Our First Hiking Trip

HIKING- On Wednesday night this week, I was peacefully making tacos for Kevin when he received a text. His friend, Arne, from work asked if he wanted to hike Langevannstoppen (Langevann Top). We did not know what this was...whether he was talking about in the future or tonight. It actually is a mountain here in Kongsberg, 497 m high. We decided to join…:) So our first hike in Kongsberg was at night in the snow (sounds perfect right?). We had no IDEA what we were getting into, but of course it turned out to be amazing.  When we got out of the car, he handed us some gear. The gear had one part that strapped around your waist which connects to a piece that you put on your head--Headlights-hah.  The battery was on the part that was strapped around our waist. We were instructed in the art of layering--which I think we did pretty well, unplanned of course. Within the first 10 minutes of the hike I was already ready to get rid of the heavy jacket, and was surprisingly never cold again until we reached the top.

Headlight ON :)

There was a trail that we followed (apparently there are tons you can choose to follow), but because of the snow and how it has been warmer lately the trail was about a foot wide. For example, if you stepped off the solid trail your feet would sink down into the snow---sometimes just a little, sometimes A LOT. Enough to make you completely fall at times. This made the hike up hard, and it was very steep at times--especially at the top. If at any point you would look up to see ahead with your headlight, you lost your footing. I fell A LOT.  So we jumped/climbed all the way up. I honestly didn't know if I would make it to the top at times (breathing in cold air, not being able to see the the top, legs wearing out). But of course when we got to the top it was beautiful. The pictures did not come out well or do it justice because of the fog but It was beyond lovely.

At the top there is a book that you sign and put how many times you have gone to the top in it (in a box near a tree). After soaking in the view at the top, I realized that somehow we were going to have to make it down… which ended up being the funniest part. I have never fallen more in my life. I ended making myself a human sled at some points..which was awesome! It was the best solution I could come up with since it was steep and icy at points. Kevin's advice was, "Just pretend like you are surfing..Just pretend like you are skateboarding." (I have done neither). Kevin attempts "surfing" his way down at times. Arne was able to just run down (no fear), but he did wait for us. Eventually we did make it down ( about 2.5 hours for the whole trip). Arne did say that it was very slushy, and the snow was not usually that soft this early. It apparently has been warmer than usual here for this time of year. Our theory is that if we can do that in those conditions, it should be no problem later! We will definitely be going back!

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