Google Street View Heads Far North

Google Street View, which recruits travelers to strap a massive set of cameras to their backs and trek to remote places of the world, traveled to the farthest northern reaches of the globe.

Google released epic shots of Quttinirpaaq National Park in Nunavut, Canada, the farthest north anyone has taken the technology. Actually, few people venture here at all: Around 50 people set foot in the park each year.

Google enlisted experienced park workers to get the shots of mountains and glaciers. “A selection of Parks Canada staff members were trained to operate Google’s equipment,” Emma Upton, park manager, said. “This enabled Google to document remote Canadian national parks that are otherwise challenging to visit during the summer schedule. Using Google Trekker, Parks Canada was able to capture, during a period of five days, the spectacular scenery around Tanquary Fiord in Quttinirpaaq National Park, including the Air Force glacier, MacDonald River, Omega Lakes, and Green Valley. We’re really excited about the project — understanding and appreciation for Quttinirpaaq can be greatly increased through the use of Google Street View.”

The large park is certainly off the beaten track. There are scheduled charter flights during summer, operated by Parks Canada, but otherwise it’s tough to access.