For this assignment I will write about the self organized trip to Hardangervidda I took with one other classmate.
We both wanted to go to Hardangervidda and the preparation for this trip was quickly made. We already looked up some possible hikes, nice spots to see and how we could get there. After our oral theory exam we checked the weather forecast and that was okay, not that nice but not much rain. We made the decision that we could leave tomorrow. That meant fast preparing: doing a wash, going to the shop, print the maps we needed and prepare our rucksacks and food. We planned to do a four day hike, where we started at Kinsarvik, go up there by the four big waterfalls, walk through a part of Hardangervidda and walk down using the way of Trolltunga. We also needed two days for traveling with the bus. That meant we had a trip of 6 days waiting on us, so we also needed enough food and gear for 6 days, so a pretty heavy rucksack. We also send our teacher a message with our route, so he would know where we are and when we should be back for safety.
The first day we spend most of the day in the bus. We came in Kinsarvik around 18h30 and did already around 5 kilometers, where we walked to the beginning of the waterfall hike and already passed the first waterfall. It was beautiful to see! We put up our tent, ate dinner, watched the beautiful sunset and tried to go to bed, what was not so simple with the loud sounds of the waterfalls and the light from outside. The next day we walked the waterfall hike further. The first three waterfalls, where pretty close to each other on a nice hiking path, where we had to walk in the wild nature on rocks and tree roots and cross some rivers. The fourth waterfall was a bit further away and there the hike became also a bit more challenging. Next to the fourth waterfall was a really steep part, where we took our time for with our big and heavy rucksacks. We made it up to more than 1000 meter height. After that we saw more and more snow and became a bit worried. We expected to see some snow laying on the plateau of Hardangervidda, but we hoped that we could make it through. We struggled a long time at a big lake that flowed into several small rivers. We couldn’t pass there with our big rucksacks. I jumped once over without a rucksack and investigated the area that was waiting for us. I went up a bit more to see if the snow stayed the same or became less once we were completely up on the plateau. Unfortunately there was still pretty much snow. I went back down, where Elena was waiting and we decided together that it was not a good idea to go further. It would be possible, because we could walk around most of the snowy parts, but we didn’t know what would be waiting for us deeper in the plateau and we also didn’t know what was always under the snow, sometimes you heard water streaming really close or you saw some small avalanches that indicated that the area was not the safest. We decided not to risk it and started walking down again. We walked down further and checked the weather forecast for Trolltunga, where we would first end our hike. The weather changed and they forecasted rain. We decided to not go there and walk up and down, because of the weather. We also heard from classmates that we walk itself was not that special but that just the view at Trolltunga was nice. We already did a really nice hike with also during the hike beautiful views so we decided to call this our trip. We took our time for the rest of the day, found a sleeping spot and went back with the bus the next day.
This trip we only did with the two of us so we weren’t really a group, but the cohesion and connection between us was really good. We live together and also always make and eat dinner together and also do a lot of other stuff together so we know each other very well. That made that we were very good coordinated on each other and that we worked very efficient, for example while building up the tent.
I learned that the weather conditions in high areas can still be really snowy. I also reflected on the moment that I jumped over the river and went further up to check on the conditions. At that moment my partner and me splitted up. We communicated a bit when I was a bit further and saw that no other rivers where still in my way. She couldn’t hear me, because of the water but I could hear her, because I was standing further away from the water. Before I left we also talked about what our options were: I go further and check it out alone or we go both further and check it out, but leave our rucksacks down. She told me that I could make the decision. I decided that I could take a quick look. I didn’t want that she also had to come over, also because she was not sure that she could make the jump over the river. I tried to walk fast, because I also realised that we didn’t had any way of communication when I disapeared in the landscape. On my way up I was pretty fast and saw the conditions of the snow, sometimes little avalanches and sometimes I heard water really close or possible under the snow. I went up until I had a bit a view over the rest of Hardangervidda. It all looked the same as the place I was standing in. I already let my thoughts go through my head and had the decision in my head that it wasn’t a good idea to go further. I tried to go down quickly, but this was more difficult than I expected. Sometimes I didn’t find the route I took up. When I saw my partner again I tried to get her attention by waving, so she would know that I was safe. When I know think about it, it was not the safest option to go alone. I had nothing with me and no way of communication. My partner told me when I was down that she timed how long I was away and planned to come after me as she didn’t see me again after 45 minutes. She saw me again after 25/30 minutes. This was really good from her. I told her what I saw and we came to the same conclusion, that we wouldn’t go further. I also learned some smaller stuff:
- the weather forecast can change really quickly
- a path can be more challenging with a big heavy rucksack
Like all the other trips I will take this experience with me if I ever do something similar in my future carrier.