ICE CAVES
18:05:00
After one week
above 0 degrees the temperature finally decreased below -5 degrees, but we were
still wondering to report (again) our expedition to the ice caves. The
temperatures, too high, could make the way up dangerous with greater avalanche
risks and a bit difficult because of wet feet risks… The Sunday morning everyone
met downstairs at Sjøskrenten (our
accommodation), all ready with our
avalanche gear and extra clothes. At around 9am, after everyone put their names
down in the book (to let people know where we were going and when we should be
back), we were on our way, direction Nybyen!
First, a stop
before the ascension to get rid of one or two layers due to the hot temperature
and the coming effort. The beginning of the walk starts with two steep climbs
and then follows the side of the first mountain (Sarkofagen). Another walking
group was behind us, tourists with their guide. At our first break, before a
hard slope, they crossed us. It was the beginning of the fight! At each small
break (water, pictures…) we crossed them, they crossed us etc. We finally
arrived almost in the same time at the ice caves. There are two ice caves up
there on Larsbreen glacier. One of them was blocked due to the snowfall of the
past few days. We couldn’t all go in one ice cave at the same time. We decided
to let the tourist group enjoy the open ice cave first and used this time to
dig out the entrance of the closed one. The opening hole of the ice cave are
normally protected with wooden planks. When we found them the biggest part of
our group started to try to snowboarding with them, while the others were
digging, digging and digging! After one hour, the tourist group came out from
the other ice cave so we decided to give up and go in the one already open.
Crampons ON and GO! Gotta Catch’Em All!
Enter the middle
of the glacier… Slide into a hole which goes straight through the snow cover,
first turn, squash yourself into the side made of pure ice and finally land in
a bigger room. A flat floor, surrounding of ice, shiny, sparkling, full of
glitter for your eyes, mix of shadow and reflection of your headlamp in every
corner… The quietness itself all around… Until the first scream? The next
person arrives, sliding on their bottom, happy and afraid “But… I will never
pass!!!” and 1 minute later laughing, discovering in the same time the first
preview of the natural beauty of the ice caves.
Turns after
turns more and more appeared to us. Ice accumulation in waterfall shapes,
narrow path between rocks and ice, crawling under a glacier is a special
feeling. Some part of the “ice wall” were so transparent you were able to
observe the different stratifications of rocks, water, soil… Spread as a galaxy.
Each small thing was hiding like a treasure and a curious person can find a
heaven of queer formations.
When we came out
a “Flink Hund” (good dog in Norwegian) was waiting outside, giving us cuddles
and smile. Finally, during all this time another group finished to dig out the entrance
of the other ice cave and we had the opportunity to visit it. As beautiful as
the first one!
Walking down
hill is much easier and faster! After reaching Nybyen again, we all gathered
together at Svalbar for good and huge burgers!!!
The Snow is back
for real now, so some other trip on skis should be made soon. And to close this
post I just share a random picture of an aurora with you J
Solini
0 comments