Waking up on Saturday revealed a bright blue sky and a sun that warmed the ground that already had started to freeze.
We were several students taking the same course that had agreed on meeting at 11 o'clock to go for a walk. At halve past eleven we started up towards Larsbreen and Trollsteinen. Some clouds starting seeping into the valley behind us, but all day they stayed there and we were looking down at a white maze covering the fjord and valleys around. Mountaintops pierced through the cloud-layer and the scenery was beautiful.
As soon as we lost sight of Nybyen I felt like I could breath deeper and easier. Strange, but is always has been like that. Also the last times I was up here. Longyearbyen isn't particularly beautiful – but the areas around are! We crossed the glacier and went up Trollsteinen. Eating our lunch at the top we enjoyed the amazing view. For me especially the snow seem wonderful. Not much, but the first snow had already covered the mountaintops and given them a brighter appearance. Finally looking at glaciers and snow again! What a wonderful feeling!
We went around the ridge and down via Longyearbreen. We took quite a steep way down and heard afterwards that it look a bit hazardous. Well, seeing it from down at the glacier I had to admit that i probably would have thought that it must be some stupid idiots going down that way if I had seen ourselves ;). Well, well, it didn't seem so steep while we were there and it was quite a bit of fun sliding down the mountainside. We also saw loads of plant-fossils from about 60.000 years ago which are transported by the glacier downwards to the moraine-area.
We met some student climbing into the melt-water-channel on the glacier. I really need to learn how to secure ropes in the ice!
It was a wonderful feeling not to have to worry about tourists that might not be satisfied with the trip. I never enjoyed this trip so much the last time I was up here taking the same route as a guide with a group. One should never turn a hobby into a job!
It also feels good to know that I'll start in a fast job soon. 4 years without being constantly worried if there will be enough money at the end of the month and a proper project to work on will be fantastic. One stress-factor eliminated for a while. That hopefully means more energy that can be used productively on science, trips and dog-training :).
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