We awoke to find our tents blanketed in snow, brushed them down to avoid an internal rain shower, and began our morning routines. However with warm temperatures, low visibility, and snow still falling, we decided to delay our departure by an hour. We emerged at 9:30, and with hints of a clearing sky, began to look forward to the incredible views promised from the top of Hellefonna.
As we started to climb the clouds were parting in front of our eyes, revealing the sunlit and wind sculpted faces of the slopes beside us. It was going to be a good day.
30 minutes later we were hit by an icy breeze coming straight off the icecap into our faces, shortly followed by a thick whiteout that would settle in for the next 4 hours… so much for speccy views!
The day was an absolute trudge, but as we descended into camp, we were rewarded by an incredibly beautiful sight. Through the cloud we could make out a skyline of mountains in the distance, silhouetted by a bright red sky. We were delighted, entranced by simply seeing colour and shape, which had been absent for most of our day. We’re camped in a small flat spot just below the highest point of Hellefonna.
Temperatures should be dropping overnight, yay!
Live tracking here https://z6z.co/icetrek/svalbar...
