IceDivingNorway2006

ICE DIVING IN ARCTIC NORWAY…: 

ICE DIVING IN ARCTIC NORWAY… DESTINATION: Kirkenes and the Barents Sea. Located at the top of the European continent, this area offers excellent conditions for ice diving and a true Arctic experience. Fantastic opportunities to get closer than is believable to the indigenous wildlife in one of the remotest parts of the country. We’ll take you to where huskies, reindeer and snow mobiles carve fresh tracks in the virgin snow!

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Latitude 70° north. A perfect destination for ice diving. By the end of February, the 6-month long winter is drawing to a close and the climate becomes more tolerable for the adventurous diver!

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PADI ICE DIVER SPECIALITY To make our ice diving experience as safe as possible, we will spend two days qualifying for the PADI Ice Diver Certification. During the course you will learn the basic skills needed to participate in ice diving activities. This will include how to make holes in the ice, emergency procedures and tendering. The latter is very important as the usage of rope is normally the only way to communicate with the diver. Prior to the trip you will receive a document containing information about what type of equipment and clothing you need to bring, together with tips on how to avoid regulator free flows in these unique conditions.

How Many People Do You Know Who Are Trained As Ice Divers ?: 

How Many People Do You Know Who Are Trained As Ice Divers ?

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WW2 Wrecks Under Ice According to the locals there are over 100 known wrecks in the area around Kirkenes, and most likely many still to be found. On our trip we aim to dive at least 2 of them, whilst under ice. D/S Johan Faulbaum: A German cargo boat sunk by Russian airplanes on the 14th May 1944. Depth 10m-35m and in excellent condition! Curtis P40: Russian airplane crashed June 1943. Depth 20m

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Huge King Crabs. The Red King Crab can grow to around 1.5 metres in diameter and 12 kilos in weight. Mature crabs have no natural predators (apart from humans) and the current population in the Barents Sea region is estimated between 12-16 million. One evening during the trip, we will enjoy the true delicacy of the King Crab. We can guarantee that you won't find any fresher King Crab served elsewhere in the World. Just this meal alone brings people all the way from Japan where this delicacy is too expensive for most people to buy - the flights to Norway are cheaper!

FACT: NORWAY IS GREAT: 

FACT: NORWAY IS GREAT

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Trekking With Huskies Dogs and sleighs are a natural part of the Arctic life. The most popular dog is the Alaskan husky, a crossbreed known for its speed and enormous endurance. During the stay we will meet this magnificent animal, and go dog sleighing into the Passvik valley. After a night sleeping outdoor in lavvo tents, we prepare the dogs and return to HQ.

The Only Way To Travel…: 

The Only Way To Travel…

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The Wildlife The nature in this region is very special. The forest in Passvik is a part of the Siberian Taiga, one of the largest boreal forests in the World. Reindeer and Elg (Moose) are often seen here, and on a lucky day you might even get a glimpse of a wolverine (skunk bear), lynx or a wolf. The Passvik Valley ("Passvikdalen") also has the biggest population of brown bears in the country… The Midnight Sun can be seen from mid May to mid July, AND this is also the land of the Northern lights!

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The Dive Centre The dive centre is situated in Jardfjordbotn, 25 km East of Kirkenes. The centre consists of only 3 main buildings, one of which (a big cabin) will be our accommodation. This is a remote area, and the road ends a few hundred metres further down from the centre... Don't expect to meet many people, but consider the tranquility and the chance to escape from the noise of your busy life!!!

DIVING EXPERIENCE AND EQUIPMENT.: 

DIVING EXPERIENCE AND EQUIPMENT. To join this X-pedition, you require a minimum of 50 logged dives, experience in dry suit diving and be a PADI Advanced Diver, BSAC Sports Diver or other certified equivalent. Water temperature will be typically +6c to -1c. We recommend that you have experience with cold water diving prior to this trip. A good level of buoyancy is essential.

ITINERARY. 12th – 19th March 2006: 

ITINERARY. 12th – 19th March 2006 DAY 1. DEPART LONDON HEATHROW – ARRIVE KIRKENES AIRPORT IN THE EVENING. 45 MIN BUS TRANSFER TO HQ, WHERE A SUMPTIOUS DINNER AND RECEPTION AWAIT! DAY 2. AFTER BREAKFAST, WE START THE DAY WITH A CHECK DIVE IN OPEN WATER TO TEST GEAR AND TO FAMILIARISE OURSELVES WITH THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT. FOLLOWING OUR SECOND DIVE, WE BEGIN WITH SOME THEORY LESSONS FOR THE ICE DIVING! DAY 3. ICE DIVING !!! (2 DIVES)

