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SPITSBERGEN NEWTON SKI EXPEDITION 2006
15-day expedition to the Mount Newton, Longyearbyen - Longyearbyen
Departure: Sunday, April 23 - Monday May 07, 2006
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A 15-day expedition to the Mount Newton (Newtontoppen), the highest mountain on Svalbard at 1717 meters above sea level. Four nights only will be spent indoor. The other nights will be spent in solid mountain tents. Late winter on Svalbard is breathtaking. During April and May, the climate and conditions are perfect for a ski trip up into the vast mountainous area. At this time of year, the weather is excellent - not too cold and daylight 24 hours a day.
Towards the very top of the Northern Hemisphere lies the Svalbard Archipelago. It is the most accessible high Arctic area in the world, yet its vast expanses of pristine nature appear almost completely untouched by humans. Large parts of Svalbard are national parks and nature preserves outside the few human settlements. There are no roads connecting the settlements, making Svalbard one of the few remaining areas of unspoiled wilderness.
A 15-day expedition to the Mount Newton (Newtontoppen), the highest mountain on Svalbard at 1717 meters above sea level. Four nights only will be spent indoor. The other nights will be spent in solid mountain tents. Late winter on Svalbard is breathtaking. During April and May, the climate and conditions are perfect for a ski trip up into the vast mountainous area. At this time of year, the weather is excellent - not too cold and daylight 24 hours a day.
The tour is an advanced ski expedition through the imposing mountains and glaciers of northeast Spitsbergen. One of our aims is to reach the summit of the Newtontoppen, Svalbard's highest mountain. This is an area seldom visited. The transportation from Longyearbyen to the starting point in Billefjord (or Gipsdalen) is made by snowmobile or tracked vehicle, and the distance is
70 km. From Billefjord we will continue across the glaciers on skis, carrying all the equipment we need in rucksacks and on sleds. Expedition leaders will be carrying the necessary safety and specialist equipment. There is no fixed itinerary for the tour; the party and the weather conditions will determine the route and pace.
The distance from the starting point to the Newtontoppen is approx. 60 km, which is an adequate distance if the weather is poor. Participants therefore need to be fit and used to skiing through mountainous terrain. They should also have experience of winter camping, but for those who are willing to put in a little extra hard work, the feeling of achievement will be even greater. We usually reach the Newtontoppen on the fourth day.
The final stage of the expedition before we reach the summit is steep, but does not require climbing skills. The view from the top is fantastic. To the northwest is the Austfjord and the mighty Atom-mountains, to the northeast, the desolate, barren Nordaustland. The final stage of the expedition before we reach the summit is steep, but does not require climbing skills. On the return journey, we will take a route through the Widjefjord, across the Mittag Lefler Glacier, the Billefjord and the Nordenskiöld Glacier. We will be picked up by snowmobiles and taken back to Longyearbyen where showers and dinner await us.
We will provide food, tents, camping matlases, cooking equipment, etc. Participants should have their own high-quality winter equipment, e.g. warm, well worn-in comfortable ski boots, a warm, down jacket and a warm 4-season sleeping bag. Sturdy mountain skis with good bindings (please bring spares) are also required. The expedition leaders will share the food and equipment before we leave Longyearbyen. The party will be divided into pairs and each pair will receive all the equipment they need: sled (one sled each), shovel, tent, cooking equipment and food. This enables them to function independently when setting up camp.
The expedition leaders meet the party at the airport. The first day in Longyearbyen is spent packing, checking the equipment, getting used to the tent and the cooking equipment, etc.
Experience the magic of Arctic winter! Svalbard, an Arctic Pearl in Northern Norway!
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Sunday
(day 1)
Monday
(day 2)
Tuesday
(day 3)
Wednesday-
Thursday
(day 4-12)
Friday
(day 13)
Saturday
(day 14)
Sunday
(day 15)
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SK4448 from Oslo, via Tromsø (arr. 11.10, dep. 12.15), arrival 13.55, airport shuttle (NOK 40,- pr. person).
SK4496 from Oslo, direct flight, arrival 00.35 (Monday), transfer to Spitsbergen Guesthouse included.
SK4492 from Tromsø, arrival 01.10 (Monday), transfer to Spitsbergen Guesthouse included (connecting flight from Oslo to Tromsø; to SK4466, 20.15-22.05).
Breakfast is served until 10.00.
Information meeting/briefing at the guesthouse.
Before lunch we prepare the expedition going through the gear and instructions for use of cooking gear, pulk, ski equipment, tent, food and drinks. We discuss clothing, ski technique, etc.
After lunch we do the final packing of all of our equipment for our ski expedition.
Dinner in the restaurant at Spitsbergen Hotel.
Breakfast is served until 10.00. Check-out.
Transportation by snowmobiles (or tracked vehicle) out of Longyearbyen, to the drop off point in the Billefjord. From there we start our journey skiing north.
The first four days we ski approximately 15 km. each day. We plan to reach the mount Newton on late Saturday.
The next days we spend in the great mountain area called Atomfjella, before heading south skiing down the Trygve glacier to the Wijdefjord.
We continue south skiing to the Billefjord and Nordenskiöld glacier where we meet our transportation back to Longyearbyen.
Check-in at Spitsbergen Guesthouse.
Dinner at Spitsbergen Hotel.
Breakfast is served until 10.00.
Time to rest and look around Longyearbyen. Visit at Svalbard Museum.
Individual day excursions can be booked at the reception.
Lunch.
Dinner in the restaurant at Spitsbergen Hotel.
For those with early departure breakfasts have to be booked in the day before.
Transfer from Spitsbergen Guesthouse to the airport for departure SK 4499.
SK4499 to Oslo, direct flight, arrival 11.00.
SK4457 to Oslo, via Tromsø (arr. 16.30, dep. 17.15), arrival Oslo at 19.05, airport bus NOK 40,- pp.
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Departure Dates
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Spitsbergen Newton Safari, 15 days
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Sundays, April 23 - May 07 2006
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Prices in US Dollars
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Per person in double room / 2 persons per snowmobile
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3,730
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Single supplement*
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100
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Supplement for a single snowmobile*
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on request
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* Single tent is not possible
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Included
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Transfer on scheduled arrivals and departures
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Overnight stay in a double room (shared shower/wc)
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Tent, camping mat
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All meals
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Shared equipment
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Rescue insurance
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Transport to and from the Billefjord (or Gipsdalen)
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Experienced guide
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Taxes & services
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Not Included
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International airfare
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Flights to/from Longyearbyen
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Airport taxes
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Transfers
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Personal clothing and equipment
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Beverages such as beer, wine and mineral water
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Gratuities
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Fee for one-person snowmobile
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Personal insurance / personal items
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$ 25 Service fee
List of equipment needed
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Please note
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* Two persons per snowmobile / supplement for one-person snowmobile $ 420.
Each driver must have a valid drivers license to ride a snow mobile.
Minimum of 7 persons and maximum of 12 persons
Photos courtesy of Spitsbergen Travel
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