Tysfjorden, Norway
Clouds scattered sunlight across the landscape as the National Geographic Endeavour glided through the still waters of Tysfjorden. Granite walls, over a thousand-feet-high, polished smooth by ancient glaciers, reflected the morning light in shades of platinum and silver. After breakfast, our Zodiacs ferried us to shore as we began our explorations of the wild and magical landscape at the head of the fjord.
A variety of hikes were planned: a gentle walk through meadows and forest near the native Sami community of Hellebotyn, a medium hike to a cascading waterfall deeper into the boreal forest, and a vigorous hike to the ramparts high above the glacial valley. For those more nautically inclined, kayaking the deep blue waters of the fjord provided another option. And… photographs! Everywhere! More than could possibly be captured. Wildflowers in bloom. Wild rushing streams and wilder waterfalls. Soaring rock walls. Steep inclines and lush forested valleys. A subject for every focal-length and every lens in the camera bag. Ample time ashore provided great opportunities to explore and a leisurely pace to develop photographic ideas.
After a late lunch, the National Geographic Endeavour set sail to continue our exploration of Tysfjorden and coastal Norway. Along our voyage back through the fjord, we passed Stetind, a dramatic, anvil-topped mountain, acclaimed by general vote of the Norwegian populace as the most beautiful peak in the country. Later we cruised through the short, but picturesque Troll Fjord, admiring the views and recording memories with our cameras. Just before midnight, we had our first actual sunset in a week-and-a-half, compliments of the more southerly latitudes crossed in our route along the coast of Norway.
Clouds scattered sunlight across the landscape as the National Geographic Endeavour glided through the still waters of Tysfjorden. Granite walls, over a thousand-feet-high, polished smooth by ancient glaciers, reflected the morning light in shades of platinum and silver. After breakfast, our Zodiacs ferried us to shore as we began our explorations of the wild and magical landscape at the head of the fjord.
A variety of hikes were planned: a gentle walk through meadows and forest near the native Sami community of Hellebotyn, a medium hike to a cascading waterfall deeper into the boreal forest, and a vigorous hike to the ramparts high above the glacial valley. For those more nautically inclined, kayaking the deep blue waters of the fjord provided another option. And… photographs! Everywhere! More than could possibly be captured. Wildflowers in bloom. Wild rushing streams and wilder waterfalls. Soaring rock walls. Steep inclines and lush forested valleys. A subject for every focal-length and every lens in the camera bag. Ample time ashore provided great opportunities to explore and a leisurely pace to develop photographic ideas.
After a late lunch, the National Geographic Endeavour set sail to continue our exploration of Tysfjorden and coastal Norway. Along our voyage back through the fjord, we passed Stetind, a dramatic, anvil-topped mountain, acclaimed by general vote of the Norwegian populace as the most beautiful peak in the country. Later we cruised through the short, but picturesque Troll Fjord, admiring the views and recording memories with our cameras. Just before midnight, we had our first actual sunset in a week-and-a-half, compliments of the more southerly latitudes crossed in our route along the coast of Norway.