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DAY 4. AN EARLY START TAKES US UNDER THE ICE FOR OUR THIRD AND QUALIFYING ICE DIVE. YOU MAY NOW PROUDLY AWAIT YOUR CERT CARD IN THE POST! AFTER LUNCH AND STOWING OUR GEAR, IT IS TIME TO EXPLORE SOME OF THE STUNNING NATURE IN THE AREA. HUSKIES WILL TAKE US INTO PASSVIKDALEN WHERE A LAVVO CAMP HAS BEEN SET UP FOR OUR OVERNIGHT STAY. THE CHEF WILL MAKE US SOME LOCAL FOOD FOR DINNER, WHILE WE REST ON REINDEER SKINS TO GET OUR WARMTH BACK AROUND AN OPEN FIRE. DAY 5. THE HUSKIES WILL TAKE US ON A TOUR OF THE AREA BEFORE HEADING BACK TO HQ FOR A DIVE…. UNDER THE ICE AND ON A WRECK – THE JOHAN FALBAUM.

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DAY 6. WE BEGIN THE DAY WITH ANOTHER WRECK DIVE UNDER THE ICE ON A CURTIS P40 RUSSIAN PLANE. AFTER LUNCH WE HEAD FURTHER OUT INTO THE FJORD TOWARDS THE OPEN BARENTS SEA FOR A SECOND DIVE. DEPENDING ON THE WEATHER, SEVERAL SITES ARE AVAILABLE: WALLS, KING CRABS OR EVEN SOME GERMAN MILITARY INSTALLATIONS FROM WWII. ` DAY 7. THIS IS OUR FINAL DIVING DAY TO ENJOY THE LIFE UNDER THE ICE. IN THE EVENING WE GET DRESSED FOR AN EXCURSION WITH SNOW MOBILES THAT WILL TAKE US EVEN FURTHER AWAY FROM CIVILISATION… WHO WANTS TO DRIVE?

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DAY 8. After breakfast, we finish packing and taking Ibuprofen for our sore heads/hangovers and are transferred to the airport. The flight to Oslo departs around midday and should have us back in the UK by approximately 18:30. And sadly, at the end of one of the most exciting, action-packed weeks of your life, you will return home to the comfort of your own bed to dream about diving under the ice…and that Norwegian Nomad girl…….

EQUIPMENT.: 

EQUIPMENT. It is strongly recommended that you bring your own equipment on this expedition. Approximately 8 weeks prior to departure you will receive information regarding specific clothing and equipment necessary for the trip. Most importantly you will require a decent dry suit, 7mm hood and thick gloves/dry gloves/mitts. In addition, the conditions will require you to have your first and second stages environmentally sealed and checked by a service technician. All dive equipment should be thoroughly serviced/checked prior to departure REBREATHERS! O2 / Special Fills Are Available On Request – Please advise ASAP! (Amended costs will apply)

The correct equipment is essential... : 

The correct equipment is essential... UNLESS YOU’RE A BIT MENTAL…

How Much ???: 

How Much ??? £1970.00 All Inclusive (return flights, food, accommodation, diving and all scheduled activities) The dive centre is remotely located, so you won’t get the opportunity to spend extra money on this trip, apart from soft drinks and alcohol. What Is Included? Return Flights from London Heathrow Transfers To/From Norwegian Airports Accommodation on shared basis (including Reindeer Skin Tents) All meals (3 meals a day) Scheduled Diving, Guides, Instructor(s), Weights, Tanks, Air Fills PADI Ice Diver Speciality (inc. certification & materials) Scheduled non-diving activities (snowmobiles, huskies etc) Logistical and Diving Support Specific to Ice Diving

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What’s Not Included Transfer to London Heathrow (may be arranged separately at cost via Freedom Divers) Porterage or Excess Baggage Gratuities, Laundry, Telephone Calls or Items of a personal nature Equipment Rental (must be ordered in advance) Nitrox Excess Soft Drinks/Alcohol over and above that which is supplied with meals and non-diving activities Travel Insurance (may be arranged via Freedom Divers in advance) VISA if required from your country of origin. Bail or Legal Services if you get banged up in Norway for being naughty.

What’s Not Included…: 

What’s Not Included… Although many Norwegian Women look exactly like this, we can’t promise that many of them will be kicking around the icy Tundra of the Norwegian north……but lets face it….one would be nice.

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DEPOSIT! Sadly (and I blame the government), you must pay for this expedition of a lifetime, but fortunately the deposit is a friendly £250.00 payable to Freedom Diving and Leisure Ltd. Credit Card, Cheque, Cash are all welcome. Please do not be offended, but we cannot accept extortion, blackmail, ransom or pillaging as acceptable methods of payment. Even though it worked for the Vikings….

FREEDOM DIVERSICE DIVING X-PEDITION 2006: 

FREEDOM DIVERS ICE DIVING X-PEDITION 2006 TEL: 0113 368 2828