Day 6: Faksevågen, Alkefjellet and Torellneset
| Date: | 06.07.2025 |
| Position: | 79°39.4’N / 017°46.2’E |
| Wind: | SSE2 |
| Weather: | Partly cloudy |
| Air Temperature: | +2 |
Fuselage in Lomfjorden was our first destination. Lomfjorden is a side bay in the northern part of Hinlopenstretet and has itself a side bay called Faksevågen. The three walking groups. saw several kinds of flowers and lichens and the long-distance walkers spotted a reindeer with a calf.
The second destination was the famous cliffs of Alkefjellet, which stretch for several kilometres and are home to hundreds of thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots. Even without the birds, the dramatic cliffs would be well worth a visit—but the guillemots are undoubtedly the main attraction, never failing to impress those lucky enough to witness this natural wonder.
Alkefjellet videos and photos by Kit Li.
After an early dinner we sailed through the fog to reach Torellneset our third and final destination. This is a headland on the southwestern side of Nordaustlandet in the Svalbard archipelago. It is named after the geologist Otto Martin Torell. Located south of the Vegafonna glacier, it marks the southwesternmost point of Gustav Adolf Land. The island of Perthesøya lies offshore from the headland.
As we arrived, the fog cleared and revealed the landing site—full of walruses. Soon a light fog rolled in again, adding to the mystery of the scene. But we had enough opportunity to take good pictures of the walruses while watching them interact and swim, before it was time to return to the ship. At almost 10 p.m., we ended this magical day.
