Birdwatching From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 3573 posts, RR: 52 Posted (6 years 10 months 1 week 20 hours ago) and read 2233 times:
Hi All!
It's getting closer and closer! On August 7, 2006, a new record will be set (and will probably never be topped) for the northernmost A.net meet ever!
That's right, it's the A.net Meet At 78° North At Svalbard (Spitsbergen), Norway!
Right now, 5 people are confirmed and ready to go, which is more than I had anticipated (I thought we'd be a maximum of 2 or 3 crazy enough!)
If you have for some reason missed the original 2 threads, it's still possible to come along, although the flights might be a little more expensive now than they were then. However, I believe the arctic flights are somehow subsidized by Norway, because that portion of the trip is still at the same price.
A detailed list of who's coming, what we'll be doing, when everybody will be arriving and where we'll be staying can be found at the following web site: http://www.expairience.net/trips/svalbard/index.htm
On the way up, some of us will have a 5 hour layover at Tromsø (TOS), where Cedars747 has kindly offered to show us around his home town.
It would be great if everybody on the list could re-confirm so that we know exactly how many we'll be, and please include a yes/no for the Tromso layover.
I can't wait to go! Let's raise the A.net flag where it's never been seen before!
Soren
All the things you probably hate about travelling are warm reminders that I'm home
Cedars747 From Norway, joined Dec 2005, 2686 posts, RR: 23 Reply 2, posted (6 years 10 months 1 week 18 hours ago) and read 2211 times:
Quoting Birdwatching (Thread starter): On the way up, some of us will have a 5 hour layover at Tromsø (TOS), where Cedars747 has kindly offered to show us around his home town.
I am sorry Birdwatching , i will be in Buenos aires on these dates.Good luck and enjoy Svalbard
Alex!!!
Its going to be quite a trek, or should a say quite a few flights which will bring me to Svalbard. Due to the timings I am having to make a night stop in Oslo each way, but this is not too much of a problem as it will be nice to see another city. I'm not sure if my flights will give me a layover in Tromsø, I'll list them below so other attendees will know my plans:
To Svalbard
05.08.2006 Plymouth – Bristol... Air Southwest - WOW320 (DHC8)
05.08.2006 Bristol – Amsterdam... KLM - KL1048 (F100)
05.08.2006 Amsterdam – Oslo... KLM - KL1147 (73?)
06.08.2006 Oslo – Trondheim... SAS Braathens - SK350 (735)
06.08.2006 Trondheim – Bodo... SAS Braathens - SK4572 (737)
06.08.2006 Bodo – Tromso... SAS Braathens - SK4572 (737)
06.08.2006 Tromso – Longyearbyen... SAS Braathens - SK4492 (735)
From Svalbard
10.08.2006 Longyearbyen – Tromso... SAS Braathens - SK4493 (735)
10.08.2006 Tromso – Bodo... SAS Braathens - SK4561 (735)
10.08.2006 Bodo – Trondheim... SAS Braathens - SK4561 (735)
10.08.2006 Trondheim – Oslo... SAS Braathens - SK355 (735)
11.08.2006 Oslo – Amsterdam... KLM - KL1144 (73?)
11.08.2006 Amsterdam – Bristol... KLM - KL1055 (F70)
11.08.2006 Bristol – Plymouth... Air Southwest - WOW307 (DHC8)
This is certainly going be a meet up to remember, still can't actually believe that I'm going
Thanks once again for the help and planning Soren,just a few weeks now! Are there any others also attending the ZRH meet who are going on this trip, or is it just me?
Birdwatching From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 3573 posts, RR: 52 Reply 5, posted (6 years 10 months 1 week 18 hours ago) and read 2191 times:
Hey Dan!
That's really great!
Actually I'll spend the same night in Oslo as well. Your flight (KL1147) is scheduled to arrive at 1635, I'm coming in really late (at 2310 on LH3136). I'm flying out at 1625 the next morning. So I was planning to tent in a field near the airport, then the next morning awake to the sound of jet engines, pack up, check-in, and then head into Oslo with plenty of time, and without my luggage.
How have you planned your layover?
Well, anyway, great to have you on board!
