tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50428317157192345562024-02-07T02:32:05.811-08:00MGWBUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-2860278399602184522018-06-20T03:38:00.005-07:002018-06-20T03:38:46.200-07:00We've moved!Hi,<br />
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We've moved, check out our new place <a href="https://www.lebonsauvage.net/" target="_blank">here</a>!<br />
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Cheers,<br />
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MervynUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-61443136086893675932018-05-21T13:37:00.004-07:002018-05-21T14:02:02.159-07:00Hiking Advisor - Fastpacking Eisleck TrailHet stond al even op mijn agenda, een activiteit mee organiseren voor Hiking Advisor. Tijdens het vorige vrijwilligersweekend had ik met Ivo afgesproken om samen een "fastpacking" weekend te in te richten door gedurende drie dagen met lichte bepakking stevige afstanden afleggen langs de erg mooie Eisleck Trail. We zouden uiteindelijk met zeven zijn. Ivo en ikzelf als organisatoren, Tom die al ervaring heeft in ultra-light backpacken en ultra-lopen, Hans die van zichzelf een erg goede conditie lijkt te hebben en al eens zin heeft in een stevige tocht, Karin die zich aan haar eerste meerdaagse tocht waagt (rustig beginnen? nee joh!), Yvan de iron-man die, eens op dreef, niet meer te stoppen is, en Jean-Pierre, die volgend jaar Legends zal finishen.<br />
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Vrijdagavond ga ik Tom en Yvan ophalen om samen naar Angleur te rijden en daar de trein naar Kautenbach te nemen. Het verkeer verloopt zo goed als het kan aan de start van een verlengd weekend, en om 22u 's avonds komen we aan in Kautenbach, waar Jean-Pierre al wat eerder gearriveerd was. Zoals steeds gaat de bar "net sluiten", maar kunnen we nog wel een biertje krijgen op deze sympathieke camping. We praten het komende weekend kort door en delen eerdere ervaringen vooraleer we elk onze minimalistische shelter opzoeken. Jean-Pierre in een bivvy, Tom in een Nordisk Lofoten, Yvan in een hangmat / bivvy. Zelf heb ik een poncho bij, die ik als tarp kan opzetten bij eventuele regen. We gaan mooi op tijd slapen om de volgende ochtend Karin, Hans en Ivo op te halen aan het station en vandaar samen de Eisleck trail te starten. De totale afstand is 104km met 4200 hoogtemeters, waarvoor we drie dagen hebben. Een mooie uitdaging dus!<br />
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We splitsen de groep op in wandelaars en lopers, waarbij Karin en Ivo de ganse tocht al wandelend op een stevig tempo zullen voltooien, terwijl de rest af en toe een eindje loopt tussen het wandelen door. De eerste dag lopen we van Kautenbach tot net voorbij Clervaux, waar we op camping Woltsdal in Maulusmühle overnachten. Er zijn douches, streekbier en frietjes, dus we klagen vooral niet. We slapen net langs het riviertje, wat natuurlijk erg nat is. Diegenen die een open shelter hebben worden getrakteerd op een mooie sterrenhemel. 's Ochtends ligt er een laagje ijs op mijn slaapzak, best fris dus!<br />
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De tweede dag lopen we over de waterkering tussen Rijn- en Maasbekken en passeren we de gestarte werken van het Ourthekanaal. Na 47km, behoorlijk wat gepuf en een stevige maar verkwikkende regenbui, bereiken we Engreux, waar we overnachten op de bivakzone. Jammer genoeg is deze erg druk bezet en zijn de wandelaars er in de minderheid. 's Nachts krijgen we nog enkele buien te verwerken, de ene al steviger dan de andere, wat een prima bijkomende test is voor lichtgewicht materiaal.<br />
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Na de laatste nachtelijke bui beginnen we de derde dag 's ochtends vroeg om onderweg te genieten van een mooie zonsopgang. Na een aarzelend begin met de nodige praktische haltes, komt het tempo er opnieuw goed in, waardoor we ruim op tijd aankomen in La Roche. Yvan en Jean-Pierre hebben dringend verkoeling nodig, en springen bij aankomst dan maar in de fontein. Na een frietje nemen we de bus naar Melreux om daar over te stappen op de trein naar Angleur, waardoor we mooi op tijd terug thuis zijn.<br />
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Weekends als deze zijn altijd te kort, maar evenzeer de moeite waard. Bedankt aan de deelnemers om erbij te zijn, en natuurlijk Ivo om het merendeel van de organisatie voor zijn rekening te nemen. Hopelijk tot binnenkort!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-91735245611475387882018-05-15T01:57:00.001-07:002018-05-16T22:22:58.315-07:00UTS 2018Last year, after not being able to do Grand Trail des Lacs et Chateaux, I got a message from Matthijs, asking me if V3K in Snowdonia wasn't something I wanted to do. It didn't take long to think about it, and next thing I knew we were making our way over Crib Goch. It was such an fun adventure, it took me only a minute to respond to Michael Jones' Facebook post in November, introducing Ultra Trail Snowdonia, a "Beautiful beyond belief, savage beyond reason" ultra of 100 miles and +10.000m elevation (according to Garmin, it was a bit longer, 181k and 11.130m elevation). The cut-off was 48 hours, which sounds perfectly doable, but this is Snowdonia, where the terrain is always rough going. To top it all off, Michael added a few "fun" technical sections, preferably passing during the night, just to make sure you get to spend as much time out there as you can manage. After Legends Trail, this was definitely going to be my major challenge this year.<br />
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After the kit check, we started on a rainy Friday evening at 5pm to climb Snowdon a first time. Although the next three sections didn't have too much elevation, it became quite clear this was going to be a true meat-grinder type of race, without any parts where you can just zone out and let your legs do the work. After the rain and just before sunset, the clouds parted and we were going into a pretty cold night. The guys at the checkpoint at Carnedd Llewelyn must have been frozen solid, but were still so kind to share a bit of their coffee. The other summits of the Carneddau had a thin layer of ice on them, which made for interesting going, so no fast progress there either. But while descending Pen yr Ole Wen, I was treated with a most spectacular sunrise on Tryfan and the Glyders. After a good breakfast at Gwern Gof Isaf, the rest of the first loop went very good, passing the beautiful located CP7 and arriving back in Llanberis after 20 hours and almost three hours before the cut-off, which was as much as I could hope for. From there on, Bobby and me stayed pretty close to each other and had a chat from time to time. Somewhere during the day I also got a text from my girlfriend, cheering me on as I was in 17th position. Somewhat later, I received a second message, telling me there were only 17 runners left, so I was in last position (but still in the race)! From the next checkpoint, our final group was formed, and it seemed a good idea to stay with Bobby and Pip, especially going into the second night. After going up Snowdon again with a beautiful sunset, the descend to Rhyd-Ddu seemed to take ages. Good thing Bobby already knew parts of this route, as I was starting to see some things that weren't there, like faces in the stones and a cassette tape. I also started mixing English and Dutch, so wasn't making too much sense anymore (but in my mind everything was still ok!). I don't think Pip or Bobby were in a much better condition, because we could agree very quickly 30 minutes sleep at Rhyd-Ddu was a good idea before heading up the next mountains, which contained a technical section along Nantlle Ridge. After having the crew at the checkpoint taking care of us and getting a much too short nap, we were out again with only 6 hours to spare to get to the next checkpoint, which was close as it took the leading group 4 hours. But we managed to get to Beddgelert in a little over 5 hours. Looking back, I don't think I would have made it either by myself or without that 30 minutes of sleep. I think I helped by pacing the group on the uphills, Bobby saved us a lot of time when navigation wasn't clear, and Pip always seemed to find the quickest way of the hill again, so we made a good team. Although the way-marking was most impressive, a clear head is still needed to find the correct way, which wasn't always easy during the second night with time ticking away. After Beddgelert, we made our way up Cnight, which I have wanted to do for years, then down again to Nant Gwynant, a long climb and a scrambly section on Y Lliwedd, down again to the miner's track, and a very last climb up to a crowded Snowdon before making our way down to Llanberis. We finished after 47 hours, with less than an hour before the cut-off, to a quite intense welcoming.<br />
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I think for me, what makes a good race, is getting into a position where you think there's no way on earth you are going to finish, and the organisation, volunteers, other participants, people at home, and yourself, make you do the impossible and carry on and finishing anyway. And that's exactly what UTS delivered. I have doubted more than once whether I could finish, but there was always somebody giving me a little nudge in the right direction, getting out of the door and up that hill. As Bobby said, the terrain in Snowdonia is also very rewarding, after each climb there was a beautiful view, which made you want to continue.<br />
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In short, if you are looking for an adventure, a once in a lifetime experience, UTS might just be the answer. The RD, volunteers, route etc. are all highly recommended!<br />
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Thanks again to everyone involved, this is one event I will remember and I very much hope to see you again next year.<br />
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http://apexrunning.co/<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainy climb to Snowdon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Wiebe on one of many boggy sections</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise on Tryfan and the Glyders</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glyder Fawr</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many many stiles</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun setting again on Snowdon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pip on Cnight</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost there!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final climb: done</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-8890631455460586752018-05-14T23:58:00.000-07:002018-05-14T23:58:05.015-07:00Brecon Beacons 2018Ah, the Brecon Beacons, how I love those hills! Ever since my sister moved over to Wales, 15-ish years ago, I have visited her every year, combining family visit with hiking and trekking. I guess for me it is where I discovered the outdoors, the wildcamping, enjoying being out there, in "good" weather, driving rain or strong wind. And because of going to the Beacons almost once a year, the place is littered with memories by now, all of them good ones.<br />
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The plan was to go camping for three days together with Oskar, our recently adopted furry friend, but a misunderstanding with the vet and the ever watchful border control ruined that party.<br />
I arrived pretty late Saturday evening at the Llyn y Fan Fach car park, but right on time to see a beautiful sunset. Welcoming indeed! I didn't have much of a plan, except to try and take it really easy, with UTS coming up next weekend. So I took it very slow and enjoyed the summer weather as much as I could, followed the Beacons Way along Fan Hir to Fan Fraith, after which a more direct route took me back to Llyn y Fan Fawr, where the water was too inviting not to take a swim. After another night on top of Fan Foel, a short but gorgeous walk was completed.<br />
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So why do I like the Brecon Beacons so much? They are not as spectacular as Snowdonia further north in Wales. The highest summit, Pen y Fan, is only 886m high, and not that steep either. But there is a sense of timelessness which can easily be felt here, where Pen y Fan and Corn Du keep watch over the other mountains and have seen glaciers come and go. In a world that often moves to fast and seems to be screaming for attention most of the time, it is a great place to visit.<br />
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After the walk, I drove to my sister's place, and passed Maen Llia, the standing stone between Fan Nedd and Fan Dringarth. The information sign says the purpose of erecting this stone is not clear, it could have been a place of worship or a boundary, but I like to imagine it is a connection to the past and future and a place to stand still, if even only for a short moment.<br />
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After these three days, I stayed at my sister's and family, and went for a day hike at the waterfalls near Ystradfellte. If you're looking for variation, there's plenty to be found here!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-35965582951749141452018-04-07T00:56:00.001-07:002018-04-19T04:54:29.143-07:00Istria 100 - DNFSo, Istria... I quit at the second checkpoint after merely 25k, leaving 143k unfinished. For those of you interested, my reasons for DNF'ing are below. In short, I wasn't feeling the race at all, and looking at how the event was organised, this wouldn't get any better further in the race. I also had a small injury and a more important race coming up. And frankly, I was in a holiday mood. I might actually return from a holiday well rested for a change!<br />
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1/ The race<br />
Of course, looking back, I should have known. This just isn't my kind of race. What I love about long distances, is the feeling the rest of the world ceases to exist and you descend into your existence deeper and deeper. Call it what you will, but for me ultra-running is meditation. This doesn't work in races that are too crowded, in which you hear the next runner's breath over your own footsteps, and need to be constantly adapting to other people's pace. There were about 400 starters at the 100 miler, but after around 40k, the 100k-runners would be joining as well. And then there were two more distances that would join in. In short, there was no way I was going to be able to go to that special place you only find in ultra. Places you get to in races like Legends.<br />
But yes, I should have known! Sayings like "gezellige drukte" or "hoe meer zielen, hoe meer vreugd" don't make any sense to me. I guess it's a big risk on making plans way ahead while you're still discovering the sport and your place in it. For example, last year I ran the Eiger 101, which follows a beautiful course, but is way too crowded as well. My big lesson is that I need to be careful I don't choose the popular races. Rookie mistake!<br />
Obviously, going to Croatia with Charlotte to run together with Olivier, Chloe, Ingo, Karmen and Alexandre remains a good idea.<br />
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2/ The feet<br />
After Legends, my feet were a bit swollen. No big deal, except that two weeks later, at Crêtes de Spa, I felt the second joint of my right big toe and the outside bone of my left foot were very sensitive. I tried to give it some rest, but a few days before Istria, while we were visiting Bergamo, I tried running on my normal trail-running shoes. No way on earth I was going to run in these! I actually resigned to the fact I wasn't going to start in Istria, and didn't feel too bad about it, which probably didn't help in the end either. 100 miles is still a long long way to go, and you need to be focused.<br />
When I tried running on my barefoot shoes, things felt a lot better, so I figured it might have had more to do with the shoes than the feet. So maybe I should try another brand of shoes? After some googling, I found a shoe shop in Milan (yes, I actually drove to Milan to go shoe shopping, never thought I would) where I could pick up a pair of Altras. The owner of the store apparently is the organizer of Transcendence, so I headed out the store as quickly as I could before I could sign up on any of their crazy ideas. Running on the Altras was less painful than on my TNF's, but I'm sure I would have done some damage if I continued in Istria, which would have jeopardised next month's Ultra Trail Snowdonia.<br />
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3/ The holiday<br />
After visiting friends in Cologne, my girlfriend, our dog and I drove to Bergamo for a short holiday. Although the weather was "awful" according to local standards, I really enjoyed my coffee in the morning sunshine, going for a run in the mountains with the dog, and spending time with Charlotte. Lago di Como may be overrated, but it was a good mini-holiday. So much so that I decided I would prefer continuing this holiday instead of begin grumpy in a race which is too crowded with painful feet. Strange thoughts indeed!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZMU5pTb8sKZmqcvcO8z1TgJ0JpywZcKSU4kIxhlX2DigJR994dKwO-4jsaPaiq9GoAWJtkdO4y90lB7hoZNenpMXMmic2Xw5b1Xrd8j_cFh_GpUzkiAfXuMx3aMo-cltx7gZfY24w_-b/s1600/IMG_20180402_135903_256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZMU5pTb8sKZmqcvcO8z1TgJ0JpywZcKSU4kIxhlX2DigJR994dKwO-4jsaPaiq9GoAWJtkdO4y90lB7hoZNenpMXMmic2Xw5b1Xrd8j_cFh_GpUzkiAfXuMx3aMo-cltx7gZfY24w_-b/s320/IMG_20180402_135903_256.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oskar at Lago di Como</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhCjdCpuWKNhOnz69nOaoIBoWvSEe7KRLspzp13xbpvUpujgex7vveRiPdAGqbzvZT80WoUgQdDMOP0IuN-JmCVTo0L72g-AYuRdi0l8kf-YfSogWRQObnc0YfVuO_UUXsff9LoAPxEiJ/s1600/IMG_20180403_095920786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhCjdCpuWKNhOnz69nOaoIBoWvSEe7KRLspzp13xbpvUpujgex7vveRiPdAGqbzvZT80WoUgQdDMOP0IuN-JmCVTo0L72g-AYuRdi0l8kf-YfSogWRQObnc0YfVuO_UUXsff9LoAPxEiJ/s320/IMG_20180403_095920786.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First hill-run</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hOWmAFYdhNeOomG8ckoAiIt3Q2xbXRSpu-zdiXqRH0lpZ5j3Ey_C_lqErQeHIpRxqW9B9NBD75r3uJN-gP9AhfmNf3D9jd47NI6QVMN-Ro5GVXGwRYfLE2Y9rh3Gutl03GDCSWGmzJvq/s1600/IMG_20180413_230600444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1241" data-original-width="1600" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hOWmAFYdhNeOomG8ckoAiIt3Q2xbXRSpu-zdiXqRH0lpZ5j3Ey_C_lqErQeHIpRxqW9B9NBD75r3uJN-gP9AhfmNf3D9jd47NI6QVMN-Ro5GVXGwRYfLE2Y9rh3Gutl03GDCSWGmzJvq/s320/IMG_20180413_230600444.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-run nap</td></tr>
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4/ DNF<br />
I'm actually happy I quit. This just wasn't my race, and I know better what to look for now. I'm also strangely relieved on having had my first DNF, which I dreaded for some time. DNF'ing is only a matter of time if you continue this sport, and I might best get it over with when everything is pointing in that direction (which doesn't mean I'm convinced I will finish all other races of course).<br />
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In every race there are moments where you ask yourself, "why the hell am I doing this?! When I get home, I'm signing up in the local chess club!", but usually you find answers in the moonshine, the sun coming up, a mountain view, a rainshower, or just in yourself. Not this time.<br />
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And wasn't it simply too close after Legends? I honestly don't think so, but that's just my personal feeling of course.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-25059627283850255182018-03-06T06:33:00.002-08:002018-03-07T11:23:27.921-08:00Legends Trail 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Reports should be written when emotions are still raw, legs still aching and feet still </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">swollen. So w</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">hile I'm not i<span style="background-color: white;">n the sharpest state mentally, here goes...</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">"The Legends Trail is a non-stop, unmarked race over 250km in the Southern part of Belgium during winter time. Competitors need to have a minimal average speed of 4km/h to finish the grueling course, with only 4 checkpoints, and around 7000D+." (</span>www.legendstrail.com) </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Wh</span><span style="background-color: white;">at an adventure it's been! As the experience and emotions from the past few days are still sinking in, so does the gratitude towards everyone involved for making this happen. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">There's only so much you can do in preparing for an event like this. Obviously, you have to train physically. But more important could be the mental part. Reports of past editions are enormously helpful for this. Even those who I consider to be pioneers at ultra-running, seem to have been standing here, feeling equally impressed by the task at hand. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After Great Escape and Bello Gallico last year, this will be my longest distance, adding 90k to the previous. The conditions are tougher as well, with fresh snow (which was a big help in navigating) and lots of icy parts (which had the advantage of low risk of trench-feet), so I felt really small when finding my way to Mormont. L</span></span><span style="background-color: white;">ooking around at the starting line, I recognise many people, all of which great runners or hikers, s</span><span style="background-color: white;">o now is my time to wonder what I'm doing here and whether I have a right to be standing here.</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> I'm relieved when the group gets underway at 6pm and we begin the first section to Hotton. The first 25k or </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">so follow more technical tracks along the Ourthe, which were very slippery at pla</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ces. After only 9k, we see a group of people standing around Arnoud, who is tucked away in his survival bag after taking a nasty fall and breaking his leg. I stop briefly to ask if I can be of any assistance, leave my thermos with tea so he has something hot to drink, and continue, trying to lean forward a bit more and keeping my knees bent to sit low and more stable when running. Not the most relaxed running pose but better than the alternative.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMG0gJETJMRzq74PS-Keeoy7J93Jnrtn7vwzKHHkcqry-Bg8DGTsqvE1QXZWr-dRzeWSHRF0hrQiceQJhhXjSm_lYHCZFGUYOYWGGT8ktJhCwS_a9TgAYh0ieyPOODq0AeM2TXlvaD0ELA/s1600/IMG_1375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMG0gJETJMRzq74PS-Keeoy7J93Jnrtn7vwzKHHkcqry-Bg8DGTsqvE1QXZWr-dRzeWSHRF0hrQiceQJhhXjSm_lYHCZFGUYOYWGGT8ktJhCwS_a9TgAYh0ieyPOODq0AeM2TXlvaD0ELA/s400/IMG_1375.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">HQ at Mormont</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcY_QuIdCEMVIZEUmiMaSkemGmI-UZnL0sr1au0bNXMXC6jgNJ_Y_gpXtQiVtw9dwkoEJCOXa7dPg2bNdo6H0Yter3-ZyH5VrhGKQmUZ1uH35aFGNDlKoCBjMBYYicqZKTMnrOTcSmayQc/s1600/IMG_1379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcY_QuIdCEMVIZEUmiMaSkemGmI-UZnL0sr1au0bNXMXC6jgNJ_Y_gpXtQiVtw9dwkoEJCOXa7dPg2bNdo6H0Yter3-ZyH5VrhGKQmUZ1uH35aFGNDlKoCBjMBYYicqZKTMnrOTcSmayQc/s400/IMG_1379.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ania, getting ready for the start of the event</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnmwU92Uv9EGYuvQPz_YatgyzdkyIbwkgpaB5g3JCpiO_n6kUbJo5PlDmJQkhT7cgVFeEtiJP56temAnFkgudewvG_nr9PTdf7IedXtUolkV-EF-OzjTHEEy6GwdPlpVL2lJnuE6oDRG_/s1600/IMG_1383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1324" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnmwU92Uv9EGYuvQPz_YatgyzdkyIbwkgpaB5g3JCpiO_n6kUbJo5PlDmJQkhT7cgVFeEtiJP56temAnFkgudewvG_nr9PTdf7IedXtUolkV-EF-OzjTHEEy6GwdPlpVL2lJnuE6oDRG_/s640/IMG_1383.JPG" width="528" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Along the Ourthe</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjdqRTFI4UqCVoIfOvdImrNema57hLua3UTgaG7CnwLV4VzPFKqcKCfvqIKYHXKtDRwNrwig9qpPbt3jGldteASYp12WmnX1bRxAqA7G_3ecPcxSDvlVELKx7L6PbWxDZVNTXILfA21Yw/s1600/IMG_1390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjdqRTFI4UqCVoIfOvdImrNema57hLua3UTgaG7CnwLV4VzPFKqcKCfvqIKYHXKtDRwNrwig9qpPbt3jGldteASYp12WmnX1bRxAqA7G_3ecPcxSDvlVELKx7L6PbWxDZVNTXILfA21Yw/s640/IMG_1390.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ourthe in wintery conditions</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExzeZKgh3TVN7TMqvhnRNaEzIWMe91HgIBkySr08ESim8Rxg6PTVKj4YIVwG6PP_U0Ne-4alUWq82MWJDG8znQq3ItrU2AI6akunm0uG2Ef9wbbEzxo_VmcSXZ2KP2u2IHlVDVZQHAd1J/s1600/IMG_1400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExzeZKgh3TVN7TMqvhnRNaEzIWMe91HgIBkySr08ESim8Rxg6PTVKj4YIVwG6PP_U0Ne-4alUWq82MWJDG8znQq3ItrU2AI6akunm0uG2Ef9wbbEzxo_VmcSXZ2KP2u2IHlVDVZQHAd1J/s400/IMG_1400.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Taking this picture at around 20, it's actually happening</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Once out of the valley, the going got a bit easier. The clouds lift later in the night and I feel welcomed by the moon, which always gives me strength. It's hard not to think of it as a sign that tonight is a full moon. At 4AM I reach CP1, dry my feet, switch to sealskinz and have a nice meal. I planned on taking 1h breaks at every CP (except for CP3 where I would like to get some sleep), which seemed to be working for me. I was still feeling out of place, but f</span><span style="background-color: white;">rom CP1 to CP2, I was joined by Martino, who is always good company and brightened my mood.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiFagwk2Gc4txkcz_kXJwrT3Rk6F2g1wBzUCR9hSUa1DdK2kcdVsj7GGrtDq7GIs3FbyBLIwXgYOC_Tn6BQ6LakBJKoAUbu4QzVYIWXcbN84842n7rYJKzIZGrf7t0-j0TiMwcpAghVx5/s1600/IMG_1403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiFagwk2Gc4txkcz_kXJwrT3Rk6F2g1wBzUCR9hSUa1DdK2kcdVsj7GGrtDq7GIs3FbyBLIwXgYOC_Tn6BQ6LakBJKoAUbu4QzVYIWXcbN84842n7rYJKzIZGrf7t0-j0TiMwcpAghVx5/s640/IMG_1403.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hello again!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLKW83MlnkSGeaQ9xH-nUp8jc03JuTgMeP1tbgofVm_jxv2x4QxWcDdqTBH3LfMem2OB4MKBWSIQenqJjLglKei0HDKYmbsXch71b0_JimneTaNQLDWq4Uk3OfdX5S6Yg6xW_CWRSy-fj/s1600/IMG_1407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLKW83MlnkSGeaQ9xH-nUp8jc03JuTgMeP1tbgofVm_jxv2x4QxWcDdqTBH3LfMem2OB4MKBWSIQenqJjLglKei0HDKYmbsXch71b0_JimneTaNQLDWq4Uk3OfdX5S6Yg6xW_CWRSy-fj/s400/IMG_1407.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">CP1 - CP2 with Martino</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSClY9TkRkjLOj5TNfKBf3qKRObvnRdV1thjOSA_9ndvNicSAb9JTGKDBLM7DF68tP4D82zlhQY70hYLpGXfXXeqgWrXmQ0jGv35FgerVcW1pCeN3kePcycr6cqeBFENjDjYoyhQHHIuiP/s1600/IMG_1411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSClY9TkRkjLOj5TNfKBf3qKRObvnRdV1thjOSA_9ndvNicSAb9JTGKDBLM7DF68tP4D82zlhQY70hYLpGXfXXeqgWrXmQ0jGv35FgerVcW1pCeN3kePcycr6cqeBFENjDjYoyhQHHIuiP/s400/IMG_1411.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">CP1 - CP2: Sunrise!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBlPr0BSxX7yAcMQGZVP_xdS4XVHkw8wH4WF_G3NDHUtGzCloDVakahi-MFZyK_-TLiymyeYFV7nhDcWw_pV3v0w248fwXNf4VgTMd32n0FvKVq7maudI9N_vGhWI6UE1xcy6JfsZ5Eww/s1600/IMG_1412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBlPr0BSxX7yAcMQGZVP_xdS4XVHkw8wH4WF_G3NDHUtGzCloDVakahi-MFZyK_-TLiymyeYFV7nhDcWw_pV3v0w248fwXNf4VgTMd32n0FvKVq7maudI9N_vGhWI6UE1xcy6JfsZ5Eww/s400/IMG_1412.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">CP1 - CP2 with Martino</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When arriving at CP2 I had some difficulty with the crowdedness of the place. Although I was really looking forward to arriving there, I felt I had to leave as soon as possible again, which felt pretty hard on me. I took care of the essentials and was out the door again in a pretty bad state, lacking the will to continue. So I did what makes most sense of all, call my girlfriend who is not into running and keeps a healthy distance from "all that running stuff you do". I don't recall the exact conversation, but after hanging up again, I started feeling better. And what would be most important in the end, I felt I was where I needed to be and I had the right to be here. Was I just lacking confidence until now? And did I need to admit I was halfway into Legends and things were actually going great? I started to feel I had a real chance of finishing this thing, even-though others told me earlier I could do this. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I had some encounters with other people along the way and teamed up for a section with Olivier, Paige, Johan and Pierre. Seeing the icy conditions at Ninglinspo, I was happy I didn't have to pass this section all alone in the middle of the night. Upon leaving the valley, I started feeling the pace of the group was somewhat different to my preferred pace, so I was off on my own again. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87fcvC4-0pHmQ5Cam2dbZUDmk_x9onX1t53q4tyXeXtZa_AM7RWor6lpn7aAmI36Nc161IeJyDgImrWDPQ3qJzAhvdnDJeQ9BJxrxkhjnYtay1DPoq_5Dps_hcKiPk0UUlhsP5zleF73D/s1600/IMG_1447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87fcvC4-0pHmQ5Cam2dbZUDmk_x9onX1t53q4tyXeXtZa_AM7RWor6lpn7aAmI36Nc161IeJyDgImrWDPQ3qJzAhvdnDJeQ9BJxrxkhjnYtay1DPoq_5Dps_hcKiPk0UUlhsP5zleF73D/s400/IMG_1447.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Near Nonceveux (133k) there was an unexpected and unofficial CP. Manned by legendary Sarah and Buzz and loving people like Dave, Imran and Chloe, this really pulled me through and gave me enough energy to get to CP3. More and more convinced I only needed to get there in time to get some sleep in order to finish, I was getting motivated.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaMY3Y6kN__x0thWEuK5gGriPCAW5jSlzXaRk0dzmPEgDf1m5PGAx8_fI4tRR7zk9cOhyphenhyphenQqKf0Dat_ghrob87lXikYSv9mw9kixPnWtGmHkMUvnvOGGTsAyIlcmSHt0sTxUKZWHysLceH/s1600/IMG_1463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaMY3Y6kN__x0thWEuK5gGriPCAW5jSlzXaRk0dzmPEgDf1m5PGAx8_fI4tRR7zk9cOhyphenhyphenQqKf0Dat_ghrob87lXikYSv9mw9kixPnWtGmHkMUvnvOGGTsAyIlcmSHt0sTxUKZWHysLceH/s400/IMG_1463.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">CP2.1 at 130k with high-fashion Chloe</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPz3ASNdES8lUHlyv_iak1kY-nHdT8AfcgnonFkw-ngUkZEdiR3DA3da6VEfprmZLehZoxJwFY_fQtw_NPHuD-drirRzh2DvTpsK3s15U5tenaHh8TwBfpFEeCIudmv7pbab83zTfyLbov/s1600/cp2.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPz3ASNdES8lUHlyv_iak1kY-nHdT8AfcgnonFkw-ngUkZEdiR3DA3da6VEfprmZLehZoxJwFY_fQtw_NPHuD-drirRzh2DvTpsK3s15U5tenaHh8TwBfpFEeCIudmv7pbab83zTfyLbov/s400/cp2.1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">CP2.1 with Dave</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The descent along Ninglinspo took longer than anticipated (who would have thought it was going to be slippery?) and I arrived at CP3 (163k) very sleepy and later than expected. But as my goal was to get some sleep during night-time I was just in time. I slept for 1,5 - 2 hours instead of the 3 hours I hoped for, and woke up again just before 7am feeling ready to get going again. Things weren't so simple however. My sleep-deprived mind wasn't cooperating in handling the basic logistics of sorting the drop bag. I kept looking for my dry socks in my drop bag, but I already put them next to my shoes. My sleeping bag didn't fit into the drop bag any more. I couldn't find my food for the next section because I already put it in my running pack... Anyway, I was getting really frustrated with myself and just wanted to get out in the fresh air again, so I'm afraid I wasn't too friendly towards the people helping me out (so sorry about that!). Once I was out, the cold air woke me up and I had a nice little cry-session which seems to be part of my ultra-experience. Everything seemed to fall into place and I started feeling better and better the further I got into the race, which was obviously the complete opposite of what I was expecting. Instead of a fresh start and a grim ending, the first 100k were pretty rough and the next 150 were good going. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHeI0cPCpjUww3FIOrTB2L9YEWelqdaHX2oy7FoBf-zd5Q4uCC0fqZ0-Jx7RZTWYaXzhwW0iAZygR0fbbidHPJImXPLPNEVEDDKcL8tp5syVAt9O_8gkh23vEg1Fd7XYo6tyMjz1dCB6g/s1600/IMG_1474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHeI0cPCpjUww3FIOrTB2L9YEWelqdaHX2oy7FoBf-zd5Q4uCC0fqZ0-Jx7RZTWYaXzhwW0iAZygR0fbbidHPJImXPLPNEVEDDKcL8tp5syVAt9O_8gkh23vEg1Fd7XYo6tyMjz1dCB6g/s320/IMG_1474.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A fresh morning</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqvCQfkndZG4W8kt86nwqdyBDYtzfCms661wR0RROjZ-8AKnBf5x2K39N6RfVy8z7vPPerI722MbS6Wqrn_Gk1SLyBXLZBBJFZ9tq8xv409M0tzgBHT-XbpdBBxmhtftGnVQTobPSXYIC/s1600/F4EA092C-E115-4843-A221-3DA0C6670225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqvCQfkndZG4W8kt86nwqdyBDYtzfCms661wR0RROjZ-8AKnBf5x2K39N6RfVy8z7vPPerI722MbS6Wqrn_Gk1SLyBXLZBBJFZ9tq8xv409M0tzgBHT-XbpdBBxmhtftGnVQTobPSXYIC/s400/F4EA092C-E115-4843-A221-3DA0C6670225.JPG" width="225" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Feeling a bit tired but enjoying the sunshine</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I planned on going slower from CP3 onwards, but as I could keep up my pace from the previous sections I got more or less back on my schedule (even after a short nap out in the sunshine) when arriving at CP4 at 4pm. I didn't want to lose too much time there and take advantage of the remaining daylight, so after having hot food and a 5 minute nap (just to take the sharpness of), I got out again. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFrzNIMKXPj1X4hpzTKliWlArC0Ig8pi4Kw2FEws1cpstvhiPKUcnoBNZFb5YAu9LsIE7QjUY6SeokIxWYKYmlXx1n76Hec8PyYCRiKhs6S1T6hTEmU8rg9FLgba7Je7ZTK-b3sfLWE12/s1600/IMG_1501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFrzNIMKXPj1X4hpzTKliWlArC0Ig8pi4Kw2FEws1cpstvhiPKUcnoBNZFb5YAu9LsIE7QjUY6SeokIxWYKYmlXx1n76Hec8PyYCRiKhs6S1T6hTEmU8rg9FLgba7Je7ZTK-b3sfLWE12/s640/IMG_1501.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last section after CP4</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSruDQhyd_x4qH2IM5LHG3fHlGOiI6ikGahlitnDnYgykFwG5JqmSP9dwsbUwAbNrpuiO0Xw90ggwBd2yZtAQNbWrkQlFHrrKls7QIKcoCOdfYKgK5LJjolVHW1HvLNJcJXzcc_Evz_Dx/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSruDQhyd_x4qH2IM5LHG3fHlGOiI6ikGahlitnDnYgykFwG5JqmSP9dwsbUwAbNrpuiO0Xw90ggwBd2yZtAQNbWrkQlFHrrKls7QIKcoCOdfYKgK5LJjolVHW1HvLNJcJXzcc_Evz_Dx/s400/IMG_1506.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last section after CP4</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After sunset the wind picked up for a few hours, accompanied by some rain. Conditions got worse very quickly for a brief moment, and it was easy to imagine getting into trouble with core temperature if this change in weather would have kept on. I did put on an additional layer at CP4 before going into the night, and after putting on my hat and hood, I remember thinking this rain-jacket was actually really cozy! I was also thinking I could switch to my second pair of shoes at the next CP, but the next stop would be the finish line. I was doing this. I was finishing Legends. And I was enjoying it! Passing over Baraque Fraiture in snowy conditions was easier than during recce, and the people at Ingo's partytent filled me up with a tosti and soup to keep me going. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After almost 58 hours I got back at Mormont at Monday at 3:45, where I passed the finish line coming from the wrong direction. Leave it to me to create a socially awkward situation, even after 250k :D </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As the Great Escape and Bello Gallico already proved to me, the community surrounding these events is simply amazing. At each CP you are showered with love and attention, everyone wants you to succeed and you are in safe hands. The only thing you need to do is put one foot before the other. Several times.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It again felt really strange, being welcomed by a group of people after spending the last 150k more or less alone. It felt like I just got back from a different planet, and needed to find a way of communicating again. Looking back at this adventure, it is both my strength and weakness of my personality. On the one hand, I can go for miles and miles all by myself, enjoying the solitude on my own pace and drawing energy from within. I can be looking forward to the next CP with enormous anticipation, but re-connecting with people is sometimes very difficult. This can result in disappointments for myself, which almost proved too much at CP2. Contradictory enough, it was also people who got me out of that state of mind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For me, Legends has little to do with running. It has everything to do with digging really deep and being curious what you can find at the bottom. Thank you for handing me a shovel and keeping the line secured.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-enYh5_ez53FgusBquZxZONPtvHubOOU2qx5aP-_nTIHB9zz_KGjecBEp60F7aX1f5mfZj2B9CPI4PXGTUaknF7sH16w5k6U6z70-fO_2uTp8b5Yx1T7mp1joWGmr_nGts7tiAT0_SlWf/s1600/IMG_1522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-enYh5_ez53FgusBquZxZONPtvHubOOU2qx5aP-_nTIHB9zz_KGjecBEp60F7aX1f5mfZj2B9CPI4PXGTUaknF7sH16w5k6U6z70-fO_2uTp8b5Yx1T7mp1joWGmr_nGts7tiAT0_SlWf/s640/IMG_1522.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-36894135903512706432017-12-31T00:03:00.003-08:002017-12-31T00:03:31.703-08:00Running (and other stuff) in 2017<div style="text-align: justify;">
