Crozierpynten

AECOGuidelinesSite-SpecificCrozierpynten

79°55,1’N 016°50,3’E

Vegetation

At first glance this area with its bright rock seems sterile and without vegetation, however the site holds a number of small, colorful treasures of red, white, yellow and green. At the plain surrounding the buildings a number of the most common Svalbard plants can be observed, such as moss silene, chickweed, polar willow, mountain avens and purple saxifrage. In the rocks also less common species like hairy lousewort, Arctic dandelion and spider saxifrage can be found.

Fauna

This area holds relatively few species and low numbers of birds and mammals. One pair of Arctic skua breeds about one kilometer from the landing site. Snow bunting probably breed in the ruins. Reindeer and Arctic fox reside in the area. Sorgfjorden is an important area for common eider. The black guillemots breeding in the cliffs southeast of Crozierpynten frequently feed close to the shore and may thus be observed from the
Zodiacs during the trip to the landing site.

Cultural Remains

Ruins of living quarters, outhouses and observatories from the Swedish part of the Swedish/Russian joint venture “Arc of Meridian Expedition” in 1899/1900 scatter the area. The research project tested the hypothesis that the earth was flatter at the poles and proved successful. One of the houses from the research expedition was repaired during the Norwegian overwintering of the Hagerup and Jensen trapping expedition in 1921/22, and again in 1927 by the Svendsen brothers, now also in ruins. Four graves with unknown origin are found in the area

Taste of Portugal

Swedish scientists did more than contribute to the knowledge about the shape of the world. Piles of broken glass from hundreds of bottles are signs showing that harsh conditions and remoteness did not preclude enjoying good port wine.

Guidelines

Use the track if walking on the rocks behind the ruins to avoid trampling on the many different plants.
If the Arctic skuas attack or appear wounded, walk away while watching where you step to avoid trampling on eggs and chicks.
Observe the house ruins from a perimeter and avoid tramping on them.
Do not pick up or in any way rearrange any of the small and larger objects at the site.

Tip

A two kilometer walk will bring you to the foot of Hecklahuken mountain from where you can observe black guillemot and glaucous gull in the bird cliff above. Head towards the characteristic green vegetation manured by the bird guano.

In the desert-like landscape between Hecklahamna and Sorgfjordneset the moss silene is like a small jewel. The cushion first set flowers on the south facing side and is like a compass on the tundra. Photos: Jan Morten Bjørnbakk