Day to day program
Day 1: Meet at Basecamp Trappers Hotel for an early departure. Transfer to the boat. We load everything onboard and set the course for Ymerbukta Bay on the west side of the fjord. Warm lunch is served on the ship. During the 2-3 h long trip there will be plenty of time for spotting animal wildlife and do the last bit of packing. Arrival in Ymerbukta Bay.
Our goal for the first day of skiing is to climb the steep hill up the glacier and find a nice camp site some distance from the coast – where the risk of a visiting polar bear is less. At dinner time we pitch camp. We cook all meals on gas stoves. For the tough ones there will be the possibility of an evening ski trip, perhaps Polhøgda Peak 689 m? Just remember, it will be a long day tomorrow. We sleep in warm sleeping bags in our expedition tents.
Distance: approx.6 km
Day 2: Skiing. After breakfast we pack up the camp and continue up the Esmark Glacier towards Trollheimen. We will stop at noon for lunch. Today we get to see some of the mountains constituting Trollheimen, for example the Witch Mountain, the Troll Castle and the Big Troll. After a long day on skis we find a nice place to settle in for the night.
Distance: approx. 20 km.
Day 3: Skiing. The guides will set the route according to weather and snow conditions. We will move up through Trollheimen, over the huge Eidembreen Glacier, continue west towards the coast and the Forlandsundet Strait. Weather permitted; there will be a marvellous view over Prins Karls Forland, the westernmost of the islands of Svalbard.
Distance: approx. 25 km.
Day 4: Skiing. Today the route will go mainly to the east. We have many alternative routes to choose from and the weather will decide where we will go.
Distance: approx. 20 km.
Day 5: Skiing. The end of the round trip is closing in. Ahead of us there is still a magnificent stretch over Geologpasset Pass and down Esmarkbreen Glacier to Ymerbukta Bay and the boat, which hopefully is waiting to bring us back to civilisation. During the 4 hour long trip to Longyearbyen, we say our farewells to Oscar II Land and let all the new impressions sink in.
Distance: approx. 12 km.