A lot has happened in 2017, so an overview makes sense. I moved from the city to a smaller town that has some hills and nature, quit my job and said goodbye to a lot of people. Met a lot of crazy outdoors people, started another job and said hello to a lot of people. Tried to find a way of living which is both sustainable and fulfilling. I often think I'd like my life to be more stable, but at each moment of stability, I feel myself drifting towards an uneasiness, there has to be more to life than this? I'm still trying to combine a "normal" life with being outdoors, having contact with nature and playing on a more or less daily basis (when and why did we become so serious?). Trail-running, fastpacking and micro-adventures seem to give an answer to this, so I'm curious on further exploring these paths I'm slowly discovering. You might look upon this as an attempted escape from reality. But on the other hand, being out there feels more real than the daily life we are leading, where a high-paid job to buy a big house and a fancy car have a higher priority than experiencing life. There's a huge risk involved in reading Walden. Another thing I learned is that I'd rather be running through the cold and the mud with friends, than running on a tropical island with which I feel little connection on my own. I'm more and more convinced you don't have to travel far or someplace exotic to get truly rewarding experiences. And it is rewarding to feel a connection with your playground. I'm struggling to find the correct words, but it seems more rewarding to travel deep, than to travel wide. And as long as I haven't reached the bottom of the traveling I can do close by, as long as I haven't grown tired of my own extended back-yard, I don't really see much reason to travel far. "Far" is relative of course. I'm happy to stay on our little European peninsula, which has plenty of places left to discover. Like mr. Taiko supposedly said, if you find the answers, you probably haven't done enough searching. There's more digging to be done next year.</div>
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Below are some pictures from 2017. The main difference with previous years seems to be there are a lot of people involved.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5_WbJCsXEzz0onItXugA4EmeXHrnlPx6HgMP7M2G6i_uVWc5HDoO7bT24txx2fNq18iBTBi5eHid6c8i2IvVc8irjQGWuQhPsORMHYbT0iOG8dhyphenhyphen6BITgZejIJKeBm2UsfVX2WdF-bh1/s1600/IMG_20170225_223715_optimized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="1184" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5_WbJCsXEzz0onItXugA4EmeXHrnlPx6HgMP7M2G6i_uVWc5HDoO7bT24txx2fNq18iBTBi5eHid6c8i2IvVc8irjQGWuQhPsORMHYbT0iOG8dhyphenhyphen6BITgZejIJKeBm2UsfVX2WdF-bh1/s400/IMG_20170225_223715_optimized.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feb: TransGranCanaria80 with Frank (and Ingo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_8h5jB-FlUHSj7_2lf6CJ60iUY9KPoVffgwaMXcR6b4DP8RfZvTTIVIK1pTUQ4VW8pJerKIZ3x9vPBlfeHWW9bCe2vxMzGUMjxWGiuC9wGOWsXJtOoGyiVuUW905HGxEplj6sekEpCl0/s1600/IMG_20170413_101439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_8h5jB-FlUHSj7_2lf6CJ60iUY9KPoVffgwaMXcR6b4DP8RfZvTTIVIK1pTUQ4VW8pJerKIZ3x9vPBlfeHWW9bCe2vxMzGUMjxWGiuC9wGOWsXJtOoGyiVuUW905HGxEplj6sekEpCl0/s640/IMG_20170413_101439.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">April: 5d Snowdonia, trying to combine trekking and running</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiqmwEC0_ptbTfwa7aUzN7KKwVaa8MtWT-SIb7jU-ZFNwhEVNATSW4bCtAU2hxvmFgRa3txZrIchGrTZRUWcBqeH2iKcF50hxs8KCKlX_kw1wRp8xOupUnqSsS3UW48YON9fo3CmWwe76/s1600/IMG_20170413_101638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiqmwEC0_ptbTfwa7aUzN7KKwVaa8MtWT-SIb7jU-ZFNwhEVNATSW4bCtAU2hxvmFgRa3txZrIchGrTZRUWcBqeH2iKcF50hxs8KCKlX_kw1wRp8xOupUnqSsS3UW48YON9fo3CmWwe76/s640/IMG_20170413_101638.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">April: didn't need a torch under the Welsh moon (although that might have kept my feet dry in the bog)</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBza38ZS10XHd9iq7scUm6rj6daiFdEAzkb0cVN2Uo93NzjiAXVJNVGGYs6Ud0oiOAKIs-IYukEeOftesDfRvUfOETuWKcF6ktuwCKT08sEyfi-UhRnccHAPb-6hizWnfCHJrG8EpuXEn5/s1600/P1010966.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBza38ZS10XHd9iq7scUm6rj6daiFdEAzkb0cVN2Uo93NzjiAXVJNVGGYs6Ud0oiOAKIs-IYukEeOftesDfRvUfOETuWKcF6ktuwCKT08sEyfi-UhRnccHAPb-6hizWnfCHJrG8EpuXEn5/s640/P1010966.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">May: "Toerke Hageland" with Geert</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3qrp89ZvDrsfrKwLlkfmPIYO6ersNhIe7HNmnsacsUJrVXQvVWfVEP3a9iL8OrYRNjKPsb50ZhBLrD9A98EUgD9cEbeIFWD3d6NQDtoMC0kXq_aULmEOgw_4J14LAHZC8MOaiIYjao8v/s1600/IMG_20170624_070435485_optimized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3qrp89ZvDrsfrKwLlkfmPIYO6ersNhIe7HNmnsacsUJrVXQvVWfVEP3a9iL8OrYRNjKPsb50ZhBLrD9A98EUgD9cEbeIFWD3d6NQDtoMC0kXq_aULmEOgw_4J14LAHZC8MOaiIYjao8v/s640/IMG_20170624_070435485_optimized.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June: Crib Goch at V3K in Snowdonia with Matthijs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH25uD0_oekuMmpksCaJ5OtCoqRnlVCqZLQQJhUg1_t_GFL7GsgDDgXHkvGlEHpZ9qZgJx4FyOWlo-TIb084URuD1oILWYTjLNWuRgOliYg3GLxGwI0BEZgGsizTrTCJq7AhiNkbU2vGdU/s1600/IMG_20170624_073131207_HDR_optimized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH25uD0_oekuMmpksCaJ5OtCoqRnlVCqZLQQJhUg1_t_GFL7GsgDDgXHkvGlEHpZ9qZgJx4FyOWlo-TIb084URuD1oILWYTjLNWuRgOliYg3GLxGwI0BEZgGsizTrTCJq7AhiNkbU2vGdU/s640/IMG_20170624_073131207_HDR_optimized.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June: V3K in Snowdonia</td></tr>
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It's not always easy combining holidays with Charlotte, but a mix of camping, wild swimming and trailrunning seems to work very well for both of us. So in July, we went camping in the Cevennes, before heading to Switzerland where I would run my first 100k around Grindelwald. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSbQME4qjmfHq5Lc8FaPEyVOHGqpRnLV-f_IYi3bisWYV8lkbsXm7huIm2IrgrDpB3JGCogFaNHlzb5PrsUjgmkJRbPqya5Wdu9ZHUt2EZstZQSJd6l5xrspALuIrDt89eN9VcqySlgzi/s1600/IMG_20170709_135840_180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSbQME4qjmfHq5Lc8FaPEyVOHGqpRnLV-f_IYi3bisWYV8lkbsXm7huIm2IrgrDpB3JGCogFaNHlzb5PrsUjgmkJRbPqya5Wdu9ZHUt2EZstZQSJd6l5xrspALuIrDt89eN9VcqySlgzi/s400/IMG_20170709_135840_180.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">July: wild swimming in the Cevennes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkTNWeHdegy3hw4ZBO4wqSyMBLtDckhH1vOIcPROZYmboVGSTywzioK8n_fjpFKTmDPcRkAwmuJCeiKtd6nBvwEmG3YvHh0fnjpK6hx_Vs0rc-angRRwuvJLezNAJ6EvtBGhZK6iWGUr5/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkTNWeHdegy3hw4ZBO4wqSyMBLtDckhH1vOIcPROZYmboVGSTywzioK8n_fjpFKTmDPcRkAwmuJCeiKtd6nBvwEmG3YvHh0fnjpK6hx_Vs0rc-angRRwuvJLezNAJ6EvtBGhZK6iWGUr5/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">July: smiling my way to the finish of my first 100k at Eiger Trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntq8_pzvRF1V5le5NVV8UaQn3BceAdI_Eo22RvEe9L2AFD7KdlN9_4XclgAneRNR82j2zqCCuibte27ZMJ-Zikd5kW8uvOUA0stxwANNl0Um1aPU-J3iH5vfWEV5N1mQA4mQH0HlDRp8o/s1600/IMG_20170813_200810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1027" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntq8_pzvRF1V5le5NVV8UaQn3BceAdI_Eo22RvEe9L2AFD7KdlN9_4XclgAneRNR82j2zqCCuibte27ZMJ-Zikd5kW8uvOUA0stxwANNl0Um1aPU-J3iH5vfWEV5N1mQA4mQH0HlDRp8o/s400/IMG_20170813_200810.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">August: Trail des Fantômes 100k with Frank</td></tr>
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August: 2-day fastpacking with a weight-saving tarp-poncho combination. I had to crawl into a corner, but I did manage to stay more or less dry during the nightly downpour. Feels like a good 3-season option for the Ardennes. In more exposed areas, the MLD Trailstar proved to be a lightweight, roomy and bombproof shelter.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qpYC0dSFhleXxG8DvZeFCXhtzhVsaldszpi16Lsu2KtpVEESdYEqUeHtoMeUlgP7rwRnhdm3ZjLxhURb-HN_F4Glr03SNhzxXjWj1rltYivd9vhpB5wrVqwmvodFuoHBKxZupGFjbJ2o/s1600/IMG_20170722_202329_932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qpYC0dSFhleXxG8DvZeFCXhtzhVsaldszpi16Lsu2KtpVEESdYEqUeHtoMeUlgP7rwRnhdm3ZjLxhURb-HN_F4Glr03SNhzxXjWj1rltYivd9vhpB5wrVqwmvodFuoHBKxZupGFjbJ2o/s640/IMG_20170722_202329_932.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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September! My main goal for 2017 was finishing the Great Escape, which would become my first 100miler. </div>
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In March and August, I spent two weekends on the trail, training, experimenting with fastpacking and getting to know the (perfectly marked) route which follows the beautiful Lee and Eisleck trails. After going the first 100k by myself, Ingo and me teamed up for the final part. Seeing the sun rise, set and rise again is a sense of freedom I hadn't experience yet. I'm equally amazed at the intensity of the bond that's formed between people when sharing the trails. And I can't imagine getting so much out of this with another organisation and volunteers than with Legends Trails. Being welcomed by Frank at a CP in the middle of a forest, sharing the night along Nisramont whilst we were both falling asleep with Ingo or seeing Chloe, Alexia and many others at the end of the race is something I won't easily forget. To say this organisation and its community is an enrichment in life would be quite the understatement. Like a friend once said, doing what you love is a great filter to meet people you like. Or at least she said something in that area, we were drinking beer at the time so the exact words escape me.</div>
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Talking about "exact words", although it's called a race, I don't really see what we're competing against. Surely not against each other? You should see that merry bunch of crazy people, sharing beer and a good laugh after going knee deep through the mud in the middle of the night. And surely not "against nature", what is sometimes used as advertisement for obstacle races, these words seem to be most remote from what I'm experiencing during an ultra. </div>
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There seems to be a huge difference between 100k and 100 miles as well. Where 100k is just a stupidly long run, moving onwards for 100 miles is so much more an adventure, with a similar mindset as an unsupported trek through remote country. Planning is necessary, and you know in advance every plan you made at home, safe in the comfort of your couch, will need to be changed throughout the race. Logistics and sleep deprivation also become things to take into account, making it all a lot more interesting. Even if you know the route like the back of your hand, you will go places you've never been before.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWNOz_ekpJL9OJnDBn9q8cB9_iIa-rAABYa6qNxPZhjvYrWynbP6sfA9G-DqiZb53Qpa4llZ5B3qZLtrtzSvVwKghSbA0FtsnMkxx_-57fQWnij1IXuZTbsgYYX7vb83Fs-fYEzz6c5YG/s1600/IMG_20170924_092051635_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWNOz_ekpJL9OJnDBn9q8cB9_iIa-rAABYa6qNxPZhjvYrWynbP6sfA9G-DqiZb53Qpa4llZ5B3qZLtrtzSvVwKghSbA0FtsnMkxx_-57fQWnij1IXuZTbsgYYX7vb83Fs-fYEzz6c5YG/s640/IMG_20170924_092051635_HDR.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">September: Great Escape 100 miles with Ingo (photo after 140k) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78fzG2qHZaCdNpww0Byk2yw93GUkrigw27NU7vr_lq1yOapuJXrsyGmLz-CGtr2-RaIq67zzlsFzb5XRlpPwc5HLVwLJs6LCuBc-bYwnHNpZttEHJV-K7fyRt9UvYfiSNBfL7NoxQ-Mpm/s1600/IMG_0801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78fzG2qHZaCdNpww0Byk2yw93GUkrigw27NU7vr_lq1yOapuJXrsyGmLz-CGtr2-RaIq67zzlsFzb5XRlpPwc5HLVwLJs6LCuBc-bYwnHNpZttEHJV-K7fyRt9UvYfiSNBfL7NoxQ-Mpm/s640/IMG_0801.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> November: first time snowshoeing and wintercamping in the Vosges</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefttT9yBI3xLYDpQwMvvTxVNKiSIqwhNXXwm4SBLPsbXwygMyoH5xQLjVi6m66qMAy0Ky_9yaTuz4cy14-cnI9sbRXnfLh6wlKBA4IVof4A6XVx615mmauSvlaKAC3c00rt8JrpmG88pH/s1600/IMG_0897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefttT9yBI3xLYDpQwMvvTxVNKiSIqwhNXXwm4SBLPsbXwygMyoH5xQLjVi6m66qMAy0Ky_9yaTuz4cy14-cnI9sbRXnfLh6wlKBA4IVof4A6XVx615mmauSvlaKAC3c00rt8JrpmG88pH/s640/IMG_0897.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">December: Bello Gallico 100 miles with Chloe. Grateful to have spent the weekend with this amazing person.</td></tr>
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Upon finishing the Bello Gallico, I completed my running plan I started last year with the Polar Bear Trail, which I wrote down (and obviously adjusted and re-adjusted) on my chalkboard. Time to wipe it clean and start anew!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEB2_Oimv797qEFkcohtWYjI-xOJ3dF0TQ62Nc0zdWv57dNFB3Mj5prHfvCniwvOHjF9ENfxpvEWWgQ93YMcvEC349FUUEul-XiUI1lcXHjrwxi29GEBXttZAfRbNI2pxxISzoKWXUDk9/s1600/chalkboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEB2_Oimv797qEFkcohtWYjI-xOJ3dF0TQ62Nc0zdWv57dNFB3Mj5prHfvCniwvOHjF9ENfxpvEWWgQ93YMcvEC349FUUEul-XiUI1lcXHjrwxi29GEBXttZAfRbNI2pxxISzoKWXUDk9/s640/chalkboard.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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2018 is already planned. One of the trails I'm joining is the notorious Legends Trail, 250k of stumbling and sliding through the mud. Do I need to explain I'm looking forward to it?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJewGzrdQpIzvh2g5qWYU3eyEpK81eDI2YBEnGDYIWbMLKzqxaZyBAOgwzm3x5LCAFC275vWjeAGvX48dzfeeAJ5X4W7ubBBm3YCjX_CEu7Zk7tUFO-Fn7JIKamLHth7L7dgR0IQMiXGs/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJewGzrdQpIzvh2g5qWYU3eyEpK81eDI2YBEnGDYIWbMLKzqxaZyBAOgwzm3x5LCAFC275vWjeAGvX48dzfeeAJ5X4W7ubBBm3YCjX_CEu7Zk7tUFO-Fn7JIKamLHth7L7dgR0IQMiXGs/s400/IMG_0941.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December: first steps in Legends land</td></tr>
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There were other races and adventures as well during the year. I'd like to think I'm tending to go towards less races on which I can put more focus in the future. There seems to be a risk of over-consuming and just ticking the box after finishing. But I admit I find it difficult to leave something for a later date. I'm still very much feeling like a kid who just entered his first amusement park and wants to try all the attractions, afraid the day is coming to an end and closing time might be near. Taking a look at my schedule for 2018, I might sign up for having a rematch on "doing less" in 2019. But not yet.</div>
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Anyway, if you've come this far, dear reader, I hope you understand that the past year has been special to me, not in the least by the various people I met along the way and shared some of the above, regardless in what form. Thanks for being there, and I hope to see you next time. Wish you all a great 2018.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-61322941042669953362017-12-18T04:46:00.001-08:002017-12-26T02:14:58.449-08:00Bello Gallico 2017So, Bello Gallico... Supposedly the easiest event Legends Trails have to offer... Twice the same loop, once clockwise, then counterclockwise. Hot food halfway, dropbag at 40 and 120. Because of the lack of elevation (2400m) I heard it being described as an easy 100 miler. I guess one of the things I will remember from this weekend is that there is no such thing as "an easy 100 miler". It's just a ridiculously long distance. Every little thing that is not perfectly ok, will get you into trouble later on in the race and needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible. But hard as it may be, I think this also why I'm taking quite a liking to this distance. To compare, 100k is merely a really long run, while surviving a 100 miler seems to be a different story, being more an adventure than a run.<br />
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The first half of Bello Gallico was troublesome. Main reason was probably my knee, which gave me a bit of trouble at the end of the Grizzly Trail in October. I took it easy on OSO and didn't do any running the last few weeks, hoping it would pass, but after 10k I felt it coming back. I guess I altered my stride ever so slightly, which seemed to have caused a higher burden on my right thigh, which was the next spot that gave me trouble. Thoughts about DNF'ing started coming up at around 30k, but meeting Alexia at the crossing gave me new energy and a positive mindset to get to the CP at 60k (seriously, the volunteers at Legends are amazing). There I had a chat with Chloe, who gave me the push I needed to have the doctor take a look at my knee, just to make sure I didn't do any damage. After some twisting and bending, I was very relieved to hear the verdict. I could continue, just take it easy, and have a painkiller (500mg paracetamol every 3 hours during 24h is the maximum allowed) if my knee gave me too much trouble. Taking painkillers did feel a bit like cheating (I took 3 over the next 10 hours or so), and I really don't like the idea of blocking the signals your body is giving at times when you should listen to it the most. But from there on, the race changed completely for me. The next 100k were obviously no walk in the park, but so much more enjoyable than the first 60k. I ran a long way together with Chloe, who gives such amount of positive energy that running through the mud in the freezing night is simply a great place to be (she would finish as first female later on). After trying to take a 15min nap at 120k, we split up, and I went through the last 40k alone. And although it still was a long way to go, although the end never seemed to get nearer, although I saw some movements in the dark which probably weren't there, I got through that part relatively ok. Getting to the finish line after a long night in the forest felt pretty strange. At moments, your mind seems to be accepting the feeling that you're going to stay stuck in the mud and the darkness for ever. And all of a sudden, people are applauding, you shake hands with Tim, get a medal around your neck and are offered limoncello by Frank. You've finished and you're home among friends.<br />
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I'm not going to try to describe the satisfaction you feel the moment and days after finishing such an event, but the feeling goes really deep. So again, a huge thanks to everyone making this possible. Frank with his sportsdrinks, Alexia, always bustling with enthusiasm, Harry waking everybody up again, the doctor who gave me peace of mind on my knee, Ingo and Eric for getting me across the street, Roland for having a chat and pointing me in the right direction, Maarten for putting up the signage, Wannes for taking it down again, Teun and the safety team to follow up on everyone, Wendy, Imran and Dave for always being there, all the participants, the kitchen team for soup, hot food, coffee, and the post run cheese sandwich, the camera crew, Tim and Stef... And of course Chloe, who I was lucky enough to spend a big part of the weekend with and without whom this wouldn't have been one of the best runs I've had so far. You guys are the best.<br />
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I've got two conclusions. There is no such thing as an easy 100-miler, and I only reached the finish line because of the help and support I received from other people. I think the best way to sum up my post BG-feeling is that I'm looking forward to the Legends Trail. I hope you know what that means.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early morning moon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chloe, picking up the pace after dinner at 80</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chloe, soldiering on through the second night</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Done</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-41226396662558227562017-12-11T04:13:00.001-08:002017-12-11T05:02:43.556-08:00Mini-report of a micro-adventure in the Vosges - dec2017<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">No holidays left? That's what micro-adventures are for! Drove straight to the Vosges after work on Friday evening, slept in the trunk of my VW (rather tight I admit), tried snowshoeing for the first time by going up Grand Ballon, had my first "Elsass coke" (le meilleur!) at Ferme du Haag, had a snowcamp with my MLD Trailstar, and went back to the car in Saint-Amarin through fresh snow. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Pretty nice way to spend the weekend!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le Grand Ballon (1424m)</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-65736964400861391982017-09-25T09:57:00.003-07:002017-09-27T10:31:00.223-07:00The Great Escape 2017I'm pretty sure this has been an experience which will stay close to me the rest of my life. So before I start my report, let's get the most important thing out of the way: a huge thanks to everybody who made this possible. The fellow runners, the volunteers at the CP's, the medics, the RD's, the chefs, the bartenders, the grill-meister, the drivers who jumped in to replace the missing bus driver, people at home cheering me on or I knew where thinking of me, my girlfriend for putting encouraging notes in my drop bags... I also knew at least one person beforehand at each aid-station, which proved an incredible mental boost. So Roland, Martijn, Raymond, Kris, Imran, Alexia, Frank, everyone who I'm forgetting or whose name I didn't know, thank you!<br />
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A while ago, I read following advice for 100-miler rookies in a blogpost on Sportiva.com "Find a race or route that really inspires and motivates you [...] And likewise, find people to run and train with who also inspire and motivate you. Run with curiosity, humility and passion!” So upon registering for the Great Escape, I felt I made the right choice. Probably not the easiest event possible, it does check al other criteria. An inspiring route which I had fun with discovering in advance amongst a great bunch of people and amazing athletes.<br />
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Upon arriving Friday evening, although it is only the second event of LT in which I participate, it already had a strong home-coming feeling. After pitching my tent at the campsite nearby I was just in time to get some pasta at the race HQ, and went to bed early to get a few hours sleep. Actual sleep was limited to half an hour, but at least I got some rest. The plan was to get on the bus at 2am Saturday morning in Maboge to head to Ettelbruck, so after the alarm woke me at 1am we went back to HQ. The bus still hadn't arrived at 3:30 and as the driver even didn't seem to respond, arrangements were made to drive to the start by cars (thx pa Bührs for the ride!).<br />
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And at 5:30, instead of 4:00, we were good to go.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start at Ettelbruck</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A foggy morning</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first aid station at 27k</td></tr>
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The first 53k of the course follow the Lee trail, which is named after the slate that dominates the landscape, as for example on Molberlee.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Molberlee</td></tr>
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I ran the first 100k mostly by myself, already passing some great aidstations with delicious food. The checkpoint at Clervaux (77k) included an in and out route of a few k through the city-center to the other side of town, a nice addition to the trail.<br />
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I got to Troisvierges (around 90k) right after nightfall. I didn't prepare my own food this time, but at Troisvierges I got a veg wrap anyway from Kris, hooray!<br />
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I'm not sure why, but the simple fact of continuing after nightfall feels very liberating, as if the dichotomy day/night disappears, imaginary limits are lifted and you can do whatever you want how long you want. That said, it was a long night, with around 12h darkness. Although we both like running solo, when Ingo caught up with me a few hours later, we stuck together for the rest of the race. If I recall correctly, the roughest part of the night was between 4 and 5, when we were both struggling with our lack of sleep after being almost constantly awake for 48 hours. The headlight in combination with the fog was so tiring on the eyes, like driving a car in the rain, I actually started experimenting with running a few seconds with my eyes closed, to give them at least some rest. Looking back, that might not have been the best idea I've ever had, and a short nap in one of the aidstations might have made more sense.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset between Clervaux and Troisvierges</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alone in the forest</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ingo in Houffalize, 125k done</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And slowly the light returns</td></tr>
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Around 6:30, the light returned, and after getting the best cup of coffe that has ever been made at aid station 8 (after 144k), both Ingo and me felt alive and kicking again, right in time to start the last 20k. This last stretch doesn't follow the Escapardenne trail anymore but was designed by LT, resulting in the toughest part of the course, with some more technical parts and rarely any flat bits.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRN9gDw15x9vmK81ydjz5PUdNqegfKCAeyMEgVpa2x9LYRmicHed-o60fLlA7bEVesUUfPisbiKRqXZQhZtdrlis_70KNiux6hHF7uo9RoXCjg3f7N8WHmRtSWPLl4ix-BN3HbpVRG0Zka/s1600/IMG_20170924_081050327_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRN9gDw15x9vmK81ydjz5PUdNqegfKCAeyMEgVpa2x9LYRmicHed-o60fLlA7bEVesUUfPisbiKRqXZQhZtdrlis_70KNiux6hHF7uo9RoXCjg3f7N8WHmRtSWPLl4ix-BN3HbpVRG0Zka/s640/IMG_20170924_081050327_HDR.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ingo descending</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ingo in the morninglight</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicAVvI4yiMHpdwn3TPtFEgZjFqd1Dd74yjR55vKRHxm69B2JkOH-gBg6KAtcvfVdtQYpmX29IPK7bQq_3ynvpSJQiAcAxfaABycFTi8uTHZiCLUjLeyU6OzFgoaMQS6LgqiJVD_cbSAN6/s1600/IMG_20170924_103939249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicAVvI4yiMHpdwn3TPtFEgZjFqd1Dd74yjR55vKRHxm69B2JkOH-gBg6KAtcvfVdtQYpmX29IPK7bQq_3ynvpSJQiAcAxfaABycFTi8uTHZiCLUjLeyU6OzFgoaMQS6LgqiJVD_cbSAN6/s640/IMG_20170924_103939249.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More fog at Bérismenil</td></tr>
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Finishing a long race and my first 100 miler is an incredible rewarding feeling, so the RD's made sure we got the full experience by providing the 100 mile participants with two finishes. The last checkpoint is at race HQ, so when arriving there, you get the hugs, cheers, coke and crisps, after which the RD kicks you back out on the trail for a victory loop of 4k. After almost 31 hours Ingo and me arrived back at HQ, right in time for the BBQ.<br />
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Writing this now, I almost feel sorry the race was finished so quickly. A truly rich experience amongst friends.<br />
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Bedankt!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9MEnWJw0kFsdMIz6kevXFRy7-7iHQ5I5_dj9C2i4Gdrh2Tmt3OwpK5J0KU4SWknNyun3u5GudD4vdaFBYMOiT1PvcVg0Gf9rPAQINMSXB4b1ni4FmFm_uSuSo239Ax2p8kDwdXOI2sOg/s1600/IMG_20170925_104646_422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9MEnWJw0kFsdMIz6kevXFRy7-7iHQ5I5_dj9C2i4Gdrh2Tmt3OwpK5J0KU4SWknNyun3u5GudD4vdaFBYMOiT1PvcVg0Gf9rPAQINMSXB4b1ni4FmFm_uSuSo239Ax2p8kDwdXOI2sOg/s320/IMG_20170925_104646_422.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCWFRZsP_7W0pW7q0oMVM1XG6RToWJIBa1OqwlHoLiRJvr26bQpJSks-naQ89JQlm8Wk97oFbZPD1FFYRQf0Fz9DzrbCbgjJ23FpZ_uUxNP2tspToZdxLXqoTB2DNxHBAKvRqePjpkYx7/s1600/IMG_20170925_145512_949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCWFRZsP_7W0pW7q0oMVM1XG6RToWJIBa1OqwlHoLiRJvr26bQpJSks-naQ89JQlm8Wk97oFbZPD1FFYRQf0Fz9DzrbCbgjJ23FpZ_uUxNP2tspToZdxLXqoTB2DNxHBAKvRqePjpkYx7/s640/IMG_20170925_145512_949.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Legends Trails: http://www.legendstrails.com/<br />
Escapardenne: http://blog.escapardenne.eu/<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-71245538227279788132017-08-14T05:54:00.005-07:002017-08-16T00:40:57.777-07:00Trail des Fantômes 2017<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My running goal for 2017 is the Great Escape, which will
be my first 100-miler. Organized by Legends Trail, following the Eisleck and
Lee Trails for 160k and 7000 meters elevation from Ettelbrück (Lux) to Maboge
(BE)… Sounds pretty good!</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">To get
ready for this, I wanted to do a few races around 100k to know I can get at
least that far. The remaining 60k will be uncharted territory until then. In July I
participated in the Eiger Trail, 100k and 6700m elevation with great mountain
views. In August, there was Trail des Fantômes, organized by Sportevents.
