A cold, crisp morning with light snowfall and low clouds – yet the sunlight breaks through, creating an incredible glow in this harsh and unforgiving environment.
We have reached Alkefjellet, where the mountain rises dramatically from the sea in shifting formations — some sharp and jagged, others like pillars to another dimension. The colors range from pitch black to glossy green moss. We catch a glimpse of the last Brünnich’s guillemot of the season splashing into the water, setting off towards warmer latitudes. Apart from that, the cliffs now belong mostly to the kittiwakes.
Sitting in our warm flotation suits in the Zodiacs, we take in this unique world. Then Sven, one of the travellers, spots something moving high up on the slope — an Arctic fox! It takes a moment before everyone finds it through their binoculars and manages to follow the quick little creature as it darts across the mountainside.
We keep scanning for the Arctic fox when, drifting along the coastline, we suddenly spot a yellowish shape and slow down. Sure enough, it’s a very young polar bear that has found its way to Alkefjellet. The guides tell us this is an extremely rare sighting. We search for the mother, but it soon becomes clear that this young bear is, incredibly, on her own — most likely a female, around two years old, recently separated from her mother.
She moves gracefully across the cliffs, nibbling on moss before making her way down to the water’s edge. She seems completely at ease, enjoying her newfound freedom. Sitting there, surrounded by massive boulders and gazing out over the water, she suddenly gets unexpected company – an Arctic fox appears right above her, barely half a meter away, on its way down to the shore. It freezes in panic and quickly plots a new route.
At the same moment, she catches the scent, rises, and looks over the rock where the fox just stood. She sees it disappear, takes a few steps in its direction, but soon decides it’s not worth the effort. Instead, she finds a small ledge to curl up on and rests her head.
It’s moments like these that make every expedition unique – you never know what might be waiting around the next corner. We leave the young female to her nap and continue our adventure.
Please note: Depending on the lens used for a photo or video shot an animal may appear to be closer than it is. We always follow strict wildlife guidelines to ensure that we do not cause any disturbance.
