We left late Thursday night for a quick trip to Norway. Our goal was to summit Trolltunga and we were successfully did it!! although it took us 12 hours. We had a really fun group; Teresa, Rachel, Josh, Shane, Katie, and me. I really loved Norway. It's a beautiful country that's pretty much made for adventuring outdoors. The people there were very nice (and hip in Bergen) although it was incredibly expensive. The entire trip I was also just fixated on how much my parents would love this country (my mom- the sheep, my dad- the outdoors). Maybe I'll try to convince them that Norway would make a great family trip.
Thursday, May 11th
We arrived pretty late Thursday night and made our way to the airbnb. We walked through downtown Bergen at night and there were actually a few bars that looked pretty fun. We got lost while finding the airbnb but it was fun wandering up the winding streets and small, steep alleys. Once we arrived, we made some frozen pizza and then passed out.
Friday, May 12th
We were able to spend a day in Bergen on Friday and saw the UNESCO heritage site called Bryggen, took the Floibanen funicular for a great view of the city and Sognefjord, got breakfast at a coffee shop known for winning barista competitions called Kaffemisjonen, walked around the downtown area, got amazing seafood paella (other people got fish n chips) at Torget i Bergen, hung out and drank a cider in Byparken, and just took in the beautiful sunny Norwegian day. We caught the Hardangerfjord express from Bergen to Rosendal then a bus from Rosendal to Odda. We were really able to take in the beautiful countryside and fjords. There were so many sheep hanging out on the mountainside and the mountains were massive with snow capped tops. The water was so blue and clear and the air was so clean. It was also pretty cool seeing the fishing nets in the fjords. We arrived in Odda, stopped at grocery store to stock up for the rest of the trip and for our 12 hr hiking expedition, and then made our way to the Trolltunga Hotel. This was such a nice hotel (we definitely paid a premium price) and we hung out that night, we had for some reason bought 2 handles duty free at the airport so we drank a little, played cards, packed our bags for the hike, and went to bed for an early wake up call.
Saturday, May 13th
We got up and ate breakfast at the hotel (a lot of bread this trip). We then caught a shuttle to Trolltunga Active from the hotel. There was a huge credit card issue so Shane and Teresa ended up covering for us (huge fiasco, looked like fools). We were outfitted with snowshoes, walking poles, and pants (all of which we didn't realize at the time would be necessary). Around 9:30am we started our hike with a few other groups in our tour. I don't think we really realized what this hike would be like but that was one of the best parts. We went in with full spirits looking to take on this mountain. About an hour into the hike, we had to put on our snowshoes and start using our poles. We eventually made it off the gravel road and onto the mountain. We knew the first 6km of the hike was the toughest part and it definitely proved to be. There were some parts where we were literally scaling the mountain. The angle of the hike was ridiculous. It took us around 8 hours to summit to the tongue (giving a few rest breaks and lunch). The scenery was absolutely gorgeous. We were surrounded by miles of the whitest untouched snow and the mountains went on forever into the horizon. It was amazing how the rock juts out of the mountain and hangs there. Great reminder that you can be standing anywhere at anytime and there's so much beauty around you. It's just a matter of not being distracted and being able to appreciate it. After a few pictures, another sandwich and snickers bar, we began are descent. This was the best part because we were able to slide down the mountain sides because what we hiked was literally so steep. We were on our butts just gliding down the mountain, eventually making it back around 9pm. I'm so proud of myself and everyone else for doing this hike. It was really difficult at some parts and you felt the burn, other times it was really windy with some rain, but it was so incredible and the view was something I'll see once in my lifetime. This was definitely one of the coolest things that I have done abroad and after this I really hope to continue outdoorsy adventures while traveling. We got back to the hotel, I had another sandwich, and we tried to kill the handles (did a very poor job at it), watched the Dark Night Returns and fell asleep.
Sunday, May 14th
We had the day to enjoy Odda. After having breakfast at the hotel, we left and just walked around Odda and tried to kill time before we had to leave for our flight. We hung out in several parks, got a weird lunch at a fast food place, and I got some frozen yogurt with Josh. Odda is a really cute small town squished between the Norwegian mountains and fjords; however, there is not a ton to do there. We left around 3pm to catch our ferry to get us to the airport. Our flight left later that night (ate another sandwich at the airport, so many sandwiches) and, once I was back in Copenhagen, called my mother to wish her a happy mothers day and passed out.
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This was definitely one of my favorite trips. We planned this trip primarily to hike Trolltunga and we did it. Norway is also really beautiful and I would love to travel back here one day (Hopefully with the parents because I know they would really enjoy it). I also appreciated this trip because I think this 12 hr hike is one of the coolest things I did abroad and I'm really proud that we were all able to do it and had the greatest time (@mountainconversations). I'm also really happy I was able to do it with abroad friends because I haven't traveled with them in a long time.
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