The pack ice is one of the most unique places on our planet. The ice-covered expanses of the North are home to rich wildlife and form a vital environment for the entire Arctic ecosystem. Svalbard, located far up in the Arctic, is the perfect starting point for expeditions towards the pack ice and the high northern latitudes.
Already more than a hundred years ago, the Svalbard archipelago was the centre for explorers who dreamed of reaching the North Pole. However, it proved to be far more difficult than many had imagined. In fact, humans set foot on the Moon during the same period that the North Pole was first reached on foot – an achievement accomplished only in 1968 by Ralph Plaisted and his expedition.
During our ten-night expedition cruise on board the ice-strengthened ship M/S Stockholm, we leave Svalbard’s beautiful fjords and mighty glaciers behind and continue north towards the pack ice – this magical world at the top of the Earth.
We experience a stillness that is hard to find anywhere else on Earth.
When we reach the edge of the ice, we carefully navigate between the ice floes, always keeping our eyes on the horizon in search of wildlife. We stop, turn off the ship’s engines, and find ourselves enveloped by the drifting ice. We experience a stillness that is hard to find anywhere else on Earth.
Suddenly, the silence is broken by the characteristic cry of the ivory gull – a pure white species that breeds only in the Arctic and is closely tied to this frozen world of ice.
After hours with binoculars pressed to our eyes, the unexpected happens – a polar bear appears in the distance. The mighty top predator of the pack ice makes its entrance in its true element.
It moves across the ice in search of prey such as harp seals and bearded seals. The bear approaches the ship, calmly passes by, and then continues its journey across the frozen expanse.
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.