The route passes through the same region as the last part of the Great Escape.
Luckily for me, this was the year the 100k also took place (which is only every
three years), so the perfect opportunity to test everything I can.</span></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfZoXfopUdxUPqtJhYcqwnthr340BniZHwNFO4HTGfT76gH3vHbpe6S-oATMGe6Acf1pQ83FoFDcBL0FwaBwn05fmiaQ7Rwk_lNbEqgxMlGTrJPgQdU7QxB2iwnD2d_TGeruN2QqoRkfs/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfZoXfopUdxUPqtJhYcqwnthr340BniZHwNFO4HTGfT76gH3vHbpe6S-oATMGe6Acf1pQ83FoFDcBL0FwaBwn05fmiaQ7Rwk_lNbEqgxMlGTrJPgQdU7QxB2iwnD2d_TGeruN2QqoRkfs/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The start
of the race was scheduled at 4am on Saturday, so I went to campsite Benelux at La
Roche Friday evening, where I met fellow runner Frank again. The campsite should have been
quiet at 11pm, but so crowded and noisy I could only fall asleep at 1.30am. Just
enough time to get the full 30min of sleep before crawling out of my sleeping
bag, have some breakfast, pick up the race bib and get to the starting line.</span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At the same
moment, there were 14.000 people participating in the Dodentocht-walk in Bornem,
which is also 100k. But here, in La Roche-en-Ardenne, there were only 80. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1HD6nJz7QqodiVRzPPUiXdHEV0W1G9zmRdoVeRqpyOQS90Qwfw6P27tdCDf1U6q587z83es4GJG-Eq8lf4eK3mLH74CovG4tv57KuJj-_Y4E-nEjPbT9eRNCbmNhGO4dcTSTRufQyBIQ/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1HD6nJz7QqodiVRzPPUiXdHEV0W1G9zmRdoVeRqpyOQS90Qwfw6P27tdCDf1U6q587z83es4GJG-Eq8lf4eK3mLH74CovG4tv57KuJj-_Y4E-nEjPbT9eRNCbmNhGO4dcTSTRufQyBIQ/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start at 4am</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Frank
and me started about halfway in the crowd, but after 20k we discussed dropping
the pace a bit. Good thing the next part was more technical, with lots of tree
roots and short scrambles, so we needed to slow down anyway. The rain of the last
few days and the constant drizzle made the trail pretty slippery, so I
was glad I had my poles with me to prevent some falls. </span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
</span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUJAcBg_2dtxq3zsCGvNlLGScWQrOuMgXzFVsWC9quK3L8zj3BWTMafFSLohOaagEZLj6HBjqBFI52PRchxKLqJ9KU-HZZf-KDLO3oS2R3kWvkNiek5t8zRTsur6VrZH6WVJds_emo0WW/s1600/3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUJAcBg_2dtxq3zsCGvNlLGScWQrOuMgXzFVsWC9quK3L8zj3BWTMafFSLohOaagEZLj6HBjqBFI52PRchxKLqJ9KU-HZZf-KDLO3oS2R3kWvkNiek5t8zRTsur6VrZH6WVJds_emo0WW/s640/3.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank climbing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the river</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking shelter from the rain</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">With this
amount of participants, and this distance, there were long stretches where we
didn’t see other participants, so Frank and me kept each other company during the whole trail,
discussing races, trail-food, socks, foot lotion and other interesting
stuff. Whilst we're at the subject of food, at the aid stations every 20k the basics were
covered with water, coke, oranges, bananas and salted crackers. There was no hot meal provided however, so I prepared some burritos (sweet potato, black beans, tomato,
rice and red pepper), which turned out to be an excellent idea.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burrito's!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank descending</td></tr>
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After 16h20min along gorgeous trails and a course with plenty of variation and elevation of which I enjoyed every mile, we arrived back in La Roche, just in time for Chouffe and french fries before the bar was closed.<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Am I ready for the Great Escape? I honestly don't know if I'll be able to finish it, as there are just so many things which can go wrong. But I do have the feeling I have prepared what I can.</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-32822760066019985322017-07-21T06:24:00.003-07:002017-07-21T06:24:50.258-07:00Wild-swimming in France and trail-running in Switserland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Although it was only for ten days, this has been an awesome holiday! With my recent focus on ultra-running, a longer summer trek was of the schedule. Instead, my girlfriend and me went to the Cévennes in France for 5 days to relax, after which we went to Switzerland where I would be participating in the Eiger Ultra Trail.</div>
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<h2>
Part I - Wild Swimming in France</h2>
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With everything neatly packed in the rental VW Up!, we headed south to France. After some stressful moments on the périphérique at Paris and a too short night on a parking lot somewhere along the way, we arrived around 10am at our campsite at Camping Le Val des Cévennes, near Florac, where we rented the Canada Trek tent, complete with wooden platform, table etc, proper glamping! The campsite is located along the river Tarn, perfect for a refreshing swim after the long ride.<br />
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The following days we went discovering the region with the much recommended book <a href="http://www.wildswimming.co.uk/wild-swimming-france/" target="_blank">Wild Swimming France</a> (there are also editions covering Italy, Spain and UK). The idea is as simple as it sounds. Park the car somewhere along the road, follow the description towards the river and jump in (one place there actually was no other way to get in but to jump in). This has been the second holiday we use this book, and again it did not disappoint. In all, we went for eight swims in four days in the region, and although different in character, I wouldn't be able to give you my favourite. </div>
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<h2>
Part II - Eiger Ultra Trail E101</h2>
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I actually managed to become completely relaxed in France, so much so we left our tent a day later than agreed with the campsite owner. Nice of him of not throwing our stuff out while we were away, but it was time to head to Grindelwald, Switzerland to run the <a href="https://www.eigerultratrail.ch/" target="_blank">Eiger Ultra Trail</a>. Although the <a href="https://www.eigernordwand.ch/" target="_blank">webpage</a> states the <span id="goog_1792914667"></span><span id="goog_1792914668"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a>campsite is never full, there were only two places left at Camping Eiger Nordwand. </div>
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The day before a race is always a bit strange. There's not much you can do except picking up your race bib, make sure you packed all the mandatory gear, saying hi to other runners, eating and sleeping. The start was at 4:30 in the morning, so it was a good thing I managed to get a few hours of sleep as it was going to be a long day. </div>
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As this was my first +100k race, with plenty of elevation (6700m), I was pretty nervous the weeks before, but in the end everything went great. I didn't eat enough during the first 30k, but the soup, bread and coke at the summit of Faulhorn got me through. Once the 50k runners where heading back towards Grindelwald at Burglauenen, the race became less crowded and even more enjoyable. Although I think I would prefer smaller races, there's no denying I enjoyed myself during this adventure which took me almost 20h, after which I received a piece of Eiger rock as medal.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-30647485239087771312017-06-26T05:15:00.000-07:002017-06-26T08:33:47.181-07:00Running with the hippies - V3K 2017I planned on running Grand Trail des Lacs et Chateaux a few weeks ago, but hay-fever and infected sinuses decided otherwise. I spent that weekend sulking around the house, so when Matthijs texted me to ask if I knew the V3K and would be interested in joining, it didn't take long before I was registred. I first heard of V3K from Chloe, one of the founders, who I met at Bello Gallico in December last year. The race in Snowdonia covers all 15 Welsh summits over 3000ft (roughly 1000m), combining for 55k and 4000m elevation. It also includes fun scrambles like Crib Goch and Tryfan, several scree descents and other goodies you won't find in Belgium.<br />
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There are three sections in the route, Snowdon, the Glyders and the Carneddau, with 2 aid-stations in between. Thankfully, the first part is the most technical, and the final part actually included some runable stretches.<br />
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The HQ for the weekend is located in Hendre Hall, Bangor, a beautiful old farm with attached buildings and a field for camping next to it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hendre Hall</td></tr>
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On my way over to London, the Eurostar stopped in Calais. Around are green fields, with a small village at the horizon, surviving two world wars and probably countless other conflicts. The railway station and the tracks have barbed wire around them and military is clearly present. Times have changed. Or not. I guess there's just a whole lot of stuff which is going wrong, throughout history and today, although we have the ability to choose otherwise. One of the people who chooses to have a positive impact is Kirsch, by organizing a vegan race. During the briefing Saturday evening, she doesn't say much about ethical veganism, just shows a few self-explaining pictures. The message is so simple no arguments are needed. And this weekend shows to all participants you do not need animals, and the efficient-hence-cruel meat-processing industry for nutrition.<br />
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Next morning, the race starts at 5am. When the race starts at dawn on one of the longest days of the year, yet a headlight is on the mandatory gear list for "only" 55k, you know you might be in for a though day. The combination of elevation, technicality and condition of the paths make Snowdonia a lot harder then you might expect when looking at the numbers or at the map.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Midgies at the start</td></tr>
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So, after a short night we were off to Snowdon. Obviously a long climb, along one of the nicer routes up. As all the other times, I went up to the orientation table to take a foggy picture.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic view at Snowdon summit</td></tr>
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After Snowdon, the descent followed Crib Goch. The views are probably spectacular,
but the fog had the advantage I couldn't see the drop on either side.
The last part of the descent was over scree, on which I did my best to
avoid falling and keeping in control, but failed miserably. Good fun
though! <br />
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After the first aid station with all necessities, there was a long, seemingly never-ending grassy climb to the Glyders. Once on the plateau, the fog was so dense that eventhough there were waymarkings every 10-20 m, it was difficult to keep on course. After another scree descent, we went up Tryfan, took a look at Adam&Eve (one day!) and descended yet another scree. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit of Elidir Fawr</td></tr>
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The aid station at Ogwen was everything I could hope for and more. Sandwiches, soup, pastries, apple-juice... the list goes on. <br />
Next up where the Carneddau, which have a different character than the previous parts. Less spectacular, more featureless, less elevation and easy to get lost.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back on Tryfan and the Glyders</td></tr>
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After more then 11h I was quite happy to hear the last volunteer (who saw me struggling to close the gate) say I was almost at the finish. <br />
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The V3K organization knows what's important for runners. The showers were perfect, there was plenty of great food, and there was a guy baking fresh pizza's. I'm a strong believer that everyone should take up running, if only to know the taste of pizza afterwards.<br />
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Thanks to all those volunteers (hard as nails), fellow-runners, people at home, Matthijs, Chloe and Kirsch for a weekend I'll never forget. See you next year!<br />
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http://www.vegan-welsh-3000s.co.uk/Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-42494110935266506732017-04-17T07:10:00.004-07:002017-04-17T07:21:41.619-07:00Wales - (not so) fast-packing door Snowdonia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Met het geslaagde fastpack experiment in Luxemburg achter de rug, was het moment gekomen om met dezelfde set-up naar Wales te gaan. Gezien de combinatie familiebezoek, logistieke eenvoud, en gewoon erg leuke route, koos ik opnieuw voor Conwy - Barmouth (±100k en 9000hm), daarbij over de hoogste toppen lopend. Achtereenvolgens ga ik via Drum over de Carneddau, de Glyders, Snowdon, de Moelwyns, langs Trawsfynydd Reservoir, een reeks naamloze toppen tot aan Clip, de Rhinogs, om daarna via een lange heuvelrug naar Barmouth af te dalen (het toeristisch centrum in Barmouth is overigens sinds vorig jaar gesloten wegens besparingen).</div>
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Ik geef in dit verslag nog wat alternatieven op de door mij gevolgde route voor diegenen die in scramblen geïnteresseerd zijn. Ik beperk me tot de eenvoudige scrambles waar ik zelf ervaring mee heb. Meer info en tal van andere routes zijn te vinden in Steve Ashton's "Scrambles in Snowdonia". </div>
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Met de trein ben je behoorlijk snel in Conwy (het uurverschil helpt daar ook mee) en kan je om 14u30 op pad. Ik ben de voorbije tien jaar best regelmatig in Wales geweest, maar zo'n weer als vandaag heb ik nog maar zelden gezien. 20gr in de vallei, een graad of 5 boven op de Carneddau, perfect zicht...<br />
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De eerste namiddag en avond loop ik Drum en de Carneddau over om in de buurt van Llyn Ogwen, tussen de Carneddau en de Glyders te overnachten, goed voor een kleine 30k en 1800 hoogtemeters. </div>
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Het eerste traject is eenvoudig, zowel op vlak van navigatie als terrein, maar bevat, net zoals de ganse route, behoorlijk wat hoogtemeters. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terugkijkend op Carnedd Llewellyn</td></tr>
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Veel scrambles zijn er niet op de Carneddau, maar vanop de pas tussen Carnedd Llewellyn en Carnedd Dafydd kan je de vallei westwaards ingaan om via een korte en eenvoudige scramble Crib Lem te volgen tot op de top van Carnedd Dafydd.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uitzicht vanop Carnedd Dafydd op de Glyders en Snowdon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tryfan, Glyder Fach, Glyder Fawr en Snowdon</td></tr>
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De eerste 28km gingen erg vlot, en aangezien ik pas laat op de dag in de buurt van de hoogste toppen kom, heb ik ze voor mij alleen. De afdaling van de Carneddau via Pen yr Ole Wen gaat echter een heel stuk moeizamer... De vorige keren ben ik telkens afgedaald door vanop Pen yr Ole Wen naar het oosten af te buigen (mooie bivakplaats aan Ffynnon Lloer), maar deze keer heb ik de route genomen die in de buurt van de parking ten westen van Llyn Ogwen uitkomt. Misschien was het omdat het al bij de start van de afdaling aan het schemeren was, maar veel van het pad heb ik niet gezien, waardoor ik het volgende uur over een door heide overgroeid blokkenveld heb geploeterd, af en toe wegzakkend in de bogs. Croeso y Cymru! Gelukkig is het bijna volle maan en een wolkenloze hemel, waardoor ik onder het maanlicht verderga en mijn tarp kan opzetten.</div>
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De volgende dag klim ik eerst tot Bwlch Tryfan, om vandaar naar Glyder Fach (kleine Glyder), Glyder Fawr (grote Glyder) en Snowdon over te lopen (23k / 2000hm). Een alternatief om tot aan Bwlch Tryfan te komen is de Tryfan North Ridge volgen, waarmee je die kam van noord naar zuid oversteekt. Op Bwlch Tryfan heb je dan weer aansluiting op Bristly Ridge waarmee je op Glyder Fach uitkomt, zodat je twee van de meest toegankelijke en populaire scrambles kunt combineren met een meerdaagse trekking.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Llyn Bochlwyd</td></tr>
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De afdaling van Glyder Fawr is padloos over zompig mos, waar ik opnieuw niemand tegenkom. Het contrast met Pen-y-Pass, de belangrijkste uitvalsbasis om Snowdon op te lopen, op een zonnige zaterdagochtend, kon dan ook moeilijk groter zijn. "Druk" is vaak relatief in de bergen, maar niet op dit moment. Het was mijn bedoeling om eindelijk eens scramblend langs Crib Goch naar boven te gaan, maar gezien de drukte kies ik ervoor deze berg zo snel mogelijk op en af te lopen via de Pyg Track (de Miner's Track is een stuk meer geërodeerd en minder mooi). Ook de afdaling via de minder gekende Rhyd Ddu is veel te druk naar mijn zin. Ik hou er een wat dubbel gevoel aan over. Uiteraard ben ik er volledig voor dat mensen de bergen intrekken, en als iedereen naar één berg toegaat, wil dat zeggen dat de andere bergen er nog steeds verlaten bij liggen. Als je langs de andere kant ziet welke erosie dat veroorzaakt en hoeveel afval er op Snowdon Summit achterblijft, mag er best wat meer respect zijn.<br />
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Maar gelukkig is er een erg groot verschil tussen Snowdon, de Glyders en de omliggende toppen, en alles wat ten zuiden daarvan ligt. Eens je Glaslyn voorbij bent, stoppen de paden voor een groot deel en wordt het karakter ruiger, hoewel de heuvels minder hoog zijn.<br />
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Aan de zuidkant van de vallei van Glasyn zijn er, eens voorbij de laatste boerderij, tal van mooie en beschutte bivakplekjes. Gezien de hoeveelheid schapen dat hier rondloopt lijkt het me wel aan te raden om water te filteren, hoewel ik zelf niet die gewoonte heb en daar nog geen nadelige gevolgen van heb ondervonden.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bivak Glaslyn</td></tr>
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De volgende dag is het weer terug typisch Welsh: mist en wind, wat er niet op betert naarmate de dag vordert. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPv9CEFstj1y4w_nW7kdg6f7u8ldroJQprpZ-uQLX2eaJvVCBXWjTQpcsvKIFJh5DE6YoNEFEu6IXsJmpT80lpumnMtINIs2h_uiGG-e8GQOGurwJ89xblpn9sewp5g7ThcdBRaOumR_4A/s1600/DSC02914_Fotor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPv9CEFstj1y4w_nW7kdg6f7u8ldroJQprpZ-uQLX2eaJvVCBXWjTQpcsvKIFJh5DE6YoNEFEu6IXsJmpT80lpumnMtINIs2h_uiGG-e8GQOGurwJ89xblpn9sewp5g7ThcdBRaOumR_4A/s640/DSC02914_Fotor.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'s Ochtends kan ik Moelwyn Fawr nog zien</td></tr>
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Na een wild stukje moors kom ik in het bizarre Rhosydd aan, een verlaten dorp waar tussen 1830 en 1948 leisteen ontgonnen werd. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhosydd</td></tr>
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Eens voorbij Rhosydd is het een grassige klim naar de ronde top van Moelwyn Fawr, waar ik bijna vanaf waai. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZiHD1MA6YOclmotKYHNSfrH6XOEs2yz8HOg5kECC4t20W9IIJ1-sU1LpXuJKvlP9P31aaFa_pV6c0Cv7GBIYLtYpvX791a_42hPrDeDKRi9S-hHlv-fdNrENKeO3V7hCKH8poDpS8i4D/s1600/DSC02919_Fotor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZiHD1MA6YOclmotKYHNSfrH6XOEs2yz8HOg5kECC4t20W9IIJ1-sU1LpXuJKvlP9P31aaFa_pV6c0Cv7GBIYLtYpvX791a_42hPrDeDKRi9S-hHlv-fdNrENKeO3V7hCKH8poDpS8i4D/s640/DSC02919_Fotor.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moelwyn Fawr</td></tr>
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Van de top van Moelwyn Fawr is het padloos afdalen in de mist en kom je op een mooie brede graat tussen Moelwyn Fawr en Moelwyn Fach. Tussen die twee daal je opnieuw af, eerst naar het stuwmeer Llyn Stwlan, dan naar Maentwrog tot aan de oevers van het kunstmatige meer Llyn Trawsfynydd, waar ik na 19km en 1200hm mijn tarp uitzet. Het waait er best stevig, maar de Trailstar staat bomb-proof.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bivak langs Llyn Trawsfynydd</td></tr>
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Van Trawsfynydd begint een erg leuke route over een reeks heuveltoppen die elk rond de 600m zijn. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reeks topjes met op het einde Rhinog Fawr</td></tr>
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Veel paden zijn hier niet, dus hier en daar is het wat zoeken naar het beste traject. De laatste van de reeks topjes is Clip. Je kan deze tot op het einde volgen en daar door de heide afdalen, wat gemakkelijker klinkt dan het is. Een stuk eenvoudiger is het om vanuit het laatste zadel (net voor Clip dus) afdalen naar Bwlch Gwylim, vanwaar je een pad kan volgen tot de Cwm Bychan. Op de kaart staat een camping aangegeven, maar de voorzieningen zijn beperkt tot een grasveld en een houten kistje om geld in te stoppen. Vanaf Cwm Bychan volg ik de Roman Steps (die niet Romeins zijn) om die op hun hoogste punt te verlaten en verder te klimmen tot op de top van Rhinog Fawr. Het afdalen van Rhinog Fawr is niet altijd even duidelijk, kan best steil zijn en neemt behoorlijk wat tijd in beslag. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">De eenvoudigste afdaling van Rhinog Fawr mij bekend</td></tr>
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Eens je Rhinog Fach voorbij bent, volgt het pad de heuvelrug tot in Barmouth, wat betekent dat er weinig water te vinden is. Llyn Cwm Hosan is een mooie bivakplaats en mijn eindpunt na 25k en 2000hm.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stukje afdaling van Rhinog Fawr</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Llyn Cwm-Hason met zicht op Rhinog Fawr</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Llyn Cwm Hason</td></tr>
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Vanaf Llyn Cwm Hason is het de volgende ochtend nog een kleine 20km en 700hm tot in Barmouth. Ik heb de afgelopen dagen toch een hongertje opgebouwd, en 3u later zit ik te smullen van een uitgebreid English breakfast.<br />
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Nog wat bedenkingen ivm fastpacken:<br />
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Op trekking probeer ik altijd zoveel mogelijk zelfvoorzienend te zijn, zodat ik de reis niet hoef te onderbreken met winkelen e.d. Dat betekent dat bij de start van deze tocht mijn rugzak rond de 12kg zat, waarvan 4 - 5kg eten voor vier avonden (2p gevriesdroogde maaltijden/d), vier ontbijten (100g havermout/d), drie stevige wandeldagen (voornamelijk Clif bars en graanrepen) en wat luxe-items (thee, chocolademelk, koffie en pindanoten). Dat gewicht is, in combinatie met de ruwheid of het ontbreken van de paden en de hoogtemeters, te zwaar gebleken om lange stukken in looppas af te werken. Eens mijn rugzak terug rond de 10kg zat, of er een duidelijk pad beschikbaar was, ging mijn snelheid opnieuw de hoogte in. De combinatie van zelfvoorziening en gevoel van vrijheid dat je kan ervaren als je kan rennen door de bergen is dus wel mogelijk, maar niet evident bij meerdaagse tochten over ruw terrein (duh!) en gezien het gewicht misschien beperkt tot 3-daagse tochten.<br />
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Daarnaast is mijn zoektocht naar de ideale schoen nog niet afgerond. Ditmaal droeg ik de TNF Ultra Endurance, een (voor mij) erg goede, redelijk snel drogende loopschoen met voldoende grip op diverse ondergrond (maar 2x onderuit gegaan op 4d vind ik wel een succes). Gezien de zompigheid van grote delen van de route waren mijn voeten voortdurend nat. Met Injini sokken heb ik gelukkig niet snel last van blaren, maar drogere voeten waren vooral warmer geweest. Er bestaat ook een MT versie van TNF Ultra Endurance die waterbestendiger en het bekijken waard is. Anders wordt het toch een A-wandelschoen waar mee te lopen valt.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-54677935586149833912017-03-18T12:45:00.000-07:002017-03-18T15:18:57.509-07:00Fastpacking - Lee Trail en een klein stukje EisleckNa de Bello Gallico 80 in december - en toegegeven, op dit moment nog steeds - leek het me een prima idee om een 100-mijler te gaan lopen. 2017 zal dan ook min of meer in het teken van <strike>mijn poging tot </strike>het volbrengen van The Great Escape staan, een trail van 160km en een slordige 7000 hoogtemeters van Ettelbrück naar La Roche-en-Ardenne in september. De wedstrijd (tegen mezelf, laten we wel wezen) wordt mogelijk gemaakt door de geweldige vrijwilligers en organisatoren van de Legends Trails. Rond de LT heeft zich intussen een heuse trail community ontwikkeld, dus in goede handen ben je daar zeker. En tot september is nog een hele tijd om te trainen, dus er kan nog maar weinig mis gaan, niet?<br />
