A tour up to the top of Nordenskiöldfjellet, the highest mountain near Longyearbyen with an altitude of 1051 metres. In winter, it is a nice day trip with cross country skis. Some locals take the trip, which is partly quite steep, with snow mobiles, something that is not immensely popular with those who are out on a quiet trip.
The reward for the long ascent comes in shape of a great view over large parts of Nordenskiöld Land and Isfjord.
A group of Swedish scientists wintered on Nordenskiöldfjellet during the International Polar Year of 1932-33. This was the highest wintering on Spitsbergen ever and combined with an immense logistical effort. All the equipment including building materials for the hut and all supplies had to be carried up the mountain, which was mainly done by dog sledge.
The hut is now used by the Red Cross Longyearbyen. In winter, it is completely covered by snow.
Huts are places of longing, dreams and adventure in Spitsbergen’s beautiful landscape. Even if the modern visitor’s eye may mostly be directed towards nature, most will have an open ear every now and then for exciting survival stories about explorers and expeditions, adventurers and trappers.
These huts are silent witnesses and and every one of them tells a little part of the whole story. The little book “Svalbardhytter” and the poster that is part of the same project make these fascinating places accessible for everyone.
From remote ruins, just traces in a few cases, to “famous” trapper huts such as Fredheim in Tempelfjord and Bjørneborg on Halvmåneøya, the war weather station Haudegen, the former scientific base Würzburger Hütte on Barentsøya and Hammerfesthuset, Svalbard’s oldest building.