23.3.17 - 3.4.17

In a shell, the trip was a real physical challenge for me, primarily because of the extreme weather conditions, and later because of the injury (from which it seems so far, as almost history). The temperature excl. the wind chill was: (-10°c ÷ -20°c) in Longyearbyen vicinity, where I photographed on my own, and (-27°c - -32°c) during the expedition. It also snowed a lot. Although I was well equipped bottom up and normally can operate my camera blind, under these weather conditions, my fingers were so soaring, such that it has become a real physical challenge, just to press a button! The apparently professional photographer gloves that I was wearing and the chemical warmers inside, were to no avail.


Photo opportunities wise the expedition was not even close to what I thought it's going to be. On one hand, I was overwhelmed by the stunning landscape, on the other hand, I was pretty disappointed by the very limited wildlife photo opportunities during the expedition. Moreover, all landscape shots and most of the shots of the bears, had to be taken handheld. Also, the bears were too far for my lens…

The crew of the boat, headed by the Captain Emil Heijel, the expedition leaders, Martin Enckell and Eirik Gronnings, and the participants, were all very nice. All and all, although all the difficulties, it is a memorable trip for me, and I'm appreciative of my shots, not because that I think they're great, but because I know what a physical challenge it was for me to capture them.

My thanks go to the captain, the crew members, the photo leader Joshua Holko and the expedition leaders, for the wonderful time on the boat before my injury, and the extra care and assistance afterwards. Many thanks go also to the photo mates on board, for their assistance and support after the injury.

Special thanks go to Dr. Wan Ling Chung and Jackie Bolin, for the medical care I received on board, which made my evacuation unnecessary. Special thanks go also to Andreas, Mathias, Vincent and Gabriella, for the extra assistance. In addition, special thanks go to Ole, the taxi driver in Longyearbyen, Sophie, the secretary of the charter company, Mark Findlay from the U.K., and all the kind people, who assisted me in carrying my gear at the various airports.

Adit Merkine, 17th Apr., 2017