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Een eerste stap in de goede richting (er zullen er nog wat mogen volgen om dit te overleven) zou alvast terreinverkenning kunnen zijn, reden voor een weekendje fastpacken in Luxemburg dus!<br />
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De Great Escape loopt grotendeels gelijk met de Escapardenne trail. De Escapardenne bestaat uit twee delen, nl. de Lee Trail van Ettelbrück naar Kautenbach (53km), en de Eisleck Trail van Kautenbach naar La Roche-en-Ardenne, goed voor nog eens 104km. Als verkenning loop ik eerst de Lee Trail, om de tweede dag de Eisleck Trail te volgen tot Clervaux, waarmee ik er op twee dagen een 75-tal km en 3000 hoogtemeters op zal hebben zitten.<br />
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Naast de terreinverkenning voor The Great Escape, is dit ook een eerste mogelijkheid om te experimenteren met fastpacken. Fastpacken bevindt zich in die erg interessante grijze zone tussen lopen en trekking. Daarbij ga je met een zo licht mogelijke uitrusting meerdere dagen trails op, en gezien het beperkte gewicht kan je je sneller en langer voortbewegen.<br />
Van de andere kant bekeken, het lopers-perspectief, neem je een ellendig zware rugzak mee waar alles in zit om te overnachten om de dag erna uitgerust je veters te kunnen strikken en weer verder te gaan.<br />
Ik heb het goede voornemen om in een volgende post meer in detail toe te lichten welke spullen ik zoal meeneem, dus maak me er hier vanaf dat mijn rugzak rond de 9kg weegt. Daarin zit een warme overnachtingsplaats (MLD TS), kookgerief (Esbit) en voldoende eten om 2 dagen op voor te bewegen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVF00hClXcJE8h_m39Ed2hZow9GoKxBSg2knHSO8dwfFHUe4z5l5VHo-UzuQD0OT7NUkMJoHnvCLkzSNBNvaENj1CM5wc-uTJMLn6uPN7G9d9XNdAaz5cHOArcCUdKq3CUx2Tynr-K88U/s1600/IMG_20170311_222240_693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVF00hClXcJE8h_m39Ed2hZow9GoKxBSg2knHSO8dwfFHUe4z5l5VHo-UzuQD0OT7NUkMJoHnvCLkzSNBNvaENj1CM5wc-uTJMLn6uPN7G9d9XNdAaz5cHOArcCUdKq3CUx2Tynr-K88U/s400/IMG_20170311_222240_693.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Vrijdagochtend neem ik rond 7u de trein naar Ettelbrück, waar ik iets na 10u aankom. Het erg zachte lenteweer blijft nog even hangen, en ik kan de ganse dag in korte broek en t-shirt rondhossen, zonder me kapot te zweten. 's Avonds werd het zomeravond-fris, heerlijk om in te lopen.<br />
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Het begin van de route is wat twijfelachtig, maar hoe verder ik Ettelbrück achter me laat, hoe mooier het parcours wordt. Veel single trails halverwege de valleiwand, zowat het leukste wat je in de Ardennen kan vinden. En als variatie brede boswegen waarop je dan weer goed vooruit kan gaan (nu ja, de rugzak remt natuurlijk serieus af).<br />
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Ik probeer nog voor het donker wordt in Kautenbach te geraken, maar vooraleer ik aan de laatste afdaling begin moet ik mijn zaklamp toch bovenhalen. De camping blijkt nog een goeie kilometer van het centrum te liggen, maar gelukkig in de goede richting langs de Eisleck trail. Ik kom wat verwaaid binnen in de taverne, en wat later kan ik genieten van een deftige maaltijd.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">De start bij Mr. Patton</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Niet bepaald winterse condities</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bladerige single-trail</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsMi3sZQe6qawHGdZxoVpQ5Nj-4O6P1cHKP2ORs0aZzXrB_VTm8J1BZXxFO0efk6Hc8s8ngm9hzTsI-2zi95GXjEb_jL4N7tKn0S-NC6CibiUZPGoLsrU79UQ2lTKK67rWOzgQmeNDVED/s1600/IMG_20170318_191518_669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsMi3sZQe6qawHGdZxoVpQ5Nj-4O6P1cHKP2ORs0aZzXrB_VTm8J1BZXxFO0efk6Hc8s8ngm9hzTsI-2zi95GXjEb_jL4N7tKn0S-NC6CibiUZPGoLsrU79UQ2lTKK67rWOzgQmeNDVED/s400/IMG_20170318_191518_669.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Die nacht waait en regent het stevig, maar de Trailstar blijft bomb-proof staan. Bemoedigend!<br />
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De volgende ochtend regent het gestaag verder, en kost het best wat moeite om mijn loopkleren van de vorige dag (die ook nog niet helemaal droog zijn) opnieuw aan te trekken. Niet te veel nadenken, niet zeuren, rugzak inpakken en op pad gaan, we zijn hier immers niet op vakantie, toch? Na een half uurtje wordt het wat droger, hoewel het de rest van de route zal blijven regenen.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">De Trailstar in Kautenbach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nog single trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">De auteur van dit verhaal (met zijn nieuw paar sokken)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windmolen in de mist</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clairvaux</td></tr>
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Mocht het weer wat meegezeten hebben, had ik verder tot in Troisvierges gelopen, een 15km verderop. De bedoeling van dit weekend was het fastpacking idee in praktijk om te zetten, een stukje Great Escape te ontdekken, en natuurlijk trainen en simpelweg buiten zijn. Dus alles samengenomen, meer dan geslaagd!<br />
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Logistiek was deze route wel erg gemakkelijk, aangezien de Lee Trail en de Eisleck Trail (tot aan Troisvierges) de spoorlijn Luik - Luxemburg volgt. Tussen Troisvierges en Ettelbrück zijn er een stuk of vijf stationnetjes, waar om de twee uur een trein naar Luik passeert.<br />
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Links<br />
Legends Trails: http://www.legendstrails.com/en/<br />
Escapardenne: http://www.trekkings.be/<br />
http://www.escapardenne.eu/<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-87972075649175028222017-03-05T05:52:00.001-08:002017-03-11T13:55:23.650-08:00TransGranCanaria 2017Op Gran Canaria gaat jaarlijks de TransGranCanaria door, een loopwedstrijd van 125k en 8000 hoogtemeters waarbij je het eiland helemaal oversteekt. Er zijn die week ook enkele kortere wedstrijden van 17k, 30k, 42k en 82k. Voor de liefhebbers is er dan nog een draak van 265k en 16.500 hoogtemeters, waar je - incl eten en slapen, max 101u over mag doen.<br />
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Aangezien ik nog een rookie ben in ultra-land, heb ik me voor de Advanced ingeschreven. Die volgt de laatste 82k van de 125k, maar start wat hoger in de bergen. Die afstand heb ik in december al gelopen op de Bello Gallico, maar de hoogtemeters (volgens de organisatie 4300) doen me vermoeden dat ik er wel een voldaan gevoel aan zal overhouden. Als ik de finish in Maspalomas al haal tenminste.<br />
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Ik reis een paar dagen op voorhand vanuit een miezerig België naar Gran Canaria. Op de vlucht van Madrid naar Gran Canaria zitten behoorlijk wat lopers, die eenvoudig te herkennen zijn aan hun Suunto of Garmin. Eens geland, word ik door ik door zon, palmbomen en cactussen à volonté begroet en neem mijn intrek in mijn bungalow met verwarmd zwembad in Maspalomas op een paar km van de finish en het hoofdkwartier van de race.<br />
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Donderdag ga ik een eindje loslopen, waarbij ik mijn startnummer ophaal en langs de Dunas de Maspalomas loop. Het was de bedoeling om het laatste stuk van de route even te verkennen, maar als ik zie dat ik toch weer tegen de 10k ga uitkomen, besluit ik terug naar mijn strandzetel te gaan. We zullen het parcours zaterdag wel tegenkomen.<br />
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Vrijdag doe ik mijn uiterste best om stil te zitten. Ik ga nog even naar de aankomst van de marathon kijken, waar ik Frank (ook 82) en Ingo (125) tegenkom. Hun reisgezel Sanne heeft zonet de marathon gelopen, waarvan de helft met een gebroken hand. Volgens mij had ze zelfs met een gebroken voet niet geplooid en de finish gehaald.<br />
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De nacht is best kort als je om 2u mag opstaan om de bus naar de start te nemen, maar ik kan gelukkig toch een paar uurtjes slapen. Om 7u staan we met 475 aan de start in Fontanales om aangemoedigd door de locale big-band eindelijk te mogen starten.<br />
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Omdat het parcours al snel op een single trail overgaat, is het na 500m aanschuiven. Niet iedereen heeft zin in al dat wachten, en zo zie ik Ingo (die er dan al 8 nachtelijke loopuren op heeft zitten) tussen de cactussen en aloë vera's de berg af en mensen voorbij schuiven.<br />
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Van de eerste 15k ben ik eerlijk gezegd niet danig onder de indruk, en ik begin me wat te ergeren aan de drukte, de lege gelletjes op de grond etc. Gelukkig verandert dat volledig eens we Teror na 14km passeren. Teror is, in tegenstelling tot wat de naam doet vermoeden, erg gezellig. Het souvenir-marktje sla ik maar over, en daarna ben ik de drukte voorbij. Vanaf de volgende bevoorrading Cruce d' Aríñez kan het feest pas echt beginnen. Steil bergop, waarna we in een koude wolk terecht komen. Ik schat dat het daar zo'n graad of 5 is en haal mijn regenjasje toch maar boven.<br />
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Tijdens de afdaling naar Tejeda begint het op te klaren, en krijgen we de eerste uitzichten. In Tejeda werk ik wat brood, kaas en thee naar binnen alvorens aan de lange klim te beginnen, eerst via Roque Nublo naar Garañón, dan naar het hoogste punt van het eiland, Picos de las Nieves. Trouwens, die bevoorradingen waren er om de pakweg 10k, telkens net voor een klim zodat je daar ietwat uitgerust aan kan starten. Zonder uitzondering geweldig vriendelijke en behulpzame vrijwilligers. Er was ook voldoende afwisseling op vlak van eten. De ene keer brood met kaas, dan weer brood met Iberico ham. In Garañón was er pasta voorzien, en op de voorlaatste stop kregen we paëlla. Een sneukelroute in de bergen dus.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm76A7_Jk03zXOCvUBETbpToyswzi762dCf5DNOCE3PCoXy8sJimsnbarD6qNkuGZP39yn8vQjCfwov2CzBEioKI0nqWKRtLPm9YZWNiRjMDiS_ltC1IVWPauFFkhz2sLCU8NsVnZcSJ3x/s1600/DSCN0074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm76A7_Jk03zXOCvUBETbpToyswzi762dCf5DNOCE3PCoXy8sJimsnbarD6qNkuGZP39yn8vQjCfwov2CzBEioKI0nqWKRtLPm9YZWNiRjMDiS_ltC1IVWPauFFkhz2sLCU8NsVnZcSJ3x/s640/DSCN0074.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roque Nublo, de wolkenrots</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roque Nublo met Tenerife aan de horizon</td></tr>
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In Garañón krijgen we een bordje pasta (un poco mas?), Iberico-ham en applaus van de locale supporters.<br />
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Vanaf Garañón loop ik vooral alleen. Hoewel ik nog maar halverwege ben, voel ik dat het goed zit en zijn de zenuwen en twijfels van het begin van de wedstrijd en de voorgaande dagen volledig weg. Van de ochtendspits is er ook niets meer te merken, de route lijkt steeds mooier te worden... Enfin, 't is plezant. </div>
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Na Picos de las Nieves volgen er enkele lange afdalingen, eerst naar Tunte, dan naar Ayagaures. Aangezien dit uiteindelijk toch een loopwedstrijd is, probeer ik wat snelheid te maken, wat behoorlijk stevig op de quads pakt. Maar wanneer ik in Ayagaures met nog maar 20k te gaan nog een bordje paëlla onder mijn neus geschoven krijg voel ik dat dit wel goed komt.<br />
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Het einde van de wedstrijd valt voor mij samen met en het einde van de dag. Ik probeer nog even wat tempo te maken zodat ik het laatste moeilijkere stuk over de rivierbedding bij daglicht kan passeren, maar gelukkig viel dat ook nogal mee.<br />
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Na 82k, 4300m, 12u40min en een keer of 436x "gracias!" kom ik behoorlijk gaar, maar erg voldaan aan in Maspalomas, waar er meteen een medaille rond mijn nek gehangen wordt en ik een fris pintje in mijn handen geduwd krijg. Enorm genoten van deze dag, niet in het minst door de geweldige vrijwilligers en de enthousiaste supporters.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-9060864506155768742016-12-25T14:12:00.000-08:002016-12-26T00:12:23.157-08:00Running in 2016<div class="p1">
The past few years I started running as a means to stay in shape for trekking and hiking. In 2016 I started running for the sake of running (it's also the year in which I realised it's not the inexpensive hobby you hope it will be). I don't have a certain distance in mind as final goal, but being out in nature all day and being able to keep on going just feels so incredibly liberating that I want to go farther every time (seriously, try it).<br />
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After a nice run in the woods in Limburg, my running year 2016 started with below very professional planning to get me to Crêtes de Spa, which would become my first ultra.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> January: plan to get to Crêtes de Spa</td></tr>
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Considering the fun I was having with experimenting and running, I didn't see a reason to change what I was doing, so continued along that way, which has brought me to my first 50-miler at the end of the year, organised by (highly recommended) <a href="http://www.legendstrails.com/">legendstrails.com</a>. As I've got the feeling this was only the first chapter in this story, I'm really looking forward to 2017.<br />
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Instead of trying to write something about every run (which wouldn't do justice anyway), I pasted some pictures below. Hope you enjoy them!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">24Jan16: experimenting with Injinji-socks on Polar Bear Trail (22k)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">31Jan16: experimenting with riceballs on Meerdaalwoudtrail (25k)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">February: training: Bouillon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">February: training weekend Spa</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6Mar16: Antwerp Urban Trail (12k)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6DHyUYFTQRRyjY0TAlWuoIVoKuDrhQ_NvFRuwsmL-b50voV64QUXAni4VowtgBniaeyFrdgr9jRp-g1uRC-6kDClxZpIS1byivgEzcDo260_DdDynOQogblQ1EQ9ivoVHmeb5XxFvvt8/s1600/03CdS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6DHyUYFTQRRyjY0TAlWuoIVoKuDrhQ_NvFRuwsmL-b50voV64QUXAni4VowtgBniaeyFrdgr9jRp-g1uRC-6kDClxZpIS1byivgEzcDo260_DdDynOQogblQ1EQ9ivoVHmeb5XxFvvt8/s640/03CdS1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12Mar16: Crêtes de Spa (57k / 2096hm)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThSKfntdyHbtSCUpAD14q6T1r-FnAGHuVLUzNFS3DnjOjVHRv9PgmlTNRm8jyAQxuec6QVI-7tTkdccgmeoXy8U6abuDn_M2gIQleYmueShDOi4WClajy_mfwvGKFxSvhrdzY8ZPJHNT4/s1600/03CdS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThSKfntdyHbtSCUpAD14q6T1r-FnAGHuVLUzNFS3DnjOjVHRv9PgmlTNRm8jyAQxuec6QVI-7tTkdccgmeoXy8U6abuDn_M2gIQleYmueShDOi4WClajy_mfwvGKFxSvhrdzY8ZPJHNT4/s640/03CdS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crêtes de Spa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijU3MA7CW7p00KFXxqoSPudV3VpxYnADGHqdZdvV4u0fXfRC9w-eiaBCRVjQQ3mSGKHACIxZXUoesCtj1wX0DIPSGlPjZu0mNto0cf7TvqWhKQgTqkAGEDhsfxmNxO1D3Iw4xoFtD45iUu/s1600/03CdS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijU3MA7CW7p00KFXxqoSPudV3VpxYnADGHqdZdvV4u0fXfRC9w-eiaBCRVjQQ3mSGKHACIxZXUoesCtj1wX0DIPSGlPjZu0mNto0cf7TvqWhKQgTqkAGEDhsfxmNxO1D3Iw4xoFtD45iUu/s640/03CdS3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearing the finish line at Crêtes de Spa (do I smell pizza?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguACAiduxKYExQL9xAwfsUsTT0U1A0xuhn5w_VHKJythGAVhP1nqbOyityB_coJmLn43BF-W7Do900u79EAXTnhG2vhsXR921POS7R7m3LgWKzgmt1mj9K4BPhh8OhOBiNthReGG3OqrjA/s1600/03CdS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguACAiduxKYExQL9xAwfsUsTT0U1A0xuhn5w_VHKJythGAVhP1nqbOyityB_coJmLn43BF-W7Do900u79EAXTnhG2vhsXR921POS7R7m3LgWKzgmt1mj9K4BPhh8OhOBiNthReGG3OqrjA/s400/03CdS2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crêtes de Spa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZKe4UJNlZ0U5VisaA1jJeCS64VIwgFxmFGjnybB8dcmpIs-kIQ_OkKU5HEQO9TVm_zPNBtXsp_v9Z9x-ejrJhxJz85eXe6s7wrLPGOX-N02jQQA2_55wzMUIrAF2aripEprpIXXoQK1K/s1600/04AntwerpMarathon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZKe4UJNlZ0U5VisaA1jJeCS64VIwgFxmFGjnybB8dcmpIs-kIQ_OkKU5HEQO9TVm_zPNBtXsp_v9Z9x-ejrJhxJz85eXe6s7wrLPGOX-N02jQQA2_55wzMUIrAF2aripEprpIXXoQK1K/s320/04AntwerpMarathon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">April: Preparing for Antwerp Marathon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlU8mVbC0432qM88cRvRkcGpq6jOvnM4qP9_gFAAjtKfE9j82cIGMUoe3XVQDenUGuU5gvU0My4ZQfikyUffGrM70eJYit1VIonWXEN3nGnOxtk8pajXO7RxaTi-YHMIGAtazFTLCGCYA/s1600/04Wijngaardberg1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlU8mVbC0432qM88cRvRkcGpq6jOvnM4qP9_gFAAjtKfE9j82cIGMUoe3XVQDenUGuU5gvU0My4ZQfikyUffGrM70eJYit1VIonWXEN3nGnOxtk8pajXO7RxaTi-YHMIGAtazFTLCGCYA/s640/04Wijngaardberg1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">April: training: Wijngaardberg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbm9UZdYjo63tadbrB7adhJp0B95sHw0Qv0nMlvTWqgdEx5CkfH8UB0dZ55csyAbxU3sSD1rXoO5TbLvdcZk30GjkDK7SBwutKiYuxoM0Lj9xfkoH-3ua2AaBPvL6dwXHkxbFy7r__MHDZ/s1600/05Abdijentocht.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbm9UZdYjo63tadbrB7adhJp0B95sHw0Qv0nMlvTWqgdEx5CkfH8UB0dZ55csyAbxU3sSD1rXoO5TbLvdcZk30GjkDK7SBwutKiYuxoM0Lj9xfkoH-3ua2AaBPvL6dwXHkxbFy7r__MHDZ/s400/05Abdijentocht.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5May16: Abdijentocht (16k)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAF8E1pVx00W28TUOSpilW-rF6gDqf5QS-yLo72yT5d27pM5trwhWoFD55Q7llxpXU6E8DrCXjYQ3DFDmDG-hgKwoCXXcb4WKRg5W5pgOEdE0SNFk4h9GMpoDWm6wFcJZlUECXNb1x68L5/s1600/05Spa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAF8E1pVx00W28TUOSpilW-rF6gDqf5QS-yLo72yT5d27pM5trwhWoFD55Q7llxpXU6E8DrCXjYQ3DFDmDG-hgKwoCXXcb4WKRg5W5pgOEdE0SNFk4h9GMpoDWm6wFcJZlUECXNb1x68L5/s400/05Spa.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May: training: Spa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8THsVBTog5hWqSdgVn7DoIhyphenhyphenF66APv7stVmu_fgMhVUiQftlLVWmZCubwnOviZxQLh-_sK02Xxsc-PhYlUB2W-K4lnQo0VRIZZh_-TwwC18WRWKVNHDAqNL4tM-TtyxrQPdgpJ0-yxOjg/s1600/06Vaals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8THsVBTog5hWqSdgVn7DoIhyphenhyphenF66APv7stVmu_fgMhVUiQftlLVWmZCubwnOviZxQLh-_sK02Xxsc-PhYlUB2W-K4lnQo0VRIZZh_-TwwC18WRWKVNHDAqNL4tM-TtyxrQPdgpJ0-yxOjg/s640/06Vaals.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">29may16: Vaalserbergtrail (60k / 1350hm)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAP45Xhw4o9emdbyzkguhDPvT8-tl6qz5Oyhc8uYaHbEBqzODdSzEK1WQEocapA4RqfQF5FJMZLxMZ6oR7iI9ShwQT0DCggp-EHbf1kZe7zhl0E1Ddbw_zNmtgJTCU2YZmmlPNH1TYvpTc/s1600/06Wijngaardberg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAP45Xhw4o9emdbyzkguhDPvT8-tl6qz5Oyhc8uYaHbEBqzODdSzEK1WQEocapA4RqfQF5FJMZLxMZ6oR7iI9ShwQT0DCggp-EHbf1kZe7zhl0E1Ddbw_zNmtgJTCU2YZmmlPNH1TYvpTc/s640/06Wijngaardberg.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June: foggy training on Wijngaardberg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Eg7gypdBumqcVC1pg7ZVPR2HXEuqPNndWeDd-AP40Ka6sWV1g3Z5zv9rDM6lUp2uW89avcPbHgeR6F2LGVBUdhksjQceKYs3s1BlAD5V_HR0lckYXqpHdfPutf-dsQj5iKtDqLUXobpF/s1600/07La+Chouffe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Eg7gypdBumqcVC1pg7ZVPR2HXEuqPNndWeDd-AP40Ka6sWV1g3Z5zv9rDM6lUp2uW89avcPbHgeR6F2LGVBUdhksjQceKYs3s1BlAD5V_HR0lckYXqpHdfPutf-dsQj5iKtDqLUXobpF/s640/07La+Chouffe.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">17Jul16: La Chouffe Trail (50k / 1560hm)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8iDgL74bKAjFyW1Z5QL57AJv5LgO-qotRSpVpfivRcl866tIxN1eDKRs7SPV93GdORV_4gcJ_ykI9S_1lixywHE-1THhiMhBaGxr6JW6LwMNy2qJkVV5phzlyqa-hm9NvPWR0DoFffGS/s1600/IMG_20160805_154611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8iDgL74bKAjFyW1Z5QL57AJv5LgO-qotRSpVpfivRcl866tIxN1eDKRs7SPV93GdORV_4gcJ_ykI9S_1lixywHE-1THhiMhBaGxr6JW6LwMNy2qJkVV5phzlyqa-hm9NvPWR0DoFffGS/s400/IMG_20160805_154611.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7Aug16: Tromsø Skyrace (Tromdalstinden, 28k (more like 32k) / 2000hm)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFvFUV6fNsHlhux3X621m4lvAlEWROqkON_vbm16mLz98ddvmwgn_6nP1GMiShxxXfJSPvWJ4qs8T-_aClkJjIt5mFlcA4XcvnJsZ8r_14qCmRwyqZTqKU1gJITbFBZ8Q4LQ2UcoFKJBR/s1600/08Troms%25C3%25B81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFvFUV6fNsHlhux3X621m4lvAlEWROqkON_vbm16mLz98ddvmwgn_6nP1GMiShxxXfJSPvWJ4qs8T-_aClkJjIt5mFlcA4XcvnJsZ8r_14qCmRwyqZTqKU1gJITbFBZ8Q4LQ2UcoFKJBR/s640/08Troms%25C3%25B81.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tromsø Skyrace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWV1zsdQHiqKvAh_AboJtQ0j8FPWVdsbZX1Sl14Mo8oY_JKXARXUyveaaPndA5-Bs6hgF-7VGikYl4kW999WYLFW1yjXQfVWS8oMaMNDnTmYEN5QXNNZ8Y_VmxLIFzPRU5JAdliQg0RdF/s1600/08Troms%25C3%25B82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWV1zsdQHiqKvAh_AboJtQ0j8FPWVdsbZX1Sl14Mo8oY_JKXARXUyveaaPndA5-Bs6hgF-7VGikYl4kW999WYLFW1yjXQfVWS8oMaMNDnTmYEN5QXNNZ8Y_VmxLIFzPRU5JAdliQg0RdF/s640/08Troms%25C3%25B82.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tromsø Skyrace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0w1ouvW3q9ngmBN4wPrgOm6EAt2JKHEt9IeyhPxs_1qLHpMG7smboYhhceikUA6ndLG3wbd3sz7A4yiC4ahhh_euYuBFhaK7RLYxbxvtR1mOqDRZWgU46IY61jnOVb0E__vAelUdfX50/s1600/09HautesFagnes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0w1ouvW3q9ngmBN4wPrgOm6EAt2JKHEt9IeyhPxs_1qLHpMG7smboYhhceikUA6ndLG3wbd3sz7A4yiC4ahhh_euYuBFhaK7RLYxbxvtR1mOqDRZWgU46IY61jnOVb0E__vAelUdfX50/s640/09HautesFagnes.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">24Sep16: Trail des Hautes Fagnes (38k / 951hm)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mJcr8SI7MyF_VQG3BVMKoyv_oXdjT9zKvcjWnwHu8cTdKGjxgkDj6g-LUwpaOxlloLBQoTlBFt3h4hQVrn3pRqCD4Mw4et8yVBVSw9HrrcrQkod0RoRIYMTZisEAzqnOb9FOTrS8Wgn2/s1600/10Barrage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mJcr8SI7MyF_VQG3BVMKoyv_oXdjT9zKvcjWnwHu8cTdKGjxgkDj6g-LUwpaOxlloLBQoTlBFt3h4hQVrn3pRqCD4Mw4et8yVBVSw9HrrcrQkod0RoRIYMTZisEAzqnOb9FOTrS8Wgn2/s640/10Barrage.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9Oct16: Trail du Barrage (31k / 1115hm)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lrS9kKOT9vWlT4cWh0gjTmyKCBi045rPzR_E7AwgeXThS-g4wkIb4Vd1k6WrJRKsnhAYQzBrFandlIzd5yoEqwBj3nXKoT-YvUFD6qZLO4O-ByojRsqIW1oNs_lO-rbAGoxvOMIgvgcx/s1600/11+00+MarathonKasterlee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lrS9kKOT9vWlT4cWh0gjTmyKCBi045rPzR_E7AwgeXThS-g4wkIb4Vd1k6WrJRKsnhAYQzBrFandlIzd5yoEqwBj3nXKoT-YvUFD6qZLO4O-ByojRsqIW1oNs_lO-rbAGoxvOMIgvgcx/s320/11+00+MarathonKasterlee.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">13Nov16: Marathon Kasterlee</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LByzsQAGD3i7uNbbM4AdQiEjQOiB8v-qZC9fe2p0SI-rL9cFnsqs6wjEjthcgYtgTPq3KPVC4ymFbrCudykqbdAtHG6zfE4xDqMS2berdusthvdsNjazpOXueeHNRq4WfRt71pvn36W3/s1600/11Lommel1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LByzsQAGD3i7uNbbM4AdQiEjQOiB8v-qZC9fe2p0SI-rL9cFnsqs6wjEjthcgYtgTPq3KPVC4ymFbrCudykqbdAtHG6zfE4xDqMS2berdusthvdsNjazpOXueeHNRq4WfRt71pvn36W3/s640/11Lommel1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">19Nov16: Lommel Trail (55k)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lommel Trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">27Nov16: Olne-Spa-Olne (72k, 2272hm)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olne-Spa-Olne</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">18Dec16: Bello Gallico (80k, "supposedly flat", starting at midnight)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bello Gallico, 10h later</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December: training: Pietersheim & Mechelse Heide</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-8569929530649595592016-11-11T03:16:00.001-08:002016-11-24T13:29:12.266-08:00HA Micro-Adventure Lindenbos<div class="p1">
Binnen Hiking Advisor worden verschillende soorten activiteiten georganiseerd. Bivaktochten, trekkings, ontmoetingsweekends en andere manieren om een gemotiveerd en geïnteresseerd buitensport-volkje samen te brengen om te genieten van de natuur kort of iets verder van huis. Om het gevoel van avontuur te ervaren hoef je niet steeds veel tijd te maken of ver te reizen. Op een doordeweekse dag dicht bij huis gaan bivakkeren is zo’n mogelijkheid. Geïnspireerd op het concept van micro-adventures van Alastair Humphreys en georganiseerd door Alexia werd het normale leventje dinsdag en woensdag even onderbroken door een bivaktocht in het Lindenbos. </div>
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Rond 18u werd er afgesproken aan het station in Leuven. Niet-helemaal-maar-toch-bijna op tijd vertrokken we met zijn achten richting de Abdij van Vlierbeek, om daar onder enigszins nieuwsgierige blikken spaghetti, gehaktballen of lasagne binnen te steken en ons te wapenen tegen de voorspelde eerste nachtvorst.</div>
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Na het nodige gepuzzel om de rekening te laten kloppen zetten we onze rugzak weer op om verder te stappen langs de wandelknooppunten. Weinig wolken en een halfvolle maan zorgden voor een frisse avond, maar voldoende licht om het grootste deel zonder zaklamp te kunnen stappen. Na een kilometer of vijf bereikten we de bivakplaats, waar een vuurplaats en een afdak voorzien zijn. Degenen die een tarp bij zich hadden installeerden zich al op het grasveld, om daarna de rest te vergezellen met hout verzamelen. </div>
