Day 11 - Glacier Day!

27 Aug

There were a few specific items we put on the list of things to achieve. One of them was to see a glacier. Svartisen Glacier was not too far from our overall route and was reasonably accessible, just a short boat ride and a 3km walk to the glacier.

Panorama shot of the Svartisan Glacier

During the drive in, we noticed the streams’ water colour become icy green then a more opaque grey/green. The opaqueness seemed to be caused by silt in the water. Was this a sign we weren't too far from the glacier?

We arrived in about half and hour before scheduled departure. 

Our "SS Minnow" for a three hour walk.

This gave us time to have a look around and read the posters. According to the poster, just a few decades ago, the glacier could be seen from where we were standing at the boat launch. All the while there was a steady rumble in the background from the waterfall that fed the lake. 

About a kilometre of lake to cross

We could see a well worn trail to the right of the waterfall, that’s where we start our 3km walk.

With a bit of a late departure to collect as many people as possible, we puttered our way across the lake to the dock. Once off the boat, we headed along the trail. Some of our travelling companions were setting themselves up for a serious hike or perhaps an overnight stay. They had quite a bit a gear.

The trail started out reasonably easy, not smooth but plenty of solid ground, with a slight incline. Not too far along, the terrain changed and there wasn't a defined path as such, the cairns marked with red paint guided our way. Over hills and dales, we kept going, our progress signposted every 500m until finally we reached a hut. Just over the rise form the hut we could see the glacier. Wow!!!

First sight of the glacier beyond the hut.

We pushed on tentatively making our way closer. The enormity of the ice river, the colour of the ice all were breathtakingly beautiful.

To think just a few decades ago, this 3km walk wasn't necessary. We couldn't help but think of the impact of climate change.

She went to there

Ice Blue

But very clear up close

I ate a glacier - it was delicious.

Just awsome

We spent a little time taking photos and just taking it all in, all the time mindful that the glacier was moving and there was a risk should it calve. Probably best to start heading back. We had missed one return of the boat.

The walk back wasn't really any easier. We still had to pick our way over the rocks. Clint took a detour to see where the water from the waterfall was coming from as it wasn't obviously being fed from the glacial lake. It turned out to be from an underground flow. There seems to have been an attempt to perhaps harness the power of the water as there were concrete blocks and metal bars near the open cavern.

Our little boat streaks across the lake for us.

We arrived at the dock just as did the boat. Our 3km walk each way and time at the glacier took three hours. There was still 300km to go to reach our accommodation for the night.

Travelling along highway E6 a sign alerted us to the Arctic Circle. We arrived at an information and tourist centre. Spent a little time there, bought a t-shirt and took a couple of piccies.

People build cairns.  I don't know why.

We made it across The Circle

Our destination for tonight is Kobbelv Inn, Engan, which has views of the fjord and a stream running beside it. The area had stories from around the time of WWII about hydro electric power.

Sunset over the fjord.  It is a bit strange as the sun doesn't "set" as such, just slides off to the right.

Now we're waiting to see if the aurora will be visible for us to night. We have an app that is alerting us. It started at 37% chance and has been increasing the percentage as the sky darkens.