Written by
Åste Innleggen
Åste’s a nurse. She was brought up as a “child of nature” playing barefoot in nature’s playground. She moved to Finnmark to study nursing and stayed because the adventure was too enticing. She’s also walked the length of Norway. Perhaps best known under the istagram alias @aastesvillmarksliv, she’s also an ambassador for Åsnes and writes occasionally for turjenter.no.
“It’s about something as simple as living. Find safety and believe in yourself, and not least live out your dreams, big and small.
It’s not about earning the most, or owning the most, but about feeling good about yourself. I have that outdoors, whether it’s right behind the house with my companion and the dogs, or on a longer ski trip alone in midwinter on the Finnmarksvidda.”
– Åste Innleggen, turjenter.no
I’ve been out hiking since I could barely crawl, but it wasn’t until I moved to Finnmark that I really fell for winter outdoor life. As a child, I was outside more than I was inside. I grew up a mile-and-a-half from the city, which meant that I quickly found joy and respect for the nature I had right outside the front door. I ran barefoot in the forest, and there wasn’t a single tree I hadn’t climbed, or a pool of water I hadn’t bathed in. I had the world’s finest playground as a child.
I live in one of the world’s northernmost cities. The winter here along the coast is both harsh and long. It’s is usually winter eight months a year
After two years as a full-time nurse, I found that this wasn’t for me. I left my posision and started planning my first big hiking dream – Norway from end to end. And I completed the trip alone with my two Malamutes, Arja and Bison.
I have no plans to go back to my A4 existence. Should I try my hand at the Nordkalotten, alone with the sled over long snow-covered expanses? Try something new like high mountains? The first thing I said to my partner when I stood on the Nordkapp plateau was (much to his dismay) “I’m going to cross Iceland.” (Åste did it on 7 September, 2022).
The winter period
Have you perhaps tried to search for information about “periods and hiking”? There’s a little. But not nearly enough. Unfortunately this has been something of a taboo topic.
Should you use tampons or pads? And what about longer trips – are you just going to fill your bag? And how to solve the challenges of using tampons and pads?
Menstruation’s completely natural. For the vast majority of women, it occurs every month for decades. There’s a strong societal focus on hygiene; it seems there’s a general belief that a daily intimate wash is necessary. Odour is also associated by many with poor hygiene – and that’s not entirely the full story. Our body is made to be good at looking after itself.
At least one thing’s certain – we don’t want to encounter problems on a trip, with or without a period. Menstruation shouldn’t stop the pleasure of being out! We must dare to talk about these things.
Discharge
It’s important to point out that a healthy vagina has an odour, all women who have reached puberty have discharge, and it’s natural and daily. The amount, the odour, and the appearance are different depending on where you are in your cycle. The discharge has an important task – to clean the vagina and keep unwanted bacteria away. Discharge and a slight odour in woollen underpants are neither dangerous nor unhygienic.
Your downstairs cleans itself. It’s therefore completely harmless not to wash down there for a few days on a trip.
HOT TIP
Check out the book Gleden med skjeden (“the joy of the vagina”). Everything you need to know about your period and your nether regions.
Åste Innleggen
Åsnes ambassador, nurse, adventurer and child of nature
Menstrual cup – the best alternative?
Most pads and tampons aren’t biodegradable, and so they shouldn’t be left in nature. This is rubbish that can’t be left on the tour. It’s also not recommended to keep tampons inside the vagina for too long, as this can cause bacterial growth.
I don’t think it can be said enough, but it’s very important to have a routine around changing tampons in particular. Even if it’s snowy and cold, or you’re walking in pouring rain. It still shouldn’t sit inside for too long.
Another challenge with tampons is that they have to be stored somewhere until they can be thrown in the bin, which can present some unpleasant smells and problems. One good tip if you choose to use tampons on a trip is to bring zip-Lock bags and toilet paper, so you can stuff the used tampons into toilet paper and put them in an airtight bag until you can get rid of them.
Sanitary pads have the advantage that you don’t risk bacterial growth in the same way, and you can sleep with them. They’re also available in many sizes and shapes.
