Yes, it is a true adventure to cross the Hardangervidda: Europe’s largest mountain plateau. Crossing the 6,500 square kilometers large plateau, with an average elevation of 1,100 meters above sea level typically takes several days. In 1896, Norwegian explorer and national hero Roald Amundsen used the Hardangervidda to train for his South Pole expedition. He always died here, and told the world that his ski expedition on the Hardangervidda was as hard and dangerous as his expedition on Antarctica. Resting days and backup days to sit out frequent storms, especially during winter, are no luxury. 

In 2015, Hardanger Folk High School hired me as an outdoor teacher, to accompany their outdoor class during an 8-day / 90-km ski tour, crossing the Hardanger mountain plateau: from Haukeliseter Fjellstue in the south to road 7 near Vøringsfossen waterfall in the north. Along the way, we camped in tents at two spots, while the other nights were spend at the tourist cabins of Hellevassbu, Litlos and Hadlaskard.

The trip was characterized by very varying conditions: low (-12C) and (too) high (+3C) temperatures; blue skies and white-out; sun, wind, rain, snow, and hail; steep climbs and frozen lakes.