Strolling through the tundra on shore at Gjertsenodden we compared it to a national forest, the ground was covered with Mountain Avens, Moss Campion, mosses and lichens. And Reindeerscat. We didn’t have to look long before we spotted the offenders...As we stood quietly watching and taking photographs, the small group of reindeers came closer and closer. With next to no enemy, they are very relaxed and sometimes curious.It was wonderful to watch them graze every Moss Campion clean of their pink flowers, like lawn movers, as they peacefully walked past us.

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.

Doug Allan, in his 30 - year filming career, he's worked for BBC, Discovery, National Geographic and many others, filming for series like The Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Life, Frozen Planet, Ocean Giants and Operation Iceberg.

We were lucky and honored to go on a trip with this legend, taking him to new places in Svalbard, but also to places he has many memories of. For example, Texas Bar, a well - known place on Svalbard where Doug spent several weeks in the hut, to film the seals close to Monaco Breen. Around the hut and on the zodiac cruise he would tell his stories about his time there, only the Alcohol bottles that ’ s one of the features of Texas Bar hut where not there when he stayed ;)

In addition to the knowledge and experience that Doug brings, he inspires many guests on board. When the weather doesn't cooperate, Doug jumps up to give a lecture or show one of his films . With Doug's personal and fascinating stories with a Scottish accent that accompany the images, he knows how to captivate all guests. From diving in Arctic waters to working and living in Antarctica for years. The stories are endless, but perhaps the most frequently asked question is "how did you start as a cameraman specializing in underwater videography in arctic waters?"

During the various lectures that Doug gives , he explains little by little what it is like to be in his shoes, and how he has become the Cameraman behind the beautiful images of the documentaries that we all know . And may have inspired many guests to go on a trip to the Arctic with PolarQuest.

Not only during lectures, Doug knows how to captivate us with his inspiring stories, he also finds the time to mingle with the guests and, where requested, give tips and tricks during, for example, the Zodiac cruises or a walk.

A trip you'll never forget as a guest, but certainly not as a guide either.

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.

Nordaustlandet is known for its stark, almost otherworldly terrain. As we set off on our hike, the land initially appears desolate, with vast stretches of rocky, barren ground. Yet, amid this seemingly inhospitable environment, resilient and colorful flowers make a daring appearance. These hardy blooms, defying the harsh conditions, create patches of color that dot the landscape like nature's own confetti. It's a reminder that even in the most unforgiving places, life finds a way to thrive.

Our path soon brings us to the edge of a glacier, a massive river of ice that transforms the landscape. The glacier is a colossal, frozen force that shapes everything around it. Walking alongside it, we are struck by its sheer scale and the raw power it represents.

This glacier is not just a static feature; it’s an evolving part of the environment. We follow alongside it where it meets the land. The temperature drops noticeably as we get closer, and the air is filled with the crisp, clean scent of ice.

Continuing our hike, we eventually find ourselves at the glacier's terminus, where it meets the ocean. Here, the ice transitions into the sea, creating a surreal and breathtaking seascape. The icy waters teem with floating icebergs, each a different shade of blue, creating a scene of stunning beauty.

The sight is both awe-inspiring and humbling. As we stand at the glacier's edge, we are reminded of the incredible forces at play in this remote part of the world. The glacier and ocean together create a dynamic environment, constantly reshaping the landscape.

Reflecting on the Journey

Our hike on Nordaustlandet is more than just a journey through a remote part of the world; it's an exploration of nature's resilience and power. From the hardy flowers that dare to bloom in the Arctic desert to the glacier that sculpts the land and sea, every step offers a new perspective on the beauty and majesty of this unique environment.

Nordaustlandet, with its stark beauty and dramatic landscapes, offers a hiking experience like no other. It’s a place where the forces of nature are on full display, inviting us to witness and appreciate the raw, unspoiled beauty of the Arctic wilderness.

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.

We spent the next day exploring Qeqertarsuaq on Disko Island and hiking to a waterfall in Blaesedalen, as some of the expedition members did nearly 100 years ago – but also took time to learn more about Inuit culture in the afternoon.

The next day took us to the abandoned mining town of Qulissat. When Wegener's expedition stopped here in 1930, the mine had just opened and the settlement had begun to grow. Now we were in a ghost town, shut down by the government in 1972 after the mine closed in 1968. All the inhabitants were forced to move to other settlements, and now, 50 years later, the buildings were telling us stories of the past, when hundreds of people lived here, mining coal to heat all the homes in Greenland. This was before the advent of mineral oil...

In Uummannaq, a visit to the museum was not to be missed, as it contains many pictures and some equipment from the Wegener expedition. We also made a detour to hike to Santa's Hut, where we had a great view of the "heart-shaped mountain", the landmark of the island and the town. Later, a local guide told us about Greenland's dog sledge culture.

The small settlement of Ukkusissat was one of the last stops for the members of the expedition before they set off for the Scheideck glacier, and a plaque on the church still keeps the memory of Alfred Wegener and his companion Rasmus Villumsen alive. The landscape surrounding the town is breathtaking.

Entering the Qaamarujuk Fjord we explored the Black Angel mine of Maarmorilik and hiked towards Scheideck Glacier finding some traces of the Wegener Expedition along the way. As the ice has retreated dramatically in recent decades, some of the items once lost in the snow and ice have been released. Where Wegener and his colleagues once climbed up over the glacier ice, the walk now takes you over gravel moraines and rocks that have been ground down by the ice. 

Most captivating though was the beauty of the Uummannaq fjord systems, with mountains rising up to 2,000 metres straight from the water's edge. Scale is a completely different thing here in Greenland and pictures just do not seem to do justice to this magnificent landscape.

Heading back south and towards Ilullissat, where our journey will end, we added a few more stops and once again our route took us through a passage of icebergs, each one more fascinating than the one just passed, keeping us awake and on the outside decks late into the night.

Lukasz Larsson Warzecha - LWimages
www.lwimages.com