Grimsbu to Lomåsen 52km, 12hrs. Today I made a poor decision…and over-estimated the distance I could cover in these conditions. This was the first day that was uncomfortably long… it started in Musher heaven and finished in Trucker hell. It started with a good plan… when I arrived at Grimsbu last night I discovered that […]
25th Anniversary Appeal Expedition: Day 29 Read More »
Grimsdalshytta to Grimsbu. 33km 7 1/2hrs. An early start from the hut because I thought it could be a long day… I started with an easy ski down the grimsdalen before I had to climb to a snowed-up hamlet Tollevshaugen. I was aiming to intersect with cut tracks above Folldal. Tor-Ivan @lemonsjoe.no fortuitously introduced me
25th Anniversary Appeal Expedition: Day 28 Read More »
Døvre to Grimsdalshytta. 30km 7 1/2hrs. Today I passed between the Rondane and Døvrefjell, through the Grimsdal… which is appropriate because the day started pretty grim. The kind of day it would be easy to roll over and go back to sleep… little visibility 40kph winds and snow showers. No challenging navigation, a snowed-up road,
25th Anniversary Appeal Expedition: Day 27 Read More »
31 (Tower Hamlets) is one of the most diverse RAF Air Cadet squadrons in the country. For many of the cadets, the organisation offers a rare opportunity to leave London, and to experience life outside of a city. A highlight of the year is always going away for the week on annual camp. Nationally however,
Towering Heights 2017 Read More »
Exercise Thor’s Azure saw seven Officer Cadets from DTUS Thunderer Squadron undertake the Tour de Mont Blanc, a 171km mountaineering round trip in the Alps, starting in France and spanning across Italy and Switzerland before finishing back in France. The exercise began with an early start with the team setting out from Southampton in order
Lemonsjø Fjellstue to Dovre. 43km, 9 1/4hrs. This section is tricky for all those attempting Norge på langs; how and where to cross the deep Otta valley. In recent low snowfall years this has often meant a lot of walking along roads… 😱 I took local advice from Tor-Ivan at @lemonsjoe.no and skied first to
25th Anniversary Appeal Expedition: Day 26 Read More »
Hindsæter to Lemonsjø, 22km, 3 1/2hrs. Half day on immaculately cut classic tracks northwards to the hidden gem of a ski area at #lemonsjøen . The tracks wound their way through pine forests and rolling meadows, never too steep, no wind, cold and with plenty of sunshine. The kind of day that breathes energy into
25th Anniversary Appeal Expedition: Day 25 Read More »
Cumbria ACF is a leading youth training organisation based in the North-West of the England, delivering a programme of challenging military, adventurous and leadership training to young men and women aged from 12 to 17. In May 2017, we took 35 cadets (over 10% of our strength), eight adult volunteers and five Mountain Leaders to
From September 2017 until January 2018 cadets and adult volunteers from TS Stirling Sea Cadets in Birmingham took part in the charity Snow Camp’s ‘First Tracks’ and ‘Graduate’ programmes. These are the first two of a three phase progressive snow sport programme run by the charity for disadvantaged young people. First Tracks is a two
Snow Dome Venturer 2017 Read More »
Gjendebu to Hindseter Fjellstue. 38km, 8 1/2hrs. Today I felt like a character in ‘The Revenant’ movie. I started before light because I wanted to make this a big day… and I had all 19km of lake Gjende to cross. 😱 The first 10km I broke trail… and then noticed in the milky whiteness a
25th Anniversary Appeal Expedition: Day 24 Read More »
Tyinstølen to Gjendebu. 32km, 8 1/4hrs. The good weather continues, it’s still cold but now there’s cloud cover so only -10C or so. I started just before dawn, heading out across the lake to pick up a pisted track that has been cut along the E side. This runs to Fondsbu, a big DNT hut
25th Anniversary Appeal Expedition: Day 23 Read More »
Sulebu to Tyinstølen. 19km 4hrs. Short day to re-supply in Tyinkrysset and re-charge the legs ready for a big day through the Jotenheim tomorrow. Leaving Sulebu cabin with -26C and the first alpine glow on the horizon was unforgettable… so rich for the spirit marvelling at how amazing our natural world is that I was
25th Anniversary Appeal Expedition: Day 22 Read More »
Bjordalsbu to Sulebu. 30km, 7 1/2hrs. Physically a little easier today but still bitterly cold. Started hauntingly beautiful… skied out my last few hours with Joker through immaculate untouched white mountains… to Breitstølen Fjellstue. Erland Gray, Joker’s boss met me to take Joker home. Joker was so excited to see him- it was wonderful to
25th Anniversary Appeal Expedition: Day 21 Read More »
Storestølen to Bjordalsbu. 30km 8 1/2hrs. Today was a cold, cold day… clear skies from dawn until dusk and a big move north to make. About 1000m of climbing today as well, in two main sections, the first immediately up above storestølen fjellstuga and the second up high and deep into the Skarheimen mountains. Only
25th Anniversary Appeal Expedition: Day 20 Read More »
Finse to Storestølen. 25km, 7hrs. What an amazing day with a real mountain feel! 😀❤️🐕 A tough day with deep snow but made easier by a husky who worked his paws off today. We had a late start, met a lovely group of people doing Polar training at Finse with the amazing ladies Hannah and
25th Anniversary Appeal Expedition: Day 19 Read More »
Kjeldebu to Finse. 30km, 8hrs. Today was a tough day… a day of contrasts. Started in snow showers, finished in steady snow. Winds stayed moderate, thankfully. Joker and I shared the work. When the snow was deep (first half) he walked beside or behind in my tracks, then when we got firmer conditions he walked
25th Anniversary Appeal Expedition: Day 18 Read More »
Sandhaug to Kjeldebu. 30km, 8hrs. Beautiful sunrise again today… we’re into the flatlands of the heart of the Hardangavidda, just as well since Joker’s a little tired. Maybe he thought we were just doing two days? Mostly he’s been walking beside me today, but put a good pull in up to Dyranut and then chased
25th Anniversary Appeal Expedition: Day 17 Read More »
Litlos to Sandhaug, 22km, 6hrs. Today was a troublesome day… Joker decided to take his foot off the gas. Maybe dogs don’t respond well to rest days…? He pulled for 6km and then when we lost the visibility and the wind picked up decided to walk beside me… then when the snow got deeper, behind
25th Anniversary Appeal Expedition: Day 16 Read More »
