Saturday 27 September 2008
let it snow ...
I has been snowing quite a lot these past few days and nights... and this is what I woke up to this morning.
Here are a few other photos (one which you may have already seen from previous days)
Neat huh?
Wednesday 24 September 2008
winter is coming ...
Funny cos' the temperature this week has plummeted below zero for the first time, and it looks like it will remain below zero from now on.
Last year they has one of the coldest winters ever with lots of snowfall. I looked at the statistics and the lowest temperature back in September 2007 was -3.9°C ... well we've already had -5°C with -8°C predicted for next week.
Monday 22 September 2008
yay!
I did it ! I have finally completed Longyearbyen's 10-peak challenge ! On Saturday morning I set off by kayak across the Adventfjorden. Even though the weather has been rubbish for the past two weeks, it somehow wasn't raining and there was no wind at all. The last peak was really not obvious to find, but in the end we got there.
View of Longyearbyen
View from Sneheim
Later on that afternoon we kayaked back across the Fjord, where I then picked up my bike and cycled straight down to Bjorndalen, the student cabin found a few kilometres away (1 hour). I was already exhausted from the hike, but figured I had to make it to the cabin this weekend before it gets too dark in the season.
On Sunday morning I went for a walk with a few people, up Fuglefjellet which I had already been up a couple of weeks ago. It was fun nonetheless, and we were caught in a mini blizzard at the top. The way back down was very wet and we stopped at the student cabin for lunch. From inside the weather looked grim, but we had to return to town by bike. The river had swelled up, and in the end I just crossed with all my clothes on. I only got wet up to my knees though, but I was still very wet from the rain. The cycle back was ok since the wind was hitting us from behind.I arrived back at my barrack at 6.40PM, with aim of still attending Underwater Rugby at 7! I quickly threw everything out of my bag and ate chocolate and then cycled down to the pool where I was 1 minute early! Underwater rugby was as usual so difficult. I can't believe how rubbish I am, but I really want to get better.
This coming Thursday I'm attending a lifeguard course ... apparently we need to swim to the bottom of the pool a few times with our clothes on ... and we are not allowed any form of aid, and that includes goggles/glasses/contact lenses ... so I'm pretty screwed.
So yeah this weekend has been the most crazy one yet ... I really need to get my work done now :(
Sunday 14 September 2008
crazy
On Friday I set off to climb one more of the remaining two peaks, as part of the 10 peak challenge I was talking about. My aim was to climb Adventoppen - but in order to get there you must first cross several streams and small rivers. The other way of course is by crossing the fjord by kayak.
So I went by foot, and the stream water was quite deep so I put on my rubber boots. But then it got even deeper so I just took them off. The water was freezing - like a million needles in your feet. I walked a little further in the water and then suddenly sunk to my waist. When I say waist, I properly mean it! My phone and camera got wet and I don't think my camera works anymore :( . And so long story cut short, I had to turn back. But then I just took my bike and continued riding down the valley and managed to climb a different peak (still part of the competition) instead. So now I only have one left !
Today there was the option to go play kayak polo again, which was followed by underwater rugby. Now normal people would only volunteer on one activity, but for some reason I chose both. I was in the water for nearly 4 hours. The kayak polo went ok, I mean I'm rubbish, but it was still quite fun. Then came the underwater rugby and oh my god - this must be the most difficult sport I have ever tried. You basically need to put a heavy ball into a net that is 3m deep. And the ball needs to stay submerged. I couldn't believe how agressive everybody was - people coming from every single direction trying to steal the ball from you. And you must hold your breathe for ages while doing strenuous activity.
Overall I'm feeling a bit tired as these past few days have been non stop.
Thursday 11 September 2008
Back from Svea ... and first Polar Bear sighting !!!
I went to Svea for the past couple of days on fieldwork - as part of the Arctic Technology course I am doing out here (around 50km down south).
Last time I came to Svalbard for 3 entire months and didn't get to see a single bear, even though we were in the middle of nowhere at times. Out of the entire expedition I was one of the only ones not to see one. Therefore I was so please that this time it finally happened, and from a safe distance
Wednesday 3 September 2008
2 more to go!
Yesterday afternoon after lectures, Siv and I set out to bag another peak, as part of a competition the local gym is organising (only have 7 and 8 left).
The aim is to climb 10 of Longyearbyen's surrounding peaks by October. Those who sign all the guestbooks at the top of each mountain may win a prize.
I have noticed that there are actually quite a few people who have completed the challenge, and so I guess there is very little chance I win anything, but it's still a fun challenge.
So yeah, about yesterday's peak - we left at 3.30PM by bike down Longyearbyen, past the airport, round the coast and into Bjorndalen. Then by foot up the valley and up the mountain - and back down again (peak 10 on the map). Unless I am mistaken and measured it all wrong, we covered just over 44km in one afternoon ! All that and back in under 6 hours. We didn't stay long at the top as it was absolutly freezing - in fact there was frost and frozen puddles (winter is on it's way).
On the way down we passed a fresh dead reindeer that had recently collapsed in a stream, and it's eyes had been eaten by gulls! Always be careful what you drink!
The other day I volunteered to be the Tresurer this year so I am responsible for managing the student budget this year. I also put my name down for the student equipment along with three other people - so I should soon be getting the keys to the treasure trove!
Other than that, I really must get along with a project I have been assigned.
On Friday I leave for Svea by plane as part of the Arctic Technology fieldwork. How cool is that - by plane! I'm sure it will beat the Edinburgh minibus ;) .
Monday 1 September 2008
UNIS pictures
Finally, some pictures of my beloved university ! Compare this to for example Appleton tower in Edinburgh; and I quote from Wikipedia:
The geneticist Steve Jones has nominated "the ugliness of the Appleton Tower" as one of the wonders of the world for a BBC2 TV show. Early in 2005, a student newspaper launched a campaign to nominate it for the Channel 4 series Demolition – a series about the "worst buildings in Britain". The Tower did not make the final twelve. Later, in the same year, Historic Scotland considered giving the building listed status, but after opposition it was removed from the list.
(ok I'm being a bit harsh. Edinburgh does have *some* nice buildings ...)
random
(much nicer than my first year at Edinburgh)
