Day 28 - 23/4
A freezing western wind accompanied our group all day, making this yet another bitterly cold one. Everyone had to work hard just to stay warm. The skiing and navigation were however easy, following the sastrugi and the sun. Everyone is hoping for warmer weather—and less wind—tomorrow.
Day 27 - 22/4
Today, everyone has been hiding deep inside their hoods!
In the morning, the weather was good and promising—but then came the western wind! The group is high up on a glacier, with temperatures already reaching minus 20. The wind on top of that made the day a cold affair. Many put on their large down jackets just to stay warm while skiing.
During lunch, the weather warmed up a little. Nonetheless, they pitched two tents to keep warm while they ate. As soon as they were back on their skis, the wind returned, and the last couple of legs of skiing for the day were even more freezing.
They covered a total of 19 kilometers and completed seven legs of skiing before pitching camp. Everyone was very happy to retreat into their tents and sleeping bags!
Day 26 - 21/4
Today began with a bang—right into a steep uphill. Trinity Hallbreen was up for conquering, with its 700 meters of elevation spread over 10 kilometers. The first couple of kilometers weren’t too bad, but on the third leg of the day, the hard work truly commenced. Everyone put their heads down and worked slowly but steadily to gain ground.
Lunch was a cold affair today, but in return, the group was visited by a curious little ptarmigan, assessing the strange visitors with interest.
Once up on Himinbjørgfonna, the views were fantastic. The sky cleared, and a few more legs of skiing followed in calm, clear weather. The mountains up here look spectacular, and the whole scene is simply beautiful.
Now, a well-earned night of rest awaits.
Day 25 - 20/4
After a freezing night, the sun peeking over the mountains was a welcome gesture. Everyone took a bit of time to get the heat back into their bodies, but they were soon ready for another day of skiing.
Today, the group spent the entire day skiing down the glacier Veteranen—an incredibly beautiful area, with stunning mountains to the east and west.
The temperature probably could have been a little warmer to make it a perfect day, but with no wind, it really wasn’t too bad overall!
Now the group is in camp after clocking 25 kilometers. They’ve pitched their tents below the Trinity Hall glacier, which they’ll climb tomorrow.
Day 24 - 19/4
Today was forecasted to be a lovely, sunny day— which it might have been, somewhere above the fog. For the first two legs of skiing, visibility couldn’t have been more than 100 meters.
Conditions did improve as they crossed Titanpasset. Here, the group got their first peek at Atomfjella—beautiful alpine mountains shooting up from the glacier.
The legs that followed had better visibility, but a biting wind from the west forced everyone to retreat deep into their hoods.
During one of the breaks, the topic of conversation turned to food—what everyone missed. Anything from rye bread to red wine was mentioned.
The last couple of legs before camp were once again cloaked in fog. Now, it's freezing cold outside, and everyone is hoping for better weather tomorrow!
Day 23 - 18/4
Today was a lovely day on skis. The group spent the entire day traversing Lomonosovfonna—and they'll continue the journey across it tomorrow as well.
The morning began with clear skies, though the weather shifted a bit as the day went on. Still, the views were spectacular.
At lunch, Morten surprised everyone with a special treat: his mum’s homemade pecan cookies, brought all the way from mainland Norway. A delightful taste of home!
The group pitched camp at the highest point of Lomonosovfonna, 1,245 meters above sea level. After dinner, Ulrik delivered yet another surprise - and served each tent dessert: tilslørte bondepiker. A popular dessert in the Nordics with apple, crumble and cream, that literally translates to "veiled peasant girls". A nice way to end a good day!
Day 22 - 17/4
A truly amazing day on the glacier plateau!
The group woke to perfect weather—non excisting wind, and the sun blazing in a clear sky. It was even so warm that jackets had to come off even before anyone had clipped into their skiis. The snow conditions are excellent: hard as concrete and offering fairly good glide, making for a speedy route North. For many in the group, today has been a favorite—offering stunning views to both the east and west. The group is currently at 900 meters above sea level, surrounded by spectacular mountains.
