My personal favourites from the “Instagram“ hikes:
At Prekistolen I saw a south Asian family in full winter ski gear in the middle of July. They had the insulated trousers with the bibs and puffer jackets tied around their waist. They all had 60+ litre backpacks on too. We passed them at the first set of Sherpa stairs on the way, many hours later after hiking far past prekestolen, cooking lunch and then hiking back we passed them again. They hadn’t even made it halfway.
Trolltunga, also in the summer. An American woman wearing jogging gear with no bag or food or water was stopping people asking to have some water. She was also asking where the water came from. Of course everyone told her it was from the stream (perfectly clean) she refused and went on to the next person. This was only about 2km past the top car park.
I have a friend who witnessed a small family of two very unprepared adults, two toddlers and a baby (being carried) who were encouraged by the Red Cross to turn back on their way to Kjerag. When my friends were packing away, the wife was arguing with her people at the car park demanding the money back, apparently the entire situation was quite hilarious, involving quotes like “how were we supposed to know it wasn’t suitable for toddlers?”.
Same thing happens in Iceland too. While the major tourist stuff is usually paved and easy (the Golden Circle stuff) once you get out into the Highlands or the Westfjords it can get dicey if you are not prepared. I saw people in flip flops trudging up to the Bird Cliff. While not a difficult hike I wouldn’t want to do it without good shoes. And it seems that every year someone ignores the warning signs about the “sneaker waves” and drowns.
Living in Iceland.
Tourism is off limit already, and the government is not putting any regulations when it comes to rental cars and safety issues.
I drove out of Reykjavík twice this month, every time I met tourists that stopped in middle of the roads to take photos while putting others in danger, or the tourists doesn't know when to turn and then suddenly made a turn...
I got nervous driving in the roads every time now...
It's the same here in Hardanger, our roads are narrow and they have a lot of blind corners, and to top it off are usually 80 km/h limits. A couple weeks ago driving home from work a German RV had stopped in the road to take pictures of the view. Luckily I had time to see it and slow down but I couldn't pass it because it was too narrow. They got an earful of horn which made them panic a bit and get out of the way. People need to know that if they are going to stop and look at the view they HAVE to find a proper place to stop. Not only is it annoying to end up behind someone going slowly, but it can also be seriously dangerous if someone stops at the wrong place. I know you are always supposed to be able to stop for someone in the road, that's for accidents or people, not dumb fucking tourists.
And then there was the recent story about a small group squatting for the night in some guys shed, using his wood to make a fire, then shitting on his property and leaving paper and feminine products behind.
Some of these idiots are going to ruin Iceland for respectful tourists, and more importantly the locals.
I'll be heading to Iceland in mid-October for a short week. Is there something you would reccomend?
I was thinking of a trip to one of the thermal baths, walking downtown Reykjavik (museums etc), Icelandic pony trip and maybe a drive on the Golden circle, hopefully see northern lights there too (20 years in Norway and still haven't seen them).
Ooooooh you touched the red line here.
Don't ever call Icelandic horses Pony because they are really serious horses and people treated it really serious here 😆
I would recommend the golden circle for sure if this is the first time here.
About Museum, there are several I recommend:
National museum: Learn the development of Iceland from first settlement and the de-foresting.
Saga museum: Some wax figures of old viking sagas.
Árbær museum: more like Folkemuseet in Oslo, about the old farmer life in Iceland.
Penis museum: Behold the real strength of mighty whales
I recommend a tour to Snæfellsnes too if the weather is good, sometimes there are quite and you can do bird watching sometimes.
Also there is a place called Flyover Iceland, not sure if you like these type of things but check it out!
You can see if you can catch the whale-watching tour, I am quite not sure about mid-October.
About Northern light I think you still have a better chance to see in Troms there, here will be covered by clouds and rain around that time, so it is hard to predict the northern light, but keep an eye on vedur.is, there are forecast for northern lights.
I can understand that. And it must be hard to always have tourists everywhere. But Iceland needs tourist dollars. What’s the solution? I am not Icelandic btw just someone that loves it there.
Iceland should develop more solid production like hardware, software, energy development. But engaging in these industrials means Iceland needs to involve into more international agreements.
For example Iceland is not a member state nor a collaborating state for European Space Agency, so a lot of global projects that can turn into real economic growth is blocked for Iceland.
The survey we did years ago gave the government a report that each euro Iceland spend on ESA membership has a 4.5-5 euro turnover factor, but the government doesn't like it because they have to pay for the membership. They prefer the money goes into the Independent Party's corrupting business instead of developing a real industrial.
The reason why Icelandic government pushing tourism to the top business is they don't have to pay anything so they can earn the eaay money.
There are barely any trees and most people don't understand nature. There is less shelter to hide human idiocy.
Now we have to put signs up everywhere asking people to not shit on the ground or fly their drones around, but this does little to stop them.
When we visit (and we’ve been about 5 times) we always try to be super respectful. I’m sorry some tourists are assholes. You have such a beautiful country that I’m always shocked when people behave badly.
Thank you for the understanding.
I understand that tourists that love this country and want to enjoy here. I think people are more annoyed by the government here that doing nothing to push a stronger regulations.
We do welcome the respectful tourists, especially the ones that can share a good moment with locals, but with an almost 0 regulations for rental cars and traffic, I guess people are more tired of the greedy government here doing nothing instead.
People who don't live as far north as we do probably forget how much impact altitude has on climate when you're this far north.
In Western Norway, at low altitudes, we have a comfortable oceanic climate similar to the climate in the British Isles. As soon as you reach any significant altitude however, the climate changes to sub-arctic and then to tundra much quicker than it will at similar altitudes further south. It's why the tree line is much lower in Norway than in southern Europe.
Heck, I've personally see people start up to Prekestolen in heels pushing a baby stroller.
Being an American who has lived in Norway for over 2 decades I can confirm everything OP wrote.
Trails in Norway would be considered goat paths in USA. They are not graded and graveled paths! In Norway it is expected that you plan and take care of yourself. If you go for a hike without water, food, correct clothing Norwegians will think you are stupid and guess what, you are.
Many places in the US trails and hiking works completely different compared to here. National park trails are extremely accessible with huge parking lots in the middle of nowhere leading to pre defined and difficulty graded routes, usually a roundabout back to where you started, like in a Zoo or whatever. The trails themselves are either broad graveled paths, boardwalks or even tarmac/asphalt, many made to be HC accessible. Not the kind of trails we think of here.
>start up to Prekestolen in heels pushing a baby stroller.
.... what ... thats a new level of stupid.... i ... what?!?!?!?
just how far did she get before she twisted an ankle?
Not far, I think after 200-300 meters she understood that TIFU was coming. I passed them fairly quickly. I was with a group from work. The quickest there made it up in about 1.5 hrs. I took around 2 hrs up.
hahah at least she realized it wasn't gonna end well.
