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As an avid mountaineer and outdoors enthusiast, I am increasingly drawn to remote and uncharted territory.
While it’s delightful to see an increasing number of people opening their eyes to sleeping outdoors during winter, the barrier to sleeping under the stars with neither a tent nor a hammock or even a tarp still seems to be a challenge to most.
Yesterday I achieved two independent but still linked health goals. First of all, yesterday was my 730th day of walking 10,000 or more steps every single day without a break. That’s two full years of minimum 10k steps per day or more, regardless of weather, wear, pains, aches and other commitments.
It’s time to step up the game on alpine winter climbing, and next week we’re aiming to visit Store Austanbottstind, 2203m with a prominence of 450m. It’s Norway’s 55th-highest peak, and a mountain that requires proper climbing.
I tillegg til vakker, uberørt natur, er Østmarka også hjem til en rekke forskjellige hemmelige koier. Dette er såkalte HK-hytter, “Hold Kjeft”-hytter. Denne turen gikk til østsiden av Østmarka.
MASSIV Statistics showing total distance, number of steps, steepest ascent, highest altitude, coldest temperature and more.
The good news is that the so-called “Post-Expedition Melancholy” did not kick in. The better news is that seeing the wife and kids again possibly exceeded some pretty high expectations. Celebrating our reunion with champagne and sushi probably helped. And yes – the kids got a non-alcoholic version.
The very last day on the trail. A day I’ve been dreading. Had the final Real Field Meal with Pulled Pork last night and enjoyed watching the sunset over the mountains before yet another early night.
Sunday, August 28th Second last day of the adventure off to a good start. After a great Indonesian chicken and rice dish last night and tucking in early, I enjoyed yet another really good night’s sleep.
Saturday, August 27th Today has been pretty close to perfect. As I am writing this I sit baking in the sun enjoying the beautiful view at Litlos, one of the most remote cabins on the entire MASSIV route.
Arrived safely at Sandhaug just before three o’clock, probably setting the speed record so far on MASSIV with an average moving speed of 5.2 km/h.
Today’s the second day of the last of the four mountain areas of MASSIV, Hardangervidda. Yesterday at Krækkja was super and such a contrast to Finse.
Relatively uneventful hike from Finse to Krækkja. Finse was however a bit of a disappointment. Just like Sognefjellshytta, it was so large and full of people that I couldn’t help getting an industrial feeling while there.
Today’s section was short and sweet and most certainly among the easier of the entire trail. Fully charged with three servings of moose stew for dinner last night, I hit the trail at nine o’clock as usual.
Monday, August 22nd Today’s been the second and final rest day of my MASSIV adventure. One week from today I’ll be arriving at Haukeliseter – the end point. One week to go. How time flies.
Sunday, August 21st Early start and mentally well prepared for MASSIVs longest day section at just under 30km. Prepared well with a massive dinner consisting of trout and dried meat last night and went to bed early.
Saturday, August 20, 2022 Slept like a baby to the sound of heavy wind and rain whipping the windows of Bjordalsbu, enjoying the idea that I was probably 15km from any other human in the middle of a storm, sitting in a solid cabin full of firewood and canned food.
I’m now over halfway through MASSIV and my concern for whether or not my body will handle this is slowly being replaced by a curiosity for what to do next.
This adventure is most certainly having a positive effect on my health. Had the best night’s sleep I can remember last night. Full score according to my Garmin Fenix watch.
Wednesday August 17th, posted one day late due to lack of mobile coverage Interesting experience last night. Having had an OK freeze dried meal, dried my wet clothes on the stove and prepared for the day to come I
Enjoyed a good night’s sleep at Fondsbu. Had goat kid for dinner, which tasted exquisite and then took yet another early night. They served the best gluten free bread I’ve had in a long time for breakfast, so made myself a massive pack for lunch.
Today’s hike was a lot simpler than the first three, yet it still had some long distances to cover crossing boulders. It felt surprisingly heavy though. Part of it is probably a natural result of yesterdays rest day.
Let me just get this off my chest right at the getgo – today I am simply beside myself with joy. Happiness. Life is good in ways one rarely get to experience.
Today’s been a day of mixed emotions. Seeing my wife and kids again last night was indescribably good. Saying goodbye and watch them turn back into the fog was indescribably difficult.
Day four and the first minor deviation from the original MASSIV trail set. Instead of staying overnight at Fannaråkhytta I continued down the mountain to meet the family and stay at Ekrehytta, which belongs to Anjas brother.
Had the best night sleep I can remember at Nørdstedalseter. I suspect the excellent food and total quiet contributed.
First full day on the trail. Started from Sota Sæter at 09:00 with 800m steep ascend straight into the densest fog I’ve experienced in quite some time.
Finally on my way. Brother-in-law, nephew and father-in-law kindly joined me for the first kilometres from Jostedal towards Sota Sæter.
One day to go. Backpack came in at 7.6kg which is not too bad for a 21 day hike. That only includes two days of food though as I’ll regularly be stocking up from mountain cabins along the way.
Som en litt prematur 50-årsgave til meg selv skal jeg i sommer gå DNTs MASSIV rute alene i 350 km fra Sota Sæter til Haukeliseter. Mye av gleden ligger i forberedelsene.
NOTE: This is my pre-hike packing list – please see Packing Lists for the latest Excel file. A dear friend once said that while on the trail, you can choose between being happy when you go, or when you’re in camp – but never both.
Already got a few questions on the technology behind this place. It’s pretty much a basic WordPress site put together with the kind help of Jørgen, with some added JavaScript for the OpenLayers live tracking
Just published the final set of files for planning the complete MASSIV expedition.
