The Snow-hole trip was something what I was looking forward not because of skiing but mainly because of overnighting in the snow-hole. On the other hand I had a bit worried, because I have never skiing with heavy backpack and I was afraid about cold! This whole trip was absolutely new experience for me.

Our destination for Mountain safety trip started in Berg > Stavskar > Bossbu and the same way back.

Sunday 19.3.

We were split into 2 groups. I was in the group with people, who have experience on skis. Our teacher for this trip was Ewen, I have never seen him before but he looked nice. The start of our trip, because for most of the guys in our group and also for me it was first time experience with skiing with big heavy backpack on. I was happy that myy adaptation on heavy backpack was fortunately very fast! We skied 6km to the nearest cabins. Over these 6km different people led and navigated group by map and compass, but the way was really easy and we should follow marked track. The way was quite short and easy so we had enough time to prepared places for sleep. We spent night in the tent. In my group was Hanna, Berit and Simon. I think that we worked good like a group. We usually split activities and everything was without problem during whole trip!

Monday 20.3.

In the morning we continued on our way to Bossbu (8km). The start of our way was pretty steep, but everybody was fine and we went in good speed to Bossbu. Plan for Monday afternoon was clear, build a snow-hole for overnighting in next two days. We’ve worked using probe to the depth of the snow, shovels, and snow saws. The fastest way how to dig a snow-hole is making block from snow using a saw, which fits to each other and take out block after block. It was really hard work and we made it maybe for 5 hours. Our fault was that we didn’t change position and I spent 3 hours by throwing heavy blocks of snow and I didn’t feel half of my back! One girl from my group has problem with cold hands, so she needed a rest and I did work outside alone. Everybody was super wet and the weather became really bad. I think that this part of our trip was the most difficult for everybody. We were hungry and thirsty, but we needed to finish snow-hole first, because the wind was very strong and cold. When we finished snow-hole we could finally change clothes and prepare dinner! The day was better when I lay in my sleeping bag.

Tuesday 21.3.

The weather was really bad – cold, wind, fog! Ewen, our group instructor for this trip, took us into one cabins in the area and we could dry our stuff and have a rest. We talked about our trip and gave feedback about making snow-holes. After he gave us some short talk about DNT (Norwegian tourist organization).

The weather became better and Ewen decided to make igloo. At the first I was really bored because we dug snow-hole day before and I still felt my back, but it was absolutely different and I was happy that we tried to make it! We made smaller goups – boys made block and girls did shape of igloo and connected blocks together. We went to spend last night to our snow-hole. We boiled water in cabin so everything was easier.

Wednesday 23.3.

Finally amazing morning with sun shine! The last day was with the best weather and we really enjoyed way back. We met second group on the way and had lunch. After we continued on way back and the fist plan was spent one night in the emergency shelters! It was strange, because we were close to parking but even though we started prepare our shelters. I was with Eli and we made shelters for 2 people together. We used our skis, tarp and rope. After we finished it small surprise came, WE GO HOME! I really looked forward my bed and warm room, but on the other hand I wanted to spend night in our own shelter, which me made with love!:D

Note of the trip: Weather in Norway is absolutely unpredictable and changeable! I have never seen so much different types of weather during one day.

I supposed that we will be solve a lot of problem on this trip due to weather, different experiences, difficult condition. But we didn’t! Everything and everybody was absolutely fine. It was my biggest surprise of this trip and I am glad to my group for a really good trip, which make me stronger. Because now I know that I am able to spent a few days in winter without civilization in nature!

THANK YOU FOR THIS TRIP!