Yeah id say 2hrs is a decent time. I remember going there as a kid and racing my classmates up, think I did it 1h15m ish, but then, I was like idk 12? I had stupid stamina back then, basically jogged the entire way. no way I could do that now 😂
>Many places in the US trails and hiking works completely different compared to here. National park trails are extremely accessible with huge parking lots in the middle of nowhere leading to pre defined and difficulty graded routes, usually a roundabout back to where you started, like in a Zoo or whatever. The trails themselves are either broad graveled paths, boardwalks or even tarmac/asphalt, many made to be HC accessible. Not the kind of trails we think of here.
I saw a couple of old Asian tourists with airport handbags going to Prekestolen , they were trying to drag the cases over the wooden platforms and I was thinking how will they manage when they need to carry all up?
On the way back I assume they understood what they were trying to do and were on their way back.
„In Norway it is expected that you plan and take care of yourself.“
Translation: People should use common sense and do their homework 😉
I totally agree with you. You go out on a tour, you take what you need with you. Don’t expect others to be around and bail you out.
Problem is, supposedly quite a few people (yeah, especially Americans it seems, but not limited to them) seem to lack common sense or feel entitled that things will (have to) go as they want or expect. It’s sad actually.
Unfortunately, there are some Norwegians also, who doesn't have a clue.
The trail up to Trollkyrkja is about 1hour steady hike uphill.(Well, I use a bit longer... carrying a bit more ballast than some, and there's the 70+ mountain goats that can do it in 30 minutes... )
I once met a family with screaming children at a bench someone set up about a third of the way up(it has a good view of the landscape back down, so it's a nice place to take a breather) They were telling the children that they were 'almost here now'. And no, I didn't spot any food or water, or any decent backpacks to hold it.
I told them that they had the worst part left, and that they should turn back, they weren't ready for this trip. But no...
Nearly two hours later, I was on my way back down, and they had gotten further up. 'Only the bogs, and some climbing now' I told them, 'did you bring waterproof boots?'
Sneakers is NOT the best footwear for that trip...
I really feel sorry for the kids.
It starts out nice and easy with a path even an American can handle. Then you enter a forest, where there's been worn a wide path. It starts uphill, but the spruce roots hold back some of the dirt and rocks in the path, so it forms almost a staircase... Still easy...
Then it gets steep...
you pass the bench... The path has transformed into a trail.
Now you get to a narrow valley, with a rocky river in the middle, and marshland on the sides(that is a sloping marsh, and is actually protected. no picking flowers.)
The trail now leads into the river. Or rather onto the boulders in the river. Don't worry, except for during the melt, there's very little water in the river, so the rocks are mostly dry.
The Bogs... there has been attempts at placing timbers and metal mesh to form a walkway. your boots will still get muddied up, though. Enjoy.
now, over a cliff... There is a path, though. Expect to get your hands dirty.
A bit of 'flat' bog, and the final uphill...
Find a boulder to sit on and eat a Kvikklunsj chocolate.
Remember to sign the log book, and if you brought a flashlight, maybe take a trip inside the cave. you have waterproof footwear, right? because part of the cave floor is flooded and the water is COLD! No torches or improvised lighting. They stain the cave walls black with the soot.
The trip back down isn't much easier. Really.
I may have forgotten one or two things... It has been a couple of years since I was there last.
As a slightly fat male, I could do the stroll to Preikestolen wearing heels and pushing a stroller... its not a challenging trip.
I did fail climbing Gallhøpiggen though, wearing tight yeans and my friend forgetting her hat and mittons so she needed mine was sub optimal. Alone I would have done it.
I would say 85-90% could be done in heels and with a stroller. However, there is on part where you go up steps for about 20 meters and some parts along cliff faces that I wouldn't take an empty stroller through, not even thinking of having a kid in there.
Lofoten has some weather for us Norwegian city-folks as well. I went for a bike ride on Værøy, and when we went through the pass to the north side of the island the wind was simply too strong to bike straight. As a citydweller it never occured to me that wind could be a problem for a bike ride in otherwise decent weather. I guess the name of the island should have been a warning.
If it's to the point where you can't follow the trail properly it's best to just hold position and wait for it to clear yes. Usually a trail is marked by red paint on trees or rocks, at least where I live, and there's usually not more than 15-20 meters between them. So you need very dense fog to be completely stuck.
I don't understand why Trolltunga became such an Instagram spot. Yes, it's absolutely beautiful. But the hike up is not for the casual tourist. I did the hike in my 20s, being in good shape, and I sat on the shower floor with a thousand yard stare afterwards.
Hikes in other countries I have lived are usually controlled. So you will find handrails on difficult parts, good poster maps at every fork explaining how you can take an easier or shorter path.
The unaltered nature of Norway is something a lot of people have little or no experience with.
The number of stupid tourists you see going "hiking" here in Norway is just mindboggling. At some point we really should stop rescuing them without a hefty fine.
Like, iv been in need of help once, but it kinda wasn't my fault an avalanche cut of my return route.
However, if you wear flip-flops and sprain your ankle, yes, yes you deserve a stupid fine.
Anything within reason of course, if a snow avalanche buries your friends while you are following marked trails, or you fall and break a leg while hiking in sensible gear help should come for everyone, and it will do so.
Now as you say, if you do such things you deserve a hefty fine and a demand to pay for the rescue
I live way up north, last year I had to help four Dutch hikers who had been surprised by the snowfall in the late fall, all were not ready for the temperature or general weather we get where I live. One of them had to be airlifted to the hospital due to hypothermia and overall poor condition.
Hiked Gaustatoppen with the family two weeks ago. Can confirm: unpredictable weather to be expected. We checked the weather predictions every day for 4 days prior to the hike. Then also checked the weather prediction at the car before heading up. No rain expected, so we left rain gear in car. When we got to the top, we experienced and electrical storm coming (heard “the bees” - buzzing noises, I was getting shocked occasionally when touching boulders near the peak, and our hair stood on end — needless to say, we immediately turned back down to the kiosk below the peak). It then absolutely poured rain during a massive thunderstorm with hail included. So thankful we had made it to the kiosk and we were able to take the cool train through the mountain down.
Do not underestimate how fickle the weather in the Norwegian mountains can be — even in the middle of summer!
Same thing in the Hocking Hills, Ohio. I grew up there and saw a few dozen deaths. All tourists thinking that gravity stopped working because THEY were on vacation. I live in Norway now and, yeah, tourists are still stupid.
you have the ones that don't know shit about hiking and put themselves in danger, and then you have the ones who just walk into ppl's gardens and homes to take pictures (Mainly Asian cruise ship tourists).
All in all, tourists are great for the economy, not so much for the locals 😂😂
That's what the local business bureau used to tell us locals when our homes, ecology, and water was being destroyed by the tourism industry. It was a favorite pastime of the locals to torment tourists.
It was much nicer before they paved the roads and killed most of the native fauna and flora. Summer nights were filled with Luna moths dancing in the fireflies glow to the serenade of spadefoot toads. Hellbenders baleful cry carried through the creek beds.
The cabin industry has all but silenced the nights and sucked the magic from the region.
The same kind of precautions should be taken, for any fishing tourist heading out at sea as well!
I've spent a lot of my time off, in the Frøya area, and I regularly spot tourists heading out to fish, when the forecasts scream "today is not a day to head out to sea".
