Winter adventure
Jigsaw pieces
December 13, 2024
Saturday 22 March - Norwayface
We have just returned from 20 days of winter expeditions! What a great time we had with the two amazing groups we had with us. Together on pulka trekking through a beautiful part of Norway, sleeping in a tent, on skis through the wide plains and over the mountains. We are so proud of everyone. Because one by one, Annelies, Verena, Tom, Mone, Nuno, Marcelo, Linda, Michel, Anja, Oliver, Stef and Sebastiaan have shown what we already know: if you've never done something before, doesn't mean you can't do it. With the right mindset, the journey is the training. Something so unfamiliar to them just a few weeks ago is now a world they know. All have blossomed into skiers who now with all the tricks and knowledge, have the skill to go out on their own.
Two groups in a row, that was new for us. It were intense but very rewarding days. We are so grateful we are to be able to do this and share so much passion. It is perfect!
Expedition names
We let our groups come up with their own expedition name. It's something that grows, that emerges, that is allowed to change and move. It's fun because it gives an identity to the group. This year, snow conditions and weather have given rise to the groups' names. Unfortunately, it has been a mild winter that started far too late and warmed back up far too early. The warmest winter in ages. Fortunately, fresh snow fell just before expedition group #1 arrived, but we also knew we had to prepare them for a week of high winds and some days above zero. The group chose the name “Expedition Snowstorm,” but soon it took on a new twist. We seemed to be working our way right between snowstorms. When we were comfortable in our tent or had found a hiding place for lunch, the storm would break, but as soon as the skis clicked under our feet came the silence after the storm. Temperatures were pleasant and the group didn't get to meet frozen shoes or frost in the tent. The expedition name therefore changed to “Expedition Winter Glamping”.
The second group also chose a rather “summer vacation” name. The first day we started in the sun, and also the second day we saw only sun so the next morning the name of the expedition was born: “L'Expédition Les Bronzés”. A French name that came from Michel, Olivier's uncle. The movie is about a group of friends who go on winter holidays and mostly sit on terraces in the sun. The group loved the name and not only was it completely adopted, the whole week became a kind of French word game. The group had a lot of sun, but also temperatures as low as -17 degrees. They wanted sun and cold, and they got it!
"As our skis were still gliding downhill, the herd stormed across the ice—right in front of us. We all stood still, captivated by this incredible moment."
Reindeer
Seeing reindeer during our expeditions is anything but guaranteed, but how lucky both groups were!
The first magical moment of Expedition Winter Glamping came as the wind began to pick up. They are hard to spot, but as soon as Zoë sees them, she imitates a reindeer by spreading her hands on her forehead like antlers. Olivier, who is further ahead, immediately understands what she has seen and crouches behind a large rock with the group to observe the reindeer.
The first sighting was powerful—far away, but throughout the week, the group was rewarded with daily encounters. Each day, the view got better, and the herds grew larger. On the last day, they were almost right next to us. We had never seen so many reindeer with a group before!
But L’Expédition Les Bronzés also received the most beautiful gift of the week on the very first day: a breathtaking, spontaneous encounter like we had never experienced before.
We took a small descent towards the lake, and at that exact moment, a herd of at least 200 reindeer came down the mountain and onto the frozen lake. They looked up in surprise and began running in formation. As our skis were still gliding downhill, the herd stormed across the ice—right in front of us. We all stood still, captivated by this incredible moment.
The clicking of reindeer hooves on the ice, the crunch of snow, the vast lake, the sun shining through, the stunning shapes and colors of the animals, the steam from their noses—everything came together in a breathtaking scene.
And all of this happened just before we crossed our first frozen lake, something completely new for everyone.
Winter coat
Many people think we have a kind of winter coat, an extra layer of skin. More than once this winter we were on skis in a t-shirt at -5 degrees and even at -11. “That's not possible!” people say. It is quite understandable that our participants don't take it seriously when we tell them they will be skiing regularly in a long-sleeved t-shirt and sports jacket. We teach our teams all about proper clothing. Before the trip, we hold an online instruction and course on clothing. Once we arrive, we go through the clothing once more with everyone. A check if they will be dressed warmly enough, but actually mainly a selection to leave the extra clothes brought along in basecamp. With a big smile, we watch as all the layers are taken off on a windless day. Usually down to 2 layers, but sometimes just down to t-shirts. Have we and all our participants given an extra layer of skin or is everything impossible until you do it?
"Almost everyone loses something in the tent on the first evening or morning. But within two days, everyone has learned all the useful tricks, found their own system, and developed a personal routine. "
Groep culture
It is amazing how a small group of people experiencing things so intensely can create a mini-culture so quickly. Little things like songs, words, or phrases give identity to these individual groups.
In Expedition Winter Glamping, Verena quickly brought a new piece of culture to the group when we asked her to arrange the warm-up. Normally the warm-up is a little drill that Zoë recalls from her rugby time, but this morning it changes to a much happier version “riding on my big fat pony.” As adults, we dance us warm to a pleasant children's song every morning. It is the power of the week. It is the bonding. Funny enough, the song doesn't give the same energy to the second group. Probably because we don't have Verena with us, who is the power behind it.
