Outdoor Norway - Norway - page 70

Karasjok Wonderful short and long expeditions run by Sven Engholm (who has won the
Finnmarkslopet a record 11 times) and his team.
Svalbard The most spectacular landscapes bar none that can be reached by husky.
Alta Three-hour excursions to five-day expeditions not far from Alta.
Røros From a few hours to a few days in one of Norway's coldest corners.
Tromsø Up to four-day treks from Kvaløya island, south of town, with reindeer-sledding
also possible.
Kirkenes Mostly short-haul excursions but longer options are possible.
Skiing
'Ski' is a Norwegian word and thanks to aeons-old rock carvings depicting hunters travel-
ling on skis, Norwegians make a credible claim to having invented the sport. Interest hasn't
waned over the years and these days it's the national pastime.
WEATHER WARNING
Always check weather and other local conditions before setting out cross-country. This
applies whenever traversing any exposed area, but is particularly an issue for hikers and
cross-country skiers (two Scottish cross-country skiers died after being caught in snow
and freezing fog in March 2007 on the Hardangervidda Plateau despite, according to
some reports, being warned by local experts not to set out). At any time of the year, you
should always be prepared for sudden inclement weather and stay aware of potential ava-
lanche dangers, which are particularly rife in Jotunheimen but are a possibility anywhere
in Norway's high country. Also, never venture onto glacial ice without the proper equip-
ment and experience. And trust the advice of locals, who understand the conditions bet-
ter than even the most experienced out-of-town hikers or skiers - if they say not to go,
don't go.
Cross-Country Skiing
Most skiing is of the cross-country (Nordic) variety, and Norway has thousands of kilo-
metres of maintained cross-country ski trails. Visitors should only set off after closely
studying the trails/routes (wilderness trails are identified by colour codes on maps and