And so I have been on the eight 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.
On my Week 08 overnight adventure, I was fortunate to have my good friend Atle join me. Atle is an avid hiker and always great company. With rain and wind in the forecast, we decided to explore a new area, specifically Oltedal, which until now I had only passed through. Rumor had it there was a shelter beneath a colossal rock high up in the mossy scree where one could sleep.
We set off on Saturday morning, arriving early at the trailhead. We ventured into the forest in search of the rumored shelter. Despite a minor misdirection and some tough terrain navigation, we finally found the shelter, which pleasantly surprised us with ample space for sleeping, cooking over a fire, and even dancing if one felt inclined.
After settling in, we decided to conquer the mountain beside us, Hågå. Retracing our steps slightly towards the car, we found the trail leading up the mountainside. The path was steep, slippery, and wet, making the ascent quite challenging. Once we reached the flatter highlands, we faced wet snow, which made our trek even more strenuous.
However, the thrill of flushing out ptarmigans, spotting fresh fox tracks, and observing several birds of prey made us forget our fatigue. The view from the summit offered a stunning vista over much of Rogaland, and we patted ourselves on the back for reaching the top. The descent was equally steep and demanding, but with patience, we made it safely back to the forest.
Back at the shelter, we cooked up a storm, with fresh pasta and chorizo sausages, served with a mussel soup sauce – an unusual combo but highly recommended. As the evening progressed, we noticed a change in the light outside the shelter. Stepping out, we were greeted by a spectacular display, which I'll let the pictures describe, as words hardly do it justice.
A night by the fire filled with great conversation was followed by a restful sleep until the morning light peeked in. We kindled a small fire, enjoyed coffee, chocolate, and oatmeal, then packed up and expressed our gratitude for the experience.
See you on the trail!!
Espen
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