Expedition Amundsen: the details
Åsnes Expedition Amundsen is about 100 km from start to finish. There are three mandatory checkpoints (Hellevassbu, Litlos, Viersla) and a security point (10 km before the finish line). Participants must not leave the official route.
Participants follow the same route taken by Roald Amundsen 1896 in preparation for the South Pole Expedition of 1911. Roald never reached Eidfjord; he was surprised by bad weather and had to seek shelter. He was close to perishing; fortunately, his brother Leon, also on the expedition, was able to save him from certain death. Amundsen later stated that the trip over Hardangervidda was probably as strenuous and dangerous as his conquest of the South Pole.
Who can take part?
Winter expedition experience
If you don’t have this experience but you still want participate in Expedition Amundsen, you can sign up for an Amundsen training session!What happens in the Amundsen training?
Meetings and courses in the winter mountains where you learn the equipment and skills required to participate in Åsnes Expedition Amundsen and other expeditions. Train in the high mountains where the weather and terrain are comparable to the Greenland ice sheet. You prepare for the Åsnes Expedition Amundsen in conditions as accurate as possible.
Skills and knowledge
The agenda for the course and packing list will be sent once you’ve signed up.
Classes
Team Class
Teams consisting of two or three participants. The balance of men and women within the team is determined by the team itself. The team must have a team leader who can provide a a reference confirming they have the skills and experience required in the winter mountains. The team’s leader is responsible for the team staying together at all times and acquiring the skills needed before the Åsnes Expedition Amundsen. They must be able to respond to an emergency situation. The team is assessed by the organiser when applying for participation. The pulk must weigh a minimum of 40 kilos at check-in and a minimum of 40 kilos at the finish line. During the race, the weight can be distributed as desired within the team.Individual Class
Participants who can confirm (with references) that they have the skills and experience required in the winter mountains. They’re assessed individually by the organiser after applying for participation. First-time participants should have previously completed the race in a team class. The pulk must weigh a minimum of 40 kg at check-in and a minimum of 40 kg at the finish line.Equipment
Mandatory equipment
There’s an equipment check on Wednesday evening. If the pulk and contents are approved, the pulk’s sealed and loaded into a trailer. There’s no possibility of accessing the pulk and the equipment after sealing. It’s important, then, to remember any essentials such as a sleeping bags, toiletries, and so on, you need before the race.Training
“If you’re not in good enough shape to complete an expedition, that can be a real issue. Generally speaking, we can say that it’s impossible to be in too-good shape. The better shape you’re in, the better the experience trip will be” – Christian Iversen Styve v/ Åsnes Academy Training and mental preparation for long tours and expeditions is simply a necessitt.
Read and download the complete checklist and race manual from the organiser’s website
Crister Næss and Xtremeidfjord
Text from xtremeidfjord.no og co-ordinators of Åsnes Expedition Amunsen. Otherwise written with additions by Crister Næss/ Åsnes
Training for multi-day tours and expeditions
Generally speaking, there’s no such things as being in “too-good shape” for a long tour. You really want to be in the best shape possible before you set off…
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!
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.
Wool is completely excellent
Norway’s famous for its changeable weather. Even in summer it can vary from 5° to 30° C. Such variable weather makes it difficult to know how to dress – which is why we say “ull er gull”: wool is gold. Wool keeps you warm in winter, and regulates your temperature in the summer. Wool is the best. A billion sheep can’t be wrong.
Menstruating on skis
Periods. Because we menstruate in winter too. Stomach cramps while overnighting in the wild aren’t often discussed – which means they ought to be. So curl up with some ibuprofen and a glass of water for some good tips for menstruating in the winter mountains.
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.