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Aangezien closet-pyromaan Bjorn van de partij was, kregen we een quick and dirty vuur-cursus aangeboden. Harshout, hout in verschillende diktes, een vuurstaal en vooral veel geduld en tijd in de voorbereiding bleken cruciale elementen (aanmaakblokjes waren een minder pittoreske optie). De volgende uren konden we samen genieten van de warmte en gezelligheid dat een (esthetisch verantwoord) kampvuur uitstraalt. Gluwein werd gedeeld, nootjes werden doorgegeven, spekken geroosterd aan een takje. Te denken dat een paar uur geleden de meesten van ons nog aan het werk waren! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bjorn @ work</td></tr>
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De nacht werd enkel onderbroken door een regenbui, maar die was ’s morgens alweer over. Het doel was om 8u ’s ochtends weer aan het station in Leuven te staan, dus veel tijd voor een uitgebreid ontbijt was er niet, maar dat was voor een keer helemaal niet erg. Tijdens de terugwandeling was het al licht geworden, en kregen we het mooie bos waar we de avond voorheen doorgewandeld hebben pas te zien. Terug aan het station ging elk zijn eigen weg, een herinnering aan een mooie en gezellige avond rijker.<br />
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Interesse in soortgelijke of andere avonturen? Kijk zeker eens naar <a href="http://hikingadvisor.be/" target="_blank">Hiking Advisor</a>!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-21343574759313928662016-08-25T13:51:00.001-07:002016-08-26T08:53:26.792-07:00Reinheimen & Sunnmøre 2016<div class="p1">
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Na Lyngen, de Tromsø Skyrace en het betere stretchwerk is het nu tijd voor het wat minder hoge noorden. Een trekking door Reinheimen gecombineerd met een meerdaagse rondtocht door Sunnmøre, beide gebaseerd op "Bergtochten in Noorwegen" van Jolanda Linschooten. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reinheimen</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Vanuit Tromsø neem ik het vliegtuig naar Oslo, waar ik een rondreizende Sofie en Oskar ontmoet. Samen rijden we naar Lom, om daar een pint te drinken met een Vlaamse inwijkeling en tevergeefs op zoek te gaan naar de lokale elanden. Onderweg maken we een tussenstop in Lillehammer, waar Noorse meisjes leren vliegen.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lillehammer</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1">De dag erna zet Sofie me af aan het begin van de tolweg richting Tunga, strik ik mijn veters nog eens goed vast en hoop dat het weer niet al te dramatisch wordt (het schijnt een slechte zomer te zijn, 't was me nog niet opgevallen). </span>Na een uurtje wandelen begint het te regenen, en naarmate ik hoger kom gaat die regen over in sneeuw. Eens ik voorbij Pytbua ben zet ik mijn tentje en muts op en kruip ik lekker diep in mijn slaapzak weg terwijl het buiten waait en sneeuwt (10 augustus, jawel). Rond 5u sta ik even op om te zien hoe het terrein erbij ligt en word ik verwelkomd in een landschap waarin alle kleur ontbreekt.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJwtXNz70K6Eo9FhHcd67UNuLwoyW6vb_LAsZA5CB2TRfKzdIXGHoyN_gnKa_pWUYP1Dgrl1hmKwV-dVeiYrLAF_Ti_4ZSyzjPniA_SDmyZPzpR0gA5rsCVykYfzeEqu2PCkesAPGZM_7/s1600/Collage_Fotor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJwtXNz70K6Eo9FhHcd67UNuLwoyW6vb_LAsZA5CB2TRfKzdIXGHoyN_gnKa_pWUYP1Dgrl1hmKwV-dVeiYrLAF_Ti_4ZSyzjPniA_SDmyZPzpR0gA5rsCVykYfzeEqu2PCkesAPGZM_7/s640/Collage_Fotor.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Het betere Noors zomerweer</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Uit het veiligheidstouw dat permanent voorzien is aan de pas tussen Pytbua en Reinheimseter leid ik af dat het hier blijkbaar altijd wat aan de gladde kant is. De laag verse sneeuw helpt uiteraard niet, en met het nodige getouwtrek en geschuif kom ik behoorlijk opgewarmd boven op de pas aan om te zien dat de afdaling er brokkelig, maar wondermooi bijligt. Talus met verse sneeuw? Can do!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOq9k0Dmo-rcO5E22YMXtmInmM9k4Jnp5i0sgfXtmZKoYgD4R8HE-qLWpg-yw46N5efq8aYskLqxgCf3m_pC4duBz7HGZDtd4sPN4syv2B4ExtY1hWgZ0i_YbeMq6g0caBIP1_v5MqmtQ1/s1600/DSC02533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOq9k0Dmo-rcO5E22YMXtmInmM9k4Jnp5i0sgfXtmZKoYgD4R8HE-qLWpg-yw46N5efq8aYskLqxgCf3m_pC4duBz7HGZDtd4sPN4syv2B4ExtY1hWgZ0i_YbeMq6g0caBIP1_v5MqmtQ1/s640/DSC02533.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Na twee keer tegen dek gegaan te zijn bereik ik veiligere oorden en daal ik verder af tot in Reindalseter, waar ik even binnenspring om een koffie te drinken en een onderlaagje uit te doen. De zon is er zowaar even doorgekomen en de route daalt verder naar het stuwmeer Zakariasvatnet. Iets hoger heb je een kleiner en erg mooi meertje Sildevatnet, waarlangs ik overnacht.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyd9bgsTknwYbONNfex4nrTlRIUidLXZRwZo1dqKKnnVOq6YTStN68uZNAtBMcVFbjPmSdH2vYvuNEN5TBzpblzJv4KC12lLQqL9Okm3QL6Bl-PLQymjAjJYx50ADcp2pnrvaEd359nJ3/s1600/DSC02559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyd9bgsTknwYbONNfex4nrTlRIUidLXZRwZo1dqKKnnVOq6YTStN68uZNAtBMcVFbjPmSdH2vYvuNEN5TBzpblzJv4KC12lLQqL9Okm3QL6Bl-PLQymjAjJYx50ADcp2pnrvaEd359nJ3/s640/DSC02559.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kamperen langs Sildevatnet</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">De volgende dag regent het opnieuw zowat de hele tijd, en besluit ik om in Kaldhussaeterhytta te overnachten. Ik loop hier al drie weken met natte voeten rond, eerst in botinnen die niet meer droog geraakten, nu in trailrunners die wel snel drogen maar even rap nat worden, dus hak snel wat hout om alles even te drogen. Tegen dat ik de kachel aangestoken heb, komen er vier vrolijke Noorse wandelaarsters binnen. Ze waren van plan geweest om naar de hogergelegen Danskehytta te gaan, maar zijn halverwege toch maar teruggekeerd wegens de verse sneeuw. Normaalgezien krijg ik niet veel kansen om mijn Noors te oefenen aangezien de weinige noren die ik ontmoet deftig Engels kunnen, maar deze kans is te goed om voorbij te laten gaan. De dames blijken gepensioneerde en geduldige leerkrachten en die avond wordt er vooral traag en netjes bokmål gesproken. Rond 21u komen er nog 4 Zwitserse studentes toe die na een nacht op de camping genoeg hadden van de aanhoudende regen. Het is hun eerste keer in Noorwegen, het huttensysteem kennen ze niet, dus stof tot converseren genoeg.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">De dag erna is een korte dag naar Herdalseter, dus ik vertrek pas 's middags in een mislukte poging om tussen de regenbuien door het plateau over te steken. Bij beter weer lijkt het me trouwens erg leuk om boven op dat plateau te kamperen, van waaruit je onder andere Heregga kan beklimmen. Gezien het weer loop ik maar door naar Herdalseter, waar ik in het Grjotdal met zicht op Heregga overnacht.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Grjotdal en Heregga</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Van de volgende etape maakt Jolanda Linschooten zich nogal kort vanaf. "Prachtige route" staat er tussen haakjes in de beschrijving. Wat ik die dag te zien krijg zijn gletsjermeertjes, een wat geëxponeerde maar eenvoudige scramble en een graat van +/-500m via de top van de fotogenieke (excuses voor de vele foto's) Holeegga (1569). En dat allemaal voor mij alleen! Laat me dan ook nog mijn loopschoenen aanhebben en een redelijk lichte rugzak, vet! De route tussen Herdalseter en Geiranger staat overigens bekend als de Dronningrutta (dronning = koningin) omdat koningin Sonja hier wild enthousiast over bleek. Mathilde lijkt mij een toffe madam, maar ik zie het haar niet meteen doen. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Terugkijken op Grjotdal en Herdalseter</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqzgBL2AlB_HFq-44u9x9UIobZ9gyAUZd0EsAFHVu7ZwZYBdcJf6BIdSdrwT37ojYy99CAA7pdNEAzqTUavSpw4U0a90PgHv2EFIMeW1EvYQqikW16mtoU95D05GRgxg5Lk_mMNgqiBiv/s1600/DSC02625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqzgBL2AlB_HFq-44u9x9UIobZ9gyAUZd0EsAFHVu7ZwZYBdcJf6BIdSdrwT37ojYy99CAA7pdNEAzqTUavSpw4U0a90PgHv2EFIMeW1EvYQqikW16mtoU95D05GRgxg5Lk_mMNgqiBiv/s640/DSC02625.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Het eerste stukje van Holeegga vanop Bolletehornet</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Holeegga</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kLO9gofgs05hgjBX_paGI8cQjIiVszH5mxxN7dWtrF8EbQpAxsiEe_Sy0nbEJvaOEQ13F_Ia4YmRCZbkJ7CN3ZPn3RbBASd70ZuyRxtFbvbUGHUaqr6Uv_2RgfMj11adiVt7h1mw-6Gj/s1600/DSC02638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kLO9gofgs05hgjBX_paGI8cQjIiVszH5mxxN7dWtrF8EbQpAxsiEe_Sy0nbEJvaOEQ13F_Ia4YmRCZbkJ7CN3ZPn3RbBASd70ZuyRxtFbvbUGHUaqr6Uv_2RgfMj11adiVt7h1mw-6Gj/s640/DSC02638.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Holeegga</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You guessed it: Holeegga</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Na Holeegga is het 1567m afdalen naar Geiranger. Ik heb de afgelopen dagen weer erg weinig mensen gezien (buiten de acht dames in Kaldhusseter), maar eens in de buurt van Geiranger is het zonder meer druk. Ik blijf op de eerste camping die ik tegenkom omdat ik vrees dat er op de lager gelegen camping nog een pak meer mensen zullen zijn. De dag erna is een anti-climax van jewelste. Prachtige natuur verkracht door massatoerisme. Een cruiseschip met daarrond kleinere bootjes om de hordes passagiers aan wal te brengen en een stuk of 20 bussen zorgen ervoor dat je dieseldampen inademt in plaats van berglucht terwijl geen van de mensen verder lijkt te gaan dan de parking. Ik begrijp het allemaal niet goed, voel me weeral de vreemde eend in de bijt en twijfel om alvast al zwemmend de fjord over te steken om hier zo snel mogelijk weg te zijn, maar besluit op mijn tanden te bijten en het nog een half uur uit te houden tot tot de ferry naar Hellesylt vertrekt. Hellesylt is gelukkig een stuk rustiger dan Geiranger, waar ik van mijn leven niet terug zal keren.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geiranger, de dieselgeur beeld je je zelf maar in</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In Hellesylt neem ik de bus naar Stranda, om van daaruit een "Ronde van Liasetra" door Sunnmøre te maken. Tegenover het busstation van Stranda is er een G-Sport, waar ik de nodige bevoorrading insla. Ik heb geen geluk met het liften, waardoor de ±15k over asfalt tot Liasetra erbij gewandeld worden. Waar de vallei breder wordt zijn er kampeerplaatsjes genoeg.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">De volgende ochtend is het weer abnormaal goed. Blauwe hemel, zon, geen wind, ik weet niet goed wat me overkomt, mijn voeten zijn zelfs droog. En laat ik nu net vandaag aan Slogen passeren. Ik stap Patchelhytta en Slogen eerst voorbij, zet mijn tentje op net boven Isavatnet en ga met een bijna lege rugzak de berg op. Moeilijk of technisch is Slogen niet, en door de populariteit van de route is het allemaal lekker relax en op de top wordt er Noorse en Belgische chocolade uitgewisseld. Met de Skyrace nog vers in gedachten kan ik het tempo moeilijk laag houden en huppel ik de berg weer af, om meteen in mijn privé-meertje te duiken (om er 5 seconden later rillend weer uit te komen, een laagje isolatie zou soms toch welkom zijn).</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Uitzicht vanop Slogen</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Zicht op Slogen vanuit de tent</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Slogen, de tent en het zwembad</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">De afdaling richting het dorpje Urke gaat via een duidelijk en goed pad. Eens je het pad naar Velleseterhytta opgaat is het duidelijk dat er aan deze kant een stuk minder mensen komen. Hoe hoger je komt, hoe minder het pad is aangegeven, en de pas waar je over moet net voorbij het gletsjermeer is behoorlijk brokkelig. Als de rotsblok waarop ik sta begint te schuiven en met het nodige kabaal 50m lager in het gletsjermeer belandt, bedenk ik me dat ik die helling beter niet diagonaal was overgestoken. Beter is het om tot op het einde laag te blijven, om er dan recht op te klimmen. Een betere route-markering zou hier ook wel nuttig zijn om problemen te vermijden.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7sMg9jm8Ow3INEusU8xqUc371NdYO_M3sPcvwhO0GcgPu0m_TWdqG3DLwy_zVZqi473CEVvCrpRN8DhsIpy2K-5B10Ae4mTi92dsmwUQmbMypXd4g6bfA6zPSUumIC0Xdawpf4CroLxk4/s1600/DSC02730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7sMg9jm8Ow3INEusU8xqUc371NdYO_M3sPcvwhO0GcgPu0m_TWdqG3DLwy_zVZqi473CEVvCrpRN8DhsIpy2K-5B10Ae4mTi92dsmwUQmbMypXd4g6bfA6zPSUumIC0Xdawpf4CroLxk4/s640/DSC02730.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bij de afdaling is het verschillende keren kiezen tussen blokkenvelden of sneeuwvelden. Het is nergens echt steil, dus ik glij vrolijk de berg af richting Velleseterhytta. Het stuk langs het meer is wel wat zoeken, maar de DNT-route is hier dan weer wel goed aangegeven langs de eenvoudigste weg door de talus.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Velleseterhytta</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">De volgende dag richting Patchelhytta is behoorlijk kort. Op de kaart staat er een pad ingetekend waarlangs je de afdaling tot in Brunstadsetra kan vermijden. Op het terrein is er geen pad te vinden en is het een kilometer bushwacken. Er is wat bewolking komen opzetten vanuit de fjorden, maar eens boven de 500m kom je daar weer bovenuit, wat mooie zichten oplevert. Aan de pas naar Patchelhytta ga ik nog even de schouder van Skardtinden op om een uitzicht te krijgen, zeker de moeite om die extra 200m te klimmen.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Terugkijkend op Brunstadsetra</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bij het afdalen naar Stranda heb ik wat meer geluk met het liften. De bestuurdster draagt Inov-8's, dus na 10sec gaat de conversatie over trailrunnen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Na een nachtje Stranda (waar ik in de supermarkt een vreemd bier ontdek) neem ik de bus naar Ålesund. Er is maar één camping in de buurt van Ålesund, en laat daar net langs dat weekend een festival doorgaan. De camping zelf is met 180NOK een stuk duurder dan die van Tromsø en ik heb het gevoel dat ik vuiler ben na de douche dan ervoor, dus dat is al geen succes. Het stadje zelf is ook zo overladen van toeristen dat het me eigenlijk dik tegenzit. Het resultaat is dat ik de reis afsluit zoals ik ze begonnen ben, met een nachtje op de luchthaven (gratis wifi en Netflix kunnen al eens leuk zijn na een maand in de bergen). De luchthaven van Ålesund wordt echter wel afgesloten rond middernacht, en het bankje van het buskot is te kort voor mij, zodat ik er uiteindelijk niet beter op vind dan op het grasveld langs de parking mijn slaapzak uit te rollen en daar te slapen.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Belgisch bier met appelsien en koriander?</span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-88513188539092371402016-08-24T10:39:00.003-07:002016-08-26T08:53:42.308-07:00Tromsø Sky Race 2016<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tussen mijn Lyngenavontuur en trekking in Sunnmøre verblijf ik een paar dagen in Tromsø (prima camping met ongelimiteerde douches!), waar de Tromsø Skyrace doorgaat. Er zijn verschillende mogelijkheden, namelijk de Blamann Vertical (2,7k / 1044hm), de Bøntuva tour-race (15k / 770hm), de Tromsdalstinden Skyrace (28k / 2000hm) en de Hamperokken Skyrace (53k / 4600hm). De routes variëren nogal in techniciteit. De meest technische is de Hamperokken, die voor een groot deel gelijk loopt met de wat eenvoudigere Tromdalstinden. Tromdalstinden wordt door de organisatie voorgesteld als een goede introductie tot "sky-running". Mijn ervaring met de Noorse bergen leert me ook dat ik ze best niet onderschat, dus kies ik de Tromdalstinden Skyrace voor mijn allereerste Noorse loopwedstrijd.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nummertje en koebel afhalen en me afvragen of dit nu wel weer zo'n goed idee is</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vorig jaar begonnen de Hamperokken en Tromdalstinden bovenaan het skistationnetje van Fløya (rechteroever zeg maar), dit jaar vertrekken beide races in het centrum aan de haven, waarmee de brug tussen Tromsø en Krøken tweemaal overgestoken mag worden en het klimmen en afdalen naar het skistation er bij komt. Om 8u start de Hamperokken, en om 11u mag ik er zelf aan beginnen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Het eerste deel (0-3) is asfalt, langs de haven, langs twee standbeelden van steeds streng kijkende held Roald Amundsen en de brug over tot je aan de klim naar het skistation komt. De baan is niet afgesloten, zodat er op de brug enkel op het voetpad gelopen mag worden, wat de inhaalmogelijkheden serieus beperkt. En gezien wat er me te wachten staat is dat misschien maar best ook.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eens voorbij de Ishavskatedralen mag de pret beginnen. Een single trail (3-5) die klimt tot op 671hm waar de kabelbaan toekomt en waar ook de enige bevoorradingspost is (de Hamperokken heeft er nog eentje aan Breivikeidet). Clif bars, water en fruitgels, appelsienen en bananen, chips, chocoladecake en een juichend volkje. Alles wat je nodig hebt om gezwind een berg op te lopen dus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daarna is het fjellhoppen geblazen! Bergop en bergaf boven de boomgrens en over kort gras en mos, stenen en een smal pad, met mogelijkheden genoeg om daarbuiten te lopen en je benen los te laten. Vooral de afdalingen voelen aan als pure vrijheid en ik laat mij al lachend in goed Zweeds gezelschap lekker bollen. Wel steeds goed uitkijken voor enkelblessures. Na een volgende klim wordt het terrein steeds rotsachtiger en mistiger (12-15). Na 15km passeren we enkele enthousiaste Rød Kors medewerkers en wegwijzende vrijwilligers op de mistige, winderige, koude, kortweg Noorse top van Tromsdalstinden. Het enige verplichte materiaal is een windstopper, die hier zeker geen overbodige luxe is. Ook blij dat ik twee buffs bijheb. Goed doorlopen om warm te blijven, maar dat is geen evidentie op dit rotsige terrein.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">De top van Tromdalstinden</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Na de top begint het meer technische gedeelte van de trail, een afdaling van 2k over blokkenvelden, wat ik duidelijk niet gewoon ben. Terwijl ik mij geconcentreerd al lopend / strompelend / wandelend een weg zoek doorheen het blokkenveld (de Zweed waarmee ik naar de top gelopen ben, heb ik alvast niet kunnen bijhouden) word ik langs alle kanten voorbijgehuppeld door vrolijke Noren en Norinnen. Op een bepaald ogenblik vliegt ook Tom Owens, de uiteindelijke winnaar van de Hamperokken, mij in datzelfde blokkenveld voorbij aan een snelheid die ik eigenlijk niet voor mogelijk hou op dit terrein. Zien is geloven, maar toch. Tijdens de steile afdaling komen we terug onder de wolken waardoor we zicht krijgen op het Tromsdal. Te mooi om niet te pauzeren en een fotootje te nemen, maar het lopen is hier veel te leuk om niet te willen vliegen (nu ja, er is nog wel wat werk aan mijn techniek om daarvan te kunnen spreken).</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">De afdaling met zicht op Tromsø</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Na het blokkenveld is het steil afdalen op een steviger pad dat steeds zompiger wordt naarmate ik opnieuw dichter bij het skistation kom, waar ik onder luid ge-"heia-heia" en koebelgerinkel toekom. Toch een traantje wegpinken na die inspanning en gastvrijheid in zo'n weidse natuur. Ah, Norge, jeg elsker deg! Mijn plattelandsquads zijn van het vele afdalen behoorlijk moe maar laten me gelukkig niet in de steek. Het vervolg loop ik quasi alleen, terug naar beneden, de brug opnieuw over en langs de haven, waar ik (heia-heia!) na goed 4u34 op 33k over de finish loop. Niet meteen een podium-plaats, maar ik ben best tevreden met mijn tijd, hoewel dat er in zo'n terrein helemaal niet toe doet. De high-five en stralende lach van Emelie Forsberg (en een bakske pasta) krijg ik er gratis ende voor niks bij.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">En volgend jaar? Hamperokken!</span></div>
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<a href="https://tromsoskyrace.com/"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">https://tromsoskyrace.com/</span></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-81973180001401736992016-08-23T09:33:00.000-07:002016-09-18T13:03:13.818-07:00Lyngen 2016<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Intro: "Be Water"</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bij lange afstandslopen is het belangrijk om een mantra te hebben waarop je je kan concentreren wanneer het even moeilijk gaat. "Be water" vind ik wel een mooie. Soepel en gezwind bergop, vloeiend weer bergaf. Meewerken met het terrein zonder te forceren. Wat een contrast met hoe het er vandaag aantoe gaat. Huffend en puffend strompel ik over het zoveelste schuin aflopende blokkenveld. Steenblokken in alle maten en vormen, de ene al wat losser dan de andere, al dan niet voorzien van een glibberig laagje mos. Wat verder gaat het steenveld over in een berkenbosje. Dat wordt weer bushwacken! Varens tot boven heuphoogte waardoor je de omgevallen boompjes en afgebroken takken op de helling niet ziet en eerder op de tast doorstapt en uitglijdt dan met vaste tred werk maakt van deze etape. Ik ben aan mijn zesde dag bezig in deze Lyngen-trek, en het is een van die momenten waarop ik me afvraag wat ik hier in hemelsnaam doe. Eén worden met de natuur? Laat me nu maar even één worden met een pizza, een choufke en mijn zetel. Om 8u begonnen, en het is nu 14u. Ik ben dus al 6u bezig, en de kaart zegt me dat ik nog maar 9km gedaan heb. Stevig tempo Merv, houden zo! Gelukkig is hier aan prachtige kampeerplekjes geen gebrek zodat het geen drama is als ik wat achter geraak op schema. Wat verder kom ik aan het meer Jægervatnet waar ik een eindje langs loop. Opnieuw is er geen pad te zien, en wanneer ik wat later languit in de beek beland die zich verplaatst om door mijn mouw te stromen heb ik er even genoeg van. De eerstvolgende halte, aan Jægervasshytta, ga ik overnachten. Ik zou het niet erg vinden om eens binnen te slapen, al was het maar om mijn schoenen en kleren te kunnen drogen. Maar laat het nu de eerste keer zijn dat ik een DNT hut tegenkom die op slot is. Misschien moet ik toch maar eens een DNT-sleutel zien te bemachtigen? Nadat ik mijn tent heb opgezet word ik me pas bewust van hoe mooi het hier is, en besluit ik even het meer in te springen en het zweet en de platgeslagen muggen van mijn lichaam te krabben. Het water is warmer dan ik dacht, en hoewel het harder begint te regenen en niet bijzonder warm is, kan ik niet anders dan hier ten volle van genieten. Believe it or not, ik heb het hier geweldig naar mijn zin.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">J<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ægervatnet</span></span></span></td></tr>
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Dag 1 (aantal wandelaars: 1)</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aangezien het ok is om in de zetels van de luchthaven van Tromsø te overnachten (slaapzak in handbagage) is het geen probleem dat mijn bagage door een nipte aansluiting in Oslo pas de volgende ochtend toekomt. 's Ochtends laat ik wat wandel- en loopmateriaal achter op de camping in Tromsø, ga Real Turmat kopen in het stadscentrum (trekkingmaaltijden zijn te o.a. verkrijgen in GoSport, XXL of bij de toeristische dienst), en na wat zoeken vind ik ook rødsprit voor mijn Trangia (de verfwinkel onder GoSport blijkt er te hebben). Om 16u zit ik op de bus naar Nordksjosbotn, waar ik om 17u in de gietende regen mag uitstappen. Ik wandel nog een km of twee samen met een Belgische die de autostrade zal volgen naar Kilpisjärvi, alvorens zelf het bos in te gaan. En vanaf daar mag de pret beginnen. Een duidelijk pad is er niet, en van het eerste beekje dat ik tegenkom peins ik er zelfs niet over om dat hier al over te steken. Behoorlijk nat kom ik boven op het plateau aan, en voel me na 2u stappen al uitgespuwd door het Hoge Noorden. "Velkommen til Norge!", 't zal wel zijn.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2umC00nAjaqSIKylA5zHiid1NOgWpbHpKy2k9Z8biEvUHbOSLK-0XwqO3PevtVR3doDV0DVM4nXTtxRDKEoIkRe0nfx-jn0R2JWjKJCsxHYg6faF1fRy9qVslcjz6o-XaUeQioY9WexRW/s1600/DSC02035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2umC00nAjaqSIKylA5zHiid1NOgWpbHpKy2k9Z8biEvUHbOSLK-0XwqO3PevtVR3doDV0DVM4nXTtxRDKEoIkRe0nfx-jn0R2JWjKJCsxHYg6faF1fRy9qVslcjz6o-XaUeQioY9WexRW/s640/DSC02035.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bovenop het plateau aangekomen verdwijnen de weinige dierenpaden die ik bergop kon volgen, en is het zelf de route bepalen. Gelukkig zijn de wolken wat hoger, zodat ik al verwend word met een eerste uitzicht. Aangezien ik behoorlijk nat ben, besluit ik in de open hut aan het meertje Gurgela te overnachten. Het interieur is eerder minimalistisch, hout is er niet om de kachel aan te steken (en gezien de toestand van de schoorsteen lijkt me dit sowieso een slecht idee), maar klagen doe ik hier niet. Al helemaal niet wanneer de wolken heel even openschuiven en ik een zicht krijg op Storvastinden, die met 1366m toch een goeie 900m oprijst boven de hut. Ronduit indrukwekkend.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gurgela</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtiKAAdIL-7DLtqX0DcFDPpuzV1j2SzPPT0sdBtLHyFqf6VMQ_iPrMktTX7h5Ai1sZdj4-wsFA0byUv4rwHjv6pIvOsHQTgvCrzeTLXIOQGBH7J4cIuxYTA_PKEHzlTPs3FriCBjEyZbc/s1600/DSC02050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtiKAAdIL-7DLtqX0DcFDPpuzV1j2SzPPT0sdBtLHyFqf6VMQ_iPrMktTX7h5Ai1sZdj4-wsFA0byUv4rwHjv6pIvOsHQTgvCrzeTLXIOQGBH7J4cIuxYTA_PKEHzlTPs3FriCBjEyZbc/s640/DSC02050.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
