Nordfjord, Norway
Early this morning we cruised into the impressive Melfjorden fjord system. We continued right to the end of the Nordfjord section to within a couple of hundred metres of a flat rock-strewn beach. The view that greeted us was absolutely spectacular. The head of this fjord consists of a deep hollow once filled with compacted glacier ice which had, over a long period of time, eroded the local granite and gneiss. Pushed up against the lower slopes, extensive scree deposits fanned out along its base. Some of these were quite ancient judging from the copses of mountain birch and other scrub vegetation which had managed to establish themselves on such precarious inclines. Like silver ribbons, many meltwater streams cascaded down the sides of this glaciated valley from the Svartisen Glacier above. Tongues of ice could be seen at various points on the high rocky brim, azure reminders of the Svalbard islands we recently explored.
Following breakfast we landed on shore and began our explorations of this stunning landscape. Right away, we spotted some oystercatchers whose distinctive cries reverberated around the fjord. One group stayed in the immediate vicinity of the landing point in order to have a close look at the diverse plant communities carpeting the ground. Longer hikes extended up and along the adjacent scree slopes and moraine ridges and provided the remainder of us with breathtaking vistas of the fjord below and the waterfalls pouring down through cleaved rock gullies from high above. For the latter part of the morning we returned to the ship for kayaking and Zodiac cruises. A number of harbour seals were spotted and regarded us with some interest. Shortly following lunch we crossed the Arctic Circle as we headed further south passing the famous “Seven Sisters,” a group of rocky summits which, according to folk belief, were originally beautiful women who were all turned to stone by the sunrise.
Early this morning we cruised into the impressive Melfjorden fjord system. We continued right to the end of the Nordfjord section to within a couple of hundred metres of a flat rock-strewn beach. The view that greeted us was absolutely spectacular. The head of this fjord consists of a deep hollow once filled with compacted glacier ice which had, over a long period of time, eroded the local granite and gneiss. Pushed up against the lower slopes, extensive scree deposits fanned out along its base. Some of these were quite ancient judging from the copses of mountain birch and other scrub vegetation which had managed to establish themselves on such precarious inclines. Like silver ribbons, many meltwater streams cascaded down the sides of this glaciated valley from the Svartisen Glacier above. Tongues of ice could be seen at various points on the high rocky brim, azure reminders of the Svalbard islands we recently explored.
Following breakfast we landed on shore and began our explorations of this stunning landscape. Right away, we spotted some oystercatchers whose distinctive cries reverberated around the fjord. One group stayed in the immediate vicinity of the landing point in order to have a close look at the diverse plant communities carpeting the ground. Longer hikes extended up and along the adjacent scree slopes and moraine ridges and provided the remainder of us with breathtaking vistas of the fjord below and the waterfalls pouring down through cleaved rock gullies from high above. For the latter part of the morning we returned to the ship for kayaking and Zodiac cruises. A number of harbour seals were spotted and regarded us with some interest. Shortly following lunch we crossed the Arctic Circle as we headed further south passing the famous “Seven Sisters,” a group of rocky summits which, according to folk belief, were originally beautiful women who were all turned to stone by the sunrise.
