Arctic Encounter at Ny-Ålesund
Ny-Ålesund is one of the four permanent settlements on the island of Spitsbergen in the Svalbard archipelago. It is located on the Brøgger peninsula at Kongsfjorden. Like the rest of Svalbard, Ny-Ålesund is administered by the Kingdom of Norway.
Ny-Ålesund is one of the world's northernmost settlements, and is the world's northernmost functional public settlement.
Today, it is inhabited by a permanent population of approximately 30-35 persons. All of them work for one of the research stations e.g. the Global Atmosphere Watch or the logistics and supply company "Kings Bay AS", which 'owns' and runs the research village. In the summer the activity in Ny-Ålesund is greatly increased with up to 120 researchers, technicians, and field assistants. At present, Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom, France, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea and China all maintain research stations at Ny-Ålesund, although not all are inhabited year-round.
Ny-Ålesund is home to the new Arctic Marine Laboratory (the northernmost in the world), which was officially opened on 1 June 2005. With many open rooms and wet and dry lab spaces alike, the marine lab is particularly useful for countries which do not maintain permanent research stations in the area.
It is possible to travel to Ny-Ålesund by scheduled flight from Longyearbyen and there is a hotel (currently closed). On ship cruises, Ny-Ålesund is a typical shore break. However, this tourism may cause interference with the sensitive scientific devices in the settlement, so tourists are closely observed. Visitors are supplied with a local map and are required not to stray off the marked path, a round-trip of about one km from the pier. A number of storyboards are placed strategically to explain the history and purpose of the various buildings; many are research establishments. There is one shop, a tiny museum and small post office, the northernmost in the world. In summer Arctic terns nest on the ground alongside the path and may "dive-bomb" visitors who get too near.
(source: wikipedia)
About the cache:
In June 2011 I visited Ny-Ålesund while I was on a cruise with the german cruiseship "Astor". I placed this cache spontaneous during my short stay ashore.
As mentioned above, tourists are welcome but they have to stay on the roads. That's why I chose a place, which is reachable for everybody without disturbing nature and residents. First of all if you come with a cruiseship it will be probably quite busy around the location. Please be careful and try to log undetected.
When you visit the cache, please take temporary ownership of it as guardian and protector.
Please read the most recent logs and help me maintain this cache. If you are unable to help, leave a note in your log for the next visitor indicating the cache needs maintenance (a new logsheet for example), or write me an e-mail. Please help to give it a long life!
Thanks to everyone in advance!
Inventory: 1 logsheet. Please bring your own pen.
Have a wonderful stay at Ny-Ålesund and enjoy this outstanding location.