Our first full day in Svalbard started with National Geographic Explorer cruising off shore on the west side of Spitzbergen, the largest island in this Arctic archipelago. The morning was filled with staff introductions and briefings on landings, bear safety, and kayaking procedures in this beautiful, but hostile environment. We also had a brief introduction to digital photography, with a camera breakout session, as we entered Hornsund Fjord, heading for our proposed landing site this afternoon. With all this out of the way we were ready for our first operation!
Soon after lunch was finished, everyone headed to shore at a spectacular area of Hornsund called Gnalnodden, an area with dramatic scenery, including sheer cliffs, with thousands of nesting seabirds flying in and out, in a constant aerial ballet! There is also an old trapper’s cabin, also used as a refuge hut near the bottom of the cliffs. One of our naturalists was stationed there, giving us an introduction into part of Svalbard’s long history hunting and trapping in this Arctic environment.
We separated into a number of hiking groups, from strenuous to leisurely, as we explored this impressive landscape. Some groups climbed higher, to almost the base of the cliffs, while others stayed down below on more level terrain.
The big treat of the afternoon however, was watching an arctic fox methodically hunting along the base of the bird cliffs, looking for a tasty meal that may have fallen from above. This is an ideal place to have a den and raise a family! There were plenty of different bird sightings, including Atlantic puffins and barnacle geese.
Soon it was time to head back to the ship for the Captain’s Welcome Aboard party and another delicious dinner. Another great day in the far north!