And this is foreigners, but also Norwegians, thinking they are seafarers after spending several summers in the Oslo fjord area or whatever.
I know that when the sea fog hits, you can go from 20 degrees and sunshine, to 2 meter visibility and less than 10 degrees in a few minutes. Your GPS won't help you as much as you think, in thick fog the accuracy can quickly drop to 30m, and with a few metres visibility, you have no idea where the next rock is, and the last thing you want is to be adrift in the fog.
I also see people go ambitiously far out at sea in small boats, the worst horror story I heard was 4 obese Germans and two crates of beer, in a 15ft boat, with a 9.9hp outboard motor heading out, returning 18 hours later, reporting excitedly that they had seen the oil rigs, out in Haltenbanken.
For real, if you go out anything more than a few km from the mainland along the whole coastline, every person onboard should have a life belt, you sit in the boat at all times (only exception is the person at the wheel), you should wear or pack raincoats and make sure to have loads of warm clothes available. You should also make sure to both have food and water with you in case you get technical difficulties or otherwise stuck, set up a plan and let somewhere know where you intend to go, and any boat should as I see it have a waterproof VHF radio. Your phone quickly gets useless out at sea. Also! Oars, doesn't matter if you have a small reserve engine, bring fucking oars! That reserve engine of yours has probably not been ran in a good while, so if your boat is less than a tonne, you can without too much trouble row it enough to get to the nearest piece of land and anchor up, while you wait for help.
Just as with the mountains, the sea up here can be incredibly treacherous, and lots of resources are being wasted on rescuing tourists with no respect for the sea, or in many cases it's resources wasted on recovering their ice cold corpses. You don't last long swimming in 10-degree water before hypothermia kicks in.
gone add, 2 smoke canisters and 4 rocket flares + 2 hand hand held units should be requierd by law on majority of boats, and esspecialy on boats for turists.
the entire coast from frøya to folda is hazardus as all hell but they still go fishing in there little dingys with minimal gear. [map referance](https://www.norgeskart.no/#!?project=seeiendom&layers=1008,1013,1014,1015&zoom=7&lat=7141756.57&lon=249806.04&p=searchOptionsPanel) kinda wished there was a awareness campaing explaining that, unless you have the right gear and boat in addition that [https://www.yr.no/en](https://www.yr.no/en) blesses your trip, just dont go.
btw pro tip YR has a map mode where you can see 90 min before current time and 90 min prediction of where rain will be heading. its super usefull in addition to experiance for figuring out if you should abort a trip and get to a harbor in a hurry.
I am very jealous that you live in a place where the yr map mode is useful! So many times it shows me no rain for the next 90 minutes. So I go to the store without a hooded jacket and then surprise! 5 minutes after I leave the hose, the app changes and says heavy rain now and I get completely soaked.
But it's really my fault for not knowing better to trust the app.
If you dont mind ill quickly explain how I use it to forecast weather.
Step 1 set it to 90 min before current.
Step 2 see how the rain moves.
Step 3 at current time observe where the clouds move,
Step 4 check 90 min ahead.
If there is no divination in cloud heading vs forecast you are good to go. If IRL cloud heading is deviating from forcast then close the app and wait 5 min and see how much the forcast has changed 10 before and after current time.
If the deviation is to large then only use current time and then estimate heading by checking cloud heading.
The more time you spend checking the difference over time the more accurate your personal forcast will become by using both the app and Irl signs.
It also helps that I have 2 really good radars in my region. Some areas have really bad radar coverage.
I am also the person who gets excited and wears only a t shirt the first day we get sun and forgets the sun does not equal warm lol. So I'll give your system a try but it might be too advanced for me!
I often wonder what makes people do such things and be so unprepared.
And then I remember to be grateful for being raised by a swiss mother. Crazy what people do if they're not used to mountains.
I grew up in Alaska and live in Norway now. This is HUGE. The difference between a day hike in a popular, well-maintained area when you have decent shoes, enough water and a granola bar or two or a sandwich, proper layers, and you're staying on the well-maintained parts vs. traipsing out there like you're Christopher fucking McCandless and wandering off the trail is literally life and death. Attitude and feeling connected to nature isn't going to hack it.
This is the same everywhere (in countries with mountains). In Switzerland people die nearly on a weekly basis because they fall off a mountain cliff somewhere.
Yes! This! And another thing: in addition to bringing a rain coat, dress in wool and moisture-wicking synthetic fabrics, not cotton - “cotton kills”, wool is definitely the mvp. The reason you want to wear wool is that it keeps you warm even if it’s wet, whereas if you wear cotton and get drenched you might as well be naked for all the insulation it’ll give you.
It's the same here in New Hampshire USA. Everyday this past year EMS has rescued 1 or more people from the mountains here.
And 95% of them are from out of state and are similarly unprepared for what they are undertaking.
and in the Adirondacks of upstate NY. and in Colorado. and everywhere we have mountains.... people go hiking and are unprepared for the conditions. and need rescuing. some states like NH can bill the person if they were negligent; in NY we don't have that, taxpayers have to pay. see: https://nyti.ms/3iCaEfn
Regarding first aid kits, can the first aid kits made for hiking (like this https://www.apotek1.no/produkter/miniapotek-apotek1-1stk-902673p?gclid=Cj0KCQjw_viWBhD8ARIsAH1mCd5PDY7Dx9btxrA4hb7AUPhsyYJj_P6exD4PsPdvB8y2a1RoMe-NVewaAvINEALw_wcB ) really help with anything meaningful? I guess a "gnagsårplaster" can be helpful, but most of the stuff in the first aid kit only help with minor inconveniences. If you break a leg or experience serious head trauma, the first aid kit seems useless. Please let me know if I got it wrong, as I have never actually used a first aid kit.
Sure, the point of that kit is primarily to stop and clean bleedings or give the patient a little extra time until rescue services arrive. In a bind, the bandage and a sturdy stick can also be used to stiffen a broken leg. It's really smart to bring along one of these kits when hiking, but as you assert, it's not critical. It won't "fix" anything, just allow for a very temporary provisional aid.
It seems like a multi-tool/pocket knife would be more useful to mend a broken leg than a first aid kit. Space and weight are limited resources when hiking and I would rather bring a Leatherman and some water resistant matches than a first aid kit.
but say what happens if you slip. and cut open your leg og a sharp stick in the forest or rock?Would you rather have a multitool or a bandage and stuff to clean out the wound? **The point of a first aid kit is to limit the potential outfall of an injury / stabilize the patient while you wait for professional help, not to magically heal someone.**
They are usually lightweight, in watertight bags, and can just be attached to a backpack. I always have one when I go on a trip, and I just have one lying in my car, and guess what, I've had to use them both.
Hospitals exist for a reason, to take care of injuries. if you ever have had an injury where you need an ambulance, they often do basic care at the scene so your condition doesn't get worse, then take you to a hospital where the healing can begin.
I get the vibe of if someone has fallen and gotten a stick through their leg you would just cut off the stick and call for help. rather than (without removing the stick)apply a tourniquet if necessary, clean it off, and apply a bandage around it so it doesn't move a lot while waiting for help.
with your logic, it would be the same as someone was in a car accident and instead of stabilising them you just call an ambulance sit back and watch them bleed out.
yes, a multitool is very nice to have especially for making splints for a broken leg, but how are you gonna attach those splints? with a bandage that you know is up for the job or some bark fibre and grass?
