The alarm went off at 08:00 this morning after finishing up late the night before. The stoves were soon lit and the usual banter ensued. The plan was to find a way down through the maze of moraine, snow/ice filled creeks and ridges and valleys to the flat and wide Janssondalen which then feeds into the Adventdalen, close to where we camped 5 days earlier.

About half an hour before getting out of the tents Mark came over and told us Jenn had a migraine and had just started vomiting as well. Not eating and drinking enough in this environment can have serious consequences, dehydration can be debilitating and adding that to a migraine Jenn was unfortunately suffering.
After checking on her and giving some other medications we decided to continue with the plan but with Jenn sitting in one of the sleds as well as organising a skimobile to head out and meet us to take her back into town. The problem was that a skidoo could not reach us where we were so we had to get further down the valley.

We set off with Irina sitting in the sled holding and supporting Jenn, David carrying more gear in his sled and Mark and Rob both dragging two sleds.

Up and over ridges and sliding down steep slopes was order of the morning. Eric was back in Longyearbyen after reaching the North Pole the day before. Thankfully he was heading out on a skimobile to meet us.

It was really hard work and everyone pitched in and did a fantastic effort. Jenn was getting cold so we put toe and hand warmers in her boots and got her into a sleeping bag as well. After strapping her to the sled we continued on. After a few more tribulations we RV'd with Eric. Jenn was put in a warm skimobile suit and they headed back down the valley towards town and a hospital to check her out.

We then snaked our way down the steep terrain and just before getting to the valley floor stopped to have lunch with a beautiful view.

The snow continued to fall, but the sun poked through and brightened up our day for longer and longer periods as the afternoon went on.

The route through Janssondalen was a lot of fun. Skiing over the ice of a frozen river as well as winding down through a small canyon before popping out in Adventdalen with the sun and a magnificent view of the fjord, the town of Longyearbyen in front of us. The surrounding mountains were lit up in the evening sun.

We found a nice campsite for our last night. Not too far to travel tomorrow back to our start point.

It was not the ideal day but everyone stepped up a notch and with fantastic teamwork helped prevent a bad situation turning into a potentially dangerous one. Jenn was feeling better back in her hotel room after being checked over in hospital, warmed up and given some IV fluids.

In our sleeping bags for the last time this trip. The wind rustling the tent and some 'light' snoring, sounds that will be missed in a hotel room tomorrow night. Along with the camaraderie that comes from sharing small tents and being out in beautiful wilderness enjoying adventures such as these.

Though not going to lie, we will be looking forward to a proper cooked meal and a few beverages tomorrow night!

H

Photos
Coming down one of the many slopes in low contrast light.
Skiing through a narrow valley down the beautiful frozen river.
Last campsite.