It was an adventure that etched itself into the cold and beauty of the far North: our 12-day expedition through the icy landscapes of Svalbard in March 2024. With an international team of Germans and Spaniards, we set out to explore one of the harshest and most breathtaking regions on Earth – a journey that tested us physically and rewarded us with unforgettable experiences.
The first week was dominated by biting cold that penetrated everything. Temperatures as low as -40 degrees made even the simplest tasks a challenge. Yet, the reward lay in the magic of the surroundings: massive glaciers stretching like frozen rivers to the horizon and the endless white of the snowfields, radiating a meditative stillness.
As the temperatures became milder in the second week, Svalbard revealed a different side. Hours-long sunsets painted the sea ice in a glowing palette of gold, orange, and pink. In those moments, even the biting cold seemed to fade as we stood mesmerized by the play of colors on the horizon.
A special surprise awaited us on one clear night. Although the Northern Lights are rare in Svalbard, green ribbons danced across the sky. It was a magical moment that left us all speechless.
Time and again, we encountered traces of life in this seemingly uninhabitable world. Fresh polar bear tracks told stories of hunting and survival – the marks of a bear likely stalking a seal. While we didn’t catch sight of a bear ourselves, we felt its presence in this wild land it calls home.
With seven people, we covered remarkable distances, crossing frozen fjords, navigating glacier terrain, and braving the elements. It was cold – sometimes to the edge of what we could endure – but also incredibly beautiful. This expedition reminded us how small humans are in the face of nature, and how magnificent the world outside our comfort zones can be.
What remains is the memory of icy days, incredible landscapes, and the feeling of having been part of something greater. Svalbard – you were tough on us, but we’ll be back.
