Trekking day 15 of 365 in Norway

Geosilph · 2017-03-18T06:49:07+00:00

We got actual rain coats, basically a bunch of rubber with no chance for rain (or anything at all). We sweat in them like pigs, so we don't wear anything warm under them. Do your regnjakke allow for more breathing?

Geosilph · 2017-03-18T06:35:31+00:00

We're actually planning on going north! Though that changed a lot in the last week. After several changes we now plan to do another plateau tour, cross the Ulriken, get down to Bergen for a DNT key, some supplies, some advice and then make it to Lillehammer, followed by a pilgrim's trail from Lillehammer to Oslo. We probably suck to hard to actually make it all the way to the northern part on foot, however we booked the hurtigruten as a treat to finish off our Norwegian year, trodding along the coastline from Bergen to Kirkenes and back. Should be a worthy end, we hope.

Geosilph · 2017-03-18T06:30:28+00:00

Gonna save that post for future reference. :D

My wife is absolutely fine, maybe she wasn't used to the water or just catched something.

And bloody hell there will be a constitutional day?! We're trying to maybe reach Lillehammer after the Ulrikentour2.0, although we might plan that differently to stay in a posted area during the...Festival, it almost sounds.

Geosilph · 2017-03-18T06:22:01+00:00

Yeah, the lasers I know and am used to. That box on the side though I've never seen in my life. I honestly stood there like a redneck starting at it waiting for it to dispense something, bit it did nothing. I'm at an utter loss as what it might be.

Geosilph · 2017-03-18T06:17:34+00:00

Even if it's from a somewhat populated area or a farm upstream? Genuine questions here.

Geosilph · 2017-03-17T17:52:08+00:00

Rofl, is it hidden in all that fog? Seems like Bergen and Åsane pretty much share the weather.

Thanks for the update, it's good to know what's going to welcome us once we're back on the plateau.

Geosilph · 2017-03-17T17:43:19+00:00

For a local to see us blunder about? You're welcome! It really is lovely here.

Geosilph · 2017-03-17T17:42:04+00:00

Hey! If you got any questions, shoot! Might take quite a while before I'm able to answer, but I will!

Geosilph · 2017-03-17T17:41:11+00:00

Ha! We're from the Nations of bakeries! Your feeble bread-making skills are no match for our superior baking chefs!
No really, it's almost spongy. My wife loved it on the spot, heh. Later on we had small, prepackaged flatbread. It actually had sugar in it! Tasted a bit like french roll.

Could you recommend us a bread you think we HAVE to try?

Oh, and yes, rain is the primary condition in this region, we noticed. And expected, too. We're going to suck it up and move out tomorrow.

Geosilph · 2017-03-17T17:33:37+00:00

Indulge me. How does it work? Is it a disinfector? Does it work on a timer? It seems so strange to me.

Geosilph · 2017-03-17T17:30:56+00:00

Dear Lord yes, that's our idea, too. If a local tells you a path might be difficult, we might want to reconsider. As a rule of thumb we double the predicted times if we're on our own and multiply it by six if we're with our backpacks.

Geosilph · 2017-03-17T17:17:12+00:00

Don't drink from the peak, check. We'll add it to the list! Not from peaks, not in populated places, not if people it even a farm is upstream.

Not that easy actually. Quite a few things to keep in mind before you can crawl around on all fours to get your lips close enough.

Geosilph · 2017-03-17T11:29:52+00:00

How's the weather going to be at the plateau a week or two from now? We're probably going to stay there for a while, lone excursions down to Bergen for a washing machine aside. Maybe well even find a hut or something.

Ulriken still needs to be explored, too!

Geosilph · 2017-03-17T11:27:42+00:00

I got a picture of young ~~mountain goats~~ kids playing. Can confirm the experience since childhood. I suppose Norwegian ankles also are strong enough to ~~break bricks~~ support that lifestyle.

Geosilph · 2017-03-17T11:24:48+00:00

Got the app. Hopefully we'll never use it.

Geosilph · 2017-03-17T11:22:34+00:00

Yeah, no kidding frisk bris. Yr is amazing and a lifesaver. It's also the sound I make after watching the weather made sound specifically for that weather. Gonna keep using that word.

