In the early hours MV FRAM entered the majestic 20 km long
Kongsfjorden amidst low-lying clouds, which occasionally were pushed away by
some patches of sun offering us a unique scenery of the Kongsfjorden. Eventually, the MV FRAM arrived close
to the remains of a marble mining facility established in 1911 by the Northern
Exploration Company headed by the turn-of-the-century adventurer Ernest
Mansfield. The dream of a quick profit ended after just a few years of trial
operations. Not surprisingly, the marble turned out to be useless, and the
blocks crumbled due to frost action.
Simultaneously, some of the passengers
headed for a glacier walk on the lower parts of the ‘Conwaybreen’. From this
vantage point one can glean an intimate insight into the physics of a glacier.
Again, another example of breathtaking pristine nature.
The day was packed with endless activities. Ny-Ålesund, the former
coal-mining settlement, which is allegedly the most northerly located
settlement in the Arctic was the next port of call. It discontinued its
mining activities following a major mining explosion in the 1960s.
After this
tragic incident, the settlement has been transformed into a world reknown research
settlement, focussing on climate change. We also meet Roald Amundsen – not in
person – but this time cast in bronze. The research settlement’s significance
is inextricably linked with early Norwegian polar history and still pays homage
to its iconic adventurous visitor. Our lecturers guide us through the
convoluted history of this settlement. Eventually we can leave the settlement
for a short while and visit the anchoring mast which Amundsen used to fly to
the Northpole with the airship called ‘Norge’, before we head out into the
Krossfjorden.