All in all a very good for all!
Day 21 - 16/4
Today the group woke to sunlight warming their tents and the gentle clucking of a ptarmigan as it wandered through camp.
They were quickly out and ready on their skis, making excellent progress through the morning. Conditions were good, and the terrain was kind.
Lunch was enjoyed on Von postbreen, with a view across Tempelfjorden. The wind was quiet, the sun blazing—it was a welcome and peaceful break for everyone.
In the afternoon, they continued onto Philipbreen, a long, windswept glacier. It took the final four legs of the day to reach the top, but the effort was well worth it.
Back in camp, the wind had calmed once again, and they could feel the sun warming the tents from the inside. A beautiful camp, with a wide view over the east coast.
Day 20 - 15/4
The group woke up to warm weather—minus 10°C—and clear, sunny skies in Fulmardalen.
They got going quickly and enjoyed some great legs of skiing through the crisp morning light. Just before lunch, they faced a steep descent where Nina got to show off her brilliant skiing technique, impressing everyone!
This week marks Easter holiday in Norway, and since the group is now fairly close to Longyearbyen, things are a bit livelier than usual. Norwegians love heading to their cabins—especially at Easter—and the group was passed by several smiling, waving people on snowmobiles, en route to their little getaways.
The final four legs of skiing were spent ascending Rabotbreen—a long and sticky climb. It got so warm during the first stretch that jackets had to come off, but as they gained elevation on the glacier, the air grew cooler again.
Then, after setting up camp, a huge surprise arrived: fresh, homemade dinner, still warm!
Jim and Birk—Bergit’s friend and son—kindly surprised the group with not only dinner, but sodas, cake, and other treats. What an absolute delight!
Day 19 - 14/4
The group was woken this morning by the wind whipping against their tents. The tents held steady, but heading out in such weather wasn’t exactly tempting. Departure was postponed until further notice.
By noon, the wind began to ease, and by 14:00 they were strapped in and ready to go.
Snow conditions were excellent, and the pulkas glided effortlessly across the tundra. They made their way into the moraine towards Sassendalen, and even in this rugged terrain, the pace stayed high.
Tonight, they’ve pitched camp in Fulmardalen—a beautiful valley, with mountains that invite your gaze to rest on them. It’s warmer than it has been in recent days, and that feels like a small luxury.
Day 18 - 13/4
Today the day of skiing started with a bang, with short but very steep hills, up tp Søre Bellsundpass. Those bumps may like nothing from a far, but they pose a real physical challenge traversing, and in the steepest ones the skis were off and the group were basking ahead on their feet.
During the third leg of the day they had all made it up. They skied down Passbreen on the other side, and all those meters of elevation gain that they struggled for, disappeared in thin air.
Lunch followed right next to a melt water channel, which offered some cool sights of the glacier ice (pictured). After lunch a few hours of white-out skiing followed, as the weather cleared the vast Agardhdalen (Agardhvalley), lay before them. During the last two legs of the day they skied further into Agardhdalen, with good conditions, all happy with a nice and varied day of skiing.
Day 17 - 12/4
Today the group travelled up Kjellstrømdalen, and except for Øyvind who found a little ridge to traverse, everyone has skied through a completely flat valley.
Today was warmer, and the clingy winter snow would finally let go of the skis and pulkas, offering good glide and speed for the group.
The group is close to Svea, a recently abandoned coal mine, which became a topic of conversation during lunch, and according to Morten everyone probably learned something new during this break.
Towards the end of the day, the flatness of the valley was interrupted by bumps. Windswept snow accumulating in 30 cm elevation every 4 meters. This slowed the group down a little, but it soon got better. In total they did 23,5 kilometers today and are very happy, though they have decided to take it a little slower tomorrow.
Day 16 - 11/4
It felt good to get going this morning and getting the warmth back, after yet another cold night for the group, with temperature well below minus 20 Celsius.
