Cape Columbia is the northernmost point of land of Canada, located on Ellesmere Island in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut. It marks the westernmost coastal point of Lincoln Sea in the Arctic Ocean. It is the world's northernmost point of land outside Greenland and the distance to the North Pole is 769 km (478 mi). Cape Columbia was first reached in 1876 by Pelham Aldrich, a lieutenant with the expedition (1875-76) of British explorer George Nares.
Besides being closest to the Pole, Cape Columbia was chosen by Robert Peary for the northernmost depot of his final attempt to reach the Pole in 1909, because it was far enough west to be out of the ice current setting down Robeson Channel. From Cape Columbia they planned to strike straight north over the ice of the Arctic Sea. His winter camp and ship the Roosevelt were situated some 90 mi (140 km) southeast, at Cape Sheridan near Alert.
Peary's sledge divisions left the Roosevelt from February 15 to 22, 1909, rendezvoused at Cape Columbia, and on March 1 the expedition left Cape Columbia, heading across the Arctic Ocean for the Pole. The 84th parallel was crossed on March 18, the 86th on March 23. The final position reached by Peary is doubtful, as the speeds he claimed after departure of the last independent witness are suspicious at best. Peary returned to land at Cape Columbia again on April 23.
References
- Nares, George (1878). Narrative of A Voyage to the Polar Sea in H.M. Ships 'Alert' and 'Discovery'. London: Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington.
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Coordinates: 83°06′41″N 069°57′12″W / 83.11139°N 69.95333°W
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