Spitsbergen Newton Ski Expedition
15-day expedition to Mount Newton Longyearbyen - Longyearbyen | A 15-day expedition to the summit of Newtontoppen, the highest mountain on Svalbard, 1,713 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 around the clock.
The Tour Itinerary
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. The distance is approx. 70 km. From Billefjorden we will continue across the glaciers on skis, carrying all the equipment we need in rucksacks and on pulkas. 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 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 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 mountains Atomfjella, to the northeast, the desolate, barren Nordaustlandet. 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, sleeping mats, 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 winter 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: Pulka (one pulka each), shovel, tent, cooking equipment and food. This enables them to function independently when setting up the camps.
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!
| Departure | Departure: Sunday to Sunday, April 18th - May 2nd, 2010 |
| Price | $4,395 per person in double room $4,820 single room*, 4 nights * Single tent is not possible Additional nights at Spitsbergen Guesthouse: $100 double room per person per night $130 single room per night Additional nights at Spitsbergen Hotel $190 double room per person per night $325 single room per night |
| Included | Transfer on scheduled arrivals and departures 4 nights accommodations Spitsbergen Guesthouse in a double room (shared shower/wc) Sun - Mon prior to safari, and Fri (Sat) - after safari Visit to the Museum in Longyearbyen Tent, sleeping mats, shared equipment, rescue insurance, transport Sun after the safari Breakfast at Spitsbergen Guesthouse Accommodation in tents during the safari All equipment needed for dog sledding and in the camp All meals during the trip Experienced guides with weapon and safety equipment |
| Not Included | International airfare & Airport taxes Flights to/from Longyearbyen Personal clothing and equipment Beverages such as beer, wine and mineral water Gratuities Personal insurance / personal items $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | All times are subject to change. Schedule will change when ice- and weather-conditions make it necessary. Minimum is 2 persons and maximum is 5 persons per departure. Lowest age: 14 years |
| Tour Options | Air available on SAS - inquire about our special fares! Additional nights Spitsbergen / Oslo |
Day 1 ARRIVAL LONGYEARBYEN Sunday Individual arrival at the Svalbard Airport. Arrival flights: 09:35 SK4414 from Oslo via Tromsø (arr. 11:45, dep. 12:15), arr. 13:55, airport shuttle (NOK 50,-). 20:40 SK4496 from Oslo, direct flight, arrival 23:30, transfer to Spitsbergen Guesthouse included. 22:50 SK4492 from Tromsø, arrival 00:30 (Monday), transfer to Spitsbergen Guesthouse included (connecting flight from Oslo to Tromsø; to SK4434 19:50-21:35)
Day 2 LONGYEARBYEN (B, L, D) Monday 07:00 Breakfast is served until 10:00. 11:00 Information meeting / briefing at the guesthouse. Before lunch we prepare the expedition, going through the gear and instructions for use of cooking gear, pulka, ski equipment, tent, food and drinks. We discuss clothing, ski technique et After lunch we do the final packing of all of our equipment for our ski expedition. Dinner in the restaurant at Spitsbergen Hotel.
Day 3 START OF JOURNEY (B, L, D) Tuesday 07:00 Breakfast is served until 10:00. Check-out Transportation by snowmobiles (or tracked vehicle) out of Longyearbyen, to the drop off point. From there we start our journey, skiing north.
Day 4 SKI EXPEDITION (B, L, D) Wednesday The first four days we ski approx. 15 km per day. We plan to reach Newtontoppen 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 Widjefjord.
Day 5 SKI EXPEDITION (B, L, D) Thursday The first four days we ski approx. 15 km per day. We plan to reach Newtontoppen 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 Widjefjord.
Day 6 SKI EXPEDITION (B, L, D) Friday The first four days we ski approx. 15 km per day. We plan to reach Newtontoppen 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 Widjefjord.
Day 7 SKI EXPEDITION (B, L, D) Saturday The first four days we ski approx 15 km per day. We plan to reach Newtontoppen 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 Widjefjord.
Day 8 SKI EXPEDITION (B, L, D) Sunday The first four days we ski approx. 15 km per day. We plan to reach Newtontoppen 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 Widjefjord.
Day 9 SKI EXPEDITION (B, L, D) Monday The first four days we ski approx. 15 km per day. We plan to reach Newtontoppen 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 Widjefjord.
Day 10 SKI EXPEDITION (B, L, D) Tuesday The first four days we ski approx. 15 km per day. We plan to reach Newtontoppen 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 Widjefjord.
Day 11 SKI EXPEDITION (B, L, D) Wednesday The first four days we ski approx. 15 km per day. We plan to reach Newtontoppen 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 Widjefjord.
Day 12 SKI EXPEDITION (B, L, D) Thursday The first four days we ski approx. 15 km per day. We plan to reach Newtontoppen 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 Widjefjord.
Day 13 SKI EXPEDITION - LONGYEARBYEN (B, L, D) Friday We continue south, skiing to the Billefjord and the Nordenskiöld glacier, where we meet our transportation back to Longyearbyen. Check-in at Spitsbergen Guesthouse. Dinner in Funktionærmessen Restaurant at Spitsbergen Hotel.
Day 14 LONGYEARBYEN (B) Saturday 07:00 Breakfast is served until 10:00. Time to rest and look around in Longyearbyen. Visit at Svalbard Museum. Individual day excursions can be booked at the reception. Lunch. Dinner in Brasseri Nansen at Radisson BLU Polar Hotel Spitsbergen.
Day 15 LONGYEARBYEN DEPARTURE (B) Sunday Please note that breakfast for early departures must be booked in the reception by 18:00, Saturday evening. 06:30 Transfer from Spitsbergen Guesthouse to the airport for departure SK 4499, included. 08:00 SK4499 to Oslo, direct flight, arrival 11:00. 14:45 SK4425 to Oslo via Tromsø (arr. 16:20, dep. 17:10), arrival Oslo at 19:00, airport shuttle (NOK 50,-).
How demanding is the expedition? Although you do not need to be an active sportsman or woman, this expedition does demand a sufficient level of fitness to cope with relatively long trips, carrying your own equipment in a rucksack and pulling a pulka with group equipment. You must be prepared for the weather to change very quickly, and also be prepared for some very harsh weather conditions with low temperatures.