In Danzigdalen the group were met by a myriad of reindeer and polar fox tracks, crossing the Van Mijenfjord fresh tracks from polar bears also appeared. Rago and Dakota (the two four-legged participants), were continuously scenting towards Rindersbukta the whole time, and whilst the group was clearly not alone in the area there was no sight of the Queen or King of the Arctic today.
The conditions over the fjord were good and after a while even the temperatures got warmer, giving them a comfortable crossing. Now they are in camp for the night, making sure to stay alert on polar bear watch.
Day 15 - 10/4
After a cold night, the group woke in the shadow of Gloføykja, giving them a cold morning too. When they started their ascent up Steenstrupbreen the thermometer showed -23 Celsius, and the conditions were thereafter. Sandpaper like snow made every centimeter feel like hard work, finally, after 4 legs of skiing they made it to the cache they dug down on their way out on snowmobiles. Here a resupply of food awaited!
The group enjoyed lunch here in weather that was suddenly a lot better, yet when they began their descent from Svalbreen their quota for good weather had clearly run out. Conditions down this glacier were even worse, and even downhill it was just as hard as going up.
Now they are in camp, relaxing and enjoying a visit from Bergit's son, his girlfriend and some of their friends. They brought cinnamon buns for everyone, and in return got the recycling from the last two weeks to bring back to town on their snowmobiles.
The group did 20 kilometers today, a good effort in such course snow!
Day 14 - 9/4
After yesterdays' storm and rest day, everyone woke fresh and ready to get back on their skis!
The wind had packed the snow to concrete and beautiful sastrugi formations could be seen everywhere.
They did two legs of skiing on Nathorstbreen before they reached its moraine. Here the landscape changed into something that Øyvind described as a gravel pit.
There was close to zero wind today, and a long lunch in the sun was in place. A couple of reindeer and ptarmigans provided company. Continuing skiing they went up Steenstrupdalen, here the wind picked up a little, but it was still comfortable as long they pulled their buff up. They finished the day with a steep leg, and pitched camp well onto Stenstrupbreen.
We are not in any way in the business of rating the looks of our participants, but will make an exception as we can safely say that pictured here is this seasons' most beautiful, the Alaskan Malamute, Dakota.
Day 13 - 8/4
Yesterdays' careful securing of camp really proved it's worth today! The group were stuck in their tents all day with the storm raging on the outside, with wind gusts up to 33 m/s.
The camp stood strong, but storms like these make any venture outside an uncomfortable business, and patience can be put to a test with a full day lounging in the tent. One distraction was a search and rescue helicopter that came near camp, everyone was instructed to check that their personal communication equipment was not accidentally triggered, it was not, and as the helicopter disappeared the day went back to simply waiting for the storm to calm.
It eventually did and a calm night and sunset followed.
Now a week of good weather (hopefully) awaits!
Day 12 - 7/4
After a warm night, the group woke to a light overcast and fantastic skiing conditions.
They were quick to get out, and sailed down Nathorstbreen in great speed! They made camp during lunch already, this is because a storm is coming and the winds will be fiercer in the bottom of the glacier in the morain.
They took great care pitching their tents and building snow walls.
A nice long afternoon in camp followed, and everyone got good practice in preparing for a storm in calm conditions and without hurrying.
Day 11 - 6/4
A lovely day in the Arctic!
The group started their day going up Flatbreen. The conditions are harder and the tempo is higher (with oh so much less effort..). The beginning of the day was rather windy, but going over the mountain pass and down Nathorstbreen the conditions changed to something close to perfection. The wind went quiet and the sun was warming well throughout the lunch break.
They continued down Nathorstbreen in high speed. Pitching camped today they clocked 23,5 kilometers, and everyone agreed it was a great day.
Day 10 - 5/4
This night was the coldest so far on the expedition, and a hot cup of coffee was a welcome friend to get going.
The skiing across Hornbreen was heavy, but the conditions are getting better and harder after the large snowfall, and the group felt like today was easier.
