Page 35 - 2023 AMA Spring

Both Preikestolen (shown) and the similarly striking Kjerag boulder feature are found on Lysefjord which is about 30 mins from Stavanger
camp, fires etc. with very few, sensible, restrictions and also a real expectation that people will be conducting this sort of activity in the countryside. It is unlikely to have any frowns or Spanish inquisition from landowners as you arrive or cross someone’s property and perhaps an encouraging “God tur!” (‘Have a good hike’).
• www.norgeskart.no – The definitive mapping site for Norway with mapping for the entire country online for review and planning purposes. Several brands of physical maps exist (like Harveys and OS in the UK) with many great outdoor series from Nordeca coming printed on Tyvek and similar. These are widely available online in the UK and from most bookshops and outdoor stores in Norway.
• www.yr.no – Is great for the weather in Norway but also has climate detail with typical conditions by month to assist with planning.
• www.tide.no – Tide is a large bus company with a network of minibuses and other transport if you want to arrange a particular pick-up from the roadside in the back of beyond. This is normal business for a bus hire company in Norway.
HUTS AND THE NORWEGIAN
making any trip into the hills much easier for all. All are very well organised for hikers with drying rooms, boot rooms and racks for clothing. It is certainly nicer sitting around a table playing cards with a hot chocolate than spending every night under canvas in longer winter evenings.
Den Norske Turistforening (Norwegian Trekking Association or DNT, ‘www.dnt. no’ and ‘https://english.dnt.no’) has 550 huts across Norway with 45 in the vicinity of Stavanger alone. Huts are graded into 3 categories:
• Staffed huts can vary by location. Some are rustic ‘youth hostel’ style locations
TREKKING ASSOCIATION
It is possible that many of you stopped reading after the mention of the word ‘huts’ thinking of something like a basic stone bothy in Scotland or a range hut on Sennybridge. In fact, most are equipped to a high standard with beds including duvets and pillows, well equipped kitchens, prepared firewood stores and stoves. Huts will have some larger ‘dorm rooms’ but many have 2, 3 and 4-person rooms that are bookable. Some also have very well equipped larders so you only need walk in with what you are wearing and a sleeping bag liner and pillow case
he inside of a basic unserviced hut. Food has to be carried in with you but at least a proper kitchen means you don’t have to limit yourself to boil in bag gloop or worry about running out of gas trying to cook the rice
Self-service hut larder. Plenty of choice and without having to carry it in with you. One side of a typical hut larder
ARMY MOUNTAINEER / 35