exploring the delta and ice

We landed on the outwash in front of Kongsvegen to do a bit more exploration by foot. Kongsvegen (a surge type glacier which is presently in its quiescent phase) has retreated significantly in the last four years, opening up new "ground" that has yet to be studied. The area is still covered by ice below the melting-out sediment layer (ice cored moraines, etc.) from the retreat. The melting ice makes the ground rather squishy--that mixed with the muddy channels means a perfect location to test the limits of a pair of Muck Boots. 

We also walked up a bit of elf ice to get onto the toe of Kongsvegen glacier and see some spectacular supraglacial streams that flow off the glacier as a waterfall.  

Kongsvegen terminus

supraglacial stream

sediment pinnacle