Since the transport and accomodation of the Winter Mountain Skitouring Field Trip (WMSFT) was organized by uni, it was easy and worked find. We drove to Hovden by bus and stayed in two houses, which had luxurous equipment: even hot water, showers, an oven, heaters and a fireplace (twelve student per house). We split the group when we got there. Beforehand, I decided to take care of my dinners by myself, which in the end came in handy, cause I could swap to the other group and housing to make the groups even. Being in a new group with people, I have not been in a group with before was new and at first uncomfortable and more difficult for me than expected. Instead of having the people around me I felt comfortable with and had made trips with already, I had to get to known new groups of people I barely knew. On top, I was the first time in a group whose leader was not Len, another new experience. But from the second day on, after having some good conversations with some of my housemates, I also felt comfortable in my housegroup and enjoyed the time we spent together. I was surprised how less the two groups mingled after the daytrips, every housegroup stayed more or less by themselves, so we decided to do a fireplace/knitting night all together the second night, which most of us joined. It felt like we all enjoyed migleing together again.

The first two days, we did daytrips, which where especially the second day really nice. The snow was soft and wet when we got to Hovden, no new snow so we used Klister to have grip on the snow, which worked alright. The skiing itself did not go so well at first. After the long skibreak, I needed some time to get back into it and struggeld especially the first day with stopping when going downhil and doing small and big turnes on the run, following a track. That day, the difference between those students, who are experienced in skiing downhill and those who are not was very obvious. In the afternoons/evenings, we had some playtime, which I used for practicing my turnes and stops with the guidance of better studens. Even though I got a bit frustrated, it helped me getting back the control over my skies.  The second day we went on a longer daytrip. There I realised the first time, that I did not need to look on the snow before me anymore but that I could look up and enjoy the nature and views that sourrounded us. It was one of my highlighdays that week, the sun was shining and I felt myself improving in skiing again, we learned building emergencysnowshelters (snowholes), use the prope for the first time and saw rendeers. Regarding skiing, I recognized myself falling more often when I got tired and therefor, could not concentrate so hard anymore. That week I learned that I need a lot of concentration and time to ski without falling, that I have to plan where I would like to go beforehand and if I do not allow that time for myself cause I am out of focus, I fall more easily.

The third day, we left the comfortable houses with our big packs to sleep a night in self-build snowholes. Around lunchtime, we started building those in groups of 6.  The building took longer than expected, but it was  interesting and I learned a lot. While building in the snow for several hours, everything got wet. It was a challenge in the end to keep going, since I barely could feel my hands. All together, the building went smooth. Instead of having a huge plan beforehand, we started and everyone helped where it was needed. In another group, this might have not worked, but all people of our group were mindfull. Especially the powersession (one hour maximal speed working) helped a lot to get the iglu build and progress faster. After a full afternoon of building, our snowhole was ready to move in. The result was good, we could sleep in it comfortably (spacewise) and had a fresh air ventilation hole. The night was therefore comfortable too, it was warm and cozy. First I was concerned about getting wet, since we were not jus sleeping on top of sow, but we were sheltered by snow from all sides. My concernes did not come true and I had a good night of rest. Even though it all worked out fine and I had a fun experiencing sleeping in a snowhole, I realized how much I enjoy sleeping without a tarp or tent, cause it is so free and easy to go in and out, withough bending down and kneeing or crawling. To enter our snowhole, we had to crawl through a tight tunnel, which I struggeled with and got wet every time. So if not needed, I would not sleep again in a snowhole like that.  All together, I am glad I learned how to build these emergency snowholes where we could have lived in for a few days if needed, but i would prefere bringing a tent if that would be an option too. It was a good experience and I was surprised, how well it worked out.

I did not realise how much energy the building cost me till the next morning: Skiing did not go so well then and  the mood of the group had a bigger impact on how I felt, a sign I learned of being a bit off balance.

After the night in the snowholse, we skied up a nearby mountain. Though I felt very tired at first, I enjoyed the trip up (and down) a lot, not just for the views but also to see that I am able to do keep going and push my limits even when I am tired. The strong wind that acommpanied us felt adventurous, but also hurt my eyes. I did not bring sportssunglasses (which cover more than the fancy sunglassen) and felt my eyes burning for 2 days- again, being prepared for the upcoming weather (with strong wind) is the key for a good trip without injuries.

In the end I was pushed out of my comfort zone shortly (due to the unexpected staying out longer and going on a special trip up the mountain), but coming back home afterwards and being able to repack everything and dry things for the afternoontrip was very comforting. In the afternoon, we were all packed again to leave to sleep in emergencyshelters, build out of ropes, tarps and snow. The place our teachers chose for that night was just a short distance from our accomodation. While going there, I felt how tired i was but also liked that we did not have a big rest (just 2/3 hrs). When we got to the forest we would sleep in, we started looking for a good spot and building the shelter. It went smooth, my group worked well together and when we had questions, Len and Tim supported us well, explaining things and helping out where needen. I was happy with our shelter in the end, it was stable and well protected and on top o fit, very spacious, so in the end we could host one more person than expected. After we finished building shelters, we build a firepit with benches and had some food there with a bondfire. I felt less exhausted after the food. The day finished with sitting at the bondfire, listening to personal stories and therefore, getting to know some people of our group better, all together a day I enjoyed the most on that trip, not just because it was nice, but also challenging.

All together, the WMSFT was a good experience to improve my skiing skills, get to know a lot more people of the group and to push my limits being pushed a bit out of my comfort zone. While I have not slept in winterconditions outside before coming to Norway, I by now feel very comfortable and (able to ) sleeping outside in snow  and cold weather conditions, and doing trips in the snow and cold.