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Dag 2 (aantal wandelaars: 0)</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Vandaag mag ik vier riviertjes doorsteken. Door de regenval van de afgelopen dagen lijkt het water me hoger te staan dan normaal, en is het telkens een kwestie van schoenen en broek uit en sandalen aan alvorens over te steken. Blij dat ik mijn wandelstokken bijheb om me overeind te houden in de stroming. Het is al moeilijk genoeg om droog te blijven in de regen, maar het regelmatig half uit- en aankleden helpt hier niet aan. Gelukkig zijn er voldoende muggen om het tempo erin te houden. Om de muggen te vermijden zet ik mijn tentje wat hoger op, met zicht op een mini-gletsjertje en een open moor-landschap. Wat later komen er een tiental rendieren langs. Zo tam als in Jotunheimen zijn ze hier niet, maar je krijgt ze hier wel te zien.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQLC-OcNnPu8qe5azqqkqYaqX-w9XsZ4EDNnulg98jhyphenhyphen-9OaeR9qDoXozKNnsqzSN5z4XiUprOtrPaf_fBDjZXwnNQFZUI3pjLXpgbffVfkSg3-WNZnzdoBR-jISnWCGrzNNEgjGJRAAq/s1600/DSC02144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQLC-OcNnPu8qe5azqqkqYaqX-w9XsZ4EDNnulg98jhyphenhyphen-9OaeR9qDoXozKNnsqzSN5z4XiUprOtrPaf_fBDjZXwnNQFZUI3pjLXpgbffVfkSg3-WNZnzdoBR-jISnWCGrzNNEgjGJRAAq/s640/DSC02144.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfVUnSO-n77CL8gOxCCn4wKdHVdY1X6qWxvj-LakcVT5pEQ4lPLn5DulnaXZQgVEx1C5mKn7g4S-MjklafR_4o2vrDg-qArjIhlDJWbGpDXm7Q-0ecHNaTcdnMQWxr_0WT1FBpJoXilAa/s1600/DSC02195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfVUnSO-n77CL8gOxCCn4wKdHVdY1X6qWxvj-LakcVT5pEQ4lPLn5DulnaXZQgVEx1C5mKn7g4S-MjklafR_4o2vrDg-qArjIhlDJWbGpDXm7Q-0ecHNaTcdnMQWxr_0WT1FBpJoXilAa/s640/DSC02195.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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Dag 3 (aantal wandelaars: 2)</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gezien de waterstand besluit ik een omweg te maken langs de brug in Elvevoll om Storelva niet te moeten doorwaden. Wanneer ik aan die brug aankom ben ik blij met mijn keuze, ik ben er niet zo zeker van of het hogerop goed gekomen zou zijn. Nog een beregende klim tot op het plateau, dan oversteken en afdalen naar het dorpje Furuflaten (waar hond Marcus op de loop blijkt, achterna gezeten door een woest uitziende Noor en iets minder woest uitziende Norin), waar ik langs de rivier overnacht, opnieuw met een geweldig uitzicht. Het weer is een stuk beter geworden, af en toe druppelt het wat, de wolken hangen rond de 1000m en het is een tiental graden. Noors zomerweer dus.</span></div>
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Dag 4 (aantal wandelaars: 0)</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Steil klimmen op een glad pad langs een zijrivier van Lyngdalselva. Eens boven de boomgrens (300-400m) een groots uitzicht naar het westen op Jiehkkevárri, met 1834m de hoogste top van Troms, en naar het oosten terugkijkend op Lyngdalselva en Furuflaten. Daarna een bergpas tot op +/- 1000m die, gezien de noorderbreedte, erg arctisch aanvoelt. Buiten wat korstmossen groeit hier dan ook niets. De mist komt opzetten en ik verlies veel tijd met een onnodige en moeilijke afdaling naar Myrvatnet. Zelfs met kaart, kompas en GPS is het hier voortdurend goed opletten.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jiehkkevárri</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lyngdalselva</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyqwTfFNkZEhISJap1nRjsH8Wh3w_OrGcNkywk0V5BFkiquBphaGBYlLDu_AtbaMdqh2J767gMFcnmAfdz2UXk6vSQzZdaS_cAjMKhM47PSkWlkToGyp9363y-wFKeTxavUzO2PHuNpPq/s1600/DSC02247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyqwTfFNkZEhISJap1nRjsH8Wh3w_OrGcNkywk0V5BFkiquBphaGBYlLDu_AtbaMdqh2J767gMFcnmAfdz2UXk6vSQzZdaS_cAjMKhM47PSkWlkToGyp9363y-wFKeTxavUzO2PHuNpPq/s640/DSC02247.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mist</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fpeSq5qvmRSb5CyHpqO0eDa80TTZge_ZZWiootPheD2ZIwrhOibK3_xDMqJbA4fazl-a9QUZSTnJdbPP2894Z_klaGBURansiqzs8MDIrCRJrlite8f6k4405jHseRST9H4M8hQg8Nej/s1600/DSC02303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fpeSq5qvmRSb5CyHpqO0eDa80TTZge_ZZWiootPheD2ZIwrhOibK3_xDMqJbA4fazl-a9QUZSTnJdbPP2894Z_klaGBURansiqzs8MDIrCRJrlite8f6k4405jHseRST9H4M8hQg8Nej/s640/DSC02303.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rendier in mist</span></td></tr>
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Dag 5 (aantal wandelaars: 0)</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lange afdaling naar Lyngseidet, waar een supermarkt schijnt te zijn. Jammer genoeg merk ik aan de kerkgangers dat het zondag is en blijkt het in Lyngseidet ook geen toeristisch hoogseizoen te zijn. Gelukkig is het benzine-station wel open zodat ik toch een brood en wat kaas kan kopen. Na Lyngseidet is het klimmen tot op een bergpasje van ±500m, waar ik tussen de stenen langs de gletsjer kan kamperen.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oI2V4SNglMY1YulFSnmLUJBqEAmI9uvRbBvyIb8QOc7E9IYZt6pX3nf6NLa1Yurfb8E07RbyHyu7yeLvRZsdbmSWAsF8Kbad_UxyG0PnWOiML2LXNjqlm-wsaLuJcMUwbmCCRxVfU77h/s1600/DSC02380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oI2V4SNglMY1YulFSnmLUJBqEAmI9uvRbBvyIb8QOc7E9IYZt6pX3nf6NLa1Yurfb8E07RbyHyu7yeLvRZsdbmSWAsF8Kbad_UxyG0PnWOiML2LXNjqlm-wsaLuJcMUwbmCCRxVfU77h/s640/DSC02380.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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Dag 6 (aantal wandelaars: 0)</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Een lange en trage wandeling naar Jægervasshytta, zie intro.</span></div>
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Dag 7 (aantal wandelaars: 0) </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Volgens de routebeschrijving zou dit een eenvoudigere dag moeten zijn. Ik weet niet hoe vlot de auteur van de routebeschrijving aan fjellhoppen doet, maar voor mij duurt dit toch allemaal net iets langer, wat niet mijn gewoonte is. Een heel eind door een schuin aflopend berkenbos, gevolgd door een gladde en steile klim langs Bjørndalen. Ik kom rond 21u aan op de geplande kampeerplaats, en heb er daarmee een erg mooie en even zware wandeldag van +/-12u opzitten. Goed dat het hier niet donker wordt. Die nacht droom ik van afgeborstelde GR-Alpenpaden.</span></div>
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Dag 8 (aantal wandelaars: 0) </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ik blijf zo lang mogelijk boven Storvoll om niet in het bos terecht te komen (het bushwacken van de afgelopen dagen heeft me wat getraumatiseerd), en kom zo na een twee-tal uur aan in Andersnes, een gehucht waar ook een supermarkt en openbaar vervoer naar Tromsø zou moeten zijn. De supermarkt ligt echter aan de andere kant van de fjord dan op de kaart vermeld staat, en de winkel die wel aan deze kant is gaat pas open vanaf 18u. Ik ben ook niet zeker waar ik de boot naar Tromsø kan nemen, dus haal mijn beste Noors boven en stap af op een groepje werkmannen die het "Lyngen Havfiske og Tursenter" van wat nieuwe planken aan het voorzien zijn. Finnen, zo blijkt, dus toch maar Engels. Ze hebben zelf geen weet van een boot, maar Arne, ja, die zal het weten. Arne is een geboren en getogen Lyngenaar, met wie het goed Norsk snakkeren en koffie drinken is. Hij weet zelf ook niet zeker waar en wanneer de boot naar Tromsø komt, maar vanuit Svensby, ja, daar kan je de bus wel nemen. En dat is slechts 40km de andere kant uit. Maar misschien weet Bent, Arnes broer en eigenaar van het Tursenter, het wel! Enfin, tegen de middag heb ik iedereen in het gehucht ontmoet, koffie gedronken met Arne en Bent, gemerkt dat ik toch maar helemaal niets van dat Nynorsk begrijp, een lift naar Svensby gekregen van Arne en mijn bokmål Norsk uitgebreid kunnen oefenen. Ik blijf erg onder de indurk van het feit dat er mensen wonen in dit klimaat. Volgens Arne valt het nogal mee, en wordt het hier "slechts" -20gr in de winter. Bovendien is het hier geweldig skiën, zoals o.a. Willem-Alexander der Nederlanden zou kunnen getuigen. Liften zijn er niet, dus het moet wel sportief zijn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Met de boot vanuit Svensby en de bus vanuit Breivikeidet ben ik 's avonds terug op de camping in Tromsø, waar de douches heerlijk warm, onbeperkt en proper zijn. Voor 130NOK per nacht per persoon valt me dat erg mee. De volgende dag is een welkome rust en wasdag. De toestand van mijn voeten baart me wel wat zorgen. Gezien het terrein heb ik gekozen voor botinnen, maar die zijn het merendeel van de reis nat gebleven, waardoor mijn voetzolen er wel erg verrimpeld uitzien, maar vooral ook pijnlijk aanvoelen. En over twee dagen doe ik mee met de Tromsø Skyrace, een loopwedstrijd van ±30k met 2000hm over Tromdalstinden. Als dat maar goed komt!</span></div>
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Praktisch</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lyngen Halvøya is een schiereiland (øya = eiland, halvøya = schiereiland) iets boven de poolcirkel, en vanuit Tromsø goed bereikbaar met de bus. Tromsø is dan weer vlot bereikbaar vanuit Brussel met tussenstop in Oslo. Mijn vlucht uit Brussel vertrok bv om 19u en tegen middernacht ben ik in Tromsø. De bus naar Nordksjobotn (een van de dorpjes net ten zuiden van Lyngen) rijdt meerdere keren per dag en doet er een uurtje over. Met wat plannen kan je dus 's avonds in België vertrekken en tegen de middag erop starten aan je wandeling. Terugkeren uit Nordlenangen is minder evident gebleken. Ik ben zelf terug tot in Svensby geraakt, waar ik de ferry en bus terug kon nemen naar Tromsø. Er zou wel tweemaal per week een ferry uit Tromsø tot in Nordlenangen komen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Er zijn weinig tot geen paden op Lyngen (wel zijn er regelmatig schapen- en rendierpaden die het lopen flink vereenvoudigen), bruggen ontbreken veelal, maar er staat hier en daar wel een primitief hutje waar je gratis kan verblijven. Het schiereiland wordt ter hoogte van Lyngseidet bijna in twee gesneden. Ten zuiden daarvan loopt de route aan de oostkant, daarna aan de westkant. De route is (summier) beschreven in het enige mij gekende engelstalige boek over Lyngen (The Lyngen Alps - Skiing / Climbing / Trekking; Fri Flyt AS), en voorziet acht dagen. Ik heb er de eerste zeven van gedaan, omdat de laatste vooral over asfalt loopt en dezelfde route terug volgt. Ik weet van mezelf dat ik een behoorlijk stevig tempo heb, maar had er gerust tien dagen over kunnen doen. In Lyngseidet is er een supermarkt (gesloten op zondag) en benzinestation (open op zondag, hoera!). De hoogteverschillen en dagelijkse afstand vallen op papier erg mee, maar het ontbreken van routes of paden en het frequent oversteken van riviertjes zorgen ervoor dat de route zowat de zwaarste is die ik al gedaan heb.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzN8x-q9KZp2tniTarmDH3G9R9k0uggOY2ZPeC1r7-jSgyrjzv9pzDd_JN7YES_0UUEbFzTHFuNLOivh4h79nhDA8cMPcMk0mK3FcxFMf3t0VZBi0tYQ-j6_WHqAZ7xe_znhqqkLyx9ut/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-08-23+at+17.29.14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzN8x-q9KZp2tniTarmDH3G9R9k0uggOY2ZPeC1r7-jSgyrjzv9pzDd_JN7YES_0UUEbFzTHFuNLOivh4h79nhDA8cMPcMk0mK3FcxFMf3t0VZBi0tYQ-j6_WHqAZ7xe_znhqqkLyx9ut/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-08-23+at+17.29.14.png" width="262" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lyngen</span></td></tr>
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Conclusie</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Een geweldig mooie trekking, die voor mij op de grens zit tussen een wandeling en een avontuur. De route is nergens aangeduid, dus een goede kennis van navigatie is zonder meer noodzakelijk. Op open terrein zijn er regelmatig schapen- of rendierpaden, maar even vaak is het volledig cross-country. Vooral de steenvelden, de hoeveelheid bushwacken en het oversteken van riviertjes halen het tempo serieus omlaag. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dat gezegd zijnde, je loopt van het ene grootse uitzicht op een gletsjer of fjord naar de andere geweldig mooie vallei. Door het gebrek aan paden, bruggen, hutten en andere wandelaars heb je zowat voortdurend een echt wildernisgevoel, terwijl Lyngen best vlot bereikbaar is vanuit België. Gezien de hoogte van het terrein, en de bewoning langs de fjorden, is de gsm-dekking ook verrassend goed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Als ik nog even op Yanicks vraag (zie vorige post) mag terugkomen welke route ik zou aanraden, moet ik nu wel de Lyngen Trek antwoorden. Maar begin er niet aan zonder idee wat je te wachten staat. Maak het niet je eerste meerdaagse trekking of eerste reis in Noorwegen (of laat me zeker weten hoe het afgelopen is). Zorg voor een degelijke conditie en ervaring om, ook als het slecht weer is, je plan te kunnen trekken. Anders wordt het dikke miserie vrees ik. Maar als je op zoek bent naar een niet-afgeborsteld en geweldig mooi natuurgebied, waarin je op je ukkie kan genieten van zowat alles wat Noorwegen te bieden heeft, is dit een echte aanrader.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-16920548801313852962016-03-28T07:46:00.000-07:002016-08-26T08:54:34.364-07:00CdS and Snowdonia 2016<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was planning on writing this post on my recent trip to Snowdonia, but didn't know where to start. I think it's because this trip is part of a larger adventure in my life that combines running and hiking. I used to go running to be in proper shape to go hiking. But recently, the two have become so intertwined I can't really write a blog post on hiking and exclude the running. So, here it goes, the combination of Crêtes de Spa and Snowdonia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A year ago, I joined my first trail run at Spa. I didn't just enjoy the muddy 21k in the Ardennes, but upon reflexion, I couldn't help the feeling something just fell into place. Trekking, hiking and trail-running have so much in common I found out I could take a mini-trip of one day on the trails, in which I experience much of the highs and lows I normally only feel during a multi-day trek. Prepare physically and mentally, check the route, make sure you can rely on your gear. Get tired, crash, pick yourself up and continue. "Are you having fun yet?" The feeling your body is stronger than ever before. Be in nature and in the Great Outdoors and be thankful for this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also, this (I hope it's ok by Mr. Oatmeal I copy this):</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzq94OnndX_-qciHOlBfYgeykpv4DP5JD4hk8TUm8zA25n0o4UVGWfOvbjhUplgjFAu73_-j_4F-mLYo3udI31BJSJiY8Ct9fAaymxngk_NtDM2yG7w-_tGEfvIp9QS3rfUEbcWGg_GYN-/s1600/3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzq94OnndX_-qciHOlBfYgeykpv4DP5JD4hk8TUm8zA25n0o4UVGWfOvbjhUplgjFAu73_-j_4F-mLYo3udI31BJSJiY8Ct9fAaymxngk_NtDM2yG7w-_tGEfvIp9QS3rfUEbcWGg_GYN-/s640/3.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Needless to say, I continued running after that first experience on the trails. And I felt that the longer the trail, the richer the experience. So in between eating turkeys, getting presents and celebrating christmas and new-year, I just had to sit down and start planning properly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you can see on above official training schedule, I joined the Polar Bear Trail 25k in preparation of Crêtes de Spa, hoping the route would be snowy. Alas, plenty of mud and no snow, but a good opportunity to test my Injinji socks and Inov-8 Trailroc shoes. Both are awesome.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next week, I joined Meerdaalwoudtrail 25k to experiment with the whole food-thing. The rice-balls with sweet potato are not something I would eat at home, but they are pretty tasty and very welcome when running, especially after several energy bars or gels. I have no defense against gummi-bears though, got to eat them all. Again, a muddy route with some classic scenes of people helping each other out of the mud, or walking around on their socks looking for their shoes that got stuck. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After some race experience on Polar Bear Trail and Meerdaalwoud, it was time for some proper reconnaissance, a weekend in Spa with my girlfriend. Running in the morning, soaking the mud of my legs in the thermes in the afternoon. There are worse ways of spending a weekend. Again, no opportunity to practice my snow-running skills, but, almost needless to say, plenty of mud.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the start of 2016, this all seemed like plenty of preparation for my main goal. But I have to admit, with the date of Crêtes de Spa approaching, I got pretty nervous. I mean, 57k and 2096m elevation in snow and mud... It still did sound like a good experience though (I'm in doubt to call it "fun"). Because I couldn't sleep anyway, I didn't have any trouble to leave home at 5:30 to get to the registration in time. And there we were. Finally, off on a beautiful day, going up snowy ski-slopes, descending through the forest, munching away at the checkpoints... I realised only today I ran the last 2k with someone, cheering each-other on, but didn't put up the effort to pass him by. I think this is the main difference between road races and trail running. On the road I'm focused on time (not that I'm by any means a fast runner, I just do what needs to be done), whereas on trails I'm just happy of being out there and get to the finish line in one piece.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course, the days before the main event, snow fell down in Spa. As I never ran on snow before, I was a bit worried, but in the end it didn't pose much of a problem. The Trailrocs provide a very decent grip, although they're not specifically designed for this.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQNZdANthaWhgDVhKfhzVQDDWn2raXJOivuKl_JkUBqRGfXjt81PVHCYbJJf59Odh9klEHV97WtbKhoGi4V6p13re1GbcSWtV_xaWUu1koAU0LSBPOeHz_hF9mjRaYSPrpm_ILCGWvW5-/s1600/sportograf-74036802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQNZdANthaWhgDVhKfhzVQDDWn2raXJOivuKl_JkUBqRGfXjt81PVHCYbJJf59Odh9klEHV97WtbKhoGi4V6p13re1GbcSWtV_xaWUu1koAU0LSBPOeHz_hF9mjRaYSPrpm_ILCGWvW5-/s640/sportograf-74036802.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Going strong after 55k</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The medal and the t-shirt</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After surviving CdS, I went to Wales again. It seems to be becoming a tradition, taking the train to Conwy, sleeping somewhere halfway on the route to the Carneddau, crossing the Glyders and Snowdon, finding my way across the wild Rhinogs and descending to Barmouth. There I take the train to Llandovery to visit my sister and family (and take a bath to soak the mud of). Just like last year, I had ridiculously fine weather. Ok, so that first morning was pretty frosty, waking up in a frozen tent with frozen shoes after a night in which I even put my gloves on in an attempt to keep warm (one of those moments where I ask myself why on earth I put myself in this position). On the north slope of Drum, between Conwy and the Carneddau, you can see - I think - the Lake District, Anglesey and the Isle of Mann. That also means it is pretty exposed to everything that comes from the north, like cold winds. But around noon the fog lifted, the wind calmed down and the hills became welcoming and all was alright.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A frosty morning</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Going up Drum, feeling like the King in the North</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every once in a while, I make some changes in the gear I take with me. Until last year, I have been mainly focused on lowering the weight, which created room for luxuries like a french press. But oh boy, fresh coffee does taste good in a place like this, tingly feet and all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I was enjoying my - probably the best in the world - cup of coffee, I saw two runners coming my way. Yes, trail- and ultra-running seems to be quite the thing these days. I had a very brief chat with them, just enough to learn they were on a run along the Welsh 3000s, which includes 15 peaks over 30 miles. If only I had my running gear with me, the idea sounds awesome. And the scenery, well, who wouldn't want to run in this? Free as a bird, high as a kite?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After crossing the Carneddau plateau from Conwy, I camped at the cwm beneath Pen yr Ole Wen, where I always feel very welcome. The next morning I woke up with the sun on my tent. I can't imagine a better reason for a sun salutation (which in my case is more like some stretch exercises). I would find it hard to believe the ancient druids didn't know this place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day, there were some clouds at ±700m when going up the Glyders, just enough to make you feel the height and enjoy the moment you leave them below, with awesome views all around.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Llyn Ogwen valley in Snowdonia is used pretty often for military practice flights. The jets pass by too quickly for me to capture them on camera, but I was able to take a picture of the slower bombers (well, the second one).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next up was Snowdon. I went up along the Pyg track again (one day I might do Crib Goch) in pretty wintery conditions. Wind, snow, fog and the highest summit of Wales make for a nice combination.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking back on the last bit of the ascent</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everytime I take the same foggy picture, but one day I will get the view!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The descent along the Watkin path. Steep and snowy with very limited visibility</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once you get south of Snowdon, the whole world seems to change. Less paths, less people, less mountainous and more remote. As long as I don't read The Hound of the Baskervilles I should be fine there. It was a bit chilly outside, so I spent the afternoon and evening reading, drinking coffee and enjoying the sunset from my tent.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">View from the tent, could be worse!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun setting after another great day in the hills</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back on Snowdon</td></tr>
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Moelwyn Mawr must be one of my favourite hills. The ascent might be called boring, a grassy, pathless slope that seems to go on and on. But once you reach the summit, you can see (weather permitting) Snowdon, the Glyders, the Carneddau, the Irish Sea, the Rhinogs, Cnight, Y Llethr... in short, the whole of Snowdonia. Even better is the descent to Moelwyn Fach, a rocky crest, before you descend into the valley of Blaenau Ffestiniog, a town that seems grey even in sunshine.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moelwyn Mawr</td></tr>
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And then came the hill-fog. You can't see much further than 50m, and the fog seems to quiet the surroundings as well, so you're world is limited to that small bubble around you. There's no wind, no path, no people. It feels a bit like diving in the great blue, where you can't see the bottom or can't make out any direction just by looking. I'm still in doubt if this feels eerie, or like a comforting blanket.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">View from the tent, could be better!</span></td></tr>
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The last few k's I follow a dry-stone wall, and start imagining how much work this must cost. Sure, there are plenty of rocks for grabs, but still...<br />
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During the final section, just before the final descent to Barmouth, I get a text about the terrorist attacks in Brussels. It's hard to imagine people blowing themselves up because of their believes when I'm so close to Nature.</div>
