When we started thinking about heading north this summer one of the goals quickly became the Arctic ice pack and seeing if we could cross the magical 80 degree line of latitude. For most of the earth’s surface this is impossible due to ice. In many places you are doing well to even get to 70 degrees. But in Svalbard the end of the Gulf Stream keeps a sea lane open to the north in summer.

By 79.5 degrees we were starting to see small bits of ice and visibility was dropping due to intermittent fog. We slowed down, discussed turning around, and decided to wait and see if conditions would change for the better. In the meantime we had burritos for dinner. The ice chart from the previous day is bottom right in the photo. Svalbard is the gray area in the center of the chart. The colored areas represent various ice densities. Note how much further south the ice runs to the west (left).

The Arctic ice pack is in constant motion, and even here it it is often below 80 degrees. Success for us was dependent on ice density, wind and fog. At 79 degrees 45 minutes the Arctic ice pack made its appearance. But getting to 80 degrees was far from assured.

We were using radar to check ice patterns as well as visual observation. Wind was from the west at 12 to 16 knots, blowing the ice downwind across our path. By staying close to the windward ice we figured we could retrace our path slightly to leeward, if the open leads we were following stayed open.

No bottom on the depth sounder and a toasty water temperature of 40F (5C) at 80 degrees north.

We don’t normally get too excited about specific cruising goals, other than things like polar bears. But 80 degrees represents something special to us. Of course, being dry, warm, and secure does take an edge off the accomplishment. Still, we may make a small print of this photo for the wall.

We debated heading further north, through the open lead in which we found ourselves. This would give us a chance to see some polar bears who hunt seals at the ice edge.

However the wind was increasing, and the near horizon had become obscured by fog. Fog and ice is not fun, but Wind Horse could deal with it between her double bottom and water tight bulkheads. Add in the wind factor and the risk factors become too great. We decided to retrace our steps.

It is two days later as we write this and the fact that we have crossed 80 degrees of latitude has still not fully sunk in. But there is a definite afterglow we feel that should be with us for some time.