We wanted to have our new experimental plots at 1000 meter above sea level, an easy decision on paper that however resulted in a lot of climbing in real life.

We had to get up, up and up, higher and higher, slowly approaching this magical elevation. Luckily, this extra physical input resulted in in new and unexplored landscapes and views.

The variation in landscapes and environments in the north is truly stunning. Over a distance of only a few kilometers, we passed snowfields, boulder areas, green meadows and large rivers to cross. Over every bump, the view changed completely.

All the hikes were luckily worth the effort, and in the end the seeds were all succesfully planted 1 kilometer above sea level. Now it is a thrilling wait to see their performance under the midnight sun.

All the long hikes could be used to explore the tundra landscape and its breeding birds. Skua’s, golden plovers, meadow pipits and all kinds of gulls use the open area above the treeline to lay their eggs.