03-Aug-2006 -- Greenland’s largest island, Disko Ø (diameter: 125 km), meets just one integer degree of latitude, namely N70°. In addition to that, two points of confluence with integer longitudes emerge on this island, i. e. W53° and W54°, respectively.

On a larger distance Disko Ø appears to be a single mesa-like mountain, decorated with glaciers on its top. When the visitor’s ship approaches the harbour Qeqertarsuaq/Godhavn (with its 1000 inhabitants the only remarkable settlement), the table-land resolves and a mostly steep coast varies from green grass to bare basalt faces, occasionally interrupted by broader valleys.

The air- and hiking-distances from Qeqertarsuaq/Godhavn to each of the two confluence points (CPs) are 84 and 124 km, respectively. The CP N70°/W54° can be found less than 100 m above sea level in the middle of the large valley Stordal, very likely in the quicksand broad by a river, running from the glaciers and flowing into the Nordfjord, 20 km from the CP.

By following the coast line, it is 150 km from Qeqertarsuaq/Godhavn to the other CP (N70°/W53°). Despite a larger number of rivers to ford, especially that in the valley Kvandalen poses a serious problem with its 9 km broad delta Mudderbug/Aqajarua. The simplest approach to the CP would be to ship to the former settlement “Gamle Outdligssat” and to hike the last 6 km, but even then one may face some climbing problems, as Photo #1 (view west) indicates. The CP is nearly 900 m above sea level and we assume its location as marked in Photo #2 by a circle. [By the way, the island’s highest summit is Pyramiden (1914 m), 20 km NNW from this CP.]

Our closest approach to both CPs on the ground of Disko Ø was approximately 60 km, but on the sea we visited N70°/W52° and, at a distance of 40 km, we had an excellent view to N70°/W53°.

For geographical details (maps, origin of photo #1) see the report concerning the visits of CP 70°N 52°W, as well as N69°/W53°.