Whatever cold and by wind whipped bleak countryside may be, it has a great piece of characteristic beauty, which is ready to address you and finds a position in your heart. Maybe, there are living people specially for these moments, despite the fact that you find here less persons as ice-bears.

Since its official discovery by Dutchman William Barents in 1596, the islands were visited by hunters and whalers of various nationalities. They lived here often within winter period. Russian sailor Starostin spent here even incredible 32 winter saisons. Since 19th century, the attention of Swalbard visitors is concentrated and changed to mineral ore sources. The agreement of 1920  granted the islands under administration of Norway, but let the right of use of its wealthy to many other countries. Except Norway, only Russia keeps permanent presence here. At present, there are in Swalbard two inhabited towns - Longyearbyen (Norwegian) and Barentsburg (Russian) - as well as several small basis.

At the end of July, four-member Czech watermen expedition is going to visit Swalbard. Main target will be to navigate - on Isfjord surges - to desert Russian town of Pyramiden. Here, there is to be found  a bust of V.I.Lenin (situated 12 kilometres distant from front part of glacier). The route will lead along coast, following many other interesting places, mostly of natural character.  An attention will be drawn especially to front parts of glaciers. Boundary between sea and ice-mass slowly moving from the valley- it is something extraordinary, fascinating scenes, which could be met in wild tundra. A descent of Adventelva-river will be the other part of expedition, leading persons back to Longyearbyen, last point of whole tour.

River-descent will force expedition-members to carry over the boats from sea-side more than 20 kms into inland. So, it will not be necessary to use usual (habitual) sea kayaks. Its place will be taken by two-posted inflated Pálava canoes. This kind of boat was used - in the course of  similar expedition - four years ago, and  proved true excellently, especially thanks to its very good physical qualities - such as low weight, resisting material, three-rooms system and good mastering (ruling). Anyway, planned expedition is more dependent on sea-travelling, so, there are preparing further non-traditional arrangements of these vessels (improvised canvases).

We are very curious to know how the Arctic nature proves preparation and experience of expeditions-members in a period between 25th July and 23rd August 2008. Preparation as well as the course of expedition will be possible to follow on web-site www.svalbard.cz.

You can obtain here more information as far as past expeditions or Swalbard in general are concerned. Owing to financial difficulties of whole project, team-members offer presentation possibilities to all interested parties in sponsoring or any other support art, financial or material. We are interested in watermen and outdoor equipment, or transport covering from Prague to Oslo, parking-security in Oslo during stay in Swalbard, etc. from financial point of view. Provided you are interested in such services, would you contact expedition - organisers. The respective contacts are to be found  in official internet pages Swalbard IV – www.svalbard.cz.