After a chilly night the morning tent routine went well. We were greeted by blue skies and glistening sun kissed mountains on emerging from the tents. The first time
packing up the camp went quite well and the efficiency will improve as the days go by.

We set off paralleling a steep sided valley and skiing over hill and dale for a while found a point to ski down and enter the main
Adventdalen valley. It's one of the main ski mobile routes around Longyearbyen and we saw quite a few groups zip past today.

We were slowly gaining elevation and the views looking back were spectacular. A few pools of water lay over parts of the track as the melt continues into summer.

We skied a few sessions along the valley with Irina, David and Jennifer taking turns in the lead, enjoying the views without multicoloured figures and pulks in front of them. Rob has been taking plenty of photos and Mark helping out enormously as well as providing comic relief.

At one break a sled dog team came from the opposite direction to ski past us. At least that was the plan of the 'driver'. The dogs on the other hand had another plan and were turning towards us. Even after a good dose of admonishment the dogs still disobeyed and dragged the sled sideways to get amongst us for some attention. Jennifer and Irina were full of energy after patting all the willing huskies.

We turned towards the SE at a valley junction and started heading up towards Dronbreen, the glacier we will be ascending tomorrow.

Setting up camp went smoothly and timely this evening and snow was melted and bottles and bellies filled with lots of time to spare for some laughs in the communal tent. An accidental triggering of the bear tripwire alarm sent the heart rate up for a few beats, but we are now cocooned in sleeping bags to get some rest for tomorrows uphill journey.

Photos of the team with the valley behind them. And the other of the very social sled dog team getting plenty of love and attention