When we started on Monday our plan looked totally different to the tour we actually did. Except for one person it was the same group constellation as on our road trip to the Lofoten this easter. Considering Tuckman’s theory of group development the dynamic of our group would change adding a new member. However the group dynamics did not really differ from the before mentioned trip. We still had insiders and jokes which occur to appear in the norming or performing phase of groups. Hence our forming and storming happened rather fast.
Day trip: Gygrestolen
After our first day trip we found a nice camp site close to a school in Kongsberg. We were lucky and met an old mountaineer on the next morning. He told us to hike inmore beautiful area then the one we were considering before. Spontaneously we changed plans and went for a small tour in an amazing valley with waterfalls and cliffs. It felt more like a holiday than ever before when we were sitting on the rocks enjoying the sun and nearly floating down a waterfall. Although the latter was rather scary.
One's own pace.
In the evening we took of to walk to Eriksbu, a DNT hut 6 km from the street. At this time forming was done and storming began. There are some indifferences about leading going on because one of our members always ended up in the front somehow. He felt being in charge all the time so that he wanted someone else in front. However it was challenging to keep up with the guys anyways and in the end everyone chose its own pace.
On the next “morning” we did some walking around, had a nice break and were about to walk back when our new member suggest to reach the top of Åklinuten. This is when he actually took over the leadership for a bit and got our group to transform and perform. Transformational leaders are able to motivate their followers to perform better. Thus we walked up the mountain in the end of our tour despite the snow, time and effort. We had a breath taking view over the area moreover we saw the mountains of Hardangervidda and some reindeer.
On the top!
In the evening we reached the parking lot and put up our tents on the side of a waterfall with the luxurious view over the area. I would consider it one of the best camp sites ever.
Last evening: camp site and fire lighting
On this trip I learned a lot more about light weight packing. We had serious discussions about different topics which is something I missed before. Additionally I learned more about what a group is capable of and in teamwork I started a fire twice.