Spitsbergen Coast to Coast
May
4 days
Do you dream of experiencing a more exciting Spitsbergen than that you might see while staying in Longyearbyen? If you are a fan of cross country skiing, then this 40km long skiing trip is the perfect introduction to the unbelievable landscape of Svalbard.
AN INTRODUCTION TO EXPEDITION SKIING
During the course of four days, we will cross the glaciers of Spitsbergen from west to east. A 40 kilometre long adventure through an amazing part of Svalbard. This is an expedition for those who are not quite ready for Spitsbergen from North to South (a trip covering 550km over about 30 days), but who still yearn for a taste of the incredible glacial landscape the island has to offer.
Even if this is just a short trip, you will get a real feel for expedition skiing, and while we are out on skis with our pulkas behind us, we will need to keep an eye out for polar bears along our path.
DAY BY DAY PROGRAMME
Day 1
We will begin the tour with a briefing, pack our pulkas and complete our last preparations. We will also go through all the equipment, and receive an introduction to the use of the camp kitchen equipment, pulkas and tents.
In the afternoon, we will be transported by snowmobile from Longyearbyen to Tempelfjorden. This transport stage is about 65 kilometres, and even though the trip hasn’t really begun, the wilderness experiences have already begun. Our skiing adventure will begin at the head of the Tempelfjord, where we will set a course for the east towards Von Postbreen, our first glacier, where we will set up camp for the night.
Day 2
The expedition will continue up and over the massive glacier. Up at the pass, we will reach 659m over sea level. From here, we will make our way to our next camp on Hayesbreen. As we head to the east, our course takes us past massive glaciers, with beautiful nunataks like Panoramaberget and Skinnluva which press up from the ice. Nunatak is a Inuit word, and means mountain which comes through a glacier. They are free from ice, since the snow on them gets blown away, and they stay pointy, since the ice cannot reach them to wear them down. Around the nunataks however, the ice can be several hundred metres thick.
Day 3
Today’s route will take us down the glacier, Hayesbreen, and we will make our last camp on Königsbergbreen. If we are lucky, we may see the ‘King of the Arctic’, the polar bear, somewhere in the distance.
Day 4
On the last day, we will reach the sea ice in Mohnbukta, and follow the coast. we will be met by the snowmobiles that will take us back to Longyearbyen.
All times can be changed. The tour programme can also be changed underway, if the weather or snow conditions make it necessary. The tempo on the expedition will be adjusted to the conditions and the participants abilities
HOW DIFFICULT IS THIS TOUR?
This expedition requires that the participants have experience with winter camping, and have moderate skiing experience, we will cover 10-15km per day with backpacks or pulkas with shared equipment and that will require good fitness and strength.
Be prepared for the fact that the weather can change quickly, and that it can become cold. The participants are generally split into tent teams of two people each, and will be given a pulka each, which will be filled with shared equipment like tents, primus, food and fuel for the whole tour. The pulka will weigh about 20 kilograms, and will be in addition to your personal equipment, which should be packed in your backpack or pulka. Participants are expected to assist with setting up camp and preparing meals.
Price includes
Price includes:
- Meals during the tour
- Shared equipment: cooking equipment, snow shovels, glacier equipment, primus, fuel
- Tent
- Experienced guides with necessary safety equipment
- Transport from Longyearbyen to Tempelfjord
- Transport from Mohnbukta to Longyearbyen
You will share a tent with one other person. Single tent only on request.
Price does not include:
- Flights
- Accommodation and meals in Longyearbyen
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping mat
- Personal skiing equipment including skis, poles, boots and skins
- Beer/wine/soft drinks
- Travel insurance
- Clothing and equipment
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
This tour requires that you are in good physical shape, with the strength and endurance to be able to put long distances behind you while dragging a heavy pulka.
You must be prepared for changeable weather, and generally tough weather conditions. The positive thing about this period, is that even if we do experience bad weather, it is seldom colder than -5ºC, with an average of 3ºC.
The participants must have warm, high quality winter clothing, mountain skis with steel edges (not thin cross country skis), solid bindings and sturdy ski boots with good support. Randonee equipment is not recommended. Ski skins are required.
You will be sent an equipment list prior to arrival. Remember that Svalbard is tax and duty free, so that you can always pick up quality equipment in our expeditions shop, Longyear78.
Language
Safety is our highest priority, and the guide needs to be able to give directions you understand. To participate on one of our excursions, it is required that you speak and understand English or one of the Scandinavian languages.
Facts
Number of days
4 days
Age limit
18 years
Difficulty
3 – Passer for de med normalt god form
