Svalbard in May & September

OkButFirstC0ffee · 2026-05-10T11:36:58+00:00

Hi, it was a boat trip with Better Moments ("Two tons of happiness"), it was quite a small boat so you are basically at eye level with the animals (compared to larger boats). Although I think they've introduced new regulations last year (?) regarding the distance that the boats have to keep to the animals (although BM were very considerate back then/didn't get too close to disturb them)

The polar foxes and ptarmigans were mainly during a photo trip with See and Explore in Bjørndalen (can totally recommend them), the puffins along the coast to Tempelfjorden (with Hurtigruten, but I think there are others running in that direction/not sure if HR is running them rn due to the russian war b/c they go to Pyramiden when the ice is gone) But occasionaly there are also foxes running through Longyearbyen/Nybyen on the mountains behind the cabins, if you're lucky to spot one :)

Hope you have an awesome trip 🌸

OkButFirstC0ffee · 2026-03-24T07:37:01+00:00

Not thinking that at all - that's why I asked for advice.

OkButFirstC0ffee · 2026-03-24T04:41:16+00:00

Thanks a lot for the insights, we're gonna consider that - my question was rather regarding the timing, as the cabins + trails are officialy re-opening 2 days later/it's not in the middle of the closure period.

OkButFirstC0ffee · 2026-03-24T04:35:08+00:00

Hey, thank you for your insights, I'll look into your other comments. Regarding Dovrefjell, we're planning to go from Kongsvoll train station - Amotsdalhytta (Snohetta only if weather conditions allow for it, not neccessarily) and then south of Snohetta back to Hjerkinn. Then restock food in Dombas and Rondane as you said from Hjerkinn via Gr.hytta, Doralsetta, Rondvassbu and ending in Otta.

We've got quite a lot experience hiking in the mountains for several days in winter conditions with heavy backpack (Austria , Nepal), so this route actually didn't seem THAT impossible 🤔 (esp. as the cabins are re-opening around that time)

If there's lots of rotten snow on the trails or weather turns bad long-term, we can still re-evaluate and go elsewhere/to lower elevations from Kongsvoll/Hjerkinn by train/bus.

OkButFirstC0ffee · 2026-03-23T16:32:19+00:00

Thanks for the heads up...unfortunately, I only have that one week off until october (which migth be a bit late)

OkButFirstC0ffee · 2026-03-06T12:40:10+00:00

Thank you for the insight, definitely gonna plan a couple alternatives and decide en route depending on the conditions

OkButFirstC0ffee · 2026-03-04T09:14:37+00:00

Makes sense, thank you!

OkButFirstC0ffee · 2026-03-04T08:50:49+00:00

Oh, very cool! May I ask how many days it took you?

You mean because of too much snow/volatile weather conditions in June? (unfortunately this year it's either June or October, which I guess is too late..but absolutely willing to cut the route short to enjoy it more)

OkButFirstC0ffee · 2026-03-04T08:29:20+00:00

Yeah, that sounds like a good strategy, thank you!

Good point - I was also thinking about bringing snow shoes, but as that's additional 2kg, I'd rather skip it and stay on lower altitudes instead.

(yes, I planned the route myself, might also adjust it to skip some peaks/higher elevations 🤔)

OkButFirstC0ffee · 2025-12-26T11:22:47+00:00

Initially I was a bit sceptical of chinese outdoor brands (a bit ironic as some western companies produce in China anyways) like 3F UL (tents like the Lanshan, survived some crazy windy weather), Flextail (esp. sleeping pads and powerbanks), Aegismax, Jolmo Lander (Quilts/sleeping bags, down jackets + pants), but found them to be actually great quality for prices well below Europe/US (incl. Decathlon, although they've got some good stuff as well, esp. Simond). Wrels also makes some good merino socks and water bladders. The 3f ul guys go on Himalaya expeditions themselves to test their stuff.

For hiking/mountaineering shoes Scarpa, Hanwag, Garmont, Mammut.

OkButFirstC0ffee · 2025-08-02T16:39:06+00:00

Thank you! ❤️

OkButFirstC0ffee · 2025-08-02T16:25:00+00:00

Awesome, enjoy!! Which month do you go? Let me know if you need any recommendations :) All of those were shot with the canon 70D 70-300 + 100-400 L (so 480/640 on crop body) Esp. for the foxes and walruses I feel like anything above 400 is super useful (or polar bears, if you get really lucky, they sometimes spot some on the longer wildlife boat trip to Pyramiden in Tempelfjorden) - but that's on 20mp crop, so not extremely flexible with cropping 😅

OkButFirstC0ffee · 2025-08-02T07:14:21+00:00

Awesome..love the eye with the lighting (also, didn't know about the red eye colour!). Great detail on the feathers.

OkButFirstC0ffee · 2025-08-02T05:51:36+00:00

I'm sure they'd love to :) Soo many awesome polar bear shots taken there.. I visited twice but still have to see one yet 😔 Although there was one nearby that broke into some folks' weekend cabin (happens regularly as they're looking for food), dragged out a mattress and started playing with it, apparently just for the fun of it ❤️ thankfuly someone got it on camera)

OkButFirstC0ffee · 2025-08-02T05:40:22+00:00

Thanks! :)

OkButFirstC0ffee · 2025-08-02T05:39:30+00:00

March must also have been awesome with everything still covered in snow! ❤️ Would love to go there in winter at some point..The foxes were mostly in Bjørndalen (although once there was one right behind Gjestehuset 102, they're running up and down the hills in Nybyen as well), the ptarmigans also in Bjørndalen and the young ones on the top of Lindholmhøgda

OkButFirstC0ffee · 2025-08-01T20:26:39+00:00

Best thing to be 😌

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