Places Features

Martin Holland left behind the beauty of Falmouth, for the magnificence of the glaciers.

The aim behind the trip was to repeat a survey of the Tunsbergdalsbreen glacier in Norway, originally conducted in 1959. Tunsbergdalsbreen is the largest outlet glacier of Europe's biggest icecap - the Jostedalsbreen.

The original survey took 12 weeks, using pencil and paper, chain cables, angle measuring devices. No survey work had been done since given the glaciers inaccessible nature, but the size and stability of this particular glacier makes it well worth studying in these changing times.

Moulin by Martin Holland

The trip was all the more exciting due to an unexpected discovery.

Martin Holland says: "We found the remains of the original 1950 camp in the form of walls, turf, and decomposing but remarkably well-preserved fuel cans, food and pain tins, and even a pair of corduroy trousers with moss growing on them!"

There was a serious side to the trip, to discover how the glaciers had changed in size over the years, and the concern of global warming.

"After 5 days of establishing camp we found that the glacier has reduced in thickness by over 40m, making descent from the ridge onto the glacier impossible without setting up a fixed rope, something we didn't have the authority to do."

The aim is to repeat this expedition every year with a team of young people to create a model of how this glacier is changing over time in response to human induced climate change.

Pic: Martin Holland

Glaciers are complex. They react differently depending on their size, structure, and location, and their reactions to changes can take decades to appear.

The project was a joint venture by Brathay Exploration Group (a charity that has been taking young people on scientific and cultural expeditions for over 50 years), Field Studies Council, and the Norwegian Glacier Museum.

Jonathon Price, who was a member in the 1959 expedition team that first surveyed the glacier connected the three institutions and persuaded them to repeat the expedition.