Icebergs spotted from the East Coast Trail

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

May has been a good month for viewing icebergs close to shore and from the East Coast Trail. Not so every season nor every year.

One way to find them is to take a hike on one of our developed coastal paths and come across an iceberg, or some smaller bergy bits by surprise. Otherwise, check icebergfinder for bergs detected by satellite and reported by local ambassadors.

Sometimes icebergs, always larger underwater then they appear from above, are caught up on the seabottom for as long as a couple of weeks, or more. Others drift by closer to shore, or further out, under the influence of the prevailing winds. Inevitably, there is melting, cracking, breaking and upheaval, as icebergs reduce, change their formation, and topple over.

Keep your distance if in a boat and watch your footing if you are aiming for that unforgettable photo from the cliff edge.

Story and photos by J. Van Houwelingen

Icebergs seen from Caplin Bay Path, Silver Mine Head Path, Father Troy Path, Stiles Cove Path, Deadmans Bay Path, and Sugarloaf Path