Yokel wrote:

On 11/03/2013 15:30, Norman wrote:
Dave Cornwell wrote:

Norman wrote:
If snow was a tradable commodity Norway would be a very rich country
indeed. ----------------------------------
....... and Will a very poor man :-)
Did you go to Gerainger Fjord on the way to Trondheim? That was stunning
although I imagine they all are! I'm off to Iceland for 4 days on Sunday
so hoping for some clear nights although I am sure it will be
interesting. Dave
The ships only go into Gerainger in the summer. I assume that's because of
ice in the winter, though I don't know for sure. For the last mile or so
into Kirkenes we sailed through thin sea ice.

...


When I last visited Geiranger, the local guide told us there were two reasons
for this.

1) Avalanche danger! The fjord is very narrow and the slopes above it
rise to 4000' in places. A substantial avalanche off one of these slopes
would go right across the fjord, taking out any ships in its path.

2) Air pollution. Even in summer when the air tends to be more mixed, it
is common on quieter days to see decks of smoke from the cruise ship engines
lying at various levels above the fjord near Geiranger itself. A prolonged
anticyclonic spell in winter with cold air trapped in the fjord could produce
quite an air pollution episode.


Those sound like very good reasons for not calling there in winter. Much more
likely than my guess about ice.



--
Norman Lynagh
Tideswell, Derbyshire
303m a.s.l.