Expedition: Field course: Environment and society in a changing Arctic

Today, we started the day with sharing our observations, analyses and interpretations of the built environment of Longyearbyen.

After one of the most terrifying boat rides of our lives, hot showers, and a good night of rest, we finally awoke in the comfort of Spitsbergen’s guesthouse. As we reluctantly left our warm, rock-less beds, we gathered with our groups to explore the town.

We woke up 06:30 after our last night in the tent. The weather was as it had been most of the time in the camp, cloudy and rainy, though unusually enough it wasn’t particularly windy in Petunia Bay.

Today was the first time in three days it didn't rain. We were glad to see the sun and take off all our heavy jackets.

Today we visited two worlds: the Arctic we have become so familiar with and Pyramiden, the diorama of Soviet life we only just encountered yesterday.

After a nice sunny night, we woke up to another rain filled morning. Today our plan was to hike to Pyramiden, an old Russian mining settlement, named after the central mountains pyramid shape.

Today is officially the halfway point of our trip and we were greeted by the rolling mist waking up. It blanketed the landscape and shrouded the mountains and glaciers that we had grown accustomed to admiring, it was accompanied by a fine drizzle.

Day three of the tent camp, the weather was perfect for a long hike – no wind, no burning sun, no rain. We headed north east from our camp towards a glacier called Svenbreen.

Day two began bright and early with a 6:30 AM wakeup from our camp guide Oskar. After a filling breakfast of bread, cheese, dried ham, and a surprisingly tasty fruit soup, we packed our sandwich bags and headed North further into Petunia Bay.

We started the day at 7 am in the morning. The weather in Longyearbyen was cold, windy and foggy. We had our breakfast in the guest house and each of us prepared a lunch bag. Surprisingly we found a reindeer outside the reception having his breakfast as well.