Advanced Polar Expedition Training

Overview

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For those who have already completed our Polar Expedition Training week

Introduction

February in the Norwegian mountains is fantastic - fresh 'early season' snow and cold crisp nights. It's a great time to get out in the mountains on skis again whilst also consolidating your polar skills and knowledge, ready for any longer remoter trip later in the season, or simply enjoy travelling over the high Arctic plateau of the Hardanger - famous as a training ground used by Amundsen before his expedition to the South Pole.

Join us 'on tour' in the Norwegian mountains as we cross the northern edge of the Hardangervidda - 4.5 days on skis covering approx 50Km from Haugastol to Geilo. However, the emphasis isn't so much on covering distance as improving and honing your expedition skills.

Start pointint: Oslo, Norway
Grade: 3B

Experience Required

This trip is suitable for those who have already completed a Polar Expedition training course, who wish to build on their experience prior to joining a Hardangervidda or Svalbard crossing trip.

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Tailor Made Trips

We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the expedition or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign. We recommend that you read the FCDO Travel Advice for Norway on the FCDO Website.

What the price includes

• International flights from London to Oslo (unless joining ‘Land Only’)
• Private transportation from Kongsberg - Haugastol
• Private transportation from Hakkesetstolen - Kongsberg and onward to the airport by train
• 1 night in Kongsberg accommodation in a twin sharing room, B&B (shared bathroom facilities)
• 5 nights in a tent
• All meals whilst on expedition
• Loan of mountain skis, boots, ski poles
• All leader costs (1 guide per 7 team members)
• All communal equipment, e.g. tents, stoves, sledges, shovels, emergency communications and medical kit
• Jagged Globe kit bag

What the price does not include

• Train ticket from Oslo Aiport to Kongsberg (it is not possible to book in advance - approximate cost 384 NOK.
• Meals whilst in Kongsberg
• Personal clothing (an equipment and clothing list will be sent to you on receipt of your booking deposit)
• Sleeping bag (rated to -25C) and mat (sleeping bag can be hired)
• Excess baggage charges
• Bar bills and laundry
• Travel insurance
• Optional trips
• Tips

Tailor Made Trips

We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »

Outline Itinerary

Day 1:	Travel to course base in Norway Fly to Oslo and take the train to Kongsberg for a kit check and briefing. You will need to arrive in Kongsberg no later than 1700. Overnight in Kongsberg (where you can leave behind any travel clothes, but this will add an extra hour to your return journey to the airport).
Day 2:	Drive to Haugastol, start ski journey We use a bespoke bus to take us the 3+ hour journey from Kongsberg to Haugastol, located at the western end of Ustevatnet lake below Hallingskarvet ridge. This high mountain ridge, which rises above the lake to 1,600m above sea level, will be visible almost the whole journey whilst skiing along the northern edge of the Hardanger plateau. We will stop skiing earlier this first night, to refresh on polar campcraft skills.
Day 3 - 6:	Ski journey After melting the snow to make water for our breakfast, our journey continues - the exact route will depend on the weather and snow conditions and the team. We will ascend from Haugastøl in the west to Geilo on the east side of this high ground, skiing towards Kraekja, Tuva and Ustetind summit - this means we cover approx. 12km per day, leaving time each day to also improve and consolidate our ski skills. Every evening, we set up the tents, making the camp stormproof if strong winds are forecast, and then melt more snow for our evening meals.
Day 7:	Travel home On the final morning we have breakfast before taking down the camp a final time and then ski out to the road near Hakkesetstolen, where we meet the bespoke bus which takes us back to Kongsberg. Onward travel by train to the airport in time to take a late flight home the same evening. Fly home.

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