Soren
All the things you probably hate about travelling are warm reminders that I'm home
PlymSpotter From Spain, joined Jun 2004, 11130 posts, RR: 63 Reply 7, posted (6 years 10 months 1 week 17 hours ago) and read 2169 times:
I was planning to get a hotel - I havn't been to Oslo before so I thought I'd have a look at the city. I think my flight to Svalbard leaves a little earlier than yours due to the long routing I am taking
Birdwatching From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 3573 posts, RR: 52 Reply 8, posted (6 years 10 months 1 week 17 hours ago) and read 2167 times:
Quoting Jap (Reply 6): Hey, what are the sleeping oportunities? Got a tent spare? I might be able to go
No darkness = no real night during those 4 days, so we won't sleep at all!
Actually, I believe at least Frederik and I will both bring a tent, so I'm sure in case you can't bring a tent we can borrow you one. Or you can hop in with one of us, but I don't feel like sleeping in the same tent with the 4 cats, 2 dogs and one baby pony you'll probably bring along with you...
Soren
All the things you probably hate about travelling are warm reminders that I'm home
Birdwatching From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 3573 posts, RR: 52 Reply 10, posted (6 years 10 months 1 week 17 hours ago) and read 2152 times:
Time to speak about food!
When I travelled through Iceland for a week back in 2004, I imported a whole backpack full of canned food because Iceland is so expensive.
Svalbard at least is tax-free. So maybe it would be ok to purchase food at the local supermarket. It would be great to have a nice campfire the first evening, everybody agree? We could grill some nice sausages. Hope they do have firewood up there. Maybe I'll bring my grilling meat for the first night, and then shop locally.
Soren
All the things you probably hate about travelling are warm reminders that I'm home
Birdwatching From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 3573 posts, RR: 52 Reply 11, posted (6 years 10 months 1 week 17 hours ago) and read 2146 times:
One more thing. Because Frederik asked me in a PM.
What to bring along?
- Sub-zero sleeping bag
- Halfway decent tent (preferably in arctic camouflage colors )
- Pair of good hiking boots or other sturdy shoes
- Warm jacket / anorak / wind breaker / goretex, whatever normally keeps you warm in january (who am I talking to, you're all Scandinavians and probably know how to keep yourselves warm)
- camera + EMPTY memory stick!
- sunglasses (low sun all day long)
One more thing: does anybody know if there are mosquitoes on Spitsbergen?
Soren
All the things you probably hate about travelling are warm reminders that I'm home
AirPacific747 From Denmark, joined May 2008, 2091 posts, RR: 23 Reply 12, posted (6 years 10 months 1 week 17 hours ago) and read 2145 times:
Quoting Birdwatching (Reply 10): Svalbard at least is tax-free. So maybe it would be ok to purchase food at the local supermarket. It would be great to have a nice campfire the first evening, everybody agree? We could grill some nice sausages. Hope they do have firewood up there. Maybe I'll bring my grilling meat for the first night, and then shop locally.
my sister's boyfriend might also have a small cooking set to camp with that I can borrow too.
It uses gas, and requires no electricity. It doesn't weigh much either
PlymSpotter From Spain, joined Jun 2004, 11130 posts, RR: 63 Reply 13, posted (6 years 10 months 1 week 17 hours ago) and read 2130 times:
Quoting Birdwatching (Reply 11): - Sub-zero sleeping bag
- Halfway decent tent (preferably in arctic camouflage colors )
This reminds me to buy a new sleeping bag! I don't have my own tent either, so I shall rent one from the site as you suggested. Boots; check, Jackets; check, Jumpers; check, Warm Socks; check, Camera; check and 7Gb in memory cards . Sunglasses...doh, left them in a field last week so will have to get another pair.
FlyVirgin744 From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 1313 posts, RR: 1 Reply 17, posted (6 years 10 months 1 week 15 hours ago) and read 2098 times:
Ah no fair. I want to go to Svalbard so badly. I'll make it there eventually.
Quoting PlymSpotter (Reply 7): I was planning to get a hotel - I havn't been to Oslo before so I thought I'd have a look at the city. I think my flight to Svalbard leaves a little earlier than yours due to the long routing I am taking
See you there!
Say hi to the hookers for me! (Oslo, not what you'd expect  )
[Edited 2006-07-22 02:02:14]
Sometimes I go about in pity for myself and all the while a great wind carries me across the sky.
