Expedition Leader Report
Jan Bryde led our 2010 expedition to the North Pole. The following is an excerpt from the voyage report he filed. The sun shines 24 hours a day in Franz Josef Land. Jan used every minute of it.
North Pole
We'll be returning to the North Pole in 2011. Put your name on the waiting list to be one of the first to be informed when the dates are confirmed.
Saturday, July 17, 2010 off Franz Josef Land
Captain called me to the bridge at 1:30 AM, when we arrived off Cape Flighely. The weather conditions looked good. Sun shone over the landing spot. Fog banks from the southwest were coming and going. After a short assessment with the Captain and the Chief Helicopter pilot we decided to chance the landing.
I made a wake-up announcement at 1:45 AM. I invited the guests to be ready for a first come, first served helicopter operation, as of 2:30 AM. The first helicopter carrying Expedition Staff and safety gear took off at 2:20 AM. The landing sight was perfect and ready for guests by 2:45 AM.
I welcomed the 80 guests who chose to come ashore at Cape Fligely. Fog continued to roll in and out. We constantly monitored the situation; keeping in constant communication with the Expedition Team member on the Bridge.
The guests had an hour to visit the points of interest on Cape Flighely, Rudolf Island, before the fog rolled in. The last guest returned to the ship shortly after 5:30 AM. I and the remainder of the shore staff, security officers and the ecologist remained on the cape, waiting for the weather to clear and the return of the helicopter. We were aboard by 7:40 AM, right in time for breakfast!