North Spitsbergen 2008
Aboard the Arctic Schooner Noorderlicht Longyearben - Longyearben

Duration:	12 days/ 11 nights
Dates:	NOO03* May 20 – 31, 2008 NOO04 May 31 - June 11, 2008 NOO06 June 22 - July 3, 2008 *snowshoe expedition
Cost:	$3,140 USD from Longyearben, Double Occupancy

The archipelago of Spitsbergen, is the northernmost permanently inhabited area of the world. Some three thousand Norwegians and Russians live here in three permanent settlements working mostly in research institutes or the coal-mining industry. Outside of the settlements Spitsbergen is still a pure wilderness area, vast parts being protected as Nature Reserves. Despite the northern position of the islands (76 - 81° N), the climate is relatively mild due to the influence of the Atlantic Gulf-stream. Summer temperatures range from 0 to 10° C. Occasionally there will be rain and fog, but many days will have sunshine - and many nights as well due to the midnight sun. Winds can be variable in direction and force. 'Noorderlicht' The sailing expeditions in Norway, Bear Island, and Spitsbergen will be carried out by the two-mast sailing vessel Noorderlicht. The ship was originally built in 1910, in Flensburg. For most of her life she served as a light vessel on the Baltic. Then, in 1991 the present owners purchased the ship and re-rigged and re-fitted her thoroughly, according to the rules of ‘Register Holland’. Noorderlicht is 46 metres long and 6.5 metres breadth, a well-balanced, two-masted schooner rig that is able to sail all seas. Below deck the ship has a spacious saloon, while in the deckhouse there is a cosy settee from which passengers can view the outside in comfort. All 10 double cabins have hot and cold running water, a cupboard and single berths. The ship has four showers and five toilets. The modern galley has been equipped with a microwave and a dishwasher. The ship is both well insulated and central heated. Crew and Passengers Noorderlicht is crewed by three expert Dutch sailors, a cook and an expedition leader who has a thorough knowledge of the area. Though the crew are in charge during sailing - they will bring us ashore - the assistance of the passengers is expected in handling the sails and taking the helm. Duties will also include being on watch during night sailing. On board there will be a maximum of 20 passengers of different nationalities. The main language will be English. The Voyage Every day there will be excursions on land weather and ice permitting. The excursions on land will be two to five hours per day, crossing untracked land. According to circumstances (weather, ice conditions or passengers' wishes) the program can sometimes be adjusted. Ample time will be devoted to wildlife, geography and history. Itinerary Day 1 After arriving in Longyearbyen, the ‘capital’ (actually the administrative centre) of Spitsbergen, you may wish to visit the Svalbard Museum which has an interesting collection on the history of Spitsbergen, the mining industry and polar exploration. In the afternoon we sail, setting course for Alkhornet, a seabird cliff with a large colony of Kittiwakes. Below the cliffs is a den with Arctic Foxes, which scavenge off fallen eggs and chicks. We continue to Tryghamna to visit the remains of a 17th century English whaling station and an 18th century Russian Pomor station. Day 2 We leave Tryghamna early in the morning and sail through the Forlandsundet. Weather permitting we will go ashore at Fuglehuken where the first Western Europeans (the expedition of Willem Barentsz) set foot on Spitsbergen. Here we can see the graves of whalers and visit colonies of Common Guillemots, Brünnich's Guillemots, Little Auks and Kittiwakes. Nearby we may be able to visit a haul-out of Harbour Seals and Walruses. Day 3 Today we will visit Ny Ålesund, the northernmost permanently inhabited village in the world, a centre for polar research and a former starting point for many North Pole expeditions (Amundsen and Nobile for example). The local bird life has adapted itself to the human presence and is exceptionally tame. Barnacle Geese, Pink-footed Geese, Common Eiders, Arctic Terns and several species of wader can be seen at close quarters. The Reindeers here are smaller than their mainland relatives and do not form large herds. Day 4 In the morning we sail from Ny Ålesund to the 14th July Glacier where we cruise in zodiacs. Not far from the glacier we will visit an accessible breeding site for Brünnich’s Guillemots, Auks and Puffins. The guano of these bird colonies, the southward exposure and the sheltered situation, give rise to a relatively rich vegetation with many species of flowering plants. Day 5 Sailing northwards we visit the Magdalenafjord, one of the most beautiful places on Spitsbergen, with many impressive glacier fronts. During a shore visit we will view the remains of 17th century English whaling activities. We can also visit some big seabird colonies particularly noteworthy for their Little Auks. Day 6 Today we will try to visit Ytre Norskøya, a small island, which was used for many years as a lookout point for Dutch whalers. There we can still follow their tracks to the summit of the island, passing excellent bird cliffs on the way. On shore the remains of 17th century blubber ovens can be found, while Arctic Skuas and Common Eiders breed among the graves of 200 Dutch whalers. Day 7 Raudfjord on the north coast of Spitsbergen is a beautiful fjord with spectacular glaciers. It is also a favourite with Ringed and Bearded Seals, has good seabird colonies, and offers good chances for spotting Polar Bear and Belugas. Jermaktangen, at the fjord’s eastern entrance, is a geography lesson in the erosion of the land by the sea. Day 8 If sea-ice conditions allow, we may land on the northern-side of Reindyrfla, the largest tundra area of Spitsbergen. The vast undulating plain is a good grazing area for Reindeer and several species of waders also breed here. The area’s lakes offer good chances of spotting Red-throated Divers and King Eiders. Day 9 Today we visit the remains of Smeerenburg, the largest 17th century whaling settlement on Spitsbergen. If we obtain permission, we will visit Danskøya where many historical remains are to be found of the 19th century expedition by the Swedish explorer Andree, who tried to reach the North Pole in a balloon. Days 10-11 On our way south, we will try to make a landing on the coast of the Forlandsundet at Engelsbukta or Sarstangen or Poolepynten, where Walruses are often hauled out. From there we head straight for Longyearbyen, but if time allows we could call at Colesbukta, from where good walkers may walk to Longyearbyen in six hours Day 12 Departure by scheduled flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo.