Mountain to Fjord. Canoe, cycle, climb- 18th-21st of April

This trip span over four days in April and took place around Evje and Kristiansand. It began in Bylandsfjord where we canoed for two days and ended in Kristiansand after cycling over 70km. In between we did some climbing in Kilefjord.

Day 1 (Monday, 18th of April):

We met 10:30 pm at Byklandsford. This day we started with canoeing. After Martin showed us the basic techniques we loaded the canoes and started to paddle south, down the river.  After 12 km paddling and an average pace of 3 km/h we arrived the Island where we spent the night. First   Len showed us some good places for a shelter. I build a shelter with Stella, Amy and Paige. After that we had time for free activities.

Day 2 (Tuesday, 19th of April):

We started canoeing around 9:30 am.  Our plan was to paddle down to syrtveit dam. In the beginning of the day the weather was very good and we did some practice in the bay of the island where we slept. But after a while it became very windy and after lunch we couldn’t paddle further on. So we skipped paddling the last 4 km and went back to Trollactiv by car.  There we climbed at the new climbing wall and had a barbecue in the evening.

Day 3 (Wednesday, 20th of April):

On the third day we cycled 20 km from Troll Aktiv to Kilefjord. There we spent the night and went climbing. After we arrived at Kilefjord we relaxed in the sun and looked out for a good place to bivouac. After lunch Len showed us to organize a crag and to fix a top rope. Then we climbed the whole afternoon and had a bonfire in the evening.

Day 4 (Thursday, 21st of April):

We started at 8:30. It was the last day and we cycled about 60 km back to Kristiansand.  Unfortunately the spokes of my back wheel became loose on half the way. We tried to fix the wheel, but we hadn’t the right tool, so that it became loose after few kilometers again. When we passed Vennesla, I took the bus back to Kristiansand.

Learning outcomes:

Canoeing: Before this trip I canoed once before at the age of 9. At the first day I paddled in the front and just had to keep a constant rhythmus and pace. On this day I manly learned how to hold the paddle and the forward stoke.  At the second day I and Martin switched, so that I had to do the steering. We did some practice in the bay of the island where we slept. There I learned how to steer right and lift and how to do a quick turn. Len also told us that it is important that we talk to each other while canoeing, so that we can work well together. And that we also have to consider the wind direction. Martin always told me that it is very important to sense the movement of the canoe to steer the canoe successful. Because when the canoe begins to turn it’s mostly too late to correct the baring. Unfortunately the wind on second day was very strong. That’s why the steering was very difficult for me and after the first break me and Martin switched places again.

Forward stroke: Reach the paddle forward, ensuring the top arm is straight. Ensure the paddle is vertically straight into the water and pull the paddle through the water along the side of the canoe. Ensure the blade is fully immersed and as you pull the paddle back using the shoulder and torso showing good trunk rotation.

J-Stroke: This stroke is used by the person sitting at the back when traveling forwards. This stroke acts as a stern rudder steering the boat and keeping it on course. The paddledd goes in the water like a forward stroke but as the blade passes where you are     sat, twist the blade so that the hand holding the T-grip has its thumb point towards the water. The blade then acts as a rudder.

Sweep stroke: This used to turn the boat while moving or not. Act as a forward paddle but stretch the paddle as far out as it can go to produce a ‘C’ shape. This will turn the boat. One person can do a forwards sweep stroke and the other a backwards to turn the boat around.

Draw stroke: the draw is something the front, or solo, paddler can employ to move the boat sideways or change direction. It’s done onside, the same side that you are already paddling on, which eliminates the need to repeatedly switch side. You reach out over the water plant the paddle and essentially you pull the boat toward the paddle. To recover, turn the blade perpendicular to the boat and slice it away from you, or lift the blade out of the water, and repeat the stroke.

Climbing: Len showed us to organize a crag for climbing activities. We learned how to fix a rope on top of a crag.  For setting the Top rope you manly need two knots. The clove hitch and the nine. You also try to place the rope in a way that it doesn’t cross sharp edges with small ankles. Otherwise the rope will be outworn soon and even could snap.     The figure below shows how we organized the ropes:

Shelter:On this trip I build my first shelter. We used threes, 3 tarps, a lot of wood and moss. Len also told us what you should consider when we choose the place for our shelter:

• Well protected from the wind (rocks, trees etc.)
• Choose a higher place, so that the rain doesn’t flood your shelter.
• Trees for tighten your tarp.
• Moss for a soft ground.
•  Place your camp away from ants
• Place your camp in the in the east or west, so that you have evening or morning sun