Our ambassador, Oda Ramsdal, has completed both the Norway Trail and the Femundløpet. Learn how she dresses for great experiences in the winter mountains, even when the weather isn't at its best.
Windy trip across the plateau
The wind is pushing us back and it's hard to breathe. Through the dense snowdrift I can just make out the silhouette of my hiking group. She shouts something, but her words are drowned in the wind. Then I realize what’s happening – her lead dogs are about to turn around.
I make eye contact with my own little two-sled team, and we fight our way forward. The sight of my two four-legged friends not being affected by the wind impresses me. They get into the harness with eagerness and a desire to work, and I know that we have everything we need to make it in the sled.
A familiar and beloved feeling creeps in – namely the feeling of mastery.
Several generations of Lanullva
During the trip across the Hardangervidda plateau, the days gradually became sunny, but with a cold draft in the air, sub-zero temperatures and varying levels of activity, body temperature fluctuated rapidly. Then there's only one thing that helps: wool, wool and more wool!
Luckily, we had several generations of woolen clothing from Lanullva with us on the sleds. We found out that the oldest sweater on the trip was in its sixth hiking season.
Layers upon layers of wool are gold
When I'm active, I wear a layer of a sweater and leggings in Havbris. If it's really cold, I combine it with several thin layers or switch to Hustadvika. As a girl, I also swear by the wool boxer shorts from Lanullva, which provide extra insulation around the hips and thighs. It's good to wear as an inner layer or on top of a thin leggings.
However, it is important not to dress too warmly when moving, as sweating quickly means you are cold. However, I rarely find that Lanullva wool clothes get wet or clammy in the same way as other types. I recently learned that this is due to Lanullva's unique knitting method. It enhances the natural properties of wool, and gives wool clothes that breathe and insulate even better! How cool is that?
Tent site = Hustadvika
Once the tent is pitched and the cold pit dug, I change to Hustadvika. Then I have a new, dry wool garment next to my skin, and pull the used, perhaps slightly damp set from the working day on top. If you do this while the wool garment still has heat from your body, you can often dry the used wool garment by the next morning. Then you don't have to start a new day with wet clothes.
Other tips for staying warm on a winter trip
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Have a windproof outer layer (shell jacket, shell pants and wind mittens).
- Outerwear should be a bit large so that you have enough space for clothes underneath. Air between garments insulates and provides better warmth.
- Have extra warm clothes for breaks and the tent site easily accessible. Preferably a down jacket that you can wear over your shell clothing.
- Use wool also completely, right inside: both wool boxers and wool bras.
- Wear a hat, scarf and woolen mittens, even when you sleep.
- Make sure you have plenty of room for both thin socks and wool socks/socks inside your shoes. There must also be room for air, otherwise you will get cold feet no matter how many socks you wear.
- Invest in a good and warm enough sleeping bag.
- Sleeping pad that insulates well. I combine an inflatable with a foam sleeping pad. The foam one provides extra insulation, protects against dog claws and can be used to sit on during breaks.
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Make a hot water bottle from your drinking bottle (provided it can withstand boiling water and is tight). Pour boiling water over it, wrap it in a wool sock and put it in your sleeping bag.
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Last but not least: Before you crawl into that alluring sleeping bag, you should take a walk outside to empty your bladder and take a few laps around the tent to warm up your body. If the desire to go outside is deep inside, my experience suggests that pee trips often come with the most beautiful northern lights and the clearest starry sky.
