Jan Mayen is a very, very remote island! Situated 500 miles north west from the Norwegian Lofoten Islands, a great volcano rises steeply out of the deep waters of the Arctic Ocean and forms this exceptionally beautiful island, sculpted by winds, waves and ice.
This volcano is Beeremberg, rising 2277 metres above the sea below. Characterised by permanent ice fields and an almost perfect conical shape, it is possible to see Beeremberg from 100 miles away on a clear day. The last eruption was in 1985, and still considered to be active, Beeremberg is the largest and most northerly volcano in the Arctic.
The island is permanently inhabited by a brave team of 18 people who operate the Norwegian Meterological Station and 'Loran C' radio masts. Their job is made somewhat difficult by the ever changing weather conditions, which have the capacity to change so quickly it is almost unbelievable. Wind speeds from absolute zero to hurricane force have been reported within a single hour! Fog appears to form before your eyes, often preventing the supply aircraft from landing for weeks at a time. Of course, the winter months are of complete darkness, cold and hard.
Adding to the remoteness of this island, there is no port of refuge or landing facility for any vessel. Coastguard ships have been forced to hold station in enormous storms for days at a time waiting for a chance to anchor and transfer vital equipment ashore. Infact, landing on Jan Mayen is as much about good luck as it is good seamanship!
Statistically the best chance of enjoying stable weather here is in July and August, and this is when most yachts and ships might be lucky enough to visit. Polar Bear hopes to revisit this special island in July 2010 as part of our 'Arctic Ocean Triangle'. We hope the conditions will give us enough time to get a shore party to the summit of Beeremberg (about 24hours hiking), before sailing to neighbouring Greenland, only 270 miles to the west.
