Hornsund researcher recalls gales and a bear near his window

Tomasz Wawrzyniak, a researcher at the Institute of Geophysics who has been linked to the Polish Polar Station Hornsund on Spitsbergen since 2008, described life at the station on the radio programme Polak potrafi, Radio dla Ciebie reported on 14 November.

Snowstorms and winds that sometimes exceed 170 km/h are among the challenges. In strong wind walking on ice is almost impossible, and he has had to crawl back on all fours from the station's weather garden, 60 m away.

He also described a bear 5 to 7 m from him when he opened his window. It ran off when he shouted in fright.

Wawrzyniak said the average annual temperature at the station was about −6 °C in the 80s and is now close to 0 °C. Thaws are becoming more frequent.

Candidates undergo medical examinations and specialist training, including shooting training as protection against wild animals. The station is looking for nine people for the year-round group, Radio dla Ciebie wrote. The institute's call is for its 50th polar expedition, in the 2027/2028 season, according to its Hornsund news page.

Coverage: Radio dla Ciebie