Days 5-8 - Røyrvik to Hatfjelldal
“If it looks like a hut it is probably a rock. If it looks like a reindeer, it is also probably a rock.”
Day 2 to 4 - Kvelia Bua to Røyvik
We have had a really easy time of it these last few days. There are however constant reminders of what is to come.
Once more unto the breach dear friends…
Well, maybe not as dramatic as the words spoken by Henry in Shakespeare’s Henry V, but it’s a big moment for us.
Final days of training -Ustaoset
There was a Zen like simplicity to the all encompassing white…
Trial run - Part 2 - Big news
Have we passed our own test? Can we ski well enough in most conditions? Does the pulk work? Are we fast enough? Are our rucksacks light enough? The answer is…
Trial run - Part 1
It all began shortly after sunrise on Monday morning when David, Trond and I set off from the cabin carrying everything our new team of 3 would use should the journey north continue.
Squeaky snow
Squeaky snow. Always a good sign I think. I love squeaky snow. Do you want to know the science behind when it squeaks and why? Well…
Hair today…
I have my daily chat with the inimitable Mrs P. The counselling sessions have ended (she’s too expensive), so what to talk about?
No plan survives first contact with the enemy.
I don’t think either David or I gave much thought as to what we would do beyond telling Trond what happened.
Day 11 - Tjonndalen to the road
The theory is that we will ski the 7.5 km to the road, then strap our skis to our bags and walk 14 km to the nearest place north with a place to stay at Rysstad. This wasn’t to be the case.
Day 10 - Gaukhei to Tjonndalen
New wax on skis and new skins. Much easier, but still hard work. Don’t notice the rucksack weight so much as I am concentrating on skiing. Maybe I am getting used to it?
Day 9 - Pytten barn to Gaukhei
…when it shone it transformed our bleak, grey black and white world into a whole different place. A magical landscape filled with light and colour.
Day 8 - Ljosland to Pytten barn
Faced with a wide open stretch between two lakes we decided our best option to get past was on the left hand bank. It really wasn’t!
Day 8 - Pushing on
A very brief note to say that we have decided to push on today despite the weather.
Day 7 - Bugger!
Having packed our bags very carefully last night in readiness for an early start today I woke at 6am. Raring to go.
Day 4 - Marnardal to…
We foolishly weighed our rucksacks at Ewen’s place. Mine is the heaviest (I am not happy about this) at 13.5kg. It feels a LOT heavier.
Day 2 - Vigeland to Marnardal
It had snowed in the night, then rained, then froze. The roads and pavements were like one big skating rink.
Day 1 - Lindesnes Fyr to Vigeland
The first 4 days of this trip are by road. As you can see, there is no snow and the summer route over the hills this one big big/marsh. So, 27km on tarmac it is.
Packing 200kg of re supplies is not exciting
Fortunately it seems that a modicum of linguistic capability is not a requirement for a short term Norwegian residents permit.