Birdwatching From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 3573 posts, RR: 52 Reply 19, posted (6 years 10 months 1 week 2 hours ago) and read 2075 times:
Quoting Piercey (Reply 16): ur farther North, their @ the 78'N
Even though I don't understand AOL english, I believe you're wrong. 78 is further north than 66, all you have to do is compare one number to the other, see which is higher and there you go.
Soren
All the things you probably hate about travelling are warm reminders that I'm home
Sabena332 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 20, posted (6 years 10 months 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 2053 times:
Quoting Birdwatching (Reply 19): 78 is further north than 66, all you have to do is compare one number to the other, see which is higher and there you go.
Here is a map, it gives you an idea how far north Svalbard actually is (see the island in the red rectangle):
Please ignore the DME-PKC route, I just typed it in to get this view of the map.
Birdwatching From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 3573 posts, RR: 52 Reply 21, posted (6 years 10 months 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 2016 times:
Hi... Could everybody please confirm their attendance with their latest inbound and outbound flights as well as accomodation? Thanks!
Here are mine:
Inbound:
FRA-OSL AUG05 2120-2310 on LH 3136
OSL-TOS AUG06 1625-1810 on SK4424
TOS-LYR AUG06 2350-0125* on SK 4492 (op by Braathens)
*next day (AUG07)
Outbound:
LYR-TOS AUG10 0505-0640 on SK4493 (op by Braathens)
TOS-OSL AUG10 0830-1020 on SK4409
OSL-FRA AUG10 1305-1505 on LH 3131
Accomodation: Tent on campground
Soren
All the things you probably hate about travelling are warm reminders that I'm home
PlymSpotter From Spain, joined Jun 2004, 11130 posts, RR: 63 Reply 24, posted (6 years 10 months 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 1993 times:
I know its above, but I'll pop it here again
To Svalbard
05.08.2006 Plymouth – Bristol... Air Southwest - WOW320 (DHC8)
05.08.2006 Bristol – Amsterdam... KLM - KL1048 (F100)
05.08.2006 Amsterdam – Oslo... KLM - KL1147 (73?)
06.08.2006 Oslo – Trondheim... SAS Braathens - SK350 (735)
06.08.2006 Trondheim – Bodo... SAS Braathens - SK4572 (737)
06.08.2006 Bodo – Tromso... SAS Braathens - SK4572 (737)
06.08.2006 Tromso – Longyearbyen... SAS Braathens - SK4492 (735)
I'll be sleeping in a tent that I shall rent and hopefuly won't become a polar bear snack during the night
From Svalbard
10.08.2006 Longyearbyen – Tromso... SAS Braathens - SK4493 (735)
10.08.2006 Tromso – Bodo... SAS Braathens - SK4561 (735)
10.08.2006 Bodo – Trondheim... SAS Braathens - SK4561 (735)
10.08.2006 Trondheim – Oslo... SAS Braathens - SK355 (735)
11.08.2006 Oslo – Amsterdam... KLM - KL1144 (73?)
11.08.2006 Amsterdam – Bristol... KLM - KL1055 (F70)
11.08.2006 Bristol – Plymouth... Air Southwest - WOW307 (DHC8)
Just a thought, is anybody bringing food with them, such as tinned items (must remember tin opener in this case) or other sealed goods? I was thinking of bringing some, but not too much. I'm presuming the weight limit on Braathens is 20kg?
Dan
25 Birdwatching: I was planning to bring cans of food ("tins" in England ) for all three days to avoid a shopping trip to the Svalbardbutikken which must be expensive
26 AirPacific747: I think so too. When I ordered my flight ticket a few months ago, I had to select business class for the flight back to CPH, plus Thomas aka OY-RJA o
27 Clogman: I have checked the load factors. They dont look too good. So I wont know until a couple of days in advance if I will go or not. I dont want to risk g
33 Clogman: Hehehe. I know man I could chose between OYRJB and Clogman. Since I used OYRJA before it would be a shame if I used OYRJB. Its just not the same.
