Raudfjorden, Spitsbergen
Early this morning we attempted to enter Hinlopen Strait but a combination of fog and ice forced a change of plans. Reluctantly, we turned back to the west and headed into Raudfjorden – literally red fjord – named for the Devonian red sandstone cliffs that line this inlet. We spent the morning cruising the fjord and admiring the glaciers with a more informed eye after an education in all things ice by Ian.
An after-lunch landing on the east coast allowed an opportunity to get our first tundra experience. Walks of varying lengths headed off to explore the sparsely vegetated, rock-strewn landscape. During the hikes we discovered gulls and geese, saxifrage and miniature willows and graves that may date from the 17th century when whalers visited these shores to hunt for bowhead whales.
In addition to these traditional Lindblad pursuits, today saw the inauguration of a new onshore activity. A white tent and a 40-foot aerial was erected at the landing and equipment set up inside. Closer inspection revealed a group of four amateur radio enthusiasts and their radio equipment communicating with the rest of the world. Today they contacted 87 other enthusiasts in 25 other countries, as far afield as Japan, China and the USA, in the space of a little over two hours. A postcard will be sent to these radio hams in distant lands as a permanent record of the event, adding to the volume of cards that many of us will be sending to friends and family.
Early this morning we attempted to enter Hinlopen Strait but a combination of fog and ice forced a change of plans. Reluctantly, we turned back to the west and headed into Raudfjorden – literally red fjord – named for the Devonian red sandstone cliffs that line this inlet. We spent the morning cruising the fjord and admiring the glaciers with a more informed eye after an education in all things ice by Ian.
An after-lunch landing on the east coast allowed an opportunity to get our first tundra experience. Walks of varying lengths headed off to explore the sparsely vegetated, rock-strewn landscape. During the hikes we discovered gulls and geese, saxifrage and miniature willows and graves that may date from the 17th century when whalers visited these shores to hunt for bowhead whales.
In addition to these traditional Lindblad pursuits, today saw the inauguration of a new onshore activity. A white tent and a 40-foot aerial was erected at the landing and equipment set up inside. Closer inspection revealed a group of four amateur radio enthusiasts and their radio equipment communicating with the rest of the world. Today they contacted 87 other enthusiasts in 25 other countries, as far afield as Japan, China and the USA, in the space of a little over two hours. A postcard will be sent to these radio hams in distant lands as a permanent record of the event, adding to the volume of cards that many of us will be sending to friends and family.
