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ARCTIC EXPLORATIONS

IN THE YEARS 1978, 1980,

1981 and 1982

Volume 2

By

Stephen Trafton and Allan Errington

Map of the high Arctic showing the locations of the 1978, 1980, 1981 and 1982 American Expeditions

Table of Contents

Volume 2

1981 American Spitzbergen Expedition

1981 American Spitzbergen Expedition

Team: Steve Trafton, Al Errington,

John Mason, Frank Baird, Sam Gardner

In April, the 1981 American Spitzbergen Expedition made a ski traverse of Oscar II Land in a remote part of Spitzbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago of northern Norway. After flying via ski plane into Kongsvegpasset we established our Base Camp (78° 44’N), from which we explored and climbed to the summits of Vegvaktaren, Kongsfjella, Kongsvegsåta, and Farwoodtoppen. We then pulled sleds across the upper Hamarbreen, followed by a descent via Palassfonna to the north end of Palasset Peak at Kronepasset where we established a camp. The next day we climbed the middle peak of the Tre Kroner (the “Nora” summit) before being pinned down for two days by strong winds. Once the storm abated, we pulled our sleds across the Dronningpasset and descended the Kongsveggen Glacier to the Kongsfjorden. From there we continued down the frozen fjord to the weather station at Ny-Ålesund. We spent twelve days traversing Oscar II Land and were the first American team to do so. The team returned to Oslo via the mailboat from Tromsø through the Lofoten Islands to Bodø, Norway.

Team members arriving at Stars and Stripes Camp. Kongsvegpasset, Oscar II Land, Spitzbergen, 1981

Stars and Stripes Camp. Kongsvegpasset, Oscar II Land, Spitzbergen, 1981

Climbing on Farwoodtoppen. Oscar II Land, Spitzbergen, 1981

Climbing on the summit ridge of Farwoodtoppen, Oscar II Land, Spitzbergen, 1981

Self Portrait. Oscar II Land, Spitzbergen, 1981

At the edge. Oscar II Land, Spitzbergen, 1981

Mountains in the mist. Oscar II Land, Spitzbergen, 1981

The Tre Kroner (from left “Dana”, “Nora”, and “Svea”) from the summit of Kongsfjella Peak.

Oscar II Land, Spitzbergen, 1981

Climbers in the distance approaching the summit of Kongsvegsåta. Oscar II Land, Spitzbergen, 1981

Traversing Oscar II Land, Spitzbergen, 1981

Pressing on in a storm. Spitzbergen, 1981

The team. Oscar II Land, Spitzbergen, 1981

Windblown snow on climbing gear at Kronepasset camp. Tre Kroner in the distance. Oscar II Land, Spitzbergen, 1981

Our team on the way to the “Nora” summit of Tre Kroner (on the right). Oscar II Land, Spitzbergen. 1981

Crossing the great white. Oscar II Land, Spitzbergen, 1981

Lunch on the ice of Kongsfjorden near the snout of the Kongsveggen Glacier. Oscar II Land, Spitzbergen, 1981

The mooring mast of the “Norge” at Ny-Ålesund. The Kongsfjorden and the Kongsveggen Glacier in the distance. Spitzbergen, 1981

Mountain scenery in the fjords of the Lofoten Islands, 68° N. Norway, 1981