34 AirPacific747: hehe how about a real airplane then like OY-KBC or OY-KBI?
35 Mhodgson: How much did all those set you back?!?
36 Clogman: I'm sorry guys. But It looks like I have to sit this one out But it really doesnt look good on the flights from both OSL and TOS to LYR. So I better s
37 Granite: Hi all Hope the meet goes well. I's a place I have always fancied visiting. Regards Gary
38 PlymSpotter: Too much! Once again its the problem with living in the South West of England. I could either sit on a coach for 6 hours overnight to LHR, then spend
39 Birdwatching: Ok, so we're 3 confirmed, how about the other two? I've tried contacting them, they don't answer. Soren
40 KaiGywer: No offense here, but I have never liked this way of thinking. I believe that if you are vacationing in a country, use money there and support the loc
41 Birdwatching: That's a very valid point, and I will think the same way once I have a little more money on my hands, but in my situation I am now, being a student w
43 KaiGywer: The good thing though. Even Norway has cheap meals-in-a-can (tin) at the supermarket. They taste OK for what they cost. Spaghetti Rimini or Joikakake
44 Treg: Hi guys, Sorry for being silent, but you know - holidays Unfortunately, I have to dissapoint you - I had to cancel my trip to Svalbard as I have to go
45 Birdwatching: That's really sad... but I hope you have a great time in France. We'll think of you when we freeze in our tents! So we're 5 people again. I have just
46 DYflyer: Sorry for the late reply. I just got back from London/Farnborough. Now i'm home to do some laundry before going to the ZRH-meet on Friday. These are
47 Birdwatching: Actually, that's a bad idea in my opinion. Only 3 nights of rental costs as much as buying your own tent. At least here in Germany. I wanted to buy a
48 PlymSpotter: Thanks Soren, yes I might as well buy one, then I shall have it for future use as well as prior knowlage of how to set it up I'll keep you posted, I w
49 Comorin: I would have come, but couldn't find a Four Seasons nearby...
50 Aero145: I must agree. Anybody that's coming to Iceland, be sure to do as Søren did: Buy as much can-food as you can carry, and eat it in Iceland. Everything
51 KaiGywer: I hope you guys have a great trip. Remember to write trip reports and take lots of pictures, as I'm sure there's not much from LYR in the database. My
52 AirPacific747: Just found this beautiful picture of Longyearbyen. It won't be this dark while we're up there though. Another thing Soren and I talked about over the
53 Clogman: Daamn that looks nice guys. I really wish I could join you up there But I hope that you guys will have an awesome trip!!
54 Alphafloor: Me too... I wanna go !! Make sure to make lots of pictures ! Cheers, Alejandro
55 AirPacific747: Soren and I also talked about making another trip next year to a different weird location so you'll get another chance
56 Birdwatching: Well, here's the first one... I just came back from "Penny Markt" to get 23 Eur worth of food for the trip. Don't know how much all this stuff would
57 PlymSpotter: Ditto Soren!!! Just came back from the post office to pick up my polariser for the lens (good reccomondation - thanks ) and called by in the local sup
58 Alphafloor: My two year old daugther was looking at your pic and said 'Miam miam!!' Make sure to announce the dates veeeeery early like one year before... you kn
59 AirPacific747: Ironically there is a 2 page article in a danish newspaper today about a small family that has just been there for a week, and it is describing all th
60 LH526: Bueno Sören, that would be the lineup of a typical student's shopping cart content: Ravioli, Corny, Tuc, those instant noodles ... Have a great time
61 Alphafloor: Hi LH526! I hope we see each other one day, I'm chilean and I live in Geneva. Shame you didn't come to the ZRH meet, we should meet up sometime ! Alej
62 HT: Apparently there is not internet access in those tents in Svalbard, as we haven't heard any report of you guys arriving yet ?! I'hope everything went
63 LH526: Sipo Alejandro! To bad I had no time to spare during the ZRH weekend. However I initiated an A.net meeting during this years FIDAE in SCL (I happened
64 LO231: You have a chance now! Come and join us at PRG meet on the 26th of August! Regards, LO231
65 HT: And / or join the BCN in mid-November ... -HT
66 Alphafloor: You must have felt like !! Yes, this aera seems much more feasible Saludos, Alejandro
67 KaiGywer: I just tried texting AirPacific747. I know they have cell phone coverage up there, so there is no excuse
68 Alphafloor: LH526, come on 11-12 november at this BCN meet !
69 LOT767-300ER: What fools? Didnt they bring a satelitte phone equiped with an air-modem so they could post in the 1 person tunnel tent. Seriously, the spirit of Sing
71 AirPacific747: And I answered you back too! Confirmed
72 HT: Are there any reports yet that slipped my attention ? EDIT: Stupid/blind me ! --> The Phenomenal 78° North Svalbard A.net Meet (by Birdwatching Aug
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