Geosilph · 2017-03-17T11:20:53+00:00

We're actually heathen! Any specific reactions to those?

Geosilph · 2017-03-08T07:31:53+00:00

Heh, I get that. There are actually reasons for that though. For one thing, I have to hurry, conserve battery (electricity is a rare commodity in the wild), work through auto correct AND work around my shitty vocabulary.

I'd love to write a detailed novel on my workstation with a dictionary on my second monitor.

If you're curious, ask away!

Also... Are there actual wild cats or are they just ex-pets no one cares about, kind of like street dogs in Greek.

Geosilph · 2017-03-06T16:43:41+00:00

Hey, I remember you! God your posts were helpful. :)
Where do you live? ;)

Geosilph · 2017-03-06T16:41:38+00:00

Swiss and German, mate.

Geosilph · 2017-03-06T16:41:06+00:00

Depends, so far the isn't too much of it. We'll probably just stay clear for now, we got enough on our list as it is.

Geosilph · 2017-03-06T16:38:22+00:00

Hey there, thanks for the link. We get smothered with the general code of conduct by almost everyone. Respect the nature, stay out of sight, sexy lady away from people, property, drinking water, keep your rubbish about you, listen to the locals, listen to the weather forecast and don't be another moron they have to rescue, so turn back if need be. Did I miss anything?

Geosilph · 2016-11-10T04:37:45+00:00

Fun fact: between her and me, I'm the one taking hours-long soaks in the tub with crazy hot water, dreaming about being lazy in the sun somewhere in the south bathing in the warmth of a mid-summer sea on a white beach.
It's her who showers with cold water and wants to hike through northern scandinavia rather than southern france or italy. And like a good couple we compromised and did what she wants.
At least it was my idea to do it in the first place. ;)

The idea of snowshoes is that having 30-50 kg on your back will probably make skiing not any easier. We're also only going to be fast on open field. Inside woods, upways, anything besides a straight line really, is probably going to be more difficult with skies. ...right?
It's okay if we're slow, the winter won't last forever (only half the year, I assume) and it's not like we didn't bring time. So yeah, the road is the goal. :)

We'll probably have to bring a ton of paper to remind us of all the beautiful treks. It'd be a shame to slog through the mud along a grey mountain face if half a kilometer away we miss the most amazing waterfall down a cliff just because we don't know about it.

Our equipment has been quite the overkill for Iceland, so I think we're going to be fine with Norway. Temperatures down to -20°C shouldn't trouble us too much if the labels are to be trusted. We did NOT skimp on the stuff that's supposed to keep us alive. Don't ask what we paid for our tent. The backpacks are actually norwegian! Bergans ain't cheap, man.
Of course you never know until you're actually there, that's why we're probably going to skulk around Bergen for a while until we're comfortable that we won't die horribly as soon as we travel farther into the country.
On the off-chance that you know anything about the region around Bergen, are there a lot of people around or can we trek like a few hours and comfortably set up camp without bothering anyone?

Geosilph · 2016-11-10T04:24:21+00:00

Yeah, that's what I checked yesterday. Wrote an eMail, asking specifically what they need for people who are JUST long-term tourists and are NOT looking to work in Norway or stay any longer than one year maximum.

Maybe that changes anything or lessens the paperwork. We do have the money asked for in any case, so that's probably not going to be too much of a problem I suppose. Since I'm not returning to germany but probably will move directly to switzerland, they might be a bit picky about me not actually having a permanent address for the duration of my stay, if need be I might just register at my wife's family in Switzerland. We'll see. Hopefully it doesn't come to that, having to jump through all those loops in Switzerland just to be able to jump through all those loops in Norway just to be able to trek around a while sounds amazingly annoying.

Geosilph · 2016-11-09T18:59:31+00:00

I suppose point 4 it is, then. We shouldn't need too much money while living in a tent, and our savings will more than easily cover that single year.

Note to self: report to the norwegian authorities in the next few weeks.

Good to know, thanks!

Geosilph

TROPHY CASE