Longyearbreen Grotte

Longyearglacier Caves - Longyearbyen Ice Cave


Useful Information

Location: Longyearbyen, Spitzbergen Island.
Open: Svalbard Wildlife Service: Only in winter, by appointment.
Spitsbergen Travel: FEB to snowmelting daily 10.
[2005]
Fee: Svalbard Wildlife Service: Per Person NOK 590.
Spitsbergen Travel: Per Person NOK 690. Children under 10 not allowed.
[2005]
Classification: SpeleologyGlacier cave
Light: provided.
Dimension:
Guided tours: D=4 h.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address: Svalbard Wildlife Service AS, Næringsbygget, Pb. 164, N-9171 Longyearbyen, Tel: +47-7902-5660, Fax: +47-7902-5661. E-mail: contact
Spitsbergen Travel AS, P.O. Box 548, 9171 Longyearbyen, Tel: +47-7902-6100, Fax: +47-7902-6101. E-mail: contact
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History


Description

Longyearbreen Grotte is probably the safest SpeleologyGlacier cave listed on showcaves.com, and it was the first of those cave we listed because it is commercially toured. The problem with glacier caves is generally the danger of water and collapse, they are often too dangerous for cave trekking tours. But Spitzbergen is located so far north, in winter the ice is frozen and stable, the danger is minimal. The average temperature is -10 °C, but the weather may change rapidly, temperatures range from above 0 °C to -30 °C.

Glacier caves are formed by enormous melting water currents in ice, a material which is not dissolved but melted. Ice caves change extremely between years. New passages are formed, old ones are filled with ice. This cave looks different every year it is visited.

This is probably the most impressive tour we have listed. Spectacular glacier caves with formations of ice and stone. Fantastic ice crystals, walls of ice and the strange colour of the ice walls are unique.

Obviously this is a very cold trip! Warm clothes, especially fleece and functional underwear are a good idea, because of the low temperature. The visitors should bring sturdy shoes, probably of the warm kind, and clothes to change afterwards. Helmets and head lights are provided. There are several crawls, this trip is not for people with bad knees, back problems or claustrophobia.

This trip is offered by two different companies. Also, the caves are not their property, so it is possible, although not recommended by the tour operators, to visit the cave on your own. We tell you this for completeness sake, but recommend to take a tour for your own security.