And what else did the summer bring in Spitsbergen? Negative stories include the lethal accident at Esmarkbreen (see August news, no further details known so far) and the loss of a private sailing boat at the north coast (see September news), luckily without loss of life.
Beyond this, the summer was largely characterized by unnormally warm water in Spitsbergen’s fjords and around the coasts, which led to a record loss of sea ice in the area and possibly also to the rather grey weather that prevailed through most of the season.
These sub-arctic water masses may also have brought whales up, which were seen around Spitsbergen in unusually large numbers. Especially Humpback whales were observed regularly, mostly in eastern parts of Spitsbergen and often several dozens of them. The most spectacular sighting was probably a completely white individual. White Humpback whales are not unknown to science, but extremely rare.
Dan Fisher, crewmember on SV Antigua, managed to get some exciting photos of this rare animal. Click here for a larger version of the image below.
By the way, my new book is in print and it can now be ordered 🙂 it is a photo book with the title “Norwegens arktischer Norden (3): Die Bäreninsel und Jan Mayen”, with German text Click here for further details!
This and other publishing products of the Spitsbergen publishing house in the Spitsbergen-Shop.
Norwegens arktischer Norden (1): Spitzbergen
Photobook: Norway's arctic islands. The text in this book is German. [shop url="https://shop.spitzbergen.de/en/polar-books/70-norwegens-arktischer-norden-1-aerial-arctic-9783937903262.html"] ← Back
Lofoten, Jan Mayen and Spitsbergen from the air - Photobook: Norway's arctic islands. The text in this book is German, but there is very little text, so I am sure that you will enjoy it regardless which languages you read (or not).
The companion book for the Svalbardhytter poster. The poster visualises the diversity of Spitsbergen‘s huts and their stories in a range of Arctic landscapes. The book tells the stories of the huts in three languages.
Comprehensive guidebook about Spitsbergen. Background (wildlife, plants, geology, history etc.), practical information including travelling seasons, how to travel, description of settlements, routes and regions.
Join an exciting journey with dog, skis and tent through the wintery wastes of East Greenland! We were five guys and a dog when we started in Ittoqqortoormiit, the northernmost one of two settlements on Greenland’s east coast.
12 postcards which come in a beautifully designed tray. Beautiful images from South Georgia across Antarctica from the Antarctic Peninsula to the Ross Sea and up to Macquarie Island and Campbell Island.