#81 | Expedition Svalbard: Longyearbyen, Hiking in Polar Bear Country and the Life of a Coal Miner

We arrive in Longyearbyen by sail and immediately step into polar bear country. Armed hikes, abandoned coal mines and daily life at the edge of the Arctic — this is the unfiltered reality of Svalbard. After sailing 125 nautical miles through the High Arctic from Hornsund to Longyearbyen, navigating light winds, ocean swell and the constant challenge of ice detection. What begins as a calm overnight passage becomes a lesson in patience, seamanship and decision-making as the wind fades and the engine takes over for the final miles. Arriving in Longyearbyen, Svalbard reveals itself as a place of stark beauty and hidden complexity. Beyond the harbour and fjords lies a layered story of whalers, trappers and coal miners, shaped today by accelerating climate change and growing geopolitical importance. From abandoned mines and roaming reindeer to strict polar-bear safety rules, daily life here feels both fragile and resilient. This episode blends offshore sailing, Arctic navigation, and an honest look at how climate, history and politics intersect at the northern edge of Europe. Join us as we arrive in one of the world’s most remote settlements and begin exploring what it really means to live and sail in the High Arctic. ⏳ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:04 Slow sailing to Longyearbyen 05:11 Exploring Longyearbyen and the Svalbard Museum 09:17 The abandoned hike to Sarkophagen 15:35 Gruve 3: we visit a real coal mine 🎵 Music from Epidemic Sound: Theme Of Nightmares by Fredrik Ekstrom The Seeds We Sow by David Celeste I'm The Villain by Dream Cave The Beauty Within by Sleeping Vines Into The Meridian by Rachel Sandy Image Copyright Attribution: Map “NATO in Europe”, © Clydiee, Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Svalbard Global Seed Vault, © Bjoertvedt, Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons John Munro Longyear, © Michigan Art Company, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons #ExpeditionSvalbard #ArcticSailing #Longyearbyen #PolarBearCountry #SvalbardReality 🔗 Links: https://www.norwegiancruisingguide.com https://www.barentswatch.no/en https://www.yr.no/en 📺 Watch More… https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRvcLZL9-pokLoV22O1OP3p5eR32J-SDD 🚢 Subscribe & Hit the Bell 🔔 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAym9YS0z1-qYm-s47pNEfw?sub_confirmation=1 📍 Follow Our Journey: https://www.instagram.com/sailingpolaris https://www.facebook.com/sailingpolaris https://www.sailingpolaris.uk 🛥️ Ever dreamed of sailing the world? Join us aboard Polaris Helvetica, our beloved Bavaria Cruiser 46, as we explore breathtaking coastlines, hidden gems, and the beauty of life at sea! 🌊 What to Expect: ✔️ Stunning ocean views & epic sunsets ✔️ Off-the-beaten-path destinations ✔️ Sailing tips, challenges & triumphs ✔️ Hiking adventures in remote locations 💬 What’s your dream sailing destination? Tell us in the comments! ⚓ See you on the water—fair winds & following seas!