02-19—–02-20-2016

Self organized weekend

This weekend for me was first self organized overnight trip and practice before second self organized trip. So we ( outdoor’s) had to separate by ourselves in to groups that we want to be decide and prepare the plan what we are going to do for the self organized overnight trip. Our group decided to hike in one of the Kristiansand’s islands –Odderoya (Friday-Saturday), setup the tents and sleep there for one night. Most of us met at the entrance to the Island, separated wood for the fire and went to Odderoya. First of all we found the place where we could set up the tents and camp, because we don’t wanted wait until the sun starts goes down and there gets dark, besides hike without tents and extra weights is easier. While we were built tents, I noticed some social loafing in our group, because some of us didn’t help to set up those tents, but it was happening because in our group was too much people and there was nothing to help for others. Than after we set up the tents, I noticed other social loafing case, when one member of or group was totally late and didn’t come on time when we were decided, also that member didn’t helped with tents too, and we had to wait for him for an hour or maybe more to start hiking around the island. When we settled down in campsite and last member arrived, our group started to hike around Odderoya. I was there not firs time, but this place still made me feel good, nature- all trees and plants, rocks, sea around, provides you very beautiful view of the Island it self and beautiful view of the city from the higher points of Odderoya, besides weather was good- sunny.

 Also at this Island you can try some boldering, but we didn’t were prepared for this, so we only hiked. While we were hiking, I noticed some dry cracks in the rocks, near our campsite, so I decided to sleep in one of it at night. I was really excited about that, because it was good chance to check out my sleeping bag- is it warm, and just I thought I had never done this in my life so I was hyped. When we noticed that sun is starting to go down, we get back at our campsite set fire up, and after that I went to prepare and improve my shelter, cover it with some branches, put some under my sleeping mat too. After this I get back to the campsite, cooked some dinner in my “storm kitchen”- rice with curry sauce of chicken, broccoli, paprika, coconut milk, carrots, onion, spices and chili- nutritious, warm, spicy with lots of good fats and energy food.

After while we all were sitting around the fire, speaking and socializing, telling some stories and playing some verbal games. Later we all just stop talking and just were enjoying with the fire and nature around us, sounds of wind, birds- we even can heard Owl J , ocean- I was enjoying with life in “friluftsliv”.

After while we all went to sleep. I was feeling really very comfortable in my rock-crack shelter, because the wind later turn in to wild wind, it even collapsed one of the tents, and I was fully protected from it because of rock walls. Also at the beginning I was protected from the rain too, but I didn’t thought about one thing, that after while rain drops will get on my sleeping bag by flowing from the outside walls in to cracks inside roof-top and drips from it on to my bag. For the next time I will find deeper cave and I will give more attention to caves covering, because my cover wasn’t very good too. But it was enough for overnight and after we all wake up, our group packed tents and went back home.

To sum up this trip, it was good hike with nice nature and view, with new experience sleeping in shelter. Also, I was happy with increasing friendship in our group and bigger understanding of “friluftsliv”.