The Meander boat in Arctic waters. Photo from Polar Expedition Status Quo 23. February 2026 page 18.

2026 Polar Expedition Following Salomon Andrée’s Path

SKIP TO MOST RECENT UPDATE

live tracking map

From June 11 through 24 our staff here at the Balloon Museum will be using the Polar Steps app to follow the journey of our Polar Expedition partners. Any updates we receive will be added to the travel log below. The Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum (Balloon Museum,) along with the Balloon Museum Foundation, Kubicek Balloons, Holly Balloons, Fub, Molly and Greg Winker,  Avilu Certified Flight School, Gruppo Aerostatico Ticino, and Aero Club Lugano are official sponsors of the 2026 Polar Expedition Following Salomon Andrée’s Path.

This Polar Expedition team of twelve will be flying the hot air balloon HB-BAS over the Arctic. During this treacherous journey the team will face freezing temperatures creating the risk of frostbite and malnutrition. Traveling through the Arctic they also run the risk of experiencing snow blindness; having encounters with polar bears; and needing to navigate water-based landings. In order to prepare for this excursion, and to obtain the proper clearances required, the team has to complete rigorous training regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway (CAA). 

Some of the topics covered in the training included: 

• managing sleep in a geographic location and time of year where and when the sun never sets;
• survival tactics to utilize if trapped in an avalanche;
• launching from a boat;
• landing in deep snow and Arctic water;
• constructing an emergency shelter;
• caring for injuries without access to a hospital;
• thermoregulation: consuming double the calorie requirement due to the cold;
• and more.

Throughout this excursion, the Polar Expedition team will be capturing video footage which will culminate into a documentary. This debut of this documentary will be featured in the Balloon Museum's Anderson Theater.

"The film [will] document an extraordinary expedition: a balloon flight dedicated to high-precision isotope measurement. It [intends to] weave together modern science with the historic legacy of polar exploration, echoing the voyages of Salomon Andrée and the Amundsen-Nobile flights to the North Pole. Exactly 100 years later, we are the first to plan balloon launches from both historic sites—Danskøya and Ny-Ålesund. The narrative thread of the film is the impact of climate change, centered around the research conducted by Mario Meier and Alex Weitnauer." —Excerpt from Polar Expedition Status Quo 23.

Come visit the Balloon Museum and explore the Arctic Air: The Bold Flight of S.A. Andrée exhibit to learn about his journey to the North Pole 130 years ago.

Research Project

Real-time Measurements of Water Vapor Isotopes in the Arctic Atmosphere

"Isotope measurements involve measuring the weight of the oxygen/vapor mixture in the air. This project is a follow-up to the air measurements from 2010 on Kilimanjaro, in which part of the team participated. These specific measurements have never been performed before. The project is being led by EMPA. EMPA is collaborating on this project with the Alfred Wegener Institute in Bremerhaven." —Excerpt from Polar Expedition—Hot Air Ballooning with the SV Meander in Svalbard, June 2026. 

"While strict nature conservation rules limit most travel to Svalbard, our role as a research expedition opens doors that stay closed to regular tourism. We get to experience places that are off-limits to the general public. We’re not just there for the data though—we want to capture the magic of this untouched landscape in stunning footage and share the story of the Arctic’s fragile beauty."—Excerpt from Polar Expedition Status Quo 23. February 2026 page 17.

Map A provides an overview of the Svalbard region where the expedition will take place. Map B highlights areas where they anticipate launching.  Images from Polar Expedition Status Quo 23. February 2026 pages 6 and 7.

Pre-Expedition Training

The Meander

"With the CAA training complete, travel permits in-hand, and survival gear packed the Polar Expedition team is ready to retrace the historic path of Salomon Andrée and also forge their own. This journey begins on their boat, the Meander. "The Meander was built in 1946 at a German shipyard in Hamburg. This shipyard in Finkenwerder was known at the time for building strong ships and constructed the Meander with an ice strengthened hull. This means that the Meander can operate without problems in the Arctic. The traditional rigging and the robust hull make this two-masted staysail schooner a particularly seaworthy sailing vessel. Due to its hull shape and length, the Meander moves smoothly in waves. Thanks to the easy handling of the sails and the good sailing characteristics, even people without sailing experience can actively participate in sailing."—Excerpt from Polar Expedition Status Quo 23. February 2026 page 4.

