Ellesmere Island National Park Reserve is the ultimate wilderness. On the extreme northern tip of the continent, the park encompasses myriad natural wonders, breathtaking landscapes and abundant high Arctic plants and animals. The ocean coastline is deeply incised by glacial valleys and fjords. To the north, unique shelves of sea ice as much as 80 m thick have held fast to the shore for thousands of years. Lake Hazen is the largest lake north of the arctic circle, and is a 'thermal oasis' in this polar desert. A combination of environmental factors have resulted in vegetation and wildlife being more plentiful here than anywhere else on Ellesmere Island. This austere, arctic landscape provides habitat for Arctic hare, musk oxen, Arctic wolves and endangered Peary caribou. The lonely outpost of Fort Conger on the north-eastern coast of Ellesmere was used by arctic explorers, including Robert Peary, on his 1909 journey to the pole. The artifacts at this site are poignant reminders of these early, courageous adventurers.