More Photos from the 2007 Nordic Challenge

Postmarked Wednesday, April 4th, 2007
Topic: The Great Outdoors; Travel (239 words, 37 images, 1 comment)

Hot off the presses come these additional photos (gracias Gaby!) from the 2007 Nordic Challenge, which was a 4-day long cross-country skiing adventure through the beautiful mountains of central Norway (in and around Finse, Giterygghytta and Raggsteindalen).

Just to be very clear, it may look like it was all fun and games, but please believe me when I say that it was A LOT OF HARD WORK. Norwegian mountains are a truly rugged and spectacular environment and have no mercy (you may have read about the two Scottish youths who lost their lives in Norway a few weeks ago? Well, that was about 7km from where we were).

This year, I came home with 2 black toes, blisters on both shoulders and a rather large bruise on my left thigh! And it was all to raise awareness and sponsorship funds for the Offscreen Education Programme and its 2008 Student Expedition which will bring 8 Middle-Eastern students to the UK, as a reflexive answer to this year's UK student expedition to the Middle East.

It is still not too late to sponsor me, so please drop me a line to help this very worthwhile cause!!! Every last $ (or £) helps, so do get in touch and help spread the word of tolerance and global understanding TODAY! [ok, I'll get off my soapbox now]

Enjoy the photos!

xx

The overnight train that took us to Finse, where we arrived in the dark at 4:30am. What we saw from our cabin windows in Finse. We are about to set off on Day 1! And this is what it was like. For 8-9 hours.
Ciara looked like a little bear. Walking to the big cabin for breakfast. The weather and visibility on Day 2 left a lot to be desired. But we embraced the challenge nonetheless! It was difficult to see things with the wind howling away.
Halvard's mom Sinova and their dog Guben came along for this part of the adventure! The "trails" were marked by these little trees. Follow the skinny trees for 8 or 9 hours and you'll eventually hit another cabin! But after 6 hours, the sun did eventually peek out from behind the clouds! And it was gorgeous! Here I am looking at the fine path ahead...
Later that night, we celebrated Stephen's 31st birthday at the next cabin. Tante Inger, his aunt, even found champagne to mark the special event!! Day 3 began a lot like Day 2, but it was warmer out. Here Gaby and I are skiing on the frozen lake.
Ruairidh takes a breather! At times you almost couldn't see 10 feet in front of you. Sinova and Guben cruise on by. Our tracks!
Taking off my jacket made it more bearable! Ciara looking rather punk for the occasion! I hike up my pants for more ventilation. Lucy stands watch as Ciara takes a quick rest.
Eventually the clouds gave way and we were greeted by unbelievable blue skies as we finished crossing the lake! And we're off again! Gaby wonders how he lost track of his camera! The view when you're sitting down (or have fallen down!).
For 4 days in a row, this is what we saw when we'd look down at our feet. Taking a much-needed rehydration break. This bit was particularly icy (hey, maybe this is where the big bruise came from??). Notice Sham's body up the hill behind mine. The boys!
Where to now? Possibly my favorite picture of me and Ciara! We both look absolutely shattered!!!! :) Later that night, we had our meal in a reindeer hut and built a beautiful fire. It was so warm and cozy. We each ate 23 sausages and washed them down with some fine aquavit.
Good-bye Norway. Tusen takk for everything you taught us along the way.      

Reader Comments

1.

Comment from Tsevdos John (http://www.tsevdos.com)

I'm so jealous of you dear ;-) Have a nice day.

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