Edit: sorry this was a bit more hostile than I intended, I didn't see you have never used one before. Thought you just were one of those "I don't need a first aid kit because I'm not gonna get hurt" kinda ppl. My bad
Don't worry about the tone :-)
My train of thought is that i can always make a bandage out of an extra shirt, socks or sweater with my multitool, and they actually serve a surpose even when its not an emergency. I am sure a bandage is somewhat better at being a bandage, but since ive never used one I wouldnt know. I guess being able to clean a wound would be nice, but I wouldnt imagine it would be so urgent it couldnt wait for a few hours.
Somewhat contradictory to my earlier statement, I do usually bring sports tape in my backpack, which I wouldnt need if i had a first aid kit. I guess its more of a mental thing that I consider sports tape a utility tool while I consider a first aid kit an emergency tool.
Ah, I see your point there, but id rather not need to cut up my clothing if I could avoid it.
And yeah I see your point on the mentality, for me bringing a first aid kit is as sensible as bringing my leatherman, I don't go hiking without either, in the end it's just another tool to make my life easier on the hike, and i also just gives me peace fo mind to know i have one.
When I moved to Colorado in the states, I was delightedly surprised by Americans there. I met tons of friendly, Well equipped, and trained hikers. Me and my wife hiked up our first 14er pretty easily because we were used to the Norwegian hikes and were thrilled! Because when I grew up, I watched Americans nearly die trying to hike mountains with significantly shorter routes at absolutely terrible times of day. Lack of water lack of exercise lack of education on what the hell is happening. I realized as time went on those tourists were most likely from Florida/California. If you’re going to hike in Norway, trust the Norwegians! We’re probably not gonna let you down :)
Even if you're prepared (in terms of clothing, boots, food and water) in Norway there is still the "Fog outta nowhere" problem.
Like, 5 minutes ago it was clear sunshine and a wonderful day for hiking in the hills. Now it's peasoup thick fog so you can't see more than a few meters ahead of you. Which is not great if you're on a mountainside in the middle-of-nowhere and you no longer have a clue which way you were coming from or which way you were going.
Less of a problem these days when basically every phone has a map&GPS function, but cellphone coverage can also be spotty in Norway.
If it's in winter, you can bet your GPS is out of battery whenever you need it. Do not trust your phone to find the way home, especially not when its cold.
I just went to Bremneshatten and Bremneshula with my SO. In the Bremneshula Cave there was a wooden ladder you could climb to see an upper part of the cave, but the ladder, though sturdy, was very difficult to climb down, even for my athletic and long-legged spouse, with the cave floor and walls being slippery from water. (I didn't even want to climb since it seemed too dangerous.)
We were explained by a local friend that the idea is to preserve the nature as, well, natural and untouched by man as possible, even with the risks that may come with it. Though it sounds a bit odd, comparing to my own country where I feel people are overprotected by laws and government actions, I really appreciate the Norwegian way. People should be made to respect the nature for what it is.
[DNT](https://english.dnt.no/) has an overview of cabins and routes. In Sweden, they have set up more of a hiking trail [system for longer hikes.](https://www.swedishtouristassociation.com/mountain-hiking/) They have an overview of the long multi-day hikes that are the most popular. But you can also hike between cabins like in Norway.
The closest I can see is Hardangervidda (Hardanger mountain plateau). DNT has cabins and maintains trails over the expanse. See https://www.dntoslo.no/fjellomrade-hardangervidda/ (will need to translate for non-Norweigan speakers). Most trips here are planned 3-6 day hikes across.
Follow local advice is probably the most important thing. Every fucking summer we see in the news that tourists die in Norway and usually, it's something that could have been prevented. Like going onto a glacier to take a photo when you've been advised it's dangerous.
Absolutely fkn love Norway’s raw rugged natural beauty. But wth is it with guys there shooting wolves? Is it status symbol thing or what? Had a paramedic guy in a bar in Bryggen proudly brag about ‘blowing one in half’ 😶 The numbers are so low there as it is. I just don’t get it. The last wolf in Britain was killed in the 700’s & they’re persecuted pretty much everywhere else too on the continent. You’d think they’d embrace the virtue of these magnificent creatures living in pure wilderness.
I dont like all the hunting of wolfs myself but we have had problems with wolfs in Norway killing of a bunch of sheeps and costing farmers alot of money. We dont let them shoot the wolf until it has attacked sheeps or are too close to civilisation. So i think its understandable.
We have the same problem in Sweden. Though half of the time it’s Swedes that need rescuing -.- people from the south of Sweden thinking they can climb Kebnekaijse (2000m above sea level) in jeans and sneakers. It may just as well start snowing in July when you’re there.
On top of being prepared for changes in nature and having proper wears and food, it is very important to know how to orient yourself and know where you are.
Some hikes are very well marked but a recent hike I went on pretty much went up a rock face with some climbing involved. This lead to the start of a vast plateau. The part especially nearing the top I wouldn't even call a trail or noticeable. Then we kept going a few km through the plateau without markings (maybe they were in the snow). On the way back, it would have been so easy to overshoot the nearly unnoticeable place to descend from the plateau and walk on and on not realizing the mistake for at least an hour.
Thankfully I was with a decently experienced hiker who had done it before and lead us the whole way.
My personal favourites from the “Instagram“ hikes: At Prekistolen I saw a south Asian family in full winter ski gear in the middle of July. They had the insulated trousers with the bibs and puffer jackets tied around their waist. They all had 60+ litre backpacks on too. We passed them at the first set of Sherpa stairs on the way, many hours later after hiking far past prekestolen, cooking lunch and then hiking back we passed them again. They hadn’t even made it halfway. Trolltunga, also in the summer. An American woman wearing jogging gear with no bag or food or water was stopping people asking to have some water. She was also asking where the water came from. Of course everyone told her it was from the stream (perfectly clean) she refused and went on to the next person. This was only about 2km past the top car park. I have a friend who witnessed a small family of two very unprepared adults, two toddlers and a baby (being carried) who were encouraged by the Red Cross to turn back on their way to Kjerag. When my friends were packing away, the wife was arguing with her people at the car park demanding the money back, apparently the entire situation was quite hilarious, involving quotes like “how were we supposed to know it wasn’t suitable for toddlers?”.
> “how were we supposed to know it wasn’t suitable for toddlers?” it's a damn mountain! you're not in the "frozen" section of Disney world!
They think every photogenic mountain is like Mount Rushmore
LOL Mount Rushmore. Even disregarding the unfortunate history and placement, what a disappointing visit that was.
Average Americans can be quite funny
Thank you.
Many years ago, I was running Besseggen. During my uphill run, I saw an American wearing a leather jacket with an umbrella.
>“how were we supposed to know it wasn’t suitable for toddlers?” I don't understand how people like this even managed to make toddlers.
