07/14/2026
Welcome to this episode of my Arctic adventure through Svalbard!
Our journey into the High Arctic begins with unexpected excitement as our flight into Longyearbyen is forced to abort its landing because of poor visibility and snow. Thankfully, the second attempt is successful, and our Arctic adventure can finally begin.
Since we arrived a day early, we set off on an Arctic fox tour through Bear Valley (BjΓΈrndalen) in search of wildlife. The adventure doesn't disappoint! We find two Arctic foxes, including one with a memorable habit of marking a reindeer skull, along with several Svalbard reindeer, king eiders, common eiders, snow buntings, red-throated loons, skuas, and ptarmigans, several of them new species for me.
We also visit the famous Global Seed Vault, one of the world's most secure facilities, and see the entrance to the now-closed Mine 7, offering a glimpse into Svalbard's mining history.
One of my favourite moments was sharing an Arctic fox sighting with my 82-year-old mother, who was able to enjoy the wildlife from an easier viewpoint while I explored farther along the trail.
To finish the day, we experienced a unique Arctic meal featuring whale, seal, and reindeer before enjoying the incredible Midnight Sun. Even at 11:30 p.m., it was still bright outside, and we wouldn't see darkness again for more than a week.
Jason George's Wild Arctic Adventures β Exploring Svalbard's incredible wildlife, landscapes, and unforgettable polar experiences.
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π₯ Captured by Jason George Photography
Welcome to Episode 2 of my Arctic adventure through Svalbard!Our ...