When? 30.4-3.5
Where? Areas between Bygland (122km northwest of Kristiansand) and Kristiansand
The main aim of the Mountain to Sea trip was to make our way down to Kristiansand by canoeing and cycling. Moreover, we sopped halfway to spend one day with climbing.
Day 1: After arriving in Bygland with the bus around 11.30am, we unloaded the canoes and all our equipment, which was packed in drybags or plastic bags. Before we loaded everything in the canoes, we split up in pairs of two, put on our lifejackets and got an introduction from our instructor Evan, an British guide who was working for TrollAktiv. Evan gave us general information about canoes and taught us how to use the paddle in a correct way. The most essential stroke, the forward stroke, which is used in a tandem canoe mostly by the bowman (the person in the front of the canoe), pushes the canoe forward without turning. Therefore, the blade of the paddle has to be placed vertically into the water and drawn straight back. The reverse stroke, is used to stop the canoe or for going backwards. It is like the forward stroke, but performed from the back to the front. We went into the water without our gear and practised different strokes and techniques. Evan advised us, to stay on one side while paddling in a tandem canoe. This meant that my canoe partner Boggi and me took opposite sides. Whereas Boggi in the front used most of the times the forward stroke on the left, I steered our canoe in the back on the right. I used a kind of a “correction stroke”, because I corrected the yaw which was caused by the forward stroke. Although it was unlikely that we would flip over with our canoes, Evan showed us how to turn a canoe which was upside down. Therefore, a second canoe got in a 90 degree position to the overturned canoe. The two persons who were sitting in the overturned canoe before, had to hold on to the gunwales of the second canoe, so that the person in the “rescue canoe” could lean out and lift the overturned canoe all the way onto his / her own canoe. Once the overturned canoe was lying horizontally on the “rescue canoe”, it had to be turned over and could be slide down into the water again.
After this introduction we loaded our gear onto the canoes, fixed it with rope at the thwarts and seats and started paddling downstream the Byglandsfjorden at around 1pm. We switched orienteering after each half an hour. This rotation was really nice, because this way every canoe team was responsible for orienteering and stayed focused on our location and where to go. Boggi and me got in a good rhythm and pace and only switched sides when our arms grew heavy. Also, we only paddled on the same side when we had to turn the canoe quickly. I found out that it is more efficient to do my correction stroke after Boggi did her forward stroke, because I had more control over the canoe this way. At 4pm we arrived at our destination, the uninhabited island Storoyi and pulled the canoes on the land. Before the rain started, we were able to set up our hammocks and tarps. Just when we finished, it started to rain, so that we had to cook under our tarps and went into the hammocks early.
Visiting the boy’s shelter for the night.
Day 2: On the second day, we started paddling downstream the Byglandsfjorden at 10.30am. Luckily it had stopped raining. Evan showed us how to tie canoes together (fixing a rope at the front, back and at the thwarts of each canoe) in a diamond shape and explained the benefits: If canoes are tied together and all persons in these canoes are still paddling, it is less tiring for everyone, because each paddler has to use less muscle strength. Also, the forward push is even increasing, because there are no little breaks in between the strokes. This way the power is maintained and doesn’t get lost. The method of tying canoes together is especially useful when children are getting tired or someone doesn’t feel good and has to rest a bit.
We all did feel a bit tired this day and were quite happy when we arrived at the dam shortly before Syrtveit at around 4pm. When Tim picked us up with the van, we loaded the canoes back on the trailer and drove to TrollAktiv. There we enjoyed a nice shower, dried our gear and warmed up again in little huts where we stayed during the night.
Day 3: After a warm and cosy night, we started the next day with cycling.
Some of us rented mountain-bikes, but I had decided to use my own in order to save money. I didn’t regret it because the route 3we stayed on runs on asphalt streets and a forest path which once was a railway line. This meant that it was most of the time flat and easy to cycle even with an old bike. After around 20km we arrived at our destination: Next to the main road, there was a nice crag and a lake where we would stay for the whole day and the night. After we had set up our camp on the top of the rocks and had a little lunch break, we started our climbing session.
Climbing introduction at the crag.
Tim and Even first talked about the basics things to be aware of when climbing outdoors with children or clients: It is a must to make sure that everyone is always wearing a helmet when entering the area of the crag. We also should set an area where it is allowed / not allowed to go or to stay, due of risky slopes or holes. When working with younger children, it is recommended to define this area with ropes. In this manner the “danger zone” is made visible to the children. It is also necessary to introduce the students or clients to the climbing gear properly: We have to demonstrate them how to wear a harness correctly and how to use the belay-system. Concerning the latter, we have to pay particular attention on the correct hand position. When working with people who climb for the first time, it makes absolutely sense that two people are belaying one climber. Therefore, the second belayer is holding the very end of the rope as a double safety. The most important thing is, that we have to make them aware of to always do a partner-check before climbing. As instructors, we also have to control the figure of eight, the belay system and the rope before letting them start climbing independently. Climbing gear has to be checked and replaced regularly, above when someone fell into the rope or a rockfall occurred.
Abseiling with Aaron and Sam.
Marijn is abseiling himself with only a rope wrapped around his feet.
The “cloth hitch”.
Evan showing us how to attach a rope on several anchors.
After this introduction, we practised different abseiling techniques (with a prussic / with a figure of eight) and how to set up a stand with several fix points, such as trees or safety hooks. We learned how to tie knots like the “bunny ears” (also known as the double figure of eight loop, used to clip into anchors), the“cloth hitch”, “Italian hitch” and “butterfly knot”.
Me cooking on the rocks.
The boys shelter overlooking the lake.
Linda’s and my hammock camp.
Enjoying the last sunbeams.
After a lot of input, we had dinner and enjoyed the sunset over the lake.
Day 4: In the morning, Len picked up our heavy climbing and tenting gear, so that we wer able to cycle with a light daypack.
Cycling in the sun – Linda.
Me, Lilla, Boggi and Brad.
Marijn, Lilla and me.
Lunch break at a lake.
We started cycling at 9.30pm and headed towards Kristiansand. Sometimes we had to stop because of chopped down trees, which were lying on the path, but for the most part we made good progress and stayed together as a group. After our lunch break, Szofi had a flat tire. Unluckily, no one had a repair kid, so that she had to take the bus. Although it is obvious, this is my main learning outcome: Always take a repair kid with you when you do a bicycle trip!
After 42km, we arrived in Kristiansand at approximately 2.30pm. This trip was a great mixture of different activities such as canoeing, climbing and cycling. Coming all the way down from Bygland to Kristiansand with our own power – our muscle strength, endurance and teamspirit – left a great feeling of confidence behind.