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I spend the last days of this trip, which in my experience started in January, with my sister and her family, showing my nephew how to climb trees and making my niece laugh. Life be good!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-77835057620733446072015-07-18T01:18:00.000-07:002016-08-26T08:54:47.950-07:00Nordkallotleden 2015<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ever since reading "Nooit meer slapen" (translated in English as "Beyond Sleep") by W.F. Hermans (on midnight sun, mosquitos and nihilism) I've been curious about Finnmarken and the northern part of Scandinavia. Kungsleden will be up some day, but I first set my eyes on Nordkallotleden, which starts a bit farther north. The complete path is 800km, of which I walked the first 200 from Kautokeino to Kilpisjärvi as this seemed to provide some overview of the far north. I've arrived in Alta by plane, where a daily bus leaves to Kautokeino (according to the bus driver, it gets as cold as -50 in winter, glad it's summer).</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvmaeTogVc6KaA9NX84NSMkpzDVR1H_XzaliEjXJyI4EdUMZn_rKl4t3Oie49b-EmadohdQpMOOIo_r2bf0gSneO2bwG-2QDzafT6XdJTmXUDx-ZiACJVAbSME5XdpLd_C1COtwBOx5ez/s1600/DSC00624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvmaeTogVc6KaA9NX84NSMkpzDVR1H_XzaliEjXJyI4EdUMZn_rKl4t3Oie49b-EmadohdQpMOOIo_r2bf0gSneO2bwG-2QDzafT6XdJTmXUDx-ZiACJVAbSME5XdpLd_C1COtwBOx5ez/s400/DSC00624.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The thriving city Kautokeino</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first part, from Kautokeino to Nedrefosshytta, crosses open and rather flat landscape on ±300m elevation. Very swampy walking with an endless horizon. Not spectacular at all, which made the sense of emptiness all the more impressive.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Muddy / watery path</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULD-ycWzR8lU4soIG8WgoZtpacLR4Q3AMoriNsLHy031tT8P9MIXSe4K4ocWyS0PUR3vXbi9U5Sms0t1K6GPDFj4XYcczsm17eSiwl2jFrd83zThaSKVcooPgUcYEefHHKD6K-0__rm6h/s1600/DSC00642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULD-ycWzR8lU4soIG8WgoZtpacLR4Q3AMoriNsLHy031tT8P9MIXSe4K4ocWyS0PUR3vXbi9U5Sms0t1K6GPDFj4XYcczsm17eSiwl2jFrd83zThaSKVcooPgUcYEefHHKD6K-0__rm6h/s640/DSC00642.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It had been about 10 years since I've worn proper leather walking boots as these seem overkill for the vast majority of walks I do. I also seem unable to keep my feet dry during a trek, so I might as well wear shoes that dry out quicker than boots which take forever to get dry again. However, because of the swamps, amount of snow and river crossings I was expecting, I opted for boots again. After about 5km from the start, I already switched to my Vibram Fivefingers as there was no way I could've kept the boots dry. The going is slower on VFF's, but oh so nice not needing to stop every minute to look for a possible crossing and fretting about dry feet (just jump in!). Another note on gear: I usually don't use hiking poles, but was very glad I brought them along, they sure make river crossings a whole lot easier. Whilst we're in the practicalities section, I might as well add that the warnings on mosquitos are not something to ignore. They hunt in packs and will find you. Mosquito spray (I used DEET) and headnet are no less than necessary.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Only way to keep boots dry is by not wearing them</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6yPIjz5yFw-RLD5g2xkxZBkS2xQvVl1j5FgLU6S_VJUP1eekyKQsTJPhMnetB7Ar6crvtCG7Aw9pMB81ElQoN4cVNmvrJ6WmtU6BrzHvQrFxGAlM0ti_8Qml5KaSWXUvZWDOVoGvIyOR/s1600/DSC00647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6yPIjz5yFw-RLD5g2xkxZBkS2xQvVl1j5FgLU6S_VJUP1eekyKQsTJPhMnetB7Ar6crvtCG7Aw9pMB81ElQoN4cVNmvrJ6WmtU6BrzHvQrFxGAlM0ti_8Qml5KaSWXUvZWDOVoGvIyOR/s400/DSC00647.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At least there's a bridge on this one</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3p2KWdaluPBI3nCtzf7QucPGVFlt76jvGI-U8VFA6kF1KCBGwbv8gY1Gne8RLVVMCxPsVUDW2MkMhL9Ue58_C2B-eJPU0WQyVvxGC1mcDYo3C2HvhVB4RVt64fZ61vmTpZhYU9FHsdkVB/s1600/DSC00656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3p2KWdaluPBI3nCtzf7QucPGVFlt76jvGI-U8VFA6kF1KCBGwbv8gY1Gne8RLVVMCxPsVUDW2MkMhL9Ue58_C2B-eJPU0WQyVvxGC1mcDYo3C2HvhVB4RVt64fZ61vmTpZhYU9FHsdkVB/s640/DSC00656.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Careful when crossing the road between Kautokeino and Bidjovagge</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCaVncXRsSkF4TH3xDvGLMvEmP9DZvBONLdz79XX7xgkD7x8NKp_zgQbgkvQPMWVn_twYruITeSmuQ1JmBxb9wMnCMvA5xndAHn6EoWN4ZgFWD404czkJR20CwdeLobs7lsbeXvcOVOmN/s1600/DSC00679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCaVncXRsSkF4TH3xDvGLMvEmP9DZvBONLdz79XX7xgkD7x8NKp_zgQbgkvQPMWVn_twYruITeSmuQ1JmBxb9wMnCMvA5xndAHn6EoWN4ZgFWD404czkJR20CwdeLobs7lsbeXvcOVOmN/s640/DSC00679.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Somewhere in Lapland</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVz2zBR-QfRI_N7N6Tqi7VgloOnEUoTLAsBj6hjDUHWQtNEvldoIh0q9Lc5SzQiMOEQ2ovk0M-K9GrBi0izG0X1HdhCj3CsUZPZ4NLpl6dDF_XNYvJeJBkoYu0UFjDrY0za9DZ4zyKfJfw/s1600/DSC00701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVz2zBR-QfRI_N7N6Tqi7VgloOnEUoTLAsBj6hjDUHWQtNEvldoIh0q9Lc5SzQiMOEQ2ovk0M-K9GrBi0izG0X1HdhCj3CsUZPZ4NLpl6dDF_XNYvJeJBkoYu0UFjDrY0za9DZ4zyKfJfw/s640/DSC00701.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6H1A8p1I1MaCjCVFiv3Uqw7WANSqmihPrL1lgkmcsMs0BWbV_w6ictOLA4SkSLXsJ3z0I4dUpbo4hp466K55Cph0fSZncyL0FvtT8SogIO-ab6EVGiuHp7RaFgmpEB-rKVaafmc7UT-Rs/s1600/DSC00707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6H1A8p1I1MaCjCVFiv3Uqw7WANSqmihPrL1lgkmcsMs0BWbV_w6ictOLA4SkSLXsJ3z0I4dUpbo4hp466K55Cph0fSZncyL0FvtT8SogIO-ab6EVGiuHp7RaFgmpEB-rKVaafmc7UT-Rs/s640/DSC00707.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Near Aitevarri</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sbooglxdThL7CLJivECxUVNy_Nu2cCPbrxZ-nM8VvDwod9BEd_UzxH5PsjV5b2fTRgLivFuMRP19bPHvlPw2xtE1v1zrp7BZl85jhdMfkjHIJp-sXXVaAF3EyESUClK3nOqZoShEzBG9/s1600/DSC00709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sbooglxdThL7CLJivECxUVNy_Nu2cCPbrxZ-nM8VvDwod9BEd_UzxH5PsjV5b2fTRgLivFuMRP19bPHvlPw2xtE1v1zrp7BZl85jhdMfkjHIJp-sXXVaAF3EyESUClK3nOqZoShEzBG9/s640/DSC00709.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A bit of route-finding was needed, but doable without taking boots of</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second section of the path goes through Reisadalen, from Nedrefosshytta to Saraelv. If I picture Alaska or BC, this is more or less what it looks like. And if I'd ever expect to encounter bears in Norway, this would be the place (I got my mosquito spray at hand, just in case). The path from Nedrefosshytta to Saraelv is only ±30k, but it took me two days to get through this tangled jungle of ferns, rivers, ferns, bushwhacking, rivers, and some more ferns. Though going, so slow the mosquitos could keep up with my pace and had quite the feast. I didn't notice it stopped raining as the valley held all the moisture anyway. I believe packrafting would be a good alternative for this part, although I don't have any experience with this (yet).</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukNfzd4FqUklYVbDVknCptAQLPW8Xksibq6E8HWWwzxGM7Ocw_iUE9Ylq8SAwLUmWumjKQXTTSL49TYtVy-uXO4Dbaiig8uCPmm2o_YbERPVvFMi0GwrAvbbU6kC0-LP6EeGAp533NGBb/s1600/DSC00732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukNfzd4FqUklYVbDVknCptAQLPW8Xksibq6E8HWWwzxGM7Ocw_iUE9Ylq8SAwLUmWumjKQXTTSL49TYtVy-uXO4Dbaiig8uCPmm2o_YbERPVvFMi0GwrAvbbU6kC0-LP6EeGAp533NGBb/s640/DSC00732.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Start of Reisadalen</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcqJ9qa9s0LI7SBiTjLa3PpgrdseslkFbJ5eJ24-Y0EYS5wIgLnGbBmsG57-X8tBdKnWwAqC68UPi6Fa_H_zVaGvZ9WAMiMzA3qkJQ35Q2Hn4bfki7hSjCF3VPGc3MqTc-CRgeGBHkm4B/s1600/DSC00748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcqJ9qa9s0LI7SBiTjLa3PpgrdseslkFbJ5eJ24-Y0EYS5wIgLnGbBmsG57-X8tBdKnWwAqC68UPi6Fa_H_zVaGvZ9WAMiMzA3qkJQ35Q2Hn4bfki7hSjCF3VPGc3MqTc-CRgeGBHkm4B/s640/DSC00748.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Near Nedrefosshytta</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJHaBj61OCtae0R69aFkabdmnfc86aTYdotMXRLSt6SkJHYZBvUnrsqcuODQTKSuz5dutp3OKQziJsuGl2MOpz9WcIF8DbW06hkf0_Xz8zzYsUV9L_JMzSGt89gdgYcZipKDiLXtB_lE-/s1600/DSC00761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJHaBj61OCtae0R69aFkabdmnfc86aTYdotMXRLSt6SkJHYZBvUnrsqcuODQTKSuz5dutp3OKQziJsuGl2MOpz9WcIF8DbW06hkf0_Xz8zzYsUV9L_JMzSGt89gdgYcZipKDiLXtB_lE-/s640/DSC00761.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ferns. Lots of ferns.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZuv9yvJ9RaTRKKHeeJebGnNCO0se5fMMIy_ss_RvZI4M1uw9-eZfSVmBkkwu4kfX-QonG2vB7y-0HUPxWwzNCnjk6fGrbuzKvczZm5PBW3e6PvNnZ2DM6iNlVkh40ZRrxpWgi04P9E4a/s1600/DSC00768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZuv9yvJ9RaTRKKHeeJebGnNCO0se5fMMIy_ss_RvZI4M1uw9-eZfSVmBkkwu4kfX-QonG2vB7y-0HUPxWwzNCnjk6fGrbuzKvczZm5PBW3e6PvNnZ2DM6iNlVkh40ZRrxpWgi04P9E4a/s640/DSC00768.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Mollisfossen, </span>Reisadalen</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYAoJ6QL7xjVu0XAzfMB8Ozg7BMNSHgZJXXjFDm-r4hY-rKSvc9kFOt_MTDfLlfhHg1G8R6scfmfsAYFGbNRzg5XYwk0B0pcgRdT0HYreStc1jVmNfFgZd_5KOyr5efjv4WFu69A7Qycj/s1600/DSC00769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYAoJ6QL7xjVu0XAzfMB8Ozg7BMNSHgZJXXjFDm-r4hY-rKSvc9kFOt_MTDfLlfhHg1G8R6scfmfsAYFGbNRzg5XYwk0B0pcgRdT0HYreStc1jVmNfFgZd_5KOyr5efjv4WFu69A7Qycj/s400/DSC00769.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flooded path</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCKA01tFbSe_pRrHcJ4MnJqa691yFNkJZEj7FrrmsPeQ5MJkG0VbqVnh-MZzZpa4cVRHK42PE3PQamgxe08KOx1XnXD9XOfoMza-lUNUOblif2r2nFLU54pLddTD_Tpd7hq2rxaTdmENZ/s1600/DSC00779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCKA01tFbSe_pRrHcJ4MnJqa691yFNkJZEj7FrrmsPeQ5MJkG0VbqVnh-MZzZpa4cVRHK42PE3PQamgxe08KOx1XnXD9XOfoMza-lUNUOblif2r2nFLU54pLddTD_Tpd7hq2rxaTdmENZ/s640/DSC00779.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another great camp-site</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58tohI4mLqWusWw0LbYPm7BSLuhPBle6cE_E6A3GRJH2VAFaA5w8qSaWxCtJV3I2QkFvS_xNILhKvEQqsQWnzCL3YRdkd29eJCIgnO0IsXCfQGgAk9dX3gwiarMDqmeFRinVy86hyphenhyphenfJ2t/s1600/DSC00793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58tohI4mLqWusWw0LbYPm7BSLuhPBle6cE_E6A3GRJH2VAFaA5w8qSaWxCtJV3I2QkFvS_xNILhKvEQqsQWnzCL3YRdkd29eJCIgnO0IsXCfQGgAk9dX3gwiarMDqmeFRinVy86hyphenhyphenfJ2t/s640/DSC00793.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wouldn't have minded a bridge here </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From Saraelv to Kilpisjärvi the path crosses a plateau, which includes Halti, the highest point of Finland at 1325m. The first days on the vidda where very quiet and outstanding walking. I decided to spend a night inside in Somashytta to get all my gear dry again. Later that evening, Nick, a British hiker, arrived in the hut as well. He also started out in Kautokeino, but was going to spend an impressive 2 months hiking, first along Nordkallotreitti, then along Kungsleden (Nick, should you read this while still on your way, god tur!). Good talking about gear and the great outdoors, which continued the next day on the way to Pihtsusjärvi (conversations on sleeping bags, stoves and places no one has ever heard of can continue quite a while).</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kIe8vxI7YDixAf6yUhwq6POrwEX0iQfIr_zg0hikLwaGvuuc9wjKw-tv4A4c_oZeRRzl_L5blvDEyqkgvCm-eCSJQLoeo4gphxtkwhNmOB-cM76r2jn0iM_IaPi5AS73hif5A4sviNqd/s1600/DSC00807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kIe8vxI7YDixAf6yUhwq6POrwEX0iQfIr_zg0hikLwaGvuuc9wjKw-tv4A4c_oZeRRzl_L5blvDEyqkgvCm-eCSJQLoeo4gphxtkwhNmOB-cM76r2jn0iM_IaPi5AS73hif5A4sviNqd/s640/DSC00807.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gnarly tree</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHZPLl2Vd9_xwUbsGoVfeoTLoWNSqNAAGLuoi0RbfYt38tiR342cRZfO_lpLmye6JTlKAF50iZWWty-Qof1l-rD0Mo8rjiMwv9I5Ghh5_bPWpsK6TuNgpaBpcPCuF0Hg36Cx_X8uOM__3/s1600/DSC00818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHZPLl2Vd9_xwUbsGoVfeoTLoWNSqNAAGLuoi0RbfYt38tiR342cRZfO_lpLmye6JTlKAF50iZWWty-Qof1l-rD0Mo8rjiMwv9I5Ghh5_bPWpsK6TuNgpaBpcPCuF0Hg36Cx_X8uOM__3/s640/DSC00818.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Above Saraelv, view on Reisadalen</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uwi5gHwSs_uNByJchd4DgKTRdQySM75yF_gaWjKGBifwBt0eVtlStvFr5SlFZ5aNPFfsr9M86CWocCrfVoW7VMIfKQs0WtoU263AwjGLaEGGIRHL7ynTDrHdpzuuhaawMmDyFoWmvOY0/s1600/DSC00828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uwi5gHwSs_uNByJchd4DgKTRdQySM75yF_gaWjKGBifwBt0eVtlStvFr5SlFZ5aNPFfsr9M86CWocCrfVoW7VMIfKQs0WtoU263AwjGLaEGGIRHL7ynTDrHdpzuuhaawMmDyFoWmvOY0/s640/DSC00828.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtIuP1oPzBDP3WiQRhBXU-iyDgwFd-80tEfDGQ6ldlOhqoP8LLcqsju0izQqcBsYsJmycjmR7uNEIRol924lHh0pzlOjyJvkYoQKoP8vRQRYsGxbbJqU4YaykZ3QxVr62OZYhzFqBePio/s1600/DSC00837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtIuP1oPzBDP3WiQRhBXU-iyDgwFd-80tEfDGQ6ldlOhqoP8LLcqsju0izQqcBsYsJmycjmR7uNEIRol924lHh0pzlOjyJvkYoQKoP8vRQRYsGxbbJqU4YaykZ3QxVr62OZYhzFqBePio/s640/DSC00837.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">View on Buntadalen</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZ77Ieq0Rjbnr3yJbnhX_8NsmhAVpCBrj4mg8OcxH33kmE2g4XI20MLUU0kt3oXriy7oe3Wg9n8CjlSLxzzgne_RJkpoF3xSOjUnQdP16rXSOuiCoPTpCmAdi6ChuFduF24Jp94aH1Vv6/s1600/DSC00850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZ77Ieq0Rjbnr3yJbnhX_8NsmhAVpCBrj4mg8OcxH33kmE2g4XI20MLUU0kt3oXriy7oe3Wg9n8CjlSLxzzgne_RJkpoF3xSOjUnQdP16rXSOuiCoPTpCmAdi6ChuFduF24Jp94aH1Vv6/s640/DSC00850.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EdqbT730p6EGUQgACcuuaV1gCiNk2olpD4PkOIH73eLF-kutlFb6TZF-hp_UPUryLachD7bOE0qwRR6l7KYS5yuedxHhk0bmHIeowZet7SyAGr7ENH11qV3po7uelNkigEXKfUiqBbDm/s1600/DSC00853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EdqbT730p6EGUQgACcuuaV1gCiNk2olpD4PkOIH73eLF-kutlFb6TZF-hp_UPUryLachD7bOE0qwRR6l7KYS5yuedxHhk0bmHIeowZet7SyAGr7ENH11qV3po7uelNkigEXKfUiqBbDm/s640/DSC00853.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31mKW6uNWI3dJ-F_jxSlfrE-gbEOn_BR5eWg1dRGclr7xnNU-xvC0epM0O_C5mlRC1XiBUJBNQzpolLZ5Rl5DsZqjw-zvsrqTLhyub5yrCR8Wq7fPbL2lQHapo5A50JYZrc17cX-j164B/s1600/DSC00869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31mKW6uNWI3dJ-F_jxSlfrE-gbEOn_BR5eWg1dRGclr7xnNU-xvC0epM0O_C5mlRC1XiBUJBNQzpolLZ5Rl5DsZqjw-zvsrqTLhyub5yrCR8Wq7fPbL2lQHapo5A50JYZrc17cX-j164B/s400/DSC00869.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Distances between huts, tent is advisable</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMakXxXpexh0sMm1jUfJ_vG75sQp_rSuMCQqpJdcr8P1Q1SeW429Qw0DFokddFmsBCXCLf3UZNkpHF48IF02-HbqRmiv7TmP7vE3sMNBnho2fCzJFAhkS6a3lxX3WLpQEHQdznxmFewry/s1600/DSC00871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMakXxXpexh0sMm1jUfJ_vG75sQp_rSuMCQqpJdcr8P1Q1SeW429Qw0DFokddFmsBCXCLf3UZNkpHF48IF02-HbqRmiv7TmP7vE3sMNBnho2fCzJFAhkS6a3lxX3WLpQEHQdznxmFewry/s640/DSC00871.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ice ice ice cold water, I guess it's good for blood circulation</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XK9Efg5IOhhBsuZ5Cuid2oAPny5Ctce_gePCV9Ygfe4bXWtUSvOxDO2s7GMZe6o68iBx2H-ju6crxDtRmMOOjglYZHtlupG4_WZb7q6i3haOaoWfUyZaPx-_f33KBZCzHaYCswbZiLTU/s1600/DSC00881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XK9Efg5IOhhBsuZ5Cuid2oAPny5Ctce_gePCV9Ygfe4bXWtUSvOxDO2s7GMZe6o68iBx2H-ju6crxDtRmMOOjglYZHtlupG4_WZb7q6i3haOaoWfUyZaPx-_f33KBZCzHaYCswbZiLTU/s640/DSC00881.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-o_A0LpguA02Bpfry43jWmjSZLlGnmxtPGWzkzirlEf77EKxBYP3qwXbS5RGS_aQE5U-3WAe41oz2kfnEkcT2oMnYGONv67ZFjtSKXXOttKCMFCK6EtUNf_c9g3ZDaKMJdzaMy8V67BU/s1600/DSC00893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-o_A0LpguA02Bpfry43jWmjSZLlGnmxtPGWzkzirlEf77EKxBYP3qwXbS5RGS_aQE5U-3WAe41oz2kfnEkcT2oMnYGONv67ZFjtSKXXOttKCMFCK6EtUNf_c9g3ZDaKMJdzaMy8V67BU/s640/DSC00893.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Midnight sun at Somashytta</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZTded4hQ2e8WJzi7pugWenbPuzpu3CJ2sKddAz1qQljTxIRhNknUi-BV356TFETIBnXYs3vVpLAcNlYcIUvkCyeIO1DaNiOPqFmiKjmGczEftFztHWmgBL7e7cl7DtQNAfkJzJ7eYnXh/s1600/DSC00894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZTded4hQ2e8WJzi7pugWenbPuzpu3CJ2sKddAz1qQljTxIRhNknUi-BV356TFETIBnXYs3vVpLAcNlYcIUvkCyeIO1DaNiOPqFmiKjmGczEftFztHWmgBL7e7cl7DtQNAfkJzJ7eYnXh/s640/DSC00894.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Somashytta</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjck7A0QPk4cM4piumzeIA2jurLd5O3tQtOpdZ3UucC9At5FgwHEC02WxUaqwClYQ7HDTplLyvyygThAYTcvcMrbb5fbMZLrj9tB8Qdlu2IV1Q2fHay33hBEOwngY_ivg3jNp2mpCEgZH/s1600/DSC00896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjck7A0QPk4cM4piumzeIA2jurLd5O3tQtOpdZ3UucC9At5FgwHEC02WxUaqwClYQ7HDTplLyvyygThAYTcvcMrbb5fbMZLrj9tB8Qdlu2IV1Q2fHay33hBEOwngY_ivg3jNp2mpCEgZH/s400/DSC00896.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At border between Norway and Finland, nothing to declare</span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHL39UwBLzcTMs00CBOlH8wBMmp-pg-U44wxby9qAZ4o-E-6KIrCpa6OlUV4lK2VGz0f46t18eT2CPW5egat4sYkHnf64IJlNUtXgRYQEuAFnyfU7GUv0lArUTbBFxSe_kf3FR6P2-VJGm/s1600/DSC00904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHL39UwBLzcTMs00CBOlH8wBMmp-pg-U44wxby9qAZ4o-E-6KIrCpa6OlUV4lK2VGz0f46t18eT2CPW5egat4sYkHnf64IJlNUtXgRYQEuAFnyfU7GUv0lArUTbBFxSe_kf3FR6P2-VJGm/s640/DSC00904.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Pass between Kobmajoki and </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Pihtsusjärvi</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbsSWbOxkiGoJsxvHIXQMmLx2EOHQuqyD5ARPbwjxEPjB2QZEdhrlz0PZzPQMhtGzM4cn7vSrwY6uVfvm3qRiByCJkPPoRd3rdz-8eO3iBMPJjHLfqVgUEhzWLSiOGDb8Y_G0xCNuMKOv/s1600/DSC00905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbsSWbOxkiGoJsxvHIXQMmLx2EOHQuqyD5ARPbwjxEPjB2QZEdhrlz0PZzPQMhtGzM4cn7vSrwY6uVfvm3qRiByCJkPPoRd3rdz-8eO3iBMPJjHLfqVgUEhzWLSiOGDb8Y_G0xCNuMKOv/s640/DSC00905.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pass between Kobmajoki and <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Pihtsusjärvi</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18RyNoe1MqFBp3XY1SmN1p00mxHyRH-45etDeCM3oGCBZnjy5zJDVbfEyO4ktXZpofe8sbT164QAZ2twRu_2M7ueW-UiW5jEhRIe2RIuxdE3FXrBmsG0xbCNDipUej9SQLQh2ffg77iQI/s1600/DSC00907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18RyNoe1MqFBp3XY1SmN1p00mxHyRH-45etDeCM3oGCBZnjy5zJDVbfEyO4ktXZpofe8sbT164QAZ2twRu_2M7ueW-UiW5jEhRIe2RIuxdE3FXrBmsG0xbCNDipUej9SQLQh2ffg77iQI/s320/DSC00907.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nick and me (and photobombing mosquitos)</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I stayed at Pihtsusjärvi as I was going up Halti the next day, so said goodbye to Nick. Halti, being the highest point in Finland, is quite popular. Water planes land daily on the lake at the second nearest hut, Pihtsusjärvihytta, or you can get there by helicopter so you don't have to walk two days from Kilpisjärvi. Although I'm all in favor of people going to the mountains (I strongly believe it's good for mental health) I don't understand why someone would go there and bring loads of alcohol with them, it seems to be missing the point I guess. As I was the only non Finnish person at the hut (and the present Fins didn't speak English that much, whereas I'm no expert in Finnish), I spent the evening in my tent instead of at what seemed to grow into a party and lasted till 3am (not that I was kept awake, oddly Fins seem to party quiet). That said, I did enjoy the beer I got. The next morning I went up Halti through a lot of snowfields and had the summit all for myself.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUQYxMDiO7J4zkrg1Ij90fxxq8MSm2gWP2vLtZlryRzvfnjvX6eDUu-FlT4f2NuL4HYrcv58el8pljv9F7B4BEhqkucan8TtdYggQXZz10hiRmyf0Zal7NesCQGu6ZWuqJTkr73xJcwk5/s1600/DSC00918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUQYxMDiO7J4zkrg1Ij90fxxq8MSm2gWP2vLtZlryRzvfnjvX6eDUu-FlT4f2NuL4HYrcv58el8pljv9F7B4BEhqkucan8TtdYggQXZz10hiRmyf0Zal7NesCQGu6ZWuqJTkr73xJcwk5/s640/DSC00918.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Pihtsusjärvi</span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQ-VPJYB9a_3214l4C-uA9yi8gADmdqgvAEFhWn0DT5Y9c5appCaplxzMl8fsfBMhTmaPUhlJZ5_qYKCsz8uCeKFQBr2APElexgK4OJQEJW0JrydHSR9EVsUZfmPkC8fMRbWcF7Oou-fh/s1600/DSC00919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQ-VPJYB9a_3214l4C-uA9yi8gADmdqgvAEFhWn0DT5Y9c5appCaplxzMl8fsfBMhTmaPUhlJZ5_qYKCsz8uCeKFQBr2APElexgK4OJQEJW0JrydHSR9EVsUZfmPkC8fMRbWcF7Oou-fh/s640/DSC00919.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Pihtsusjärvi</span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFd-KEFXpWMExWJHg1OqqYcvsk8SBbSt5BqcjCIP9e39jhSMprHhuvDAViJzCJuVSjH4valh7aLRriWlEetSlLgOzqTH8uUby4P1oudEmVBwtDyLtY9Ahs38R1BYfQrYTIVVEMP1u6xr3W/s1600/DSC00930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFd-KEFXpWMExWJHg1OqqYcvsk8SBbSt5BqcjCIP9e39jhSMprHhuvDAViJzCJuVSjH4valh7aLRriWlEetSlLgOzqTH8uUby4P1oudEmVBwtDyLtY9Ahs38R1BYfQrYTIVVEMP1u6xr3W/s640/DSC00930.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lots of snowfields on Halti</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMr0a0iqYC3WCTihpvSC0_fJzRGtQ7Fi2qChc-QMx-3qSfOSkrR3RzfQu-G1Zh80tQ0YmznG9_wJMuWcdoR8Zp27Flr0fxXITMJK-_7WmV8FUy-H8GPsrgR69RmIDPqtVtTdP_lwHC7RBa/s1600/DSC00936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMr0a0iqYC3WCTihpvSC0_fJzRGtQ7Fi2qChc-QMx-3qSfOSkrR3RzfQu-G1Zh80tQ0YmznG9_wJMuWcdoR8Zp27Flr0fxXITMJK-_7WmV8FUy-H8GPsrgR69RmIDPqtVtTdP_lwHC7RBa/s640/DSC00936.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lj4gqOqu90lDejV6bdVSnFEfyJfdHGdjCgyHrDHBQ1rud3xET1NzEXAilgKmIiw61RiyxFfoC2W7FUIev2mSF-iISkr6UpsyJjrwE_qB7_0aLFHNv5Jznb7gMkyk7CCq4k8QGbJO2KTJ/s1600/DSC00939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lj4gqOqu90lDejV6bdVSnFEfyJfdHGdjCgyHrDHBQ1rud3xET1NzEXAilgKmIiw61RiyxFfoC2W7FUIev2mSF-iISkr6UpsyJjrwE_qB7_0aLFHNv5Jznb7gMkyk7CCq4k8QGbJO2KTJ/s640/DSC00939.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last part of the ascent of Halti</span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVXCqJ8erZG7XrXDGCcIS_WDlX3BtAxu4TebZE-y9JSlwCCJiEsT578MDEgUNhJ-jnNa4pSGnLtWvY7lhODPHk41e2Fovuc7q06W-VPDba1srtyJonMx94vQPXkXOUzz03QUIDJjpvZd2/s1600/DSC00941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVXCqJ8erZG7XrXDGCcIS_WDlX3BtAxu4TebZE-y9JSlwCCJiEsT578MDEgUNhJ-jnNa4pSGnLtWvY7lhODPHk41e2Fovuc7q06W-VPDba1srtyJonMx94vQPXkXOUzz03QUIDJjpvZd2/s320/DSC00941.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Guest book on summit</span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUsgrFKnOQGmo7vyEBIS6d8fckMNumFo2jwsUO54TtuyCazyIi5cIf5KE0DQk0kZFmEE95PU_EMb4HzqCXk2KH9GxjCJLDECFcwtAXPetchx84n1mVKKY5kZjTKunWwk9BSDvV7cj_DmP/s1600/DSC00942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUsgrFKnOQGmo7vyEBIS6d8fckMNumFo2jwsUO54TtuyCazyIi5cIf5KE0DQk0kZFmEE95PU_EMb4HzqCXk2KH9GxjCJLDECFcwtAXPetchx84n1mVKKY5kZjTKunWwk9BSDvV7cj_DmP/s400/DSC00942.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Obligatory selfie on Halti summit</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gqTONc0EKUwBR_QB4dhgeU10foh3tqDOVfD-wtWx9QC4vr5JugGGBQDczXmfYKiTE2tBC_8DtVjtdVs-WEOt1GDUO8mxmvPIB3Wiz9L62A0GTAnY1iWblErNRNZpTjNeeZs1DLWzPQh-/s1600/DSC00946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gqTONc0EKUwBR_QB4dhgeU10foh3tqDOVfD-wtWx9QC4vr5JugGGBQDczXmfYKiTE2tBC_8DtVjtdVs-WEOt1GDUO8mxmvPIB3Wiz9L62A0GTAnY1iWblErNRNZpTjNeeZs1DLWzPQh-/s640/DSC00946.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">View from Halti summit</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySB04EPEVM4l0wkX23tpDOvuOQRBJogHSNDK3WrRI3eToEWbZScgVh3ZkZsaqLJ5wtjPlreRAR01ykNNuz8mbe3LWZJvvzLve3YKZXzI6broYjnaBDlUYqwm-MmUtfwxs0_ukECQc5RPV/s1600/DSC00959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySB04EPEVM4l0wkX23tpDOvuOQRBJogHSNDK3WrRI3eToEWbZScgVh3ZkZsaqLJ5wtjPlreRAR01ykNNuz8mbe3LWZJvvzLve3YKZXzI6broYjnaBDlUYqwm-MmUtfwxs0_ukECQc5RPV/s640/DSC00959.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Back at Pihtsusjärvi</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The final part, from Pihtsusjärvi to Kilpisjärvi goes through open mountain landscape. Near the huts I met quite some people (got another free beer), but once I got past what I considered "the crowd", it was back to solo-hiking. On the last evening, I pitched my tent near the final pass (just before descending to Saarijärvi), with a enormous view looking south on Finland, Sweden and Norway and all it's mountains. Most likely one of the best camping spots I've had so far.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Final campsite</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beer in the fridge</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arriving in Kilpisjärvi</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From Kilpisjärvi I took the bus to Tromsø, the route passes along Lyngen and other inviting landscapes, I arrived in Tromsø not quite done with walking and planning the next trip. After visiting the Polar Museet (including instructions on how to hunt seal cubs) and spending some time with camping-neighbour Marjo (a Finnish ultra-running girl with an Australian accent, solo-cycling to Senja who gave a much needed positive twist on my feelings towards the Fins, kiitos for that!) I took the plane home.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tromsø</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-16027238490232171932015-04-27T07:17:00.001-07:002016-08-26T08:55:06.964-07:00Snowdonia 2015<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zoals eerder te lezen viel, heb ik in december 2013 een stuk Cambrian Way door Snowdonia gelopen. Aangezien het toen behoorlijk mistig was en de dagen erg kort, en aangezien Wales toch ook een stukje thuis is, kon een re-visit niet uitblijven.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Praktisch was het begin net hetzelfde (Antwerpen - Conwy), maar deze keer ben ik tot Barmouth gegaan ipv tot Llanbedr, waarmee Rhinog Fawr, Y Llethr en Diffwys er nu bijgelopen zijn. Een ander verschil was het weer. Waar het vorige keer mistig, koud, nat, enfin, algehele ellende was, kon het nu niet op. 