And so I have been on the sixth overnight stay on my challenge for the year: 52 Weeks of Wilderness: A Year of Adventure Camping and Hiking in the Stavanger Area, Norway

Minimum one overnight sleep in nature every week in 2024.

Stavanger Adventure offers premium private guided hikes, tailored to fit your preferences for a personalized and unforgettable outdoor experience.

Weather and Conditions: 

Rain, wind, and low temperatures have been the norm lately, and week 6 was no exception. Due to business travel and flight delays, there was no time for an overnight stay during the workweek, so this time, the pack was prepared on Friday afternoon.

For a change, this time I was accompanied by some family members in the evening. We decided to enjoy our dinner in the great outdoors this Friday. 

The journey to the campsite progressed slowly, but as evident from the picture to the right, taking our time was prudent. On this terrain, just one wrong step could lead to serious mishaps.

Campsite Selection: 

Due to the weather and because I had company this time, I decided to head to the forest that has become my second home this year. This was to ensure that we found a spot sheltered from the wind and rain, and so we could quickly start a good fire to keep warm and make sure we had enough heat to prepare our dinner.

Preparation and Gear: 

If you're interested in a more detailed description of the equipment I use and my thoughts about it, you can read more about it in THIS post.

For this trip, my preparations were minimal and straightforward. I simply charged the batteries for my heated clothing and made some adjustments to the packing list.

Equipment in the backpack for this

hike included:

• Leatherman Wave

• iPhone 13 mini as main camera

• First-aid kit

• Toilet paper

• Water bottle

• LED light for the tent

• Buff (multifunctional neck/headwear)

• Beanie

• 2 firestarter packs + lighter

• Foldable cup + Spork

• Small electric pump

• Sami knife

• Folding saw

• Headlamp

• Winter sleeping bag

• Sleeping pad

• Tent - Unna

• Foldable chair

• Gloves with electric heating

• Extra Non-Inflatable Sleeping Pad

Additional or reduced from last hike:

+ Gas burner (for morning coffee)

Food and drink:

• Lars Monsen's Mac and Cheese (dry food)

• 2 liter of water

• Coffee

Thoughts and Experiences: 

It was really delightful to have company around the fire for a change, and a great atmosphere enveloped the fire pit on this Friday evening.

After dinner was savored, tales exchanged, and all the camp songs in the book belted out (you can choose to believe this part :)), the guests gathered their gear, lit their flashlights, and embarked on their journey back to the welcoming warmth of a cozy living room and the inviting softness of their beds.

As tranquility once again descended around the fire, I had the chance to sort through the week's thoughts and, eventually, contentedly settled into my tent to read a book I had purchased due to earlier flight delays in the week. The book, titled "The Thursday Murder Club," was somewhat enjoyable, but I'm uncertain if I would recommend it.

Once the book was read and done with, I cozied into my sleeping bag, setting the stage for a sound night's sleep. For once, there was no early morning alarm to rush me off to work, so I was particularly looking forward to a restful night.

After a good night's sleep, it was delightful to wake up knowing I had plenty of time for my morning routine. This included making coffee and enjoying it with a piece of chocolate while still nestled in my sleeping bag. Few things can surpass this sense of well-being, especially when I can also gaze out at nature from my tent, perhaps catching sight of birds going about their morning rituals.

To make coffee from within my sleeping bag, I prefer using a gas burner, as I believe it's safer than using multi-fuel options. A useful tip to remember is that gas performs poorly in cold weather, so to ensure it works, I warm up the gas canister by placing it in my sleeping bag for a while. Many people, myself included, have experienced the frustration of trying to heat food or drinks with gas in cold weather without success, so this is something worth considering.

Learnings and Adjustments: 

So, what did I learn this time around?Firstly, having visitors was very pleasant, and I believe they also appreciated the chance to enjoy some fresh air and have dinner around the campfire. This is something we aim to do more often.

Secondly, I must admit it was incredibly delightful to lie in the tent reading a book while the rain pattered on the canvas and the wind whistled through the treetops. It goes to show that one doesn't necessarily need to be active to enjoy the wilderness.

Thirdly, and perhaps somewhat obviously, it was wonderfully relaxing to savor my morning coffee without the rush of having to head off to work.

See you on the trail!!

Espen

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