Svalbard Expedition Update
Petter Thorsen sent us this update from Day 8 of their Svalbard Expedition, including their first polar bear sightings.
Team ‘Lost’ have been Found!
Since we last sent an update we have been taking advantage of continual talewinds and paddling up to 40 or more km’s per day!
After leaving Longyearbyen on July 20th we paddled west before reaching Forlandsund the following day. It was a strange and lonely feeling knowing that we were heading north, away from civilisation and into a wilderness area that is both beautiful and extreme. The dark sky towards the north didn’t help!
In the last few days we have paddled up the entire western side of the Svalbard Islands, past hunting huts and grave yards of polarbear, whale, seal & fox hunters dating back 500 years. We have paddled past more glaciers that I can count, and been caught in wind squalls that sprung up from nowhere and nearly flattened our tents.
“Lost” had a bet the the first to predict which day we would sight our first polar bear would win a bottle of whiskey…but I and sorry to report that no one won. We all expected to see a polarbear in the first week of the trip…but none materialised…..UNTIL TODAY (day 8)!!!! And not only did we see one, but 8!!! With the last 2 being a mother and baby walking along the sea shore less that 50 meters away from our kayaks. What incredible animals…and there are only about 3000 left on the svalbard islands.
We have got into a pretty good routine for each day now; beginning with dried cereal which we just add water to make a super energy meal that keeps us paddling for several hours without stopping. We then check the weather forecast via satellite telephone to decide when we paddle and where (if any emergency stops are) as the weather changes quickly and with potentially dangerous consequences. We then break camp, take down the polarbear trip wire flares, pack boats and get on the water. We are using Aleutian dry suits from Palm, which we always wear on the water with up to 2 layers of clothes underneath. The secret with staying safe and warm is to manage your body temperature so well that you don’t sweat, or if you do; paddle yourself dry afterwards. And we have found that these dry suits have been amazing at breathing without letting water in.
Once on the water we usually try to paddle for 2 shifts of about 4 hours with a lunch break inbetween where we stop, boil water and eat hot lunch. At the end of each day we then send 2 of the boys on land with guns and polarbear flares to check none are in the area, before landing and setting up tents before we begin to freeze. Then its setting up of polarbear flares around the camp, drying equipment, eating, and sleeping!
Until next time!
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Wow polar bear sightings awesome. All the best guys!!!