81 kilometers due east of Nordaustlandet, the second largest island in Svalbard, is Kvitøya.
The island is referred to as Svalbard’s most deserted island, and is largely covered by ice.
On 2 September, Børge Ousland, Håvard Tjora and Erling Kagge became the first in the world to have crossed the 42 kilometer long island – from Andreeneset to Kræmerpynten.
Ousland and Kagge are both experienced polar explorers, but it is the first time lecturer Tjora is on an expedition.
– It is a great deserted area, and has Norway’s easternmost point. The Krämerpynten is located at 33 degrees east, says Ousland.
On Sunday, all three guests were in NRK’s Weekend Morning.
Nine year old thought
In total, there were six who took part in the expedition. Ship’s cook Steve Daldorff Torgersen, expedition captain Thorleif Thorleifsson and expedition leader Erik Engebrigtsen held the fort in the sailboat while the other three went skiing.
The trip across the island was foggy, and the tour group often looked back in case polar bears approached as they moved through untouched nature.
The ski trip ended with a sledge ride to the finish in Kræmerpynten.
– The best trip ever, Kagge said when they reached the bottom while Ousland was filming.
On the ski trip above there was quite a bit of fog. The tour group also had to watch out for polar bears.
Photo: Private
On Saturday, they docked in Tromsø after a week’s sailing from Svalbard in rough weather, and left behind the expedition they got the idea for nine years ago.
– Me and Erling talked about polar expeditions, including the Andrée expedition. Then Erling says that he has spoken to Børge the year before that no one has crossed the island, says Tjora.
Håvard Tjora and Erling Kagge in the tent. They have success cakes in hand, which are always with them when they are on tour.
Photo: Private
The Andrée expedition is the Salomon August Andrée balloon expedition. In 1897, he and two companions attempted to reach the North Pole by hydrogen balloon. The attempt was not successful, and Andrée and his two companions perished on Kvitøya.
– They were found 33 years later, says Kagge.
Polar bear country
In 1990, Ousland and Kagge went to the North Pole without the help of dogs or motorized aids, becoming the first in the world to do so.
Although the 42-kilometre journey across Kvitøya was not at the North or South Pole, the smaller adventures are also appreciated.
Erling Kagge, Håvard Tjora, Børge Ousland
Photo: Private
– When you lie there and think back, it’s not the days you lay on the sofa at home that you remember, it’s the days you fought, it was a bit cold and icy when you had the great experiences. I want to strike a blow for the adventure without it needing to be a special reason, says Ousland.
But large and small expeditions also have similarities. In 1990, Ousland and Kagge encountered a polar bear at the North Pole.
The tour group saw several polar bears on the trip, both alive and dead. Børge Ousland holds up a polar bear skull they found on the island.
Photo: Private
They were reunited with the white bears on Kvitøya, some closer than others.
– When we started walking there was a polar bear standing and watching and following us at a distance of 150 metres. We calmly walked away from the bear, and luckily it didn’t follow, says Kagge.
Storm and gale
Despite the successful expedition, it did not go completely smoothly.
On the way back from Kvitøya, one of the expedition participants had to be taken out because of an inflammation in his foot.
It was rough weather on the way to Tromsø from Kvitøya, at times six or seven meters with high seas. Håvard Tjore has been at the helm here.
Photo: Private
In addition, the weather was not on the adventurers’ side on the sailing trip to Tromsø. The week-long trip was characterized by strong gales and storms.
– I have sailed quite a lot, but it was a rough trip, says Tjora.
2023-09-10 17:54:51
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