The mountain to fjord trip was a multidiscipline trip that involved canoeing on still and moving water, cycling and rock climbing. This took place over 4 days covering an estimated distance of approximately 90 km from Bygland to Kristiansand.
All the major planning for this trip (route, equipment, etc.) had been completed by our instructor, so all that was left for the students to plan was the following:
- Getting to Bygland.
- What personal and group equipment was needed.
- What food requirements were needed.
As this trip was to combine a several disciplines we were also advised to pack several different bags, 1 for each. The only bags that we had to take with us for the start would be what we needed for the canoeing, everything else was delivered to the instructor and deposited in the university’s vehicle for transportation to TrollAktiv.
The outline of the trip is as follows:
- Canoe from Bygland to TrollAktiv with a wild camp along the way.
- Cycle from TrollAktiv to a climbing area and wild camp.
- Cycle from the climbing area back to Kristiansand.
Day 1
Everyone had to meet at the car park in Bygland at 11:00 hrs on the Monday morning with all their equipment to begin the activities. The initial warm up and basic instruction of the paddling techniques were delivered by 2 members of the course that already have experience and knowledge of canoeing. This instructional period lasted approximately and hour and was aimed at those that have not paddled before or have minimal experience in a canoe.
After lunch we packed the canoes and set off in a southerly direction down Byglandsfjord. Initially the weather was warm and sunny with little wind and spirits were high while everyone settled in for the journey. During this initial phase, key paddle strokes were practiced and the instructor and students with experience coached the lesser-experienced students. However, the weather began to change for the worse, so we stopped paddling and donned our waterproofs to protect ourselves. It was then that the weather took a turn for the worse; the winds increased and so did the rain. A group decision was made to cut the day short and paddle to a sheltered bay in the leeward side of a hill to get under shelter and set up camp early.
Initially people went into the woods to set up camp, but then decided to build their shelters on the shoreline where the ground was flat and level. Just after the shelters were erected it started to snow heavily. When the snow abated, the sun shone and everyone came out from underneath their shelters and a fire was lit and everyone sat round warming them selves and chatted. After dinner people started to wander back to their own shelters in order to get a good nights sleep ready for the following days paddle.
Day 2
There had been a sharp frost during the night and everyone felt the cold while they were preparing their breakfast and packing their equipment away to be ready on time for the departure. Once out on the water the group soon warmed up, especially when the sun broke over the hills to everyones enjoyment. As the day progressed, so did the distance that we travelled on Byglandsfjord. With regular breaks on the various islands and efficient paddling the day passed quickly and before we knew we were at the mouth of the Ottra River. It was here that new paddle strokes were practiced by the students that enabled them to break in and out of eddies efficiently and without capsizing into the water. These new skills were practised on nearly every single eddie they encountered until the reach the get out point. The instructor told us to stand off while he went and inspected the get out point to make sure that it was safe as it was close to a hydroelectricity dam, once he was satisfied all was safe, he called one canoe forward at a time until we were all out and on the bank.
That evening was spent in the accommodation at TrollAktiv where we had the opportunity to dry any wet equipment, shower and get a good nights sleep. For those that wished to, there was a raft trip down the local rapids, however not everyone participated in this activity.
Day 3
Today would be a relatively short day as we would be cycling to the climbing area. After breakfasting and sorting out our equipment for the day we were given mountain bikes from Trollaktiv, these would be our transport back to Kristiansand. The morning was cold to begin with but cycling along a disused railway track everyone soon warmed up and started to enjoy the ride. Unfortunately there were no real group dynamics as everyone was riding at their own pace enjoying themselves. It wasn’t until the instructor pointed what was happening that everyone realised what they were doing, after this prompting the group dynamic and experience became cohesive.
After 7 km we came upon Evje, where we took a short break to enjoy a coffee and cake at a local bakery and stock up on foodstuff in the small town. After leaving Evje we cycled passed an old military camp and continued along the old railway track, snaking backwards and forwards across the main road, through wooded areas and crossing bridges over small rivers and round lakes.
Just after midday we came to the climbing area, which was situated just off the main road next to a lake. After taking our mountain bikes and equipment down to the bivouac area, we were shown around the area a given a guided tour and description of the climbs and how they could be utilised to introduce climbing to all age groups.
Once we had consumed lunch the instructor set up several climbs for the students to entertain themselves on. For those with climbing experience there were traditional climbing routes that they were aloud to attempt. Although it was only an afternoon of climbing everyone had had an enjoyable time, even if they were putting themselves out of their comfort zones.
Just as everyone had finished their dinner the rain came so everyone decided that it was time for bed as it would be a long day on the bicycles tomorrow travelling back to Kristiansand.
Day 4
With everyone risen, breakfasted and the equipment safely hidden away for pickup later we set off for the ride back home. The route back was again through varied terrain, old railway tracks, through old tunnels, logging roads, main roads up hill and down.
Midway through the morning the instructor stopped the group had to remind everyone about working as a group again, as everyone just put their head down and cycled on due to the rain pouring on us. With this in mind we set off as a group again and continued to do so throughout the day.
Lunch was quickly consumed next to a hydroelectricity dam in the rain before we set off again towards Vennesla. As the group approach Vennesla the sun broke the clouds and a choice was given by the instructor of either carry on back home or stop for a coffee in the town. The decision was soon made and we were off for a nice coffee and yet more cake. After eating and drinking our fill we set off at a sedated pace back to Kristiansand where on the first major hill one of the students started to experience problems with their bike. Before they could even make it half way up the hill they had suffered from a broken chain. Unfortunately a spare chain was not being carried and their cycling trip had to be cut short as they had to get a bus back to Kristiansand.
With the sun out we set off again and enjoyed the final 10km cycle ride hand railing the Ottra river back to Kristiansand and the university where we dropped of the mountain bikes to be returned back to TrollAktiv, north of Evje.
Throughout the whole week regardless of the weather and the physically demanding activities everyone enjoyed themselves and new skills we learnt along the way. A couple of the key lessons learnt can be seen below:
- Ensure that equipment and clothing is securely sealed in waterproof bags.
- The need to lean the boat the correct way to prevent the canoe capsizing.
- Regardless of the weather prediction, the weather in Norway is changeable and turbulent. So therefore, always be prepared for the worse weather.