What: Mountain to Fjord Cycle & Canoe Trip
When: May 7th-May 10th, 2018
Where: Byglandsfjord
It’s hard to pick favorite weeks in this course because they all are beyond amazing but if I HAD to this would definitely be up there in the top five. Incredible week, incredible company. (Even if we are directionally challenged) It all started Monday morning catching a bus to Byglandsfjord where we would then start our 2 day canoe trip. Our class was split up so there were only 11 of us for this week which was a good size. Some of our group had never been canoeing so we just did a quick overview of general canoeing and safety tips. We then had lunch along the beach. There were 2 people to a canoe and we each had our 60+ liter bags in there with us. The ride started around 2:30 in Byglandsfjord and worked its way down to Storoyi (which essentially means Big Island in Norwegian). We did an extremely relaxing ride which was amazing as we lucked out with PERFECT weather all week. After about 12k we arrived on the island around 5pm. We all were extremely sunburnt after not seeing sun or hot weather for 4 months. (Regardless of lathering layers of sunscreen on before) We scoped out the beautiful island for places to either bivvy or set up our hammocks. There were heaps of giant ants on every tree but eventually we found one that would do and set up camp. Normally hammock bunk with a friend Incase we need to quickly throw up a tarp if it rains. We then made a nice fire on the rocks next to the water, had dinner and played some games on the island.
What and when we did things this week was ultimately up to us so the following day we decided to to have a later start and not head out on the canoes until around 10am. We noticed the days were getting longer and longer which is so amazing to experience. The only thing on our agenda this day was to go white water rafting at 4pm so we just had to canoe into Evje before then. I got up pretty late but had enough time to relax, have tea and good breakfast before packing up camp and loading the canoes. Robbie was my canoe partner and I’d say we made a pretty great team. We each took turns navigating to differnt islands along the river. We had about 15k to go this day and we REALLY too our time. The weather was just way to go to not take advantage of it. About halfway in we stopped for lunch a pebble filled beach where we met a dog and named her Lucy. After the lunch break we were back in the canoes heading for Evje. We messed around tying canoes together and paddling down the river. It felt like so long since I’ve done any water activities and i was definitely in my happy place on the river, soaking up the sun in shorts and a tank top in 20 degree celcius (68F) weather. We arrived at our next stop in Evje around 3:30pm giving us a short time for a snack and quickly changing into wet suits before hitting the rough and freezing white water. I went white water rafting in Costa Rica 2 years ago and it was definitely a different experience doing so in freezing cold water. At the end we jumped off a cliff which almost took my breath away from the cold shock of water. We all treated ourselves to hot showers afterwards. We stayed in TrollActiv for the evening and were able to use there kitchen where we made a delicious and filling dinner. Sam and I opted to sleep in a 2 person cabin which felt like luxury. We were all pretty tired from the long day so after a bit i headed to bed.
We were up and packed by 8:30 am on Wednesday as we had to prepare our bikes and day packs for the 26k bike ride we were doing. I don’t know the last time i cycled but it was such a nice ride in the best weather. About 5 or 10k we stopped at a cute bakery our professor had suggested we try. We got coffees, cakes and just enjoyed eachothers company until heading off to finish the ride. We got to our next destination around 12:30 that afternoon. The plan was to practice new climbing techniques on some crags by the water all day. It was a long day full of loads of new information but again, the sun was warm and shining down on us so we didn’t mind. I snuck away in the middle of it to explore the side of the cliff finding myself at an edge overlooking the water. By 7pm the climbing instructors headed out and we were all pretty hangry at this point. Again, we did another group dinner leaving us all fully satisfied. Again we set up hammocking spots and this time did a 3 tier hammock set up which was pretty cool. It wasn’t fully dark until around 11pm and i woke up to sun at 4am. I wasn’t mad. I feel beyond lucky to be where i am and having all these amazing opportunities. I fell back asleep knowing i could catch a few more hours of shut eye before we were off again.
We set off on the bikes around 9am the following day. We knew we had about 46+ kilometers to cover and a storm was supposed to be coming around 3pm so we wanted to get back into Kristiansand before then. The beginning part of the ride was yet again beyond beautiful. About (what we thought) was half way through the wind had picked up and the ride became a little tougher as there was more hills on gravel road. We stopped in Vennesla about 35K in and had lunch in the city center. We looked up and out of nowhere the clouds and dark skies started rolling in. We finished up with lunch and jumped on the bikes. Five minutes in and it started downpouring on us. Eventually we took the wrong path and were on a steep ascent up the outskirts of Kristiansand in the middle of a rain storm. Between the bottom of the hill to the top, 2 peoples bikes chains had busted off, one bike couldn’t go uphills and another person took the bus home. What started off as 11 people was now down to 8. We caught a fellow biker as we were on the trail and he gave us directions to get back to Kristiansand. Finally the 2k of uphill, wet gravel, and burning thighs was all worth it for the steep downhill. I had no suspension on my bike so halfway down almost lost control and had a accident, thankfully caught myself mid hill ad continued on. And after 55k, 5 hours and a feeling like a wet dog, i was showered, dry and laying in my bed after what felt like weeks of being away. I thought I’d be happy to be back after a busy week but honestly I’m just ready for my next adventure! I’ve also come to the conclusion that i sleep 10x better in a hammock in the middle of an island or forest then i ever have in a bed.
