Travel Scandinavia Baltic Tours Antarctica Expedition Cruises

Categories Svalbard Spitsbergen Arctic Tours Adventure & Eco Travel Winter Tours

Enjoy the adventure of camp life while crossing vast glaciers in the heart of Northern Spitsbergen. This expedition takes you to Svalbard’s highest mountains, Newtontoppen (1713 metres above sea level) and Perriertoppen (1712 metres above sea level). The views from these peaks are overwhelming.

This challenging skiing expedition explores the mighty mountain and glacier landscape in the north-east of Spitsbergen, a remote area that few visit. We will be transported from Longyearbyen to Billefjorden or Gipsdalen, and from there on all we need are skis, pulkas and backpacks with our own equipment. There is no set schedule for the trip; the route and tempo will be adjusted to fit the weather and snow conditions.

Before we set off the expedition leader will hand out food and equipment to all participants. The group will be divided into pairs and each pair will be given the necessary equipment including pulkas, tent, cooking equipment and food. Each team has will work independently when setting up camp.

Itinerary

9.00am briefing, preparation and packing for the expedition. We will go through the gear and instructions for use of cooking gear, pulka, ski equipment, tent, food and drinks.

Accommodation at Spitsbergen Guesthouse is included.

Breakfast and check before 10:00am

Pick up at Spitsbergen Guesthouse and transportation from Longyearbyen to the starting point of the trip. This transportation leg is approximately 43 miles. We start our journey skiing north from Billefjorden or Gipsvika

The first four days we ski approximately 10 miles per day. We plan to reach Newtontoppen late on Saturday.

The last leg before we reach the peak is fairly steep, but no climbing skills are required. The view from the top is just breath-taking. To the north-west you have Austfjorden, Wijdefjorden and the magnificent Atomfjellene, while to the north-east you can see the isolated Nordaustlandet.

We will spend the next few days in the Atomfjellene area, where we will also conquer Perriertoppen. This is a more alpine peak with a steeper approach, which we will climb on foot with crampons. The expedition will then continue down Trygve Glacier to the Wijdefjord and south towards our pick up place.

On the way back to civilisation we follow Wijdefjorden, Mittag Lefler glacier, Billefjorden and Nordenskiöld glacier. We will be met by snowmobiles that will bring us back to Longyearbyen, where a warm shower and hearty meal await after the expedition equipment is sorted.

Farewell dinner in Longyearbyen is included.

Accommodation at Spitsbergen Guesthouse is included.

Notes