In L'Expédition Les Bronzés, Linda is the energy behind many unspoken traditions that arise in this group. “Riding on my big fat pony” is replaced by a gabber-warming-up with a typical 90's dance and song. Like idiots we are jumping around every morning. Anja and Oliver, the German couple also add a piece to the culture. Every supper we start with the German “guten Hunger,” instead of the French bon apetit. Because we don't all speak French equally well, our expedition name Les Bronzés (tanned faces) is occasionally confused with “les brulés” (the burned faces).
This way, everyone unconsciously contributes something, making each group unique. Group culture and identity are things that give Zoë a lot of energy. If another dream were ever to come true, it would be to take a top sports team on an expedition - to push their limits together and succeed together. Because in that case, culture becomes the foundation of a team, and that is a strong foundation for success.
Birthday party
On March 16th, it’s Zoë’s birthday. At that moment, we are on an expedition with *L’expédition Les Bronzés*. The night before, we arrived at the hut that marks the halfway point of our journey. So, instead of waking up in a tent, we wake up in a bed.
Zoë is awakened by birthday songs in three different languages. We’ve also brought a little *treat* and surprise the group with pancakes in the morning. This means a later start, but luckily, we have a fit group with us. In the simple little kitchen, Zoë and Olivier are busy making a big stack of pancakes. We keep the door closed for the surprise (even though they’ve probably already smelled it by now), but when we finally open it with a towering pile of pancakes, the hut is decorated with balloons and garlands, and everyone is wearing a birthday crown.
Some people love surprises and birthdays; others don’t. Zoë absolutely does. Her mother always made a big celebration out of her daughters' birthdays. That emotional connection is probably why it still means so much to her today. Zoë always misses her family a little extra on her birthday, so it’s especially nice to celebrate with people around her. Because, in the end, that’s what matters most. How wonderful to feel so much love.
In the evening, the garland hang in the tent—another little party!
Igloo
Sleeping in winter conditions and a snow-covered landscape may feel like survival in the first few days. Discipline, organization, and all the new experiences and sensations still need to find their place. Almost everyone loses something in the tent on the first evening or morning. But within two days, everyone has learned all the useful tricks, found their own system, and developed a personal routine. The camp is packed up and set up faster each day—almost automatically. We no longer need to guide anyone through the process; tasks are picked up naturally. What once felt like an adventure suddenly isn’t adventurous enough anymore. Suddenly, there’s room for the next challenge.
And when given the chance, the enthusiasts seize it with both hands: sleeping in a self-made igloo. The entire *Expedition Glamping* team works together to build the Canadian version of an igloo - a Quinzhee. For hours, we pile up heaps of snow. Once the mound is complete, we begin hollowing it out, using small sticks to measure the thickness of the walls. The plan was to create a two-person igloo, but it ends up as large as a tent. In the end, four people - Annelies, Verena, Nuno, and Marcelo - get to sleep in their own igloo. This is an experience they will never forget.
"Glamping" is the last thing this group has done. The temperatures may have been mild, but that only made winter camping conditions even more challenging. Respect!
Snow bath
Every morning starts the same way - a handful of snow under the armpits, a splash of snow on the face, and the day can begin. Good morning! Zoë does it almost every day, waking up sweaty in the down sleeping bags. But Michel from "L’expédition Les Bronzés" takes it to the next level. Every single morning, he steps outside in nothing but his underwear. Wind, sun, or snow - it doesn't matter. "Oooooh, wonderful!" are his first words, spoken with a huge grin as he steps back into the tent.
Ice-bath queen Linda doesn’t get it at all. The mental barrier is just too big when she’s cozied up in her sleeping bag with two warm water bottles. Slightly disappointed in herself, she still has no reason to complain, because in the end, we get the whole group to join in for a snowball fight in nothing but their underwear. And eventually, even a real ice bath right outside the tent.
What a luxury, then, to wrap up in an expedition jacket and sip hot chocolate by the campfire.
A different route every time
On our expeditions, we teach everyone how to navigate through natural landscapes. Anyone who wants to can take on the role of navigator for a day. It's truly amazing to see how even the most uncertain person can master this skill. It’s all about doing, experiencing, and practicing. And when you’re responsible for the route for an entire day, you learn fast!
Of course, they get help from us—but mostly from their co-navigators. Sebastiaan from "L’expédition Les Bronzés" and Annelies from "Expedition Winter Glamping" turned out to be incredibly talented. In the end, it’s the group that supports each other, and ultimately, the group that sets the course. The best part for us? The route always shifts by 1–5 degrees, meaning we ski a slightly different route every time and have never slept in the same spot twice.
The conditions, the group, and the navigation determine where we set up camp each evening. By the end of the week, we have a whole new team of navigators. Most of them find such joy in truly understanding their place in nature that their next birthday gift wish is a compass!
How wonderful it was to relive these experiences by sharing them again. We consciously choose to do only two pulka treks per year. It’s essential for us to have the same energy as our participants—pure excitement and passion. This comes straight from our hearts; we want to give, share, and experience together. We don’t want people to simply follow guides—we want to be a team.
The gratitude from our team fuels us to do this again and again. We witness every team member grow, learn, and push their boundaries, and that gives us purpose. Thank you, teams, for sharing this adventure with us!
Do you join us next year on Femunden på Langs?
