back to the takeout.
I believe we act safely near icebergs. I can't speculate how close we would have approached had the berg not broken up. But I will say that once the berg did begin to collapse we would have urgently had to paddle away. When it started I could see pieces of ice flying a considerable distance. Hazen and I discussed it. We felt in this case a distance of 5 times the perceived height would have been appropriate.
It was only one berg but due to its collapse, it provided a fun and awe inspiring day showcasing the power in icebergs. Stay safe near icebergs; discretion is the best part of valour!
