Bekken to Randsverk
Distance: 45km
It has gotten late yesterday. Planning, organizing, packing. Some 'social' duties as well. When I finally called it a day, I immediately fell asleep. So a veeeeery good first impression of the new mattress. However, I must have been extremely tired and eventually woke up, feeling rather stiff. The pad is definitely firmer. But I think I will get used to it rather quickly.
Because of the late bedtime, it's not such an early start. Well, compared to other days. By 5 I am on my way. A humid morning, slightly foggy in the morning. As I climb out of the valley, it gets pleasantly warm. With 1000 vertical meters, it's a long climb, initially along gravel roads but eventually off track. Finding my own way. A bit trickier than I anticipated but once above the treeline, going is easier. I take the direct route up. My puls over 170 beats per minute. Unusually high for me while hiking. Anyway I feel good, the views are fantastic. Hundreds of flies follow me all the way across the mountain. As soon as descend below the treeline on the other side they are suddenly gone.
What follows is a long, tough roadwalk. Mostly across dairy country. Plenty of traffic, mostly Volvos, who are headed for a Volvo meeting. I pass the time looking at some of these cars and with plenty of ice cream. 3 to be precise. I wasn't expecting so many shops along the way. But I don't complain.
Despite all the ice cream, my legs start feeling tired, my back stiff. Once above the treeline again, I pitch my tent. No need to go any further. The views are spectacular. You can't imagine how happy I am that the weather is playing along. Enjoying it, as long as it lasts. Tomorrow, looks very differently.
It's when, I'll head into Jotunheimen National Park. Even deeper into the mountains. Exciting times ahead!
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Rob Firmin (Saturday, 13 July 2024 21:43)
Lolol a Trumpet is a Trumpet is a Trumpet. It does so look like a Tip Top Trumpet. Who knew in Norway. Lol.
Nothing like the real thing.
Question: does it taste like a Trumpet? It certainly looks like one �
Thanks Sandro.
George Mills (Sunday, 14 July 2024 00:37)
Looks fabulous. Enjoy it. Good go see you filling up on what looks like a Trumpet or 3. Enjoy the mountains and sleep well on your mat.
Rob Firmin (Sunday, 14 July 2024 17:07)
Your sleeping pad reminds me of a story of Rostov ... a Romanian sobo TA who stayed with us 2018/19. He was an ultralight walker. He bought a full sleeping pad when he was here in Whanganui. He actually had nothing prior. Only sleeping on bare ground, hard surfaces, or grass, fern. Whatever he could find. By time he got to Whanganui he decided to invest in a lightweight sleeping pad. But, he cut it down. He only wanted enough for his shoulders to backside. Subsequently he ended up leaving us with most of it. Over the years as TAs came through our place we ended up cutting segments off, as so many complained of being sick & tired of sitting on the ground, so they cut off a segment to use as a sitting pad. It neatly tucked into a space behind straps. Somewhere where they could access it quickly. And virtually no weight.
I remember the last segment went to a TA, who had lost so much weight , that he was now tightening his pack straps at the tightest he could, that because of his weight loss his straps were now causing chaffing over his hips waist. He tried all sorts, including stuffing items of clothing between his straps, and his body, but that proved cumbersome and a nuisance. Whenever it rained his clothes got wet.
I had a 'aha' moment, and with the last segment of sleeping pad we improvised it and it was enough to put between his strap and body, and it gave him instant relief. Suffice to say - that sleeping pad saw him make his TA all the way to Bluff. His TA was 2020/21.
Rostov, on the other hand DID NOT finish his TA 2018/19. He injured himself on Te Waipounamu that his rehab required longer than he had to finish his TA. Subsequently he returned home. Although he was Romanian, he actually lived in Iceland. That is where he returned to.
His 'trail name' was "Rocksteady". You know how much I like those things. When he arrived at our place he introduced himself to me by his trail name. He was quickly told, in this house, those things don't exist. So you will only be called by your proper name. I shared with him the important of names for Māori, and the significance of whakapapa. Some shared cultural learning.
There you go ... a sleeping pad story.
I'll save you this time, from how he also did his sleeping shelter repair while he was here. Three days to repair his shelter, with a special sealant glue and tape.
That's another story ...