Apr - May
13 days
A tour that will take your breath away - and not just due to the physical exertion! Here we will be completely long in Svalbard’s wilderness, in a fantastic region which will, well, take your breath away!
READY FOR Newtontoppen?
Come with us to Svalbard’s highest mountains, Newtontoppen and Perriertoppen! From these peaks you will have stupendous views over the untouched landscape. To the northwest you can see Austfjorden, Widjefjorden and the jagged alpine peaks of Atomfjella. If you turn you gaze to the northeast, you can see the isolated island Nordaustlandet.
Late winter on Svalbard is one of the most beautiful things imaginable. In April and May the weather and snow conditions are at their best for a long ski expedition. We will spend 11 days on skis in a powerful landscape, filled with mountains and glaciers. The total duration of the expedition is 13 days, but two of them will be spent on preparations and transport
This ski expedition is a challenging tour which takes you through the exceptional mountainous world that is northeast Spitsbergen. The transport to our start point on Lomonosovfonna will be by snowmobile or snowcat. From there, we will continue inwards over the glaciers by ski, with everything we might need in pulkas and backpacks.
The tour leaders will have all necessary safety equipment, as well as specialist gear. No set plan is made for this tour, as the choice of route and tempo will take into account the weather and participants.
It is about 40 kilometres from our start point to Newtontoppen. From there it is another 30 kilometres to Perriertoppen. Participants must be in very good physical shape, and be used to winter camping.
DAY BY DAY PROGRAMME
Day 1
The guide will meet you in the reception at the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel Spitsbergen. A welcome and information meeting will be held here, before we head down to our stores. Once there, we will go through the equipment, pack our pulkas and receive instructions for use of the cooking equipment, pulkas and tent. There will be time for a quick visit to the shops and adjustment of gear if required. Accommodation at Radisson Blu Polar Hotel Spitsbergen is included.
Day 2
Breakfast and check out before 10:00 am. Any baggage you are not taking with you can be left in our baggage room. Be sure to fill your thermoses with hot water during breakfast. We will be picked up at 10:00 am, and driven down to our Expedition Centre where there will be a quick briefing before our transfer between Longyearbyen and Lomonosovfonna. The transport stage is about 110km. Snowmobile clothing will be supplied, and you will be equipped with this prior to departure.
Day 3 to 11
We will make our way out into the stunning landscape, and the plan is to reach Newtontoppen after two or three days of skiing. Newtontoppen can be climbed on skis or on foot. The last section before the peak is relatively steep, but no climbing experience is required. The views from the top are unbelievable. To the northwest you can spy Widjefjorden, Austfjorden and the spectacular Atomfjella mountain range, whilst to the northeast you can see the isolated island, Nordaustlandet. From here we will continue towards Perriertoppen, which is Svalbard’s second highest mountain. It is only just behind Newtontoppen with its 1710m, but the mountain is more alpine, and cannot be climbed on skis. We generally use crampons to make our ascent, but will not need ropes or other climbing gear. To make an attempt on the peak, the snow conditions must be safe when we approach. We are now in the very heart of the alpine region known as Atomfjella. We will continue through the mountains to Trygvebreen, down to Austfjord, and to Billefjord, If the conditions and time are with us, we will reach the Abandoned Russian town, Pyramiden.
Day 12
We ski down to Billefjorden and then we cross over Hørbyedalen and follow Petuniabukta along the coast, where we arrive in the early morning. Distance approx 13 km. We will be picked up by boat and transported back to Longyearbyen. Arrival in the evening.
If it turns out that boat transport is not possible, the alternative is to be picked up by snowmobile. Instead of going down Ragnardalen, we will continue towards Lomonosovfonna and be picked up from there by scooter.
Day 13
The adventure is over, unless we can tempt you to stay a little longer and experience more of Longyearbyen and its surrounds. Thanks for joining us, and we hope to see you again soon!
All times can be changed. The tour programme may be adjusted underway, should weather or snow conditions require it. The tempo on the expedition will be set according to the conditions and the participants’ physical strength.
Price information
Price includes:
- Accommodation in Longyearbyen as per the programme
- Meals during the tour and farewell dinner in Longyearbyen.
- Shared equipment: cooking equipment, snow shovels, glacier equipment, primus, fuel
- Tent
- Pulka
- Experienced guides with necessary safety equipment
- Search and rescue insurance
- Transport from Longyearbyen to Lomonosovfonna by snowmobile
- Transport from end point of tour to Longyearbyen
Price does not include:
- Flights
- Accommodation and meals in Longyearbyen apart from those mentioned in the programme
- Sleeping bag
- Liggeunderlag
- Personal skiing equipment including skis, poles, boots and skins
- Beer/wine/soft drinks
- Travel insurance
- Clothing and equipment
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 shops.
Practical information
This expedition requires that you are physically fit and used to long ski trips, as we cover 15-20 km a day pulling a heavy sled with equipment.
You must be prepared for changeable weather, and generally tough weather conditions.
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
13 days
Age limit
18 year
Difficulty
5 - Demands exceptional physical fitness
