Kangerlussuaq
From World travel guide
Kangerlussuaq, is a settlement on the west coast of Greenland near the end of a fjord of the same name. It's Danish name is Søndre Strømfjord, and until the early 1990's was home to a U.S. military base known as Bluie West Eight. The settlement and the airfield share a symbiotic relationship with most residents being employed by it in one way or another.
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Understand
Kangerlussuaq began as an important stopover point for aircraft between North America and Europe during World War II. During the Cold War the airfield served as a U.S. early warning facility before being decommissioned in 1992.
Today, the airfield is one of the largest in Greenland and still serves as the main staging area for scientific personnel manning Greenland's many research facilities and base camps. An area to the east of town was the launch site for several sounding rockets used in upper atmospheric studies in the 1970s and 1980s. A radar facility used for ionospheric studies is operated by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Danish Meteorological Institute to the west of town at Kellyville.
The town itself is roughly be divided into two halves, the original settlement itself and the former military area on the opposite side of the airfield. With the closure of the military base many of the former barracks are slowly being converted for civilian use.
Get in
As with most settlements in Greenland, ground transportation is very limited.
By plane
Air Greenland operates several flights into Kangerlussuaq airport and will probably be the primary method used by most visitors. Scientific and technical personnel flying into Kangerlussuaq for research purposes will typically fly into Kangerlussuaq via New York Air National Guard C-130s from Staunton ANG Base in New York State, USA.
By boat
Get around
See
- The Greenland icesheet begins at the end of the fjord past the eastern end of town and is a spectacular sight to behold. The icesheet can be reached at the end of a gravel road running east near the post office. On foot, the entire hike takes roughly an hour.
- Kangerlussuaq is located under a spot known for strong auroral activity. Visitors during the winter months should be able to see spectacular displays of the Aurora Borealis (a.k.a. the Northern Lights) at night.
- Kellyville (officially known as the Sondrestrom Incoherent Scatter Radar Facility) is a radar facility operated by the U.S. National Science Foundation and Danish Meteorological Institute located about 15 km outside of town, named after the U.S. scientist who first proposed the site. The facility is permanently manned by a small site crew as well as visiting researchers, and can be easily identitfied by the large radar dish. Tours are by appointment only.
Do
- Hike through the tundra around town, and observe the local wildlife including caribou, musk ox, and arctic hares.
- Take a snowmobile trip across the Icecap.
- Take a boat tour of the fjord.
Learn
Buy
Very few businesses are located in Kangerlussuaq. Supplies can be purchased at a local boutique across the street from the airport terminal. Souvenirs are available for purchase at a gift shop in the airport terminal and a smaller stand across the street.
There is no foreign currency exchange in Kangerlussuaq. Visitors may purchase Danish Kroner using a credit card at a small transfer facility in one of the airport buildings. Some stores will accept foreign credit cards.
Eat
Budget
- The cafeteria at the Kangerlussuaq Airport is probably the largest of the few eateries in town. The cafeteria typically serves standard offerings such as sandwiches, burgers, curries, and other European fare.
Mid-range
Splurge
Drink
Sleep
- The Kangerlussuaq Hotel is located in a wing of the Kangerlussuaq Airport terminal.
- The Kangerlussuaq Youth Hostel, a.k.a. Old Camp is located 2 km from the airport and is open year round.
Contact
Stay safe
Kangerlussuaq is a very small settlement and as such has virtually no crime. Care should be taken when hiking through certain areas during hunting season (try not to look like a caribou). It should also be noted that there is no hospital in Kangerlussuaq. While lighter injuries can be treated at the local clinic, serious medical emergencies may require evacuation by helicopter to Nuuk.
Mosquitoes and black flies are a serious problem during the summer months. Bug repellent is a must.
External links
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