Funny how things go so quickly ... spring is on it's way, and it's coming fast! I am amazed at how much more light there is (more like how little there is), from one day to the next. We have another month or so before seing the sun again though.
Today we went to look for the icecave on Longyearbreen, cos' apparently it has been opened. It took us ages skiing up the glacier, but unfortunatly we couldn't find it :( ... On the other hand, we had a great time skiing back down and even got to see the northern lights ^^
As soon as we got back home, we continued skiing down (how random) to town to buy some food. I dunno ... it's just funny ... small things we do here, that seem so normal now and take for granted, but will be difficult to let go off when leaving this place. I was even thinking about it today, how lucky we are being able to ski whenever we want. And not just any skiing: here as soon as you step out your door it pure wilderness. I have homework, I go to lectures, in fact I'm at university most of the time - but that's only half the fun (and studying at UNIS is an experience in itself). As someone said today "I feel like I'm on a big holiday".
Later on in the evening, the northern lights came back out :)
Walking up Longyearbreen
Twilight :)
Does this photo ring a bell ;) ?
Night falling fast
Watching the Northern Lights outside my barrack
posted by Yann Rashid on 22:55
Just because it's dark, doesn't mean to say I can't have any fun!
In fact, over the past couple of days there has been a sign that the sun will soon be returning! Ok, officially the sun comes back in just over a month time (end of Feb) (and only comes back to town in March because of the surrounding mountains), but still! At lunch we can always spot the faint light in the distance.
And so a few of us went for a quick ski trip up a local mountain, Trollsteinen. Going up was quite ok, but coming back down was a different story. The thing is, my skis are mountain skis and not downhill skis. There is this Norwegian was of skiing (telemark) which is so difficult to learn but makes coming down much easier. Unfortunaltly I can't do it yet - so that's my challenge for the season.
Pretty town: Longyearbyen
On top of Trollsteinen
Skiing on Trollsteinen ridge :S
posted by Yann Rashid on 22:55
It's really depressing when I think about how I will be coming back home in a few months time. Maybe I should just focus on being here and not worrying about the future! Maybe it's because it's still dark and I have nothing better to do ... when the sunlight comes back then I can focus on other things!
In any case, the Northern Light came out the other night. As always, it was magical. But looking back I can't remember how they looked... it's funny cos' you really have to be there to appreciate them. But what I do remember is how amazing they are. It was freezing outside, but the air was crisp and it was so silent. I lay down in the snow just watching them.
And then, when going to bed, I opened my curtain and they were still there! Possibly the most incredible way of falling asleep ...
Sarkofagen
Nordenskjioldfjellet
Watching the Northern Lights from my bed ...
posted by Yann Rashid on 22:47
Yep it's still pitch black outside, even though it's mid day.
What a week it has been. As soon as I got off the plane, I went straight to UNIS to participate in the safety course. During the course of a few days, we learned about:
- handling GPS, emergency beacons, planning route etc
- avalanche beacons, and how to find bodies with probes and shovels
- went to the rifle range, which was absolutely freezing
- learned about crevasse rescue
- first aid
- travelling on sea ice
- emergency camps etc ...
We had to get down to UNIS at 8AM every morning which was horrible, and half the work was carried out outside in temperatures around -25 to -30C.
And then on Saturday they put us all to the challenge. We all went onto the Longyearbreen glacier, where there were several scenarios where we had to rescue people using the techniques we had just been taught. I had to play an unconcious dummy at one point, lying in the freezing snow, and waiting for someone to rescue me. I got cold hands and feet but it was still great fun.
Later on in the afternoon the rescue helicopter came over to rescue a student - all very exciting stuff.
Helicopter demonstation in the moonlight
View from my Barrack round mid day
Quick video
posted by Yann Rashid on 13:03
Right now I am sitting in one of the airport hotels in Oslo and will be flying back to Longyearbyen tomorrow morning. I have had the most amazing holidays, but still can't wait to get back onto Svalbard.
Over the Christmas holidays I went skiing in France, and then over New Year went trekking in Scotland. So basically I have only seen snow and ice, and am now returning to an ice world. Somewhere warm would be nice for the summer :)
As soon as I land, I need to run to UNIS to take part in the safety course which is currently being organised (I've already missed a day). All students need to attend this course (6 days long), which I think involves first aid, avalanche safety, glacier stuff etc. All fun stuff! I'll keep your posted.
It's been great seeing the sun, but I don't really look forward to returning to the darkness (only 2 months left of it ^^).
Svalbard, here I come!
posted by Yann Rashid on 22:18