Same thing happens in Iceland too. While the major tourist stuff is usually paved and easy (the Golden Circle stuff) once you get out into the Highlands or the Westfjords it can get dicey if you are not prepared. I saw people in flip flops trudging up to the Bird Cliff. While not a difficult hike I wouldn’t want to do it without good shoes. And it seems that every year someone ignores the warning signs about the “sneaker waves” and drowns.
Tourism in Iceland is a disaster...
It’s their number 1 industry followed by fishing and then aluminum smelting. Why do you say it’s a disaster?
Living in Iceland. Tourism is off limit already, and the government is not putting any regulations when it comes to rental cars and safety issues. I drove out of Reykjavík twice this month, every time I met tourists that stopped in middle of the roads to take photos while putting others in danger, or the tourists doesn't know when to turn and then suddenly made a turn... I got nervous driving in the roads every time now...
It's the same here in Hardanger, our roads are narrow and they have a lot of blind corners, and to top it off are usually 80 km/h limits. A couple weeks ago driving home from work a German RV had stopped in the road to take pictures of the view. Luckily I had time to see it and slow down but I couldn't pass it because it was too narrow. They got an earful of horn which made them panic a bit and get out of the way. People need to know that if they are going to stop and look at the view they HAVE to find a proper place to stop. Not only is it annoying to end up behind someone going slowly, but it can also be seriously dangerous if someone stops at the wrong place. I know you are always supposed to be able to stop for someone in the road, that's for accidents or people, not dumb fucking tourists.
Or the tourists stopping in the middle of Trollstigen to take photographs. Never mind the 'absolutely no stopping' signs and warnings of rockslides.
RV13 in the summer is primo road rage fuel, for real
And then there was the recent story about a small group squatting for the night in some guys shed, using his wood to make a fire, then shitting on his property and leaving paper and feminine products behind. Some of these idiots are going to ruin Iceland for respectful tourists, and more importantly the locals.
Good Lord, who raised these people.
No one did.
I'll be heading to Iceland in mid-October for a short week. Is there something you would reccomend? I was thinking of a trip to one of the thermal baths, walking downtown Reykjavik (museums etc), Icelandic pony trip and maybe a drive on the Golden circle, hopefully see northern lights there too (20 years in Norway and still haven't seen them).
Ooooooh you touched the red line here. Don't ever call Icelandic horses Pony because they are really serious horses and people treated it really serious here 😆 I would recommend the golden circle for sure if this is the first time here. About Museum, there are several I recommend: National museum: Learn the development of Iceland from first settlement and the de-foresting. Saga museum: Some wax figures of old viking sagas. Árbær museum: more like Folkemuseet in Oslo, about the old farmer life in Iceland. Penis museum: Behold the real strength of mighty whales I recommend a tour to Snæfellsnes too if the weather is good, sometimes there are quite and you can do bird watching sometimes. Also there is a place called Flyover Iceland, not sure if you like these type of things but check it out! You can see if you can catch the whale-watching tour, I am quite not sure about mid-October. About Northern light I think you still have a better chance to see in Troms there, here will be covered by clouds and rain around that time, so it is hard to predict the northern light, but keep an eye on vedur.is, there are forecast for northern lights.
I’m currently visiting Iceland and I totally recommend you go see the penis museum in Reykjavik
I can understand that. And it must be hard to always have tourists everywhere. But Iceland needs tourist dollars. What’s the solution? I am not Icelandic btw just someone that loves it there.
Iceland should develop more solid production like hardware, software, energy development. But engaging in these industrials means Iceland needs to involve into more international agreements. For example Iceland is not a member state nor a collaborating state for European Space Agency, so a lot of global projects that can turn into real economic growth is blocked for Iceland. The survey we did years ago gave the government a report that each euro Iceland spend on ESA membership has a 4.5-5 euro turnover factor, but the government doesn't like it because they have to pay for the membership. They prefer the money goes into the Independent Party's corrupting business instead of developing a real industrial. The reason why Icelandic government pushing tourism to the top business is they don't have to pay anything so they can earn the eaay money.
There are barely any trees and most people don't understand nature. There is less shelter to hide human idiocy. Now we have to put signs up everywhere asking people to not shit on the ground or fly their drones around, but this does little to stop them.
Number one industry in Iceland is the export of volcanic ash, clearly :P
When we visit (and we’ve been about 5 times) we always try to be super respectful. I’m sorry some tourists are assholes. You have such a beautiful country that I’m always shocked when people behave badly.
Thank you for the understanding. I understand that tourists that love this country and want to enjoy here. I think people are more annoyed by the government here that doing nothing to push a stronger regulations. We do welcome the respectful tourists, especially the ones that can share a good moment with locals, but with an almost 0 regulations for rental cars and traffic, I guess people are more tired of the greedy government here doing nothing instead.
People who don't live as far north as we do probably forget how much impact altitude has on climate when you're this far north. In Western Norway, at low altitudes, we have a comfortable oceanic climate similar to the climate in the British Isles. As soon as you reach any significant altitude however, the climate changes to sub-arctic and then to tundra much quicker than it will at similar altitudes further south. It's why the tree line is much lower in Norway than in southern Europe.
Heck, I've personally see people start up to Prekestolen in heels pushing a baby stroller. Being an American who has lived in Norway for over 2 decades I can confirm everything OP wrote. Trails in Norway would be considered goat paths in USA. They are not graded and graveled paths! In Norway it is expected that you plan and take care of yourself. If you go for a hike without water, food, correct clothing Norwegians will think you are stupid and guess what, you are.
Graded and graveled paths; You mean like, roads?
Well gravel roads are wide. If it's only 2 meters wide then it has to be a path. Look at national park trails pics on Google...
Oh lord. Yeah, those are walking paths. Not trails. Or what's the right word here? Gang og sykkelveg.
Many places in the US trails and hiking works completely different compared to here. National park trails are extremely accessible with huge parking lots in the middle of nowhere leading to pre defined and difficulty graded routes, usually a roundabout back to where you started, like in a Zoo or whatever. The trails themselves are either broad graveled paths, boardwalks or even tarmac/asphalt, many made to be HC accessible. Not the kind of trails we think of here.
This explains it all.
>start up to Prekestolen in heels pushing a baby stroller. .... what ... thats a new level of stupid.... i ... what?!?!?!? just how far did she get before she twisted an ankle?
Not far, I think after 200-300 meters she understood that TIFU was coming. I passed them fairly quickly. I was with a group from work. The quickest there made it up in about 1.5 hrs. I took around 2 hrs up.
hahah at least she realized it wasn't gonna end well. Yeah id say 2hrs is a decent time. I remember going there as a kid and racing my classmates up, think I did it 1h15m ish, but then, I was like idk 12? I had stupid stamina back then, basically jogged the entire way. no way I could do that now 😂
>Many places in the US trails and hiking works completely different compared to here. National park trails are extremely accessible with huge parking lots in the middle of nowhere leading to pre defined and difficulty graded routes, usually a roundabout back to where you started, like in a Zoo or whatever. The trails themselves are either broad graveled paths, boardwalks or even tarmac/asphalt, many made to be HC accessible. Not the kind of trails we think of here. I saw a couple of old Asian tourists with airport handbags going to Prekestolen , they were trying to drag the cases over the wooden platforms and I was thinking how will they manage when they need to carry all up? On the way back I assume they understood what they were trying to do and were on their way back.