The Meander boat in Arctic waters. Photo from Polar Expedition Status Quo 23. February 2026 page 10.

Live Tracking

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Travel Log (Stay Tuned)

Expedition Updates:

As this monumental journey continues to unfold beginning June 11th through 24th. Our team here at the Balloon Museum will also be adding any updates we receive directly from the Polar Expedition team and those updates will be added to this travel log on this page.

June 11, 2026 (Update Received) Kloten, Switzerland

Photo courtesy of Polar Expedition Team.

"It’s finally happening! After months of planning and preparation, we are setting off on our adventure today. On behalf of scientific research, we are embarking on a hot air balloon expedition to Svalbard. The anticipation for the coming days is immense—yet the uncertainty about what lies ahead is even greater. Will everything go according to plan? Will the Arctic weather be on our side? But as Alexander von Humboldt once said: 'You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.' '

'And of course, ventures like this are only possible when many people pull together. That’s why we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors who make this adventure possible—without your support, we wouldn’t be able to set off today."—Polar Expedition Team

June 11, 2026 (Update Received) Ullensaker, Norway

June 12, 2026 (Update Received) Longyearbyen, Norway

'Today, further preparations are underway. Among other things, a test run of the laser spectrometer is on the agenda. After that, we will know whether the sensitive measuring instrument has withstood the transport well."—Polar Expedition Team

Photo courtesy of Polar Expedition Team.

June 15, 2026 (Update Received) Pyramiden, Norway

Photo courtesy of Polar Expedition Team.

June 17 and 18, 2026 (Update Received) Near Ny Alesund, Norway

Photo courtesy of Polar Expedition Team.

"On expeditions, success and failure are often very close to one another. After Pyramiden had brought us little luck, we planned a new attempt in the area around the polar research station of Ny-Ålesund. We reached it after a calm journey early in the morning of June 16, where a humpback whale and an Arctic fox welcomed the SV Meander. Unfortunately, most participants were still in bed at that early hour.'

'As the weather was not yet suitable for ballooning after breakfast, we used the morning to explore Ny-Ålesund. There was even enough time for a walk to the mooring mast of the airship Norge, which set off for the North Pole 100 years ago under the leadership of Umberto Nobile. To conclude our short tour, we were even able to launch a balloon—unfortubately “only” a weather balloon.'

'In the afternoon, the entire crew was put on alert—the weather data looked promising. Our ship set sail again with the goal of reaching a sheltered spot in the fjord near the Blomstrand Glacier. On the way there, things suddenly became hectic—a polar bear was spotted. It was hunting a reindeer, although it rather seemed as if the reindeer was playing with the bear.'

'Shortly after 3:00 pm, we arrived at our destination, and it quickly became clear that a balloon flight might actually be possible that day. From then on, everything happened rapidly: the equipment was transported to the shore by zodiacs, and the balloon and scientific instruments were prepared for launch.'

'At 6:05 pm, the balloon lifted off with pilot Astrid Gerhardt, guide Rolf Stange, and doctoral student Alex Weitnauer. The scenery was breathtaking. Surrounded by a backdrop of sea, mountains, and glaciers, the rainbow-colored balloon floated through the sky—a truly unique sight.'

'The conditions were so good that, after an intermediate landing, a second launch was even possible, allowing another expedition member, Urs Schadegg, to enjoy a balloon flight as well.'

'What a day! It will remain in our memories for a long time."—Polar Expedition Team

Photo courtesy of Polar Expedition Team.

"Flight #1 is in the books. 5 1/2 hour flight over the glaciers near the scientific station of Ny Alesund. Drone photo from yesterday’s flight."—Greg Winker (Winker Balloons) and Polar Expedition Team

Photo courtesy of Polar Expedition Team.

