Woodfjord-Sorgfjord – 11th August 2019

Sun
11 Aug
2019

Small islands look from the distance often as if there was nothing to see. But when you have a chance to get close, then they often turn out to be little jewels of arctic nature. The tundra is rich due to fertilization by breeding birds over thousands of years. Eider ducks, arctic terns, grey phalaropes and purple sandpipers are living here. Waves and currents are turning sand and gravel into beautiful pieces of art.

Later, we pass the hut near Gråhuken, where Christiane Ritter wintered in 1934-35 (Ritter Hut). She wrote the book „A woman in the polar night“ about this adventure, which became quite famous.

We cross 80 degrees north under sail – twice, actually – before we reach Sorgfjord. The contrast of the barren polar-desert landscape at Eolusneset to the rich, colourful landscape and tundra of Woodfjord could hardly be more pronounced.

Gallery – Woodfjord-Sorgfjord – 11th August 2019

Click on thumbnail to open an enlarged version of the specific photo.

Finally, we make good use of wind and some diesel to get across Hinlopen Strait, to Nordaustland.