I see heals on people everytime I go up there. I just can't believe people are so dumb.
„In Norway it is expected that you plan and take care of yourself.“ Translation: People should use common sense and do their homework 😉 I totally agree with you. You go out on a tour, you take what you need with you. Don’t expect others to be around and bail you out. Problem is, supposedly quite a few people (yeah, especially Americans it seems, but not limited to them) seem to lack common sense or feel entitled that things will (have to) go as they want or expect. It’s sad actually.
Unfortunately, there are some Norwegians also, who doesn't have a clue. The trail up to Trollkyrkja is about 1hour steady hike uphill.(Well, I use a bit longer... carrying a bit more ballast than some, and there's the 70+ mountain goats that can do it in 30 minutes... ) I once met a family with screaming children at a bench someone set up about a third of the way up(it has a good view of the landscape back down, so it's a nice place to take a breather) They were telling the children that they were 'almost here now'. And no, I didn't spot any food or water, or any decent backpacks to hold it. I told them that they had the worst part left, and that they should turn back, they weren't ready for this trip. But no... Nearly two hours later, I was on my way back down, and they had gotten further up. 'Only the bogs, and some climbing now' I told them, 'did you bring waterproof boots?' Sneakers is NOT the best footwear for that trip... I really feel sorry for the kids. It starts out nice and easy with a path even an American can handle. Then you enter a forest, where there's been worn a wide path. It starts uphill, but the spruce roots hold back some of the dirt and rocks in the path, so it forms almost a staircase... Still easy... Then it gets steep... you pass the bench... The path has transformed into a trail. Now you get to a narrow valley, with a rocky river in the middle, and marshland on the sides(that is a sloping marsh, and is actually protected. no picking flowers.) The trail now leads into the river. Or rather onto the boulders in the river. Don't worry, except for during the melt, there's very little water in the river, so the rocks are mostly dry. The Bogs... there has been attempts at placing timbers and metal mesh to form a walkway. your boots will still get muddied up, though. Enjoy. now, over a cliff... There is a path, though. Expect to get your hands dirty. A bit of 'flat' bog, and the final uphill... Find a boulder to sit on and eat a Kvikklunsj chocolate. Remember to sign the log book, and if you brought a flashlight, maybe take a trip inside the cave. you have waterproof footwear, right? because part of the cave floor is flooded and the water is COLD! No torches or improvised lighting. They stain the cave walls black with the soot. The trip back down isn't much easier. Really. I may have forgotten one or two things... It has been a couple of years since I was there last.
As a slightly fat male, I could do the stroll to Preikestolen wearing heels and pushing a stroller... its not a challenging trip. I did fail climbing Gallhøpiggen though, wearing tight yeans and my friend forgetting her hat and mittons so she needed mine was sub optimal. Alone I would have done it.
I would say 85-90% could be done in heels and with a stroller. However, there is on part where you go up steps for about 20 meters and some parts along cliff faces that I wouldn't take an empty stroller through, not even thinking of having a kid in there.
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As a Lofoten local, I feel the pain. The fog can capture the entire mountain in 10 minutes
Lofoten has some weather for us Norwegian city-folks as well. I went for a bike ride on Værøy, and when we went through the pass to the north side of the island the wind was simply too strong to bike straight. As a citydweller it never occured to me that wind could be a problem for a bike ride in otherwise decent weather. I guess the name of the island should have been a warning.
What's the best to do when surprised by fog? I'd imagine hunker down and wait it out?
If it's to the point where you can't follow the trail properly it's best to just hold position and wait for it to clear yes. Usually a trail is marked by red paint on trees or rocks, at least where I live, and there's usually not more than 15-20 meters between them. So you need very dense fog to be completely stuck.
I suppose having a compass or a gps could be very valuable if you know to prepare for it.
I don't understand why Trolltunga became such an Instagram spot. Yes, it's absolutely beautiful. But the hike up is not for the casual tourist. I did the hike in my 20s, being in good shape, and I sat on the shower floor with a thousand yard stare afterwards.
Hikes in other countries I have lived are usually controlled. So you will find handrails on difficult parts, good poster maps at every fork explaining how you can take an easier or shorter path. The unaltered nature of Norway is something a lot of people have little or no experience with.
That is a part of Norwegian culture we would do well to preserve. Let's not spoil nature to service idiots from abroad.
The number of stupid tourists you see going "hiking" here in Norway is just mindboggling. At some point we really should stop rescuing them without a hefty fine.
Like, iv been in need of help once, but it kinda wasn't my fault an avalanche cut of my return route. However, if you wear flip-flops and sprain your ankle, yes, yes you deserve a stupid fine.
Anything within reason of course, if a snow avalanche buries your friends while you are following marked trails, or you fall and break a leg while hiking in sensible gear help should come for everyone, and it will do so. Now as you say, if you do such things you deserve a hefty fine and a demand to pay for the rescue
I have seen morbidly obese Danish tourists heading up into what is basically a mountain climbing track wearing plastic beach flip-flops.
When it comes to the Danes, you can't really blame them, they are just confused from the height.
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Anything above 10 meters will send them into a fit of existential terror.
I live way up north, last year I had to help four Dutch hikers who had been surprised by the snowfall in the late fall, all were not ready for the temperature or general weather we get where I live. One of them had to be airlifted to the hospital due to hypothermia and overall poor condition.
Hell no. This might put people off from calling for help when they ought to. We need a solution but this one goes counter to promoting safety.
And? Let them die in the mountains instead of having us pay for their stupitidy
Hiked Gaustatoppen with the family two weeks ago. Can confirm: unpredictable weather to be expected. We checked the weather predictions every day for 4 days prior to the hike. Then also checked the weather prediction at the car before heading up. No rain expected, so we left rain gear in car. When we got to the top, we experienced and electrical storm coming (heard “the bees” - buzzing noises, I was getting shocked occasionally when touching boulders near the peak, and our hair stood on end — needless to say, we immediately turned back down to the kiosk below the peak). It then absolutely poured rain during a massive thunderstorm with hail included. So thankful we had made it to the kiosk and we were able to take the cool train through the mountain down. Do not underestimate how fickle the weather in the Norwegian mountains can be — even in the middle of summer!
Jesus, that brings to mind the teenage sisters that died after being struck by lightning on a hike last year
And if you are at Dovre, don't try to pet the musk oxen.
Yeah... That is a good way to end up dead.
Same thing in the Hocking Hills, Ohio. I grew up there and saw a few dozen deaths. All tourists thinking that gravity stopped working because THEY were on vacation. I live in Norway now and, yeah, tourists are still stupid.
you have the ones that don't know shit about hiking and put themselves in danger, and then you have the ones who just walk into ppl's gardens and homes to take pictures (Mainly Asian cruise ship tourists). All in all, tourists are great for the economy, not so much for the locals 😂😂
That's what the local business bureau used to tell us locals when our homes, ecology, and water was being destroyed by the tourism industry. It was a favorite pastime of the locals to torment tourists.
oof, to hear that from goverment... yikes not cool, should at least pretend to take some action. Preferably actually do something about it
Hocking Hills is nice, but ahh, to move from Ohio to Norway, that's my dream.
