Mini trip under northern lights

It had taken a way too long time, before we finally got our tent out the first time for the year 2021. The year hasn’t been busy at our work places, but we still haven’t got the same days off. At the same time the start of the year was coldest within the five winters we have been living in Geilo. Temperature in January and February was mostly in between -15 to -25. Excuses, I would still say. When you loose the tradition of taking your tent and gear out and going on an overnight tour it just gets harder and harder of making it happen.

Finally we got same two days off at the same time. It was time to back the car and head out. After a long discussion we take with us both randonnee gear and narrow mountain skies (fjell skies in norwegian) and two pulks. It had snowed for 25 cm new snow and I still had high hopes of doing both randonnee tour and camping tour. Once we got to the point to start the tour I saw that the snow was very wind packed and it was much less snow than what I had thought.

So we left randonnee equipment in the car and deside to ski only with the narrow mountain skies. There were few cars at the parking space and one young couple was starting there first longer trip with tent and pulks. They were heading to Finse from here and further from there. It meant that by starting 10.30 they had 17 km in front of them.

I was happy that our plan was only to ski for 4 km with the pulks. I still haven’t figured out the whole gloriness of skiing long distances with the pulk. My and luckily also Antti’s idea is more to set up a base camp close by the car and ski without the pulks, but we love to sleep in tent also in wintertime. The other thing is that we are not into having the most light weight gear. The fjellpulken of year 1999 is not the most light weight expedition pulk, but for sure it is stable. We carry on expresso coffee maker and my sleeping back goes down to -42 degrees use in theory. Sure it is warm and more heavy than some of the other models. But for me that is the luxory of the winter camping.

We set up our tent close by DNT hut Geiterygghytta. Because of corona districtions it is not open this winter. Good for us. After the meeting at parking space we do not meet anyone within 24 hours. Even if we are close by a road 51 (from Hagafoss to Aurland), Geiteryggtunnel keeps the noice of the traffic low. By night the road is closed at the moment, because of some construction work at the tunnel. We eat one quick lunch and head for a short skiing trip without the pulks. The wind picks up while we ski. Pretty normal up here once we are 1200 meters above the sealevel. On good skiing conditions there could be nice telemark runs here as well. Not long, but ok.

After the skiing I chance my clothes and go into the sleeping bag. Temperature drops down to -10 which is not much this winter, but the warm sleeping bag still feels amazing. We listen to a finnish book on bookbeat for hours in the tent untill it gets dark and then get out for Antti to take some photos of the stars.

Timing couldn’t be better. It is quite rare this south of Norway to see the northern lights, but this time we can see those as well. The colors look even better on photos, but the real show with combination of stars and northern lights is very impressive. I can’t believe that we are only an hour drive and 4km of skiing away from our home.

I have forgotten my classes home, but managed to find an extra pair of contact lenses at first aid kid. Our fuel stove starts to leak, but we managed to get a cup of coffee in the morning. The whole operation of packing and unpacking on trips is most of the times not fluent. Even if you are very used to do the trips. But looking at the stars with no wind at 1200 meters above the sea level makes it all worth it.