At the heart of Svalbard with Explore Svalbard and Watogla: an educational expedition in the Arctic
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78° North, Svalbard. Nine students, two teams, one week of camping among moraines and glacial fronts. And seven months of preparation to make this immersion far more than a trip.
This year, we are delighted to bring together two members of the Lagoped Family, Explore Svalbard and Lucien Chaillot from Watogla, around a shared ambition: to raise awareness among younger generations about preserving High Arctic ecosystems through a human, sporting, and educational adventure. An immersion dedicated to understanding the Arctic’s polar climate.
7 months of preparation: forging the team spirit
An adventure like this cannot be improvised amid the ice. The departure for 78° North is the culmination of seven months of rigorous preparation. Throughout the school year, the nine students joining us took part in classroom workshops, met climate experts, and learned to work together.
"Essential preparation for transforming a group of individuals into a close-knit team"
With the Explore Svalbard team, they prepared themselves physically and mentally: essential preparation for transforming a group of individuals into a close-knit team, ready to face the unknown with confidence and positive energy.
Longyearbyen: first immersion and the spirit of teamwork
The adventure begins as soon as they arrive in Longyearbyen. A meaningful first step: depositing seeds at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a true sanctuary for global biodiversity, while learning about its unique connection with ICARDA in Morocco. This symbolic gesture is a reminder that preserving life is everyone’s responsibility.
Before heading into the field, the team took the time to meet some key players, including the teams at Polar Bears International, to discuss the challenges surrounding polar bear conservation. A visit to the Svalbard Museum completed this initial immersion by giving the students valuable insight into the natural history and geology of the archipelago.
This is also where the first field surveys begin: permafrost studies, water sampling, pH measurements, and field observations.
The Sveasletta base camp: facing the elements
The team then crosses the Isfjord to reach the base camp at Sveasletta. For a week, they camp in the heart of nature that is as spectacular as it is fragile. Alternating hikes and sea kayaking amid moraines and glacier fronts, the students discover a true open-air laboratory.
In this extreme environment, where wind, cold, and humidity show no mercy, Lagoped equipment is put to the test. Wearing technical clothing made in Europe from 100% recycled materials makes perfect sense here: it provides effective protection in the most demanding conditions while respecting the exploration terrain. A reliable barrier allowing students to focus on their educational workshops, nature observations, and data collection without having to endure the polar climate.
To discover the Lagoped mountaineering and mountain collection, click here.
Two projects, one shared vision: “Leave No Trace” immersion
The connection between Explore Svalbard and Watogla is based on shared beliefs. Both believe that the best way to protect these exceptional territories is to reconnect young people with nature through total immersion, as close as possible to the elements.
This powerful experience comes with a strict ethical responsibility: respecting the Leave No Trace principle. The students learn to temporarily inhabit this environment without disturbing wildlife, polluting, or causing more environmental impact than absolutely necessary.
By sharing this adventure, Explore Svalbard and Watogla hope to spark these nine students’ curiosity, develop their scientific perspective, and inspire them to become proud ambassadors for the polar world in turn.