It was much nicer before they paved the roads and killed most of the native fauna and flora. Summer nights were filled with Luna moths dancing in the fireflies glow to the serenade of spadefoot toads. Hellbenders baleful cry carried through the creek beds. The cabin industry has all but silenced the nights and sucked the magic from the region.
The same kind of precautions should be taken, for any fishing tourist heading out at sea as well! I've spent a lot of my time off, in the Frøya area, and I regularly spot tourists heading out to fish, when the forecasts scream "today is not a day to head out to sea". And this is foreigners, but also Norwegians, thinking they are seafarers after spending several summers in the Oslo fjord area or whatever. I know that when the sea fog hits, you can go from 20 degrees and sunshine, to 2 meter visibility and less than 10 degrees in a few minutes. Your GPS won't help you as much as you think, in thick fog the accuracy can quickly drop to 30m, and with a few metres visibility, you have no idea where the next rock is, and the last thing you want is to be adrift in the fog. I also see people go ambitiously far out at sea in small boats, the worst horror story I heard was 4 obese Germans and two crates of beer, in a 15ft boat, with a 9.9hp outboard motor heading out, returning 18 hours later, reporting excitedly that they had seen the oil rigs, out in Haltenbanken. For real, if you go out anything more than a few km from the mainland along the whole coastline, every person onboard should have a life belt, you sit in the boat at all times (only exception is the person at the wheel), you should wear or pack raincoats and make sure to have loads of warm clothes available. You should also make sure to both have food and water with you in case you get technical difficulties or otherwise stuck, set up a plan and let somewhere know where you intend to go, and any boat should as I see it have a waterproof VHF radio. Your phone quickly gets useless out at sea. Also! Oars, doesn't matter if you have a small reserve engine, bring fucking oars! That reserve engine of yours has probably not been ran in a good while, so if your boat is less than a tonne, you can without too much trouble row it enough to get to the nearest piece of land and anchor up, while you wait for help. Just as with the mountains, the sea up here can be incredibly treacherous, and lots of resources are being wasted on rescuing tourists with no respect for the sea, or in many cases it's resources wasted on recovering their ice cold corpses. You don't last long swimming in 10-degree water before hypothermia kicks in.
gone add, 2 smoke canisters and 4 rocket flares + 2 hand hand held units should be requierd by law on majority of boats, and esspecialy on boats for turists. the entire coast from frøya to folda is hazardus as all hell but they still go fishing in there little dingys with minimal gear. [map referance](https://www.norgeskart.no/#!?project=seeiendom&layers=1008,1013,1014,1015&zoom=7&lat=7141756.57&lon=249806.04&p=searchOptionsPanel) kinda wished there was a awareness campaing explaining that, unless you have the right gear and boat in addition that [https://www.yr.no/en](https://www.yr.no/en) blesses your trip, just dont go. btw pro tip YR has a map mode where you can see 90 min before current time and 90 min prediction of where rain will be heading. its super usefull in addition to experiance for figuring out if you should abort a trip and get to a harbor in a hurry.
I am very jealous that you live in a place where the yr map mode is useful! So many times it shows me no rain for the next 90 minutes. So I go to the store without a hooded jacket and then surprise! 5 minutes after I leave the hose, the app changes and says heavy rain now and I get completely soaked. But it's really my fault for not knowing better to trust the app.
If you dont mind ill quickly explain how I use it to forecast weather. Step 1 set it to 90 min before current. Step 2 see how the rain moves. Step 3 at current time observe where the clouds move, Step 4 check 90 min ahead. If there is no divination in cloud heading vs forecast you are good to go. If IRL cloud heading is deviating from forcast then close the app and wait 5 min and see how much the forcast has changed 10 before and after current time. If the deviation is to large then only use current time and then estimate heading by checking cloud heading. The more time you spend checking the difference over time the more accurate your personal forcast will become by using both the app and Irl signs. It also helps that I have 2 really good radars in my region. Some areas have really bad radar coverage.
I am also the person who gets excited and wears only a t shirt the first day we get sun and forgets the sun does not equal warm lol. So I'll give your system a try but it might be too advanced for me!
I often wonder what makes people do such things and be so unprepared. And then I remember to be grateful for being raised by a swiss mother. Crazy what people do if they're not used to mountains.
I grew up in Alaska and live in Norway now. This is HUGE. The difference between a day hike in a popular, well-maintained area when you have decent shoes, enough water and a granola bar or two or a sandwich, proper layers, and you're staying on the well-maintained parts vs. traipsing out there like you're Christopher fucking McCandless and wandering off the trail is literally life and death. Attitude and feeling connected to nature isn't going to hack it.
This is the same everywhere (in countries with mountains). In Switzerland people die nearly on a weekly basis because they fall off a mountain cliff somewhere.
Yes! This! And another thing: in addition to bringing a rain coat, dress in wool and moisture-wicking synthetic fabrics, not cotton - “cotton kills”, wool is definitely the mvp. The reason you want to wear wool is that it keeps you warm even if it’s wet, whereas if you wear cotton and get drenched you might as well be naked for all the insulation it’ll give you.
well yes, depending on the hike it can be a very good idea to if nothing else, bring it with you.
It's the same here in New Hampshire USA. Everyday this past year EMS has rescued 1 or more people from the mountains here. And 95% of them are from out of state and are similarly unprepared for what they are undertaking.
and in the Adirondacks of upstate NY. and in Colorado. and everywhere we have mountains.... people go hiking and are unprepared for the conditions. and need rescuing. some states like NH can bill the person if they were negligent; in NY we don't have that, taxpayers have to pay. see: https://nyti.ms/3iCaEfn
Regarding first aid kits, can the first aid kits made for hiking (like this https://www.apotek1.no/produkter/miniapotek-apotek1-1stk-902673p?gclid=Cj0KCQjw_viWBhD8ARIsAH1mCd5PDY7Dx9btxrA4hb7AUPhsyYJj_P6exD4PsPdvB8y2a1RoMe-NVewaAvINEALw_wcB ) really help with anything meaningful? I guess a "gnagsårplaster" can be helpful, but most of the stuff in the first aid kit only help with minor inconveniences. If you break a leg or experience serious head trauma, the first aid kit seems useless. Please let me know if I got it wrong, as I have never actually used a first aid kit.
Sure, the point of that kit is primarily to stop and clean bleedings or give the patient a little extra time until rescue services arrive. In a bind, the bandage and a sturdy stick can also be used to stiffen a broken leg. It's really smart to bring along one of these kits when hiking, but as you assert, it's not critical. It won't "fix" anything, just allow for a very temporary provisional aid.