After an early lunch they crossed Hornbreen and started the ascent up Flatbreen. Here the conditions were better and they were able to speed up.
Pitching camp in -10 Celsius was comfortable after the cold morning, and everyone was enjoying the evening in their tents.
Day 9- 4/4
Today started like the last four days, with heavy and slow skiing. The ascent up Sklionna was long, and when reaching the top everyone was drenched in sweat. A long lunch break followed. The conditions gradually improved, getting harder and harder as the group continued North. When pitching camp they had done 16,1 kilometers and felt very happy about that.
Pictured is Øyvind with a polar beard!
Day 8 - 3/4
Today the group woke to strong winds and an even denser snowfall than yesterday. With some nervous anticipation, the group stayed put through the morning hours waiting to see if the weather would calm. It did not. Thus, it was decided that the group would turn North - only 10 kilometers from Sørneset. A bitter pill to swallow, but the correct decision. The glacier leading down to the sea in the South is very steep, and although the winds have been strong the snow coverage is deep and at some points it was reaching between the knee and hip with skis on! The 10 kilometers going South and back again would have taken too long, and with a western wind coming in they could not risk the sea ice in Isbukta floating eastwards before they got there.
Nonetheless they had a good day of skiing and did a respectable 11 kilometers in heavy conditions before pitching camp near Isbukta. The weather forecast looks beautiful the coming days, and fingers are crossed for some slightly more idyllic conditions!
Day 7 - 2/4
Today was the heaviest day so far. The snow kept on coming and the skiing today was more like basking through knee-high snow, than anything involving gliding along.
Most of the group got to practice navigating in a whiteout and took turns testing themselves leading the group. This was a new experience to some, and yet the more valuable! For lunch the group pitched to tents to have a little break from the snow.
Now they are in camp gathering their strength after a long day,.
Day 6 - 1/4
The day started with tons of snow and a whiteout! Plowing the way was a heavy job in the heaps of new snow, and crossing Isbukta took 6 whole hours. During the afternoon the weather changed and the sun came out. The group skied 12 kilometres today, not a huge distance but given the conditions they were very happy with their effort, and the lovely afternoon they had.
Day 5 - 31/3
Today was a great day for the group. They started the day with sun on their tents, giving them a warm beginning to the day.
The conditions going up Sykorabreen were heavy, but they took the time they needed and reached the glacier pass for lunch, and enjoyed a lovely view. The descent down Sklifonna was fun and quick!
Now they are in camp right above Isbukta, enjoying the view over the mountains. Our other group going Svalbard South to North West came from Sørneset today, camping and catching up with the South to North group. A nice day on the ice!
Day 4 - 30/3
Today the group has had a lovely day on the glaciers. In sunny weather and slightly colder temperature. the skiing was good and the sun rays offered a good opportunity for drying sleeping bags and gear.
They reached Sykorabreen and camped there for the night, all happy with the days' effort.
Day 3 - 29/3
The group had a good and sunny day today, getting more used to their new routines and getting into that good expedition mood.
They had a little wind and quite a lot of loose snow, making it heavy as they climbed Nathorstbreen. On Novbreen they had a beautiful views which they enjoyed. Now camp!
Day 2 - 28/3
The group had a good day today, skiing 18 kilometres. The snow was a bit heavy, but the weather was warm and comfortable, and even sunny in the morning. All in all a good first day!
Day 1 - 27/3
Our group is finally on the way! Bergit, Sanna, Ayuka, Marit, Nina, Øyvind, Per, Ulrik, guide Morten, as well as the two lovely dogs Rago and Dakota, left Longyearbyen early this morning on snowmobiles.
Their journey went to South Spitsbergen National Park, an area which does not allow motorised transport. From the national park border they will ski all the way South before heading back North.
Their snowmobile transport was more eventful than usual, in beautiful weather conditions they spotted two large polar bears in the distance. What a way to start the expedition!
After getting to the final destination of the snowmobiles, the group continued a few kilometers before pitching camp.