A little excursion into the younger history of Spitsbergen. The grey weather was quite appropriate when we made the sad pilgrimage to the memorial for the 1996 airplane crash at Operafjellet, where 141 people died when a Russian aircraft crashed into the slope of Operafjellet during the landing descent in poor visibility. This was the biggest catastrophe that people had to endure in Spitsbergen on land, and the Russian communities were hit very strongly.
The visit to mine 6 was less dramatic. Coal was mined there between 1969 and 1981 (building started in 1967). Interesting insight into local mining history and what they call industrial archaeology – and a very rewarding playground for photo freaks who like their HDR and panorama techniques or (even better!) both at the same time.
Click on thumbnail to open an enlarged version of the specific photo.
Operafjellet
A Russian plane collided with Operafjellet in late August 1996. 141 people were on board: miners, employees of the mining company, their families, and the crew of the aircraft. All 141 died instantly. This was the biggest catastrophe ever in Spitsbergen, apart from war-time dramas at sea. The cause was bad navigation in poor visibility. The accident was a factor when Pyramiden was closed in 1998.
Gruve 6
Mine 6 is in Adventdalen, between Todalen and Bolterdalen. Abandoned many years ago, it is easy to reach, an interesting bit of industrial history and a fascinating playground for photographers.
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.