A Swedish native who lives near the North Pole has shared the details of how she and her boyfriend prepared for the long, harsh winter in one the most remote areas on the planet.
Six years ago, Cecilia Blomdahl, 31, moved to Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago just south of the North Pole. It is located so far north that it experiences night-time darkness from late October to early April, a phenomenon called the polar night.
‘We only have a few more days until the polar night and that feels crazy, but it’s the truth,’ she said in the latest video on her YouTube channel, noting it was a bitter 10 degrees Fahrenheit outside that morning.
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Candid: Cecilia Blomdahl is a native of Sweden, aged 31. She lives in Svalbard (a Norwegian archipelago located just south the North Pole) and documents her life in Arctic.
Say goodbye to sunsets: The location is so far north it experiences round-the-clock darkness from late October to early March, a phenomenon known as the polar night
She said, “It’s a bit chilly, but, of course it’s going to be so beautiful,” while outside with Grim, a Finnish Lapphund named Grim.
Blomdahl shared a cabin in Svalbard with her boyfriend. However, they spent the summer enjoying beautiful views from their boat.
The couple visited Pyramiden, the abandoned Soviet ghost town, and she took a few ‘refreshing’ dips in the Arctic Ocean — which was a chilly 36 degrees Fahrenheit at the time.
She stated that they spent many nights anchoring in front of massive glacier fronts and shared the space with some Arctic’s many inhabitants. With breathtaking views in the background, countless cups of coffee were enjoyed.
“But I don’t feel sad because this time of the year is over. I feel content. She said that she was ready for the darkness and all its beauty. “I’m ready for a well-needed break from the incredible scenery that we see here.
Behind the scenes: The social media star revealed how she and her boyfriend prepare in their latest YouTube video.
Travels: The couple spent the summer on their boat and visited Pyramiden, the abandoned Soviet ghost town
Summer fun: Blomdahl also took several’refreshing’ dips in Arctic Ocean. It was a cold 36.2 degrees Fahrenheit that day
“It just puts me on overload. But, the end is the beginning for something new, and that’s why I’m so excited.
As part of their winter preparations, Blomdahl and her boyfriend had to take their boat out of the water and park it on land at the marina.
She said, “One thing I love about Svalbard” is the diversity of the seasons. After four long months of incredible boating experiences and midnight sun, we are ready to dock our boat for winter and start a new exciting season.
The video included stunning views of Svalbard as Blomdahl and her boyfriend drove down to the marina where their boat was docked
She explained, pointing out the row of boats that line the shore, “This is where everyone puts their boats outside on their trailers as this, and they will stay here all winter,”
Lineup: Blomdahl was forced to get her boat out of the water with her boyfriend as part of winter preparations. She had to park it at the marina.
Blomdahl captured her boyfriend climbing onto their boat using a ladder.
“So now we need all the stuff out of our boats like the duvets. There is food and other items that we have during the season.
Blomdahl recorded her boyfriend climbing onto their boat using a ladder. She later admitted that she was not going to do it.
Her boyfriend took out their towels, duvet covers, and other items that were needed for the season and packed them into their car.
They pay $500 USD per year to have their boat in the marina, and it is free to park on the ground. The only heated garage in the area is used for boats that need to be fixed. It only accommodates four to eight vessels.
She explained that while this is not the best area to have a winter boat, it is the only one we have.
Teamwork: The boyfriend gave the items to her to remove and she carried them into their vehicle.
Blomdahl claimed that they would wash everything that day and get rid of it.
Additional steps: Her boyfriend explained that they had also to flush the engine with ethylene glycol in order to prevent it freezing.
The couple also had to winterize the boat’s water systems and engine by flushing them with ethylene glycol, a synthetic liquid substance that absorbs water and is used to make antifreeze.
Her boyfriend said to her, “If you don’t do it, then the pipes will freeze…it’s not going to work.” Then, you must take care to the toilet. That one, you can put some glycol in. Take out all the water.
They went to wash their towels and duvet covers from the boat at the end of the video.
The day before Blomdahl uploaded the YouTube video, she documented Svalbard’s last sunset of the year on TikTok, where she has 1.3 million followers.
“It’s official! This is the last sunset for the year,’ she said as she filmed the pink sky. “Today, the sun rose at 12.26 p.m., and then it set at 12.54 p.m. So, the polar night officially started.
Stunning: The day before Blomdahl uploaded the YouTube video, she documented Svalbard’s last sunset of the year on TikTok, where she has 1.3 million followers
Wow: ‘The next time we will see the sun is in March,’ she shared. “Towards November’s middle, every day will be pitch-black 24/7”
Thrilled: Blomdahl said she is looking forward to the nonstop darkness while sharing her appreciation for the winter season
She added, “The next time the sun will shine on us is in March.” “Towards the middle November, every day is pitch black 24/7.
While nonstop darkness would be a nightmare for most people, Blomdahl said she is looking forward to wearing her winter gear, seeing the aurora borealis, and spending cozy days in her cabin.
“Whose excited?” “Me!” She said, “Me!
The TikTok is one of her most-viewed videos, with over 6.1 million views in a matter of days.
Blomdahl has become a bonafide TikTok star thanks to the popularity of her educational videos about her life in Svalbard.
In 2020, footage of her walking in the dark during the afternoon went viral. It has been viewed 8.9 million times.