Three quick tips about the menstrual cup:
Menskopp. Illustrasjon fra Organicup
The menstrual cup is maybe the best alternative for daily use.
Did you know that pads and tampons absorb the natural fluid in your abdomen and can disrupt the natural pH balance? A menstrual cup on the go means less risk of dryness and infection. Only collecting blood, the menstrual cup doesn’t dry out the mucous membranes.
The menstrual cup can sit inside the vagina for up to 12 hours, which is a big advantage when you’re out hiking and would like to avoid unnecessary changes. There are also different sizes depending on the amount you bleed. For good maintenance and hygiene, the cup should be boiled between each period. There’s no need to boil it between emptying it or changing it. It’s fine to rinse it in clean water or to use a wet wipe if you don’t have access to water. Using a menstrual cup on a winter trip’s fine. When emptying it, you can clean it in snow, or wipe it with toilet paper.
Four tips for beginners with a menstrual cup – out hiking
The first time I found out that practice was needed was a few years ago. Hammock tour of Stabbursdalen. We found the best hammock spot of all time among the world’s northernmost conifer forest. But before retiring to the the hammock for the night, it was time to empty the cup. There was a river right by the camp.
Very pleased with myself for having managed it so well. Back in camp, my hiking friend has a good laugh. The contents of the cup didn’t end up on the ground, but instead covered half of my sneakers. Shit happens!
Åste Innleggen
Learn to use the cup before you leave. Once you get the hang of it, it’s very easy to use.
On a tour, clean the cup in water or even a wet wipe. Remember that you have to boil the cup between periods.
Mensen på tur
We women are fortunate to have a cycle that can bring big changes in everyday life and mood. Some struggle with severe menstrual pain and others have severe premenstrual pain. We can see this both physically and psychologically. But even so – unless something is seriously unusual, menstruation shouldn’t be an automatic reason to skip a trip.
If you’re unlucky enough to have menstrual cramps and you’ve left your painkillers at home, then heat can help with pain. Have a hot water bottle, or a bottle that can withstand boiling water, and keep it next to your lower back or stomach. Staying active can also help reduce pain. It’s also great to have a hot water bottle in your sleeping bag on cold winter trips!
Body hair
Well, this is easy: hair is natural! What you choose to do with it’s entirely up to you.
Having said that, did you know that body hair protects your vulva from unwanted bacteria, and it may actually be a good idea to let it grow before a long trip? Nothing’s better than a natural protection against bacteria. It’s not dangerous to remove body hair. But it also counteracts friction, so it may benefit you to just let it grow out on longer trips in order to avoid unwanted discomfort.
The NFSA guidance for outdoor dogs
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA)’s rules for keeping dogs outdoors, and for interacting with dogs, is useful for adults and children alike.
Setting up camp – essential routines
Preparation is, as always, everything. You can never be too well practiced and prepared. Take pitching a tent in strong winds, for instance. It’s something you can train for…
Which cross-country skis? And how long?
Choosing new cross-country BC skis is can be bewildering. We compare length, width, profile. We weigh ourselves and check again. We ask advice on forums. We change our minds repeatedly. So before you pull the trigger, set your mind at rest by reading this overview. If you’re still unsure, you can talk to the expert in your local specialist shop or contact Åsnes’s customer service – we answer questions the whole time and we can usually help!
Boots for cross-country skiing in the backcountry
Nothing ruins the skiing experience as effectively as foot-related woe. Blisters. Wet socks. Sore arches. These things are the enemy. Good ski boots are incomparable – cherish yours once you’ve found them. Here’s a guide to help you find them.
Preparing for Åsnes Expedition Amundsen
Dreaming of an adventure in the winter mountains? Or a lover of endurance races? Maybe Åsnes Expedition Amundsen is for you. But you’ll need to be ready.
Tips for long distance ski tours
The first thing I want to say is that if you’re dreaming of something – do it. Just start making it happen! Don’t put it off. Because if there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s that you won’t regret it. It’s amazing what you can achieve if you only begin.