2_1_ScanMag_71_Dec_2014_Text_MADS_Scan Magazine 1 29/11/2014 12:14 Page 63
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Winter Experiences in Northern Norway
breath in your ears. At the right time of year, you will even have a chance to view the Northern Lights in a most memorable way. The sled makes occasional stops where you can stretch your legs, photograph your surroundings, and enjoy the delicious cakes, biscuits, coffee and other warm drinks that are provided. Green Dog also travels to rare ice caves. “The first tours to the ice caves every year are amazing. We open the cave for the season and we are the first to enter and explore it. Every summer the ice melts and forms the cave into new shapes. When the water freezes again the cave is changed completely so each year it’s a new experience,” Munck tells us. Deep darkness and midnight sun Although the winters in Svalbard generally last from November until May, the landscape is ever changing. In January, the sun has already stayed below the horizon for three months and there’s still another month before its long awaited return. The island is shrouded in a constant deep blue darkness, only illuminated by the moon
and the northern lights. After just six weeks following the sun’s return at the end of February, Svalbard enjoys midnight sun and daylight for 24 hours a day. Green Dog travellers have the chance to view local wildlife in its natural habitat, such as polar bears, reindeer, foxes, and various native birds. Safety is the number one priority at Green Dog, so not only will you learn about the do’s and don’ts before you start your adventure, but experienced gun-handler Munck, and all of his guides, carry a rifle for self-defence at all times. And let’s not forget about the stars of this operation, the dogs that pull your sled. Once you have been picked up by your guide and been outfitted in your weatherappropriate gear, you visit the kennel and meet the dogs.
know their personalities. You will experience the dynamics of the team and will most likely be surprised to see that dogs as tough as these can be so kind and adoring,” explains Bernlow. Even if you’ve never mushed before, the friendly people at Green Dog guide you through a complete information session before the dogs get harnessed for your outing. Green Dog provides all the clothing and gear that you need for a comfortable and memorable experience and they have tours available for visitors of most levels of health and physical shape.
For more information, please visit: www.greendog.no
Dynamic teams of adoring dogs Green Dog raises fifteen to twenty Husky puppies a year that are trained to expertly pull the sleds. There are usually up to 140 adult dogs on staff at any given time. “During the day you will be able to tell the difference between the dogs and get to
Issue 71 | December 2014 | 63