The valley above Longyearbyen is dominated by Sarkofagen, a high pointed mountain with coal mine #4 is at its base, and the Larsbreen and Longyearbreen glaciers cutting deep valleys on either side. Aisha and I hiked to the summit with a guide (which is mandatory anywhere outside of Longyearbyen unless you are registered and carry firearms for polar bear protection) and his Greenland dog. Many of the guide services use dogs to give early warning against polar bears. The day was cloudy and threatening to rain, which is the weather we experienced most often in Spitsbergen.