's Nachts vroor het wel stevig, maar eens de zon er wat door kwam, werd het al snel behoorlijk warm. In al mijn optimisme had ik mijn tent thuisgelaten en enkel de bivakzak meegenomen. Aangezien ik mijn slaapzak elke dag even heb kunnen drogen, had ik geen last van condensatie (als overdag uitdrogen niet mogelijk is, wordt dit, los van beloftes van wonderstofjes als eVent of Gore-Tex, toch problematisch na een nacht of drie). De voordelen op vlak van gewichtsbesparing van een tarp - bivvy of tarp - grondzeil combinatie heb ik nog niet ingezien, aangezien je dan op meer gewicht lijkt uit te komen dan met enkel een lichte 1-persoonstent, tenzij je sowieso wandelstokken zou meenenemen. Zonder wandelstokken lijkt bv een Akto me lichter, en als je echt niet afgesloten wil zijn van de buitenwereld is een bivvy wel een optie.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">D1: Antwerpen - Conwy - Drum</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Donderdag 16 april neem ik rond 6u de trein uit Antwerpen naar Brussel, om daar met de Eurostar naar Londen te gaan. Tijdens het overstappen naar Euston ga ik nog gauw in Camden brandalcohol voor mijn Trangia-stoof kopen. De inbeslagname door Eurostar van mijn Leatherman en gas-cartouche anderhalf jaar geleden nog fris in het geheugen doe ik nog een babbel met de eigenaar van de winkel over messen en reglementering in UK en Eurostar, waar ik uiteindelijk niet veel wijzer uit word.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rond 14.30u kom ik aan in Conwy, en om 15u sta ik al van een eerste uitzicht op Anglesey en de Ierse Zee te genieten. Wat later die dag rol ik mijn slaapzak uit op de noordzijde van Drum, en zie op de horizon nog wat bultjes, vermoedelijk het eiland Man en het Lake District. Wat ook opvalt is het behoorlijk grote windmolenpark in zee net ten noorden van Conwy. Google weet me later te vertellen dat Gwynt y Môr met 160 molens het tweede grootste offshore windmolenpark wereldwijd is. Ik kan niet zeggen dat het uitzicht daarmee verpest is voor me. Rond 20u gaat de zon onder en gaan de lichtjes op Anglesey aan. Wat later zijn ook de sterren zichtbaar. Hoewel er nogal wat lichtpollutie is, blijf ik lang op mijn rug liggen en naar boven kijken. Enkele vallende sterren later kruip ik wat dieper in mijn slaapzak. Ah, de geneugten van een bivvy.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Uitzicht op Conwy Bay</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zonsondergang boven Anglesey</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">D2: Drum - Afon Lloar</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Het heeft goed gevroren vannacht, en op mijn bivakzak ligt een laagje rijm. Omdat ik het de laatste uren van de nacht nu ook niet geweldig warm had, besluit ik eerst wat te stappen vooraleer te ontbijten. Een tent heeft toch ook zijn voordelen...</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Het eerste deel van de route van vandaag: Drum en Foel Fras</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Deze reis ben ik niet echt solo, maar heb ik gezelschap van een roze beestje om op de terugweg bij mijn kersverse petekindje achter te laten.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Boven op Foel Fras, zicht op de Carneddau</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Boven op Foel Grach met zicht op de Carneddau</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carnedd Llewelyn</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ik wijk wat af van de route over de Carneddau door tussen Carnedd Llewelyn en Carnedd Dafydd, ter hoogte van Bwlch Cyfryw, de vallei in te duiken tot net voorbij Crib Lem. Eens voorbij Crib Lem volg ik een steil pad tot op de Crib zelf, waar het pad overgaat in een eenvoudige Grade I scramble. Hoewel technisch zeker niet moeilijk, duizelt mijn hoofd al gauw. Niets is hier recht, en overal waar ik kijk is het steil omhoog of omlaag. Mijn lichaam begrijpt niet goed meer wat nu boven en beneden is, en hoe steil een helling precies is. Echt genieten doe ik ook niet van het solo-scramblen, en besluit, vermoedelijk definitief, dat ik scrambles in de toekomst maar laat voor wat ze zijn tijdens mijn solo-tochten. Het uitzicht is zo groots en immens en lijkt niet in mijn hoofd te passen. Een vreemde sensatie.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0B-scE5ohYe_Jh7yUB3CS8i_ELO09CAHm3CuLLycrlNBAb0ph5nGPJd77kvUBT4lnCGjLtOqk1c8N04YxLJ_hSYl_QBahJHR5KQxOATqFG3k68lq4bh_r8_bLkbkMsVgs1lkA3YONZCg/s1600/DSC00292_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0B-scE5ohYe_Jh7yUB3CS8i_ELO09CAHm3CuLLycrlNBAb0ph5nGPJd77kvUBT4lnCGjLtOqk1c8N04YxLJ_hSYl_QBahJHR5KQxOATqFG3k68lq4bh_r8_bLkbkMsVgs1lkA3YONZCg/s1600/DSC00292_1024.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carnedd Dafydd met Crib Lem van op Carnedd Llewelyn. Links zijn ook Tryfan, Glyderau en Yr Wydfa te zien</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carnedd Dafydd en Crib Lem</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Boven op Crib Lem is het nog een korte scree tot op Carnedd Dafydd, waar een erg koude wind me tegemoet komt. Met een paar lagen extra aan hobbel ik de berg af naar Bryn Mawr (het kleine meertje in de cwm, prima overnachtingsplaats). 100m lager, aan de overkant van Afon Lloar zie ik een groot rotsblok in de zon en uit de wind, waarmee mijn keuze voor overnachting snel gemaakt is. Ik geniet nog even na van deze dag in het zonnetje met een tas thee, en leg mijn slaapzak zodanig dat ik kan indommelen met zicht op Tryfan. Wanneer de zond ondergaat rond 20u, gaan er plots lichtjes aan op Tryfan North Ridge (zowat de populairste scramble in Snowdonia). Ook de reddingshelikopter is van de partij, en vertrekt uiteindelijk pas tegen 22u.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">D3: Afon Lloar - Llyn Cwmffynnon</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Halverwege Heather Terrace (ten oosten van Tryfan) merk ik op mijn stafkaart dat de Cambrian Way eigenlijk ten westen van Tryfan loopt, en dat ik uit gewoonte ten oosten naar de Glyders onderweg ben. Wil dat zeggen dat ik een derde keer moet terugkomen? Ach, elk excuus is goed.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Y Garn van Llyn Ogwen</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">De Snowdon groep met Grib Coch vanop Glyder Fach met Castell y Gwynt</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BoVMqfQ9nBv-muGkkm1S7yHhAHulUSuB30eyrEmoKwrdXF7SDxbOeaU7JHnk6nqEgBtD1aSHRfDsnv8YwjL0IqD8n2_TFmJSSceMz-SKpCZOJwnLuwTDFtBuLnu8u4c51q3B-LMNi9kF/s1600/DSC00378_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BoVMqfQ9nBv-muGkkm1S7yHhAHulUSuB30eyrEmoKwrdXF7SDxbOeaU7JHnk6nqEgBtD1aSHRfDsnv8YwjL0IqD8n2_TFmJSSceMz-SKpCZOJwnLuwTDFtBuLnu8u4c51q3B-LMNi9kF/s1600/DSC00378_1024.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">De Snowdon groep en het vervolg van de reis (Rhinogs en Cnicht)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aangezien ik naar goede gewoonte weer flink voorzit op schema, voorzie ik vandaag een erg korte dag, waarin ik enkel de Glyders oversteek. Op Snowdon zelf lijken er me niet veel praktische overnachtingsmogelijkheden, maar ten noorden van Pen-y-Pass is er keuze genoeg. Het waait er ook des te harder. Net onder Moel Berfedd vind ik de bijna-ideale overnachtingsplaats: in de zon, uit de wind, met een groots uitzicht op Snowdon en Crib Goch. Het enige - overkomelijke - nadeel is dat het een half uurtje lopen is naar stromend water.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bivak op Moel Berfedd</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">D4: Llyn Cwmffynnon - Llyn Stwlan</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ik sta rond 6u op, in de hoop de mensenmassa op Snowdon voor te zijn. Het is immers zondag, en Snowdon is nu eenmaal de hoogste top in Wales en Engeland en daardoor erg populair. Vorige keer heb ik het miner's track gevolgd, deze keer ga ik voor het erg goed aangelegde Pyg track. Enkel de hogere gedeeltes zijn zwaar geërodeerd. Naar goede gewoonte bevindt de top zich in de wolken, en word ik er zowat uit mijn sokken geblazen. De ijskristalletjes die snel groeien op mijn rugzak en handschoenen doen me beslissen om, na de obligate foto van het panorama, de thee wat lager op te zetten. Afdalen doe ik langs Rhyd-Ddu, een brede graat, met een geweldig mooi pad.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yr Wydfa en Crib Goch</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Panorama op Yr Wydfa</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Afdalen langs Rhyd-Ddu</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">De Cambrian Way buigt vervolgens af naar het dorpje Beddgelert, maar aangezien ik alles wat ik nodig heb bij me heb, steek ik de vallei rechtstreeks over en vervolg mijn pad over de desolate moors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Het valt me op dat, als je de Cambrian Way volgt, er twee duidelijke delen van de wandeling zijn. Ten noorden van Snowdon zit je in Snowdonia, wandel- en scramble-land. Eens ten zuiden van Snowdon, bevind je je in Wales. Weinig paden of andere wandelaars, en veel "industriëel erfgoed". Overal waar je kijkt, zie je een ontmantelde spoorlijn, een groeve buiten gebruik, de ingang van een mijn, huizen waarvan enkel nog de muren overeind staan... Het draagt bij aan het beeld dat ik ondertussen heb van Noord-Wales, nl. die van een economie die zijn transitie volledig gemist heeft. De mijnen en groeves zijn dicht sinds de jaren '80, en ik zie geen reden waarom er de voorbije 30 jaar niet meer geïnvesteerd is in toerisme zodat Snowdonia een tweede Lake District zou kunnen worden. Met steden als Birmingham en Liverpool op enkele uren rijden zou dat toch een optie moeten zijn? Zou de beruchte koppigheid van de Welshmen er voor wat tussenzitten? Zo gastvrij als het Lake District is, met in elke vallei een pub met lokaal brouwsel en waar wandelaars welkom zijn, zo stug en nors is Wales. Ik vind het zeker niet erg dat ik de komende dagen bijna geen wandelaars tegenkom en de heuvels voor mij alleen heb, maar als je weet dat Wales tot de armste gebieden van de UK behoort, lijk dit me toch een gemiste kans. Maar toch, hierbij een foto van het enige uithangbord dat ik passeer:</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welsh voor Dummies</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hoewel het op de moors nog aanvoelt als winter, is in de valleien de lente aangebroken.</span></div>
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<b>D5: Llyn Stwlan - Rhinog Fach</b><br />
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Een erg mooie en lange dag vandaag. Via Maentwrog en via een lange heuvelrug tot Clip, daar de vallei over en Rhinog Fawr op. Ik kom de ganse dag geen wandelaars tegen en geniet van een windstille en zonnige dag, waarvan ik zelfs niet wist dat ze bestonden. Mijn laatste bivak is aan Llyn Cwmhosan, net voor Rhinog Fach.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boven op Craig Ddrwg, een tegemoetkoming aan de kritiek dat er nooit mensen op mijn foto's te zien zijn</td></tr>
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<b>D6: Rhinog Fach - Barmouth</b><br />
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De geur van spek met eieren uit Barmouth komt me tegemoet, en ik ben om 5:45u op pad. Na een steile klim tot op Y Llethr volg ik opnieuw een lange heuvelrug tot net boven Barmouth, waar ik aankom rond 11u, op tijd voor een erg uitgebreid ontbijt.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Op Y Llethr, terugkijkend op Rhinog Fach</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5042831715719234556.post-90887862700619799512014-08-31T02:29:00.002-07:002016-08-26T08:55:23.413-07:00Rondane en Dovrefjell 2014<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Na een warme 'glamping' zomervakantie met zwemmen in riviertjes en meren in Zuid-Frankrijk (Verdon en Vaucluse) werd het tijd om het wat noordelijker te zoeken. Het schijnt dat 2014 een van de mooiste zomers is geweest in Noorwegen. Zowel mei, juni, juli als de eerste twee weken van augustus was er prachtig weer, zowel op de zuidkust als in de bergen. Ik kom toe op 14 augustus :) Het plan was om 12 dagen het DNT pad door Rondane en Dovrefjell te volgen, gecombineerd met enkele toppen en cross-country stukjes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Rondane: Rondvassbu (15/8) - Haverdalen (18/8)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Na donderdagavond laat in Oslo toegekomen te zijn, neem ik woensdagochtend de trein naar Otta, om daar de bus naar Spranget te nemen (6km voor Rondvassbu). Vanaf daar is het te voet te doen. Ik wandel die namiddag nog een stukje door en overnacht in de vallei ±300m boven Rondvassbu, waar zich het eerste probleem van de reis aandient: mijn matje blijkt lek na 10 jaar trouwe dienst. De komende nachten zou me duidelijk worden dat een matje geen overbodige luxe is. Niet zozeer qua comfort, maar vooral op vlak van isolatie blijkt dit onontbeerlijk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">De volgende ochtend laat ik het goed-weer-alternatief Storronden - Vinjeronden - Rondslottet, gezien de slechte zichtbaarheid, regen en hagel, voor een volgende keer. Meteen steil omhoog dan maar, eerst naar de pas tussen Storronden en Vinjeronden, dan via deze laatste naar Rondslottet, met 2178m de hoogste van Rondane (naar het schijnt kan je Glittertinden en Galdhoppigen in Jotunheimen zien liggen bij goed weer). Het pad is duidelijk en eenvoudig te volgen, wat maar best is gezien de slechte zichtbaarheid. Eens boven heb ik net de tijd om een fotootje te maken, waarna het begint te sneeuwen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aangezien het nog niet opgehouden heeft met regenen (en boven nog steeds sneeuwt?), schrap ik de volgende dag het volgende goed-weer-alternatief Høgronden - Midtronden - Digeronden, en volg Langglupdalen naar Dørålseter. Het is een erg mistige en natte dag, waarbij ik zowat voortdurend in een mistbubbel lijk te wandelen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heel even verschuiven er enkele wolken, en krijg ik de schouders van Rondslottet te zien. In de mist is het moeilijk om hoogtes en afstanden in te schatten, wat het zicht op Rondslottet vermoedelijk nog indrukwekkender maakt dan bij helder weer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eens Dørålseter voorbij klim ik verder tot de pas van Stygghøin, met geaccidenteerd terrein. Ik doe een uur over de pakweg een kilometer losliggende rotsblokken die door de regen ook erg glad zijn. Bergen zijn per definitie een hoop stenen, maar dat is hier toch erg letterlijker te nemen. Aan de noordkant liggen nog enkele sneeuwvelden, waarover het eenvoudiger glijden/wandelen is. Net onder de volgende pas, en nog hoog boven het volgende dal, Haverdalen, zet ik mijn tentje op.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ik ben de afgelopen dagen nog maar weinig mensen tegengekomen. Tijdens het afdalen van Rondslottet ben ik er twee tegengekomen, de volgende dag nog eens 3, en deze derde dag kom ik niemand tegen tot de volgende hut, Grimdalshytta, en lijk ik het uitgestrekte Haverdalen voor mij alleen te hebben, een enorme beleving.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Haverdalen vormt ook de grens tussen Rondane en Dovrefjell. Moest ik een reisgids over Rondane schrijven op basis van mijn huidige ervaringen, ik zou het "50 Shades of Grey" moeten noemen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Dovrefjell: Haverdalen (18/8) - Hoemsbu (26/8)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Goed, tot zover geen succes wat uitzichten e.d. betreft. Hopelijk klaart het weer wat op in Dovrefjell. Ik zou het ook niet erg vinden mocht ik de gelegenheid krijgen om mijn uitrusting te drogen. Tegen dat ik aan Dovrefjell begin, zijn enkel mijn muts en slaapzak nog quasi droog (ik ben blij dat mijn slaapzak in 3 waterdichte lagen ingepakt is in navolging van het eerste gebod van kamperen, uw slaapzak zal droogblijven).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">De twee eerste dagen in Dovrefjell brengen weinig verandering, het regent gestaag verder. De eerste nacht slaap ik boven Grimdalshytta in een zeer desolaat landschap. Niets lijkt hier te leven, behalve mossen. En de aarde zelf natuurlijk, op haar eigen tempo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doordat het zowat voortdurend regent, begint mijn slaapzak langzaam maar zeker ook nat te worden, en besluit ik mijn volgende (zevende) nacht in Reinheimshytta door te brengen in de hoop alles daar uit te laten drogen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zo ver zijn we echter nog niet. Uit het dal van Kongsvoll is het even klimmen naar Stroplsjødalen. Eens boven de boomgrens, zie ik in de verte een paar grijze blokjes op de horizon. Dat een van de blokjes in galop gaat, bevestigt mijn vermoeden dat het muskusossen zijn. Zoals het waarschuwingsbordje in de vallei doet lezen, kan je best uit de buurt blijven van deze toch wel schattig uitziende grazers. Binnen de 200m durven ze namelijk aan te vallen. Weglopen heeft weinig zin, aangezien onze wollige vrienden tot 60km/h halen. Ze wegen tot 400kg, bereken zelf maar de impact (f=m.a was het, toch?). Het goede nieuws is, zo hoor ik enkele dagen later van een jager, is dat het laatste dodelijke ongeluk uit de jaren '60 dateert. Sindsdien wel wat ongelukjes met gebroken ribben en dergelijke, maar niets ernstigs, voegt hij eraan toe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Het probleem tussen Kongsvoll naar Reinheim is dat de muskusossen geen weet hebben van een mensenpad dat daar loopt. Zich van geen kwaad bewust, zetten ze zich lekker breed, en palmen de ganse vallei in op zoek naar het laatste eenzaam grassprietje dat nog tussen het mos groeit. Een paar 100m voor me zie ik er eentje op het pad. Naar links afbuigen heeft weinig zin, want daar staat een groepje van 5. Naar rechts staan er ook, maar dan wat verder. Terwijl ik op een rotsblok uitkijk en een route sta te bedenken tussen de ossen, komt er een groep Duitsers uit de vallei mijn richting uit. Veel heb ik niet onthouden van kansberekening, maar het lijkt me alleszins verstandiger om in groep tussen de beestjes te lopen dan alleen (dat ik langere benen heb dan de gemiddelde Duitser speelt ook mee). De zig-zag route wekt wat waarschuwend geknor op, maar verder worden we genegeerd. Goed te weten dat het aanvallen binnen de 200m niet al te letterlijk genomen wordt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eens aan de andere kant van de kudde, gaan de Duitsers en ik elk onze eigen weg. Het is nog vroeg in de namiddag als ik aan Reinheimshytta aankom, maar het vooruitzicht om in een natte slaapzak in een natte tent op een nat (en plat) matje te slapen... het is uiteindelijk nog vakantie. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Die avond wordt mijn beeld van de Noorse hutten weer bevestigd. Boeiende gesprekken met historici, lieve mensen met gedroogd fruit die de kunst van het vuurmaken bezitten, jagers en vegetariërs die aanschuiven aan dezelfde tafel en geïnteresseerd naar elkaar luisteren... De avond is veel te kort, vooral wanneer laat op de dag ook nog 2 Nederlandse meisjes Snøhetta afrollen tot in de hut. Het extraverte deel van het duo zet zich aan tafel en begint honderduit te vertellen en te lachen om (ik gok) haar post-traumatische stress te verwerken (hoe slechter het weer, hoe uitgelatener de sfeer in de berghut). Het introverte deel van het duo maakt thee en spaghetti. Blijkbaar zijn de omstandigheden op Snøhetta niet van de poes, en is er een serieus pak verse sneeuw gevallen de afgelopen dagen, waardoor ze er zelf niet overheen geraakt zijn. Daar gaat goed-weer-alternatief 3. 's Ochtends vraagt de Noorse jager of ik misschien ook zin heb in spek met eieren. Hmm, toch even denken hoor...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">De volgende dagen is het een ietsje droger, maar het blijft toch vooral nat. Het plateau tussen Åmotsdalshytta is vlak en loopt lekker. De volgende twee nachten zijn ook geweldig mooi kamperen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aangekomen in Grøvudalen dient zich het tweede ernstige probleem aan. Mijn Kindle is stuk. Geen "1Q84" van Murakami meer dus (en dus ook geen beschrijvingen van miso-soep of sandwiches met komkommer en wasabi meer, ieder nadeel heb z'n voordeel). Ik spendeer het grootste deel van de avond aan pogingen om een kampvuurtje te maken met nat hout en vochtig gras. Geen succes, in Reinheimshytta was ook al gebleken dat ik geen held ben met vuur. De volgende ochtend ben ik meteen op weg naar de volgende hut, Grøvudalshytta, in de hoop iets fatsoenlijks te lezen te vinden. De brug naar de hut blijkt aan reparatie toe te zijn, maar met wat gevoel voor avontuur geraak ik er zonder problemen over.</span></div>
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In Grøvudalshytta ben ik in eerste instantie opgelucht als ik de boekenkast ontdek. Van de ± 100 boeken die daar staan, moet er toch iets deftigs tussen zitten. Het resultaat zal uiteindelijk het - mijn mening uiteraard - erbarmelijke "The Bleeding Heart" van Marilyn French worden (de keuze in Engelstalige werken was eerder beperkt, en mijn Noors is tot nog toe onvoldoende). Ik durf mezelf al eens te bezondigen aan chicklit, en beschouw mijn smaak als behoorlijk breed (of op zijn minst ben ik toch tolerant), maar dit krijg ik echt niet binnen: "Her cheekbones longed for water" en dergelijke... </div>
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Soit, verder wandelen dan maar, over bergpassen die nooit echt zwaar zijn wat hoogteverschillen betreft. Wel zijn er veel delen waar het over rotsblokken gaan is, wat zowel fysisch als mentaal vermoeiend is.</div>
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Een van de meer memorabele momenten van de reis: sola skinner i Norge!</div>
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Wanneer ik Aursjøhytta passeer, besluit ik binnen te gaan eten. De Rømmegrøt en rendiersalami gaan er vlotjes in.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaevEANbrO4lEtvhQQX5aexXcxAo1CA81hFrlN2L5cw_l-MeKsHAcYIBqbCa-PrI7ptumpePiNvuESRY2KLb1zTOVg_FBeR_sdg4CQ6jB9sDrrPGEfZ83O44AD5t2HMWEt5cTpEK2KUNv/s1600/IMG_1905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaevEANbrO4lEtvhQQX5aexXcxAo1CA81hFrlN2L5cw_l-MeKsHAcYIBqbCa-PrI7ptumpePiNvuESRY2KLb1zTOVg_FBeR_sdg4CQ6jB9sDrrPGEfZ83O44AD5t2HMWEt5cTpEK2KUNv/s1600/IMG_1905.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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De volgende dag gaat van Aursjohytta naar Hoemsbu. Opnieuw kom ik niemand tegen, behalve een jagend koppel van ± 50j. Een romantisch weekendje in Dovrefjell.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Tg_U1-VFBX6n5JTAqoJhOmnqcYvcLtHm0r9zfu44n11M15RaiFXS38NlC-OTouZYk9vOXZfUunoEqpI6KiXq6CsptuTuPA-zQfWxVgE1WFW-jDAqMU6VxkBRAhUr7bQHXr4Gwt_6exdo/s1600/IMG_1922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Tg_U1-VFBX6n5JTAqoJhOmnqcYvcLtHm0r9zfu44n11M15RaiFXS38NlC-OTouZYk9vOXZfUunoEqpI6KiXq6CsptuTuPA-zQfWxVgE1WFW-jDAqMU6VxkBRAhUr7bQHXr4Gwt_6exdo/s1600/IMG_1922.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Laatste bivak net voor de afdaling naar Hoemsbu:</div>
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Afdaling naar Hoemsbu met zicht op Romsdalen:</div>
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Ik besluit al liftend en met openbaar vervoer naar Åndalsnes te reizen. De eerste lift is achter in de koffer bij een oud noors koppel. Twee liften later sta ik aan de bushalte in Visdalen, waar ik de bus naar Åndalsnes en de trein naar Oslo kan nemen. Tijdens de half uur durende busrit krijg ik privé-les Noors van de buschauffeur.</div>
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Oslo, alwaar ik me met prio een deftig boek aanschaf, gelukkig is daar Norli in de Universitetsgata:</div>
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3. Afterthougths</div>
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Hoewel Dovrefjell beter meeviel qua weersomstandigheden dan Rondane, bleek het daar ook eerder herfst- dan zomerweer. Veel spectaculaire uitzichten heb ik daardoor niet gehad, maar toch zou ik morgen meteen terug gaan. De desolaatheid van het landschap, het slechts zeer sporadisch tegenkomen van andere wandelaars en jagers en het aanhoudende hondenweer hebben voor een combinatie gezorgd die, hoewel zeker niet altijd 'leuk', toch weer voor een aantal ervaringen heeft gezorgd om vast te houden. </div>
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Ook goed te weten is dat het best mogelijk is om in slecht weer een week buiten te blijven. Als ik dit vergelijk met mijn eerste tocht in Noorwegen over de Hardangervidda, waarin het slechts een tikkeltje beter weer was, rendeert de ervaring die ik de voorbije jaren heb opgedaan. Dat ik sindsdien een Hilleberg Akto meeneem (fly first) in plaats van een TNF Tadpole 23 helpt uiteraard ook. Langer dan een week lijkt me zeker niet onmogelijk, maar dan is een rustdag waarin de tent kan blijven staan noodzakelijk. </div>
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Mijn insteek tegenover gewicht lijkt ook weer wat te verschuiven. In plaats van zo licht mogelijk, merk ik nu toch de neiging robuustheid meer te appreciëren, bijvoorbeeld closed cell matje vs open cell, papieren boek vs e-reader, Trangia vs MSR Pocket Rocket... Ik vermoed dat dit uiteindelijk weer een 2kg extra zal opleveren, waarmee ik waarschijnlijk weer boven de 15kg uit zal komen (incl eten), maar misschien kan ik nog wat besparen op minder essentiële zaken? Op naar de volgende trekking om verder te experimenteren!</div>
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