Pack Ice takes over the bay and the Saguenay

Wow what a spectacular day  here in Tadoussac. The pack ice moved in. We have been watching and showing pictures of ice moving in and out but it has never been like it is today.  It isn’t just us who thinks this either as everyone – and their mother – from the village was also down walking and taking pictures.

IMG_5060 IMG_5061

To a person they all said that they had never seen anything like it. One friend said he had spoken to Mr Nicola (84years old) who said that he had seen it only once when he was young. The ice packed in for 4 days and at some point men went across the ice on foot to deliver mail – I simply cannot imagine it.

These first ones are taken from the wharf itself. They were taken right at high tide in mid afternoon.

on wharf looking back towards village
on wharf looking back towards village
looking across the bay towards our landslide
looking across the bay towards our landslide
endless ice
endless ice
above marina looking at wharf
above marina looking at wharf
Alan and our friend Don Crockford sitting on top of wharf with ice pack towering over them
Alan and our friend Don Crockford sitting on top of wharf with ice pack towering over them

We were able to walk around the Pointe Islet boardwalk and it was amazing to see it. I am sad that the water colour is not as vivid as it was as the water itself looked green against the ice today.

Pointe Islet
Pointe Islet
starting out on boardwalk right a Coast Guard house
starting out on boardwalk right a Coast Guard house
looking up the rocks toward Pointe Islet
looking up the rocks toward Pointe Islet
from halfway along the boardwalk to the Pointe
from halfway along the boardwalk to the Pointe
from the boardwalk
from the boardwalk
from steps going down to Pointe
from steps going down to Pointe

We walked around to the Pilot House and the GREMM to see how they were faring. Incredible to see no water in the river at all. The ferries are stopped for obvious reasons,  and have been since around noon. Yesterday they slowed to a q30 minute schedule for most of the afternoon as it was taking so long to get through, but at least they were still going. Our friends Don Crockford and Brenda MacKenzie from Ottawa came across yesterday just in time for this.

IMG_5028 IMG_5029 IMG_5032 IMG_5033 IMG_5035 IMG_5036

The pictures at the marina are quite striking – just to see how high the ice came up.

We were curious as to how far the ice went up the river. Yesterday we actually saw a ship go up which we were surprised about as when we were in St Rose du Nord a week ago the river looked completely closed. Apparently there is a small ice breaker which stays between the Marguerite and La Baie keeping it open when ships are coming. We went up the L’Anse de Roches and were surprised to see large patches of water but lots of ice as well. The last picture is taken from the road high above L’Anse and you see up the river that there is lots of ice there as well.

So we have had another exciting day. We went out to the Chantmartin for dins tonight – we know how to show friends a good time!!! and the ferry had started to run again as the river had loosened somewhat with the tide turning.  The tide had fallen in the bay too but there had been no change in the ice pack here,  so it will be interesting to see if it is all gone tomorrow again or, if it is here to stay for a period of time.

Stay well and warm where ever you are. Jane

13 thoughts on “Pack Ice takes over the bay and the Saguenay”

    1. Thanks Catherine, We were on your front yard this morning taking pictures. The wind is howling today so it was not its usual laid back casual yard!! Hope plans for your house are coming along. See you soon Jane

    1. yes Jill The differences are hard to believe. And the Maritimes are far worse than us in terms of snow. They have been crushed by so many storms over and over. We have a friend in Vancouver who every day posts pictures of crocus and plum blooms – most disconcerting! Feel free to post these pics

  1. Fantastic pictures Jane and I love your blog. It is amazing how high the water is. The ice in the bay is incredable. Thanks for a great blog, Peter

    1. Doesn’t it. Quite amazing. I just sent some pics to your boys via your Mom. i took pics at the top of the Dunes at low tide and what an amazing difference that is too. Take care Carrie and glad you had a good holiday

  2. WOW! Great pics Jane. Sim and I look forward to your blog. This one especially makes us so glad that even though we are having a bit of cool weather here in SWF that we are not back home. As you said…..try to keep warm.

Leave a Reply