June 20, 2026 (Update Received) Ny Alesund, Norway

June 21, 2026 (Update Received) St. Jonsfjord, Norway

Photo courtesy of Polar Expedition Team.

'On Thursday evening, June 17, we anchor in the cloud-covered St. Jonsfjord. The several-hour journey there took us straight through a bad weather front with rain and snow—what a contrast to the heatwave over Central Europe. '

'On Friday morning, the weather remains unchanged. We rely on the forecast and prepare everything for another launch attempt.'

'The forecast proves accurate: precipitation and wind decrease, and soon conditions are favorable for takeoff. Now everything runs like clockwork. The equipment is brought ashore, and the balloon is set up. Only the nearby glacier gives us some concern—a large break-off of ice could mean we’d have to evacuate the launch site. Fortunately, the glacier spares us.'

'At 15:55, the time has come. The balloon HB-BAS lifts off with pilot Astrid Gerhardt, Rolf Stange, and Greg Winker, painting a rainbow with its colors across the gray sky. Skillfully, Astrid maneuvers the balloon through the fjord into a small sheltered bay—perfect for landing. Simply sensational!'

'And it gets even better. Not even 24 hours later, the fjord and its many glaciers shine in brilliant sunshine, and the wind conditions are still in our favor. By now, the procedures are almost automatic, and soon the balloon is once again ready at the previous day’s launch site. At 11:15, it takes off again—this time with the crew Astrid Gerhardt, Rolf Stange, and Jykke Bewader.'

'The journey leads out over the fjord, where the balloon encounters the SV Meander. The balloon approaches the anchored ship so closely that a burst from the burner startles the cook. No harm done—the meal that follows is still excellent.'

'The wind does not allow for a landing on land, so after nearly two hours, the balloon touches down on the water. Over the radio, we hear that there is still one gas cylinder left—enough to tow the balloon ashore with the Zodiac. However, the wind must not pick up. After a brief moment of tension, all is clear: the towing maneuver succeeds, and the balloon reaches the safety of the shore.'

'The fourth flight is a complete success, and we can hardly believe it—even the most optimistic among us had thought that at most two flights would be possible. In the end, luck with the weather was on our side, but the entire expedition team and the crew of the SV Meander also did outstanding work throughout the week.'

'Overjoyed, we leave St. Jonsfjord and begin our final leg aboard the SV Meander, heading back to Longyearbyen."—Polar Expedition Team

Photo courtesy of Polar Expedition Team.

Photo courtesy of Polar Expedition Team.

June 23, 2026 (Update Received) Longyearbyen, Norway

Photo courtesy of Polar Expedition Team.

June 24, 2026 (Update Received) Kloten, Switzerland

Note: This photo was taken on June 23, at a local restaurant in Longyearbyen, Norway. Photo courtesy of Polar Expedition Team.

"We successfully completed the final leg of our adventure. From the aircraft, we were treated to one last spectacular view of Svalbard. It is only from this bird’s-eye perspective that one truly realizes how untouched this part of the world is and how extensively the glaciers cover the archipelago. Given the already clearly visible retreat of the glaciers, one cannot help but wonder how much longer this will remain the case.'

'Late in the evening, we arrive in Oslo, and after a short night—just enough time for a few hours of sleep—our flight to Zurich departs early the next morning, bringing an unforgettable adventure to a close.'

'An adventure that would only have been possible because so many people did an outstanding job and believed in us. We would therefore like to take this opportunity to once again express our heartfelt thanks to our supporters and sponsors, the authorities of Norway and Svalbard, the Norwegian Polar Institute in Ny-Ålesund, the meteorologists, the guides, and especially the crew of the SV Meander."—Polar Expedition Team

Bird's eye view of View of Svalbard. Photo courtesy of Polar Expedition Team.

The Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum (Balloon Museum,) along with the Balloon Museum Foundation, Kubicek Balloons, Holly Balloons, Fub, Molly and Greg Winker,  Avilu Certified Flight School, Gruppo Aerostatico Ticino, and Aero Club Lugano are official sponsors of the 2026 Polar Expedition Following Salomon Andrée’s Path.

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