As athletes, we can have up to 200 travel days a year. When the season ends in early March, we get almost two months to do whatever we want before returning to training camps and strict schedules for the next ten months. Planning these weeks is crucial—we want to fit in all the things we can't during the training regime, but we also crave time at home.
After a long season of traveling, competing, and battling periods of illness, we yearned for some slow weeks in our apartment in Oslo. We hoped to embark on some backcountry adventures, but the weather had other plans. Instead, we made good use of our time indoors. Most days were spent studying for our spring exams and baking a lot of sourdough, which, believe us, can be very time-consuming:)
On the few sunny days, we ventured out on smaller adventures in Nordmarka and Østmarka. We also laced up our skates a couple of times before putting them away for the season. Visiting Valle Hovin, Ragne's childhood track, we tested the new ice and did some technical drills.
When Easter arrived, we finally escaped the apartment and headed to the mountains. Due to some issues with Kristian's backcountry skis, we ended up in Oppdal, where Kristian could rent gear for two days. With equipment for just one and a half days, we aimed for a longer adventure on the first day. Starting from Gjevilvassdalen, we climbed Nonshøa (1,532 meters above sea level) and Kråkvasstinden (1,700 meters). The route totaled 30 km with an elevation gain of 1,691 meters. We were blessed with perfect weather from midday until sunset as we returned from Kråkvasstinden.
The next day, we climbed Storhaugen (1,415 meters) and Gråfjell (1,591 meters). The conditions weren't as favorable, and we had to descend slowly due to flat light. This was our first time skiing in Oppdal, and Kråkvasstinden quickly became our favorite peak. Climbing it from "behind" on our way from Nonshøa, we were surprised by its steepness when viewed from the other side. The downhill was fantastic.
Before the first training camp in May, we got on a 10-days vacation in Tenerife. But that will get its own blog post.
Ragne & Kristian
