HIGH HOPES, WILD MEN AND THE DEVIL’S JAW - Willem Barentsz Kolderstok 1:50

One of the objectives of the expedition was the repair and rebuilding of Het Behouden Huys - Barentsz and his crew's wooden hut in which they overwintered at Nova Zemlaya. In this posting, I focus on that and give you some general views of the island.

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The Devil's Jaw in all it splendour.

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Tented accommodation during the construction of Het Behouden Huys.

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Note Bimbo - the Husky - during her first foray into the snow. Her job? Warn expedition members about the close proximity of polar bears...

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And yes, they are real.

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Dmitry Kravchenko.

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Desolation - above and below

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Inside Het Behouden Huys.

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Moments of silence ...
Hi Heinrich,
It is certainly an unforgiving and desolate place, but great story thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Stephen.
 
For sure Daniel. These men are tough, very tough - no doubt. And even so they were fully aware that their hardiness could never be mentioned in the same breath as that of Barentsz and his men who had to endure with the barest of amenities, no specialized or dedicated winter clothes and without the certainty of ever being rescued. Just this last thought alone is enough to bring the strongest of men to the brink of insanity.
No certainty whats however; inadequate shelter, inadequate clothing, insufficient food, the list is never ending.
Those men were real men, though as nails.
I simply fail to understand how they were able to live through these hardships.
 
No certainty whats however; inadequate shelter, inadequate clothing, insufficient food, the list is never ending.
Those men were real men, though as nails.
I simply fail to understand how they were able to live through these hardships.
I can be a real man too. I once ran out to my mailbox WITHOUT A COAT ON!
 
No certainty whats however; inadequate shelter, inadequate clothing, insufficient food, the list is never ending.
Those men were real men, though as nails.
I simply fail to understand how they were able to live through these hardships.
Indeed Johan! Most of the better script analysts and commentators on De Veer's diaries mention the Christian character of the expedition with regular prayer meetings and scripture readings as well as a strong inherent self-discipline that the men seemingly possessed. Maybe, the answer lies in those facts.
 
Indeed Johan! Most of the better script analysts and commentators on De Veer's diaries mention the Christian character of the expedition with regular prayer meetings and scripture readings as well as a strong inherent self-discipline that the men seemingly possessed. Maybe, the answer lies in those facts.
We'll probably never know, but one thing is for sure, we will be hard pressed to find modern day men being able to endure the hardships Barentsz men encountered back in 1597.
 
Dear Friends

This is off the topic, I know, but please allow me to put on my Bluenose Moderator's hat for a moment. My good friend, @Daniel20 Daniel's Bluenose kit arrived yesterday, and this makes it the ideal opportunity of wishing him well on his future build. At the same time, I also want to mention the Bluenose builds of @Peter Voogt Peter, @RDN1954 Johan, @Canoe21 Lawrence and @Dean62 Dean (the last one already completed) - all of them gents who are also some of the most active followers of my WB build.

If you haven't done so yet, check out their build logs of Bluenose - all are incredible builds and well worth visiting.





 
We'll probably never know, but one thing is for sure, we will be hard pressed to find modern day men being able to endure the hardships Barentsz men encountered back in 1597.
Absolutely. I agree fully.
 
One of the objectives of the expedition was the repair and rebuilding of Het Behouden Huys - Barentsz and his crew's wooden hut in which they overwintered at Nova Zemlaya. In this posting, I focus on that and give you some general views of the island.

View attachment 357595
The Devil's Jaw in all it splendour.

View attachment 357593
View attachment 357588
Tented accommodation during the construction of Het Behouden Huys.

View attachment 357586
View attachment 357587
Note Bimbo - the Husky - during her first foray into the snow. Her job? Warn expedition members about the close proximity of polar bears...

View attachment 357590
And yes, they are real.

View attachment 357583
View attachment 357584
View attachment 357585
View attachment 357591
Dmitry Kravchenko.

View attachment 357594
View attachment 357596
Desolation - above and below

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View attachment 357592
Inside Het Behouden Huys.

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Moments of silence ...
Good morning Heinrich. These are awesome pictures- polar bear included. I think it is a beautiful place…..for a fleeting moment in time. Cheers Grant
 
Good morning Heinrich. These are awesome pictures- polar bear included. I think it is a beautiful place…..for a fleeting moment in time. Cheers Grant
I am with you Grant. In some pictures it is absolutely stunning; in others, harsh and harsher. The fleeting moment is the imperative part.
 
One of the objectives of the expedition was the repair and rebuilding of Het Behouden Huys - Barentsz and his crew's wooden hut in which they overwintered at Nova Zemlaya. In this posting, I focus on that and give you some general views of the island.

View attachment 357595
The Devil's Jaw in all it splendour.

View attachment 357593
View attachment 357588
Tented accommodation during the construction of Het Behouden Huys.

View attachment 357586
View attachment 357587
Note Bimbo - the Husky - during her first foray into the snow. Her job? Warn expedition members about the close proximity of polar bears...

View attachment 357590
And yes, they are real.

View attachment 357583
View attachment 357584
View attachment 357585
View attachment 357591
Dmitry Kravchenko.

View attachment 357594
View attachment 357596
Desolation - above and below

View attachment 357597
View attachment 357592
Inside Het Behouden Huys.

View attachment 357589
Moments of silence ...
Hello Heinrich, Great pictures that show the true harshness of the far north. This is not a place to be if one dose not like the cold. That replica cabin these men built sure dose not look that warm at all and just how these men lived in these conditions is beyond me. Great pictures of the ice burgs and also of the bear. I can see why you are so inspired Willem Barentsz Kolderstok expiation. Thanks for sharing.
Regards Lawrence
 
Hello Heinrich, Great pictures that show the true harshness of the far north. This is not a place to be if one dose not like the cold. That replica cabin these men built sure dose not look that warm at all and just how these men lived in these conditions is beyond me. Great pictures of the ice burgs and also of the bear. I can see why you are so inspired Willem Barentsz Kolderstok expiation. Thanks for sharing.
Regards Lawrence
I am glad that you enjoy the pictures, Lawrence. I agree, my friend, these men were all heroes!
 
Herewith Dear Friends, the last pictures of the Russian expedition to find the remains of the ship of Barentsz in Nova Zembla:

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This concludes all the "official" photographs that were taken during the Nova Zembla expedition, and which were published. The rest of the photographs I have, are of the actual findings and remains of the vessel that were brought to the surface for radiocarbon analysis.

NB: You will notice that there are no photographs of the research during the actual diving part of the expedition, whereas the pictures of the divers merely show them doing their preparations in the rubber ducks prior to diving and afterwards leaving for the mothership - the "Aldan". However, look closely at their faces and body language in the last picture when they are back onboard the "Aldan". Decide for yourself the degree of success of their mission.



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