You are not allowed to die here. It is a crime. You are not allowed to give birth here. It is a crime. You are only allowed to exist between the beginning and the end. It is a world unlike the one you know, with unexpected rules, and unforeseen encounters.
Basking in endless sunlight in Polar Summer, transitioning to normality in Sunny Winter, or enveloped by continuous darkness in Northern Lights Winter. Only 3 seasons exist here. Each unique, spectacular, and ever changing. For the unprepared, it is a shock to the system. However, for those traversing this amalgam of glaciers, tundra, and permafrost, preparation and mental fortitude is a necessity.
It is not uncommon to see the human inhabitants carrying rifles for protection. The Svalbard archipelago has a polar bear population of approximately 3000. The Svalbard archipelago human population of Svalbard is 2700. The average weight of a polar bear is 300 – 800 kgs. The average weight of a human is 60 to 80 kgs. One tends to question, even if rifles are in the equation, has this leveled the playing field?
Understanding and utmost respect are key. You live with the land. You abide by its laws. You are enveloped in isolation. Svalbard gives you an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of who you truly are. Questions may arise of personal capabilities, failings, and successes in adversity. How long can I be tested by this land? How long can I survive with the basics? There is no excess of comforts. There are no quick escapes. There are no trees for shade. There are no trees.
Endless darkness. Endless sunlight. Electrically charged particles dancing in the sky. Natural born predators that are larger than any man. Glaciers of enormity. Danger lurking on the outskirts of town. Your mind is your best weapon. Your wits are your companion. Your ego is the antagonist of your experience in this foreign land that is open to all.
Regards,
M
18th, July, 2025
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