Arctic Adventours - Svalbard / Spitzbergen 1994

This program is a very complete expedition to the north-western part of Spitzbergen, and the real Arctic wilderness of the North-East Land. With 14 days at disposal, we can do several land excursions (duration 9 days) and Polar bear watching. We will also visit the seabird colonies, and the Walruses nearby the Moffen island. Under these conditions it is important that the participants do not get the impression of a stressed sightseeing, but can relax and enjoy the existing moment.

	«I have learned to look at nature,
	 not as in the hour of thoughtless youth; 
	 but hearing oftentimes the still, sad music 
	 of humanity»

	    W.Wordsworth, 1798

        «.....Let us journey to a lonely land I know,
         There's a whisper on the night-wind, there's a
	star agleam to guide us,
	and the wild is calling, calling...let us go!»

	  Adapted by Fridtjof Nansen, 1928 (orig. Can.poet Servile)

Svalbard is the by far the furthest north in the world it is possible to take a yacht, beating Alaska and Eastern-Greenland by close to 10 degrees. It will be an optional start, either flying in to Longyear city (1 h 30 m, from Tromsø), the first group can have an option to participate as crew for the navigation from Norway to Svalbard, via Bear Island). The program with a duration of 14 days, gives us time enough to do an exiting expedition to the Northeast land, this island that belongs to the most remote areas of the world. We sail up along the north-western coast of Spitzbergen (main island), make a visit to Ny-Ålesund, the main research centre of high Arctic studies, usually filled up with scientists from all over the world in the summer. We visit some bird colonies in Krossfjord and further all the way up north and over to the Sorgfjord («sorg» = «sorrow»), named after a disasterful expedition in the past.

Trips in the day or in the middle of the night - who cares anyway up here. In clear weather, the sun shines 24 hours a day! Here in front of the impressive Smeerenburg glacier at midnight in the beginning of July.

On our way, we are stopping nearby the tiny little island Moffen to observe the Walruses. Then sailing as far as the ice allows for along the edge of North-East Land. Here it is easy to spot places that either have had only a limited number of visitors, or most likely where we are the first! We return to Liefdefjord (Dutch for love), every experienced visitors favourite place. In 3-4 days here, we live quite intensively, with a combination of mountaineering / glacier trips and polar bear watching. Before returning south, we visit the hot springs and then use the rest of the trip along the coastline as the weather permit. Returning to Longyear city for out-flight.

The last group can eventually agree (if some interest) to join a retour via Franz Josefs Land, an archipelago east of Svalbard, at approximately same latitude. That means a return time to Norway of at least 6 days (instead of 3-4).

Ski expedition at Svalbard in July/August

Under the leadership of the most experienced skier and mountaineer Steinar Kjærnsrød, we are proud to present this 18 days ski expedition. The program includes crossing of the huge Aasgaardfonna plateau glacier as well as climbing the highest peak on Svalbard - Mt.Newton (1.717 meter) and other summits in the most alpine part of Svalbard, the «Atomfjella» (Atom Mountains). The expedition will establish a base camp in the «Trebrepasset» (Three Glacier Pass) and do daily hikes from here. The expedition starts with embarking Arctic Explorer in Ny-Aalesund, and stays 2-3 days onboard the ship on the way up to Verlegenhuken. The trip will end near the Russian settlement Pyramiden, and you will be picked up again in Billefjorden, before returning via Longyear city.

The price includes the airflights from Oslo <--> Longyear City, an air flight from Longyear city to Ny-Aalesund, as well as all food and gear needed during the expedition.

Telemark ski equipment are recommended and needed!.

Recommended literature:

Reader's Digest - «Svalbard», / Aschehoug 1992 - «Svalbard vårt nordligste Norge» / Bryan Sage - «Arctic Wildlife» / Susan Barr - «Norway's Polar Territories» / Natur och Samhälle i Norden - «Land i Norr» / Barry Lopez - «Arctic Dreams» / (NPI) (No.29) Horn, Gunnar - «Franz Josef Land Natural history, discovery, exploration and hunting»

Also, Norwegian readers are urged to take a look at Oslonett's online article on Spitzbergen. Others may enjoy the article as well, since it contains many nice photos from Spitzbergen.