Hello again,

this weekend all international students had the possiblity to take part at skiing trip in Gautefall organised by the ESN (Erasmus Student Network). The ESN is a group of Norwegian students organising different event for all students but maybe especially international students all over the term. About 40 people took part at the skiing trip. Within two more students of Outdoor Education, Petr and Tadas, and me. We all wanted to use the trip for making more experience in cross country skiing. The advantage was we did not have to plan much because accomodation and a bus bringing us from university to Gautefall and in the end back again was already organised. In addition we focused this time not on a big distance but improving our technique skills. In centre Telemark turns. Therefore we did not take heavy bags with us and made only short day trips.

Group and group dynamics:

Tadas decided on the first day to teach one of the other students in cross country skiing. Therefore Petr and me went only in a group of two. We understand each other very good and so it was a very harmonious atmosphere. We changed our role in leading regularly what means when ever one of us was exhausted the other one took the leading role getting up the mountain. One or two times we were unsure about a risky passage and discussed it. The discussions were not long and lead always to agreements.

Snow conditions:

Honestly the snow conditions were awfull. We had a few degrees over 0 all the time, even in night it did not freeze. The snow was very wet and heavy. So we used the softest and warmest wax. Due to the wet snow we were very careful and tried not to fall because we would have been wet immediatly. The picture on the right shows the parking lot on the day of departure. Most of the snow is already melted and there is about 1-2 cm of water on the ground.

First day:

ESN Trip Day 1

One the first day we made a half day trip of about 5 km. But it took us almost four hours though. Maybe the reason is that we did not follow a special track but tried to find our on way up to the top. In addition the heavy snow slowed us down and the way up pretty steep.

On our way down we tried to work on our Telemark abilities and turns in common. Luckily Petr is very good in it and could give me feedback. In my opinion it was useful for me to concentrate this time not on a big distance but on our technique.

Telemark - Bad end

Telemark - Good start

Second day:

Sledge

On the second day Petr decided to take the lift up to the top and worked again on his downhill skills. However I did not feel self-confident enough in my abilities to do an alpine track with cross country skis. Therefore I skied on my own a few kilometers around in the local area. Later we met each other at the cabin again and had lunch. We did not ski in the afternoon anymore, instead we took a sledge several times up to the top by lift. After making sure not to put the other people in danger we steered together on one sledge down the alpine track. Fast but a lot of fun! On the right the sledge we used.

Personal comment:

Although we did not ski many kilometers it was a very enjoyable trip to Gautefall and I really enjoyed the whole atmosphere. A lot of fun but still sport activities. Thank you ESN for organising and everybody who was in.