Top of the World

Nordkapp, the Norwegianized wording for the North Cape, is billed as the most northern point on the European continent. At 71 degrees and 10 minutes in latitude we are some three-hundred miles above the Arctic Circle.

For reference:

  • Boston, Massachusetts is at 42.3 degrees latitude
  • Scottsdale, Arizona  is at 33.4 degrees latitude 

The Nordkapp plateau has been a popular landmark and tourist attraction since the middle ages. The cape consists of a 307-metre-high cliff (1,007 ft) with a large flat plateau on top where visitors, weather permitting, can watch the midnight sun and have views of the Barents Sea to the north.

Little did I realize that the end of the world is challenge that many take as a trip of a lifetime. Several royals, such as Oscar II of Sweden and Norway, and Keiser Wilhelm II of Germany had made the trek to the top of the cape.

Another popular alternative is cycling from other parts of Europe to reach the Northern Cape. This is a celebrated challenge by all who are able to accomplish it. We were witnesses to one such accomplishment. ( There is even the Nordkapp 4000 – an unsupported ultra-cycling adventure of 4000 kilometers across 7 countries in Europe. )

Celebrating the achievement

I had the option to hike up to NorthKapp, but the top was shrouded in clouds. What’s the point of a hike if there is no view? Instead, my  trip was via ship, zodiac and bus. It was not glamorous or exciting, but by the time we arrived, the sun had broken through the clouds and we could see the top of the world.

The Top of the World – noted by it’s cliff and globe sculpture.

A little bit of arctic flora on the edge – Barrent’s Sea in the background

On this high, we returned to our ship to continue our journey north. This time to the end of the world.

The End of the World

Beyond the northern most point in Svalbard, we headed towards  the north pole as far as we could go into the ice. Beyond 80 degrees in latitude, it really did feel like the end of the world. In fact, looking north, the curvature of the earth disappeared and the world appeared flat.

Pack ice extends to the North Pole

Kathryn and Jeff Dannay – iPhone shot taken by fellow cruiser

The horizon appears flat

Later, as I researched this phenomenon, I learned the truth. The world  flattens out at the poles and bulges at the equator.

Whoever said the world was flat, must have traveled to the north pole.