About

When the snow has settled and the sun is slowly returning after a dark winter, Dærten sneaks up as one of the most popular cabins. Put on your skis or pack you snowmobile and head over Skaret, for an unforgettable cabin trip.

The modern history of this cabin began in 1979 when electrician Sigmund S. Brandal bought an old worker barracks from the welfare. The barracks was originally situated on Kvadehuken before it was pulled back to Ny-Ålesund. Here it was rebuilt. During the work, a heavy storm flipped the cabin on it’s side, but it survived without bigger trauma. Sigmund himself carved out the glass windows. Rumors has it that a significant amount of glass where used for this process.

Moving the cabin to it’s new location in Engelskbukta was a hazardous project. The plan was to use a raft and tow it around Brøgger with a boat. On the first attempt the raft almost tipped over. However, Sigmund would not let this happen so he jumped in the water, pulled the raft back to shore and prevented the disaster.

Friday 12th of September 1980 the rafts where ready, with the cabin safely strapped on top. Almost 6 hours later they arrived in Engelskbukta. After a short night of sleep Sigmund and his crew managed to pull the cabin on land. The name ‘Dærten’ allegedly comes from Gry Sneltvedt pointing at it and calling it Dærten. Neat.