Svalbard Travel Forum

I will be going to Svalbard for the second time from August 21st - 30th 2005.

My last trip up there was in July, 2004. I camped in a tent at Longyearbyen Camping and went on guided tours to Foxfonna and went with a party for three days to stay in a camp at Ymerbukta.

With this being my second trip I am considering somewhat more ambitious endeavours such as going hiking without the assistance of a guide.

I am currently looking for advice and people, who might like to join me for a relatively undemanding outing of three - four days' duration starting out from Longyearbyen.

One trip I'm considering would be to go from Longyearbyen to Barentsburg and return by boat. Can anyone recommend this trip for a relative novice?

I have the maps from NPI, GPS and am a subscriber to Svalbardposten. I am skilled with a hunting rifle. I have most of the major equipment that I think I would need (i.e. wind-proof tunnel tent, -10C sleeping bag, good 75L backpak, decent footwear, warm clothing), which has been proven already under arctic conditions. I know about most of the safety precautions regarding wildlife and glaciers.

I would be interested in a hiking trail that could be traversed in about four days under good conditions and not requiring any glacial walking or climbing with good possibilities for setting up a tent and a low chance of polar bear encounters. Can anyone in here recommend a particular route?

I will not be going on my own under any circumstance so you don't need to point out that I should not be going out alone.