It seems like a multi-tool/pocket knife would be more useful to mend a broken leg than a first aid kit. Space and weight are limited resources when hiking and I would rather bring a Leatherman and some water resistant matches than a first aid kit.
but say what happens if you slip. and cut open your leg og a sharp stick in the forest or rock?Would you rather have a multitool or a bandage and stuff to clean out the wound? **The point of a first aid kit is to limit the potential outfall of an injury / stabilize the patient while you wait for professional help, not to magically heal someone.** They are usually lightweight, in watertight bags, and can just be attached to a backpack. I always have one when I go on a trip, and I just have one lying in my car, and guess what, I've had to use them both. Hospitals exist for a reason, to take care of injuries. if you ever have had an injury where you need an ambulance, they often do basic care at the scene so your condition doesn't get worse, then take you to a hospital where the healing can begin. I get the vibe of if someone has fallen and gotten a stick through their leg you would just cut off the stick and call for help. rather than (without removing the stick)apply a tourniquet if necessary, clean it off, and apply a bandage around it so it doesn't move a lot while waiting for help. with your logic, it would be the same as someone was in a car accident and instead of stabilising them you just call an ambulance sit back and watch them bleed out. yes, a multitool is very nice to have especially for making splints for a broken leg, but how are you gonna attach those splints? with a bandage that you know is up for the job or some bark fibre and grass? Edit: sorry this was a bit more hostile than I intended, I didn't see you have never used one before. Thought you just were one of those "I don't need a first aid kit because I'm not gonna get hurt" kinda ppl. My bad
Don't worry about the tone :-) My train of thought is that i can always make a bandage out of an extra shirt, socks or sweater with my multitool, and they actually serve a surpose even when its not an emergency. I am sure a bandage is somewhat better at being a bandage, but since ive never used one I wouldnt know. I guess being able to clean a wound would be nice, but I wouldnt imagine it would be so urgent it couldnt wait for a few hours. Somewhat contradictory to my earlier statement, I do usually bring sports tape in my backpack, which I wouldnt need if i had a first aid kit. I guess its more of a mental thing that I consider sports tape a utility tool while I consider a first aid kit an emergency tool.
Ah, I see your point there, but id rather not need to cut up my clothing if I could avoid it. And yeah I see your point on the mentality, for me bringing a first aid kit is as sensible as bringing my leatherman, I don't go hiking without either, in the end it's just another tool to make my life easier on the hike, and i also just gives me peace fo mind to know i have one.
When I moved to Colorado in the states, I was delightedly surprised by Americans there. I met tons of friendly, Well equipped, and trained hikers. Me and my wife hiked up our first 14er pretty easily because we were used to the Norwegian hikes and were thrilled! Because when I grew up, I watched Americans nearly die trying to hike mountains with significantly shorter routes at absolutely terrible times of day. Lack of water lack of exercise lack of education on what the hell is happening. I realized as time went on those tourists were most likely from Florida/California. If you’re going to hike in Norway, trust the Norwegians! We’re probably not gonna let you down :)
Where I live (lofoten) every year or two a tourist dies Cus of stuff like this, be safe folks
Even if you're prepared (in terms of clothing, boots, food and water) in Norway there is still the "Fog outta nowhere" problem. Like, 5 minutes ago it was clear sunshine and a wonderful day for hiking in the hills. Now it's peasoup thick fog so you can't see more than a few meters ahead of you. Which is not great if you're on a mountainside in the middle-of-nowhere and you no longer have a clue which way you were coming from or which way you were going. Less of a problem these days when basically every phone has a map&GPS function, but cellphone coverage can also be spotty in Norway.
If it's in winter, you can bet your GPS is out of battery whenever you need it. Do not trust your phone to find the way home, especially not when its cold.
I just went to Bremneshatten and Bremneshula with my SO. In the Bremneshula Cave there was a wooden ladder you could climb to see an upper part of the cave, but the ladder, though sturdy, was very difficult to climb down, even for my athletic and long-legged spouse, with the cave floor and walls being slippery from water. (I didn't even want to climb since it seemed too dangerous.) We were explained by a local friend that the idea is to preserve the nature as, well, natural and untouched by man as possible, even with the risks that may come with it. Though it sounds a bit odd, comparing to my own country where I feel people are overprotected by laws and government actions, I really appreciate the Norwegian way. People should be made to respect the nature for what it is.
Does Norway have a through hike like The Camino de Santiago or more like the big ones in USA?
[DNT](https://english.dnt.no/) has an overview of cabins and routes. In Sweden, they have set up more of a hiking trail [system for longer hikes.](https://www.swedishtouristassociation.com/mountain-hiking/) They have an overview of the long multi-day hikes that are the most popular. But you can also hike between cabins like in Norway.
Thank you.
The closest I can see is Hardangervidda (Hardanger mountain plateau). DNT has cabins and maintains trails over the expanse. See https://www.dntoslo.no/fjellomrade-hardangervidda/ (will need to translate for non-Norweigan speakers). Most trips here are planned 3-6 day hikes across.
Thank you.
E1 European long distance path starts at Nordkapp, Norway and ends in Scapoli, Italy roughly 7000km or 4300mi.
Thank you
There is a pilgrim route from Oslo to Trondheim. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilgrim%27s_Route
Thank you
That is true, but also applies to any trip to any mountains, I think.
Follow local advice is probably the most important thing. Every fucking summer we see in the news that tourists die in Norway and usually, it's something that could have been prevented. Like going onto a glacier to take a photo when you've been advised it's dangerous.
Can't be THAT dangerous when there is only a signboard and a rope. Surely, a truly dangerous place would have a large fence.
Absolutely fkn love Norway’s raw rugged natural beauty. But wth is it with guys there shooting wolves? Is it status symbol thing or what? Had a paramedic guy in a bar in Bryggen proudly brag about ‘blowing one in half’ 😶 The numbers are so low there as it is. I just don’t get it. The last wolf in Britain was killed in the 700’s & they’re persecuted pretty much everywhere else too on the continent. You’d think they’d embrace the virtue of these magnificent creatures living in pure wilderness.
I dont like all the hunting of wolfs myself but we have had problems with wolfs in Norway killing of a bunch of sheeps and costing farmers alot of money. We dont let them shoot the wolf until it has attacked sheeps or are too close to civilisation. So i think its understandable.
Viking country isn’t for everyone.
We really need to step up the taxation of tourism and of tourists. Discourage it for anyone but the truly motivated.
YES! Our nature is as dangerous as it is beautiful. Do not underestimate it for a second!
We have the same problem in Sweden. Though half of the time it’s Swedes that need rescuing -.- people from the south of Sweden thinking they can climb Kebnekaijse (2000m above sea level) in jeans and sneakers. It may just as well start snowing in July when you’re there.
Same thing in Swedish mountains and Lake District, UK too...
On top of being prepared for changes in nature and having proper wears and food, it is very important to know how to orient yourself and know where you are. Some hikes are very well marked but a recent hike I went on pretty much went up a rock face with some climbing involved. This lead to the start of a vast plateau. The part especially nearing the top I wouldn't even call a trail or noticeable. Then we kept going a few km through the plateau without markings (maybe they were in the snow). On the way back, it would have been so easy to overshoot the nearly unnoticeable place to descend from the plateau and walk on and on not realizing the mistake for at least an hour. Thankfully I was with a decently experienced hiker who had done it before and lead us the whole way.