[5-8 |] Ski tours in the Jotunheimen [5-9] Summer in the Jotunheimen can be an adventure, but it's not a bad place to visit in winter either. [5-10] Ski tours in the high mountains require more preparations and abilities than hikes, but with the right gear and common sense, it's easy to go from lodge to lodge in the winter mountains. [5-11] It's of course also possible to stay at lodges and take day trips in the wintertime. [5-12] In this part of the Jotunheimen, the following routes are marked in the Easter mountains: [5-13 |] Gjendesheim/Bessheim - Glitterheim, glitterheim-Spiterstulen, Spiterstulen - Leirvassbu, Leirvassbu - Gjendebu, Gjendebu - Memurubu, Memurubu - Gjendesheim, Memurubu - Glitterheim, Bessheim - Sikkilsdalsseter, Gjendesheim - Oskampen [5-14] For further details, see the information from DNT for each winter season and the book "På ski I fjellet", published by the Touring Association in 1991. [5-15]
[5-16 |] Hiking gear [5-17] Mountain weather is unpredictable and changing; consequently it's best to be prepared for the worst. [5-18] You should expect rain and wind, and even of a summer day, it can snow. [5-19] So it's always necessary to take along warm clothes and good water-repellent and windproof garments whenever you intend to go on longer hikes in the high mountains. [5-20] And not least something decent to have on your feet. [5-21] Good footwear is half the hike. [5-22] In the summer, suitable footwear probably is the most important item you wear in the mountains, so it's sensible to carefully consider your choice of boots. [5-23] For most people, it's best to rely on decent leather boots, particularly in as demanding terrain as in the Jotunheimen. [5-24] Good boots provide support for your legs and good grip on the ground. [5-25] They keep your feet relatively dry, both from moisture from the outside and sweat from the inside, and need not be particularly heavy. [5-26] When you know that the tour will mostly go in very wet terrain, rubber boots can be a natural choice of footgear, provided you have strong legs. [5-27] There also are those who wear jogging shoes on mountain hikes, regardless of the weather. [5-28] Even though the track they will walk isn't particularly dry or the terrain especially easy to walk, they choose jogging shoes. [5-29] If you have strong legs and aren't reluctant to walk wet the whole day, of course that may be a solution. [5-30] As with most other mountain equipment, with footwear you must find the compromise that suits you and your needs. [5-31] If you must buy new boots for a mountain tour, it's smart to have tried them out well in advance. [5-32] Save from boots, it is, however, not necessary to buy expensive, special equipment for summer hiking in the mountains. [5-33] Most people already have wool underwear, a heavy shirt, hiking pants and a warm sweater. [5-34] Rainwear and a weatherbreaker jacket are also found in most wardrobes. [5-35] If you also take along a warm cap and a pair of gloves, you are well prepared for most types of weather (moreover, see the equipment list). [5-36] DNT has tested several types of mountain gear and can give you further advice if there is anything you want to know. [5-37]
[5-38] Equipment list for summer hikes with nights in lodges [5-39] The list has been compiled by the Touring Association on the basis of long experience on what's generally sensible to have on and with you in the mountains on a summer day. [5-40] If the weather's warm, you will have more in your pack; if it's colder, you'll wear more. [5-41]
[5-42 |] Clothing [5-43 |] Underpants [5-44] Undershirt, short or long armed (of wool or another material suitable for the mountains) [5-45 |] Shirt or light sweater [5-46 |] Pants or knickers of cotton (or similar material) [5-47 |] Wool socks [5-48 |] Long wool stockings [5-49 |] Boots [5-50]
[5-51 |] In your pack or pockets: [5-52 |] Anorak/wind jacket [5-53 |] Wind pants [5-54 |] Cap [5-55 |] Scarf [5-56 |] Sweater/jacket of wool or fleece [5-57 |] Rainwear (if your windproof clothing also is suitable as rainwear) [5-58 |] Spare undershirt, of wool or another material suitable for the mountains [5-59 |] Spare underpants, of wool or another material suitable for the mountains [5-60 |] Light indoor shoes [5-61 |] Light indoor clothing [5-62 |] Gloves/mittens [5-63 |] Short pants [5-64 |] Lunch pack [5-65 |] Thermos [5-66 |] Map and compass [5-67 |] Map folder, preferably with pencil and paper [5-68 |] Mosquito repellent [5-69 |] Toilet articles [5-70 |] Towel [5-71 |] Sheet sleeping sack or sleeping bag [5-72 |] First aid kit [5-73 |] Boot waterproofing [5-74 |] Sun glasses [5-75 |] Suntan cream [5-76 |] Emergency ration (such as chocolate) [5-77 |] Matches [5-78 |] Keys (to lodges, home, car) [5-79 |] Membership card, Touring Association [5-80]
[5-81] This sort of equipment in an ordinary rucksack will weigh 7 - 10 kg. [5-82]
[5-83] For tenting in the mountains in summer you should also have: [5-84 |] Sleeping bag [5-85 |] Sleeping pad [5-86 |] Cookset and fuel [5-87 |] Plates and cutlery [5-88 |] Food [5-89 |] Tent [5-90]
[5-91 |] Take children to the mountains [5-92] It's enjoyable to take children along to the mountains. [5-93] It's a new way to experience the outdoors for us adults also. [5-94] In any case, in the beginning it's sensible to base your venture on staying at a tourist lodge and going on outings around the lodge. [5-95] If you wish to go from lodge to lodge with children, you should try it gradually. [5-96] Some children can go from lodge to lodge at age five; others probably aren't interested before they are eight or nine. [5-97] It varies from child to child, and the most foolish thing we parents can do is to push children on tours for which they aren't motivated. [5-98] In the beginning, hikes of up to four hours can be satisfactory. [5-99] Count on taking twice the number of hours given on the map at the back of the brochure. [5-100] Here you must allow time for frequent and long rests and lots of time to wonderment and exploration. [5-101] Children can ask more than ten wise men can explain, so it's best to be a little prepared, for example with a small mountain flora in your chest pocket. [5-102] If you've thought in advance about what sort of activities the family can engage in on the way, it's easier to motivate small legs to hike onwards. [5-103] Several tourist lodges have with time adapted well to families with children. [5-104] They often have both games and children's book to loan out. [5-105]
[5-106 |] Map and compass [5-107] The maps at the back of this book are in 1:100,000 scale. [5-108] This means that a centimeter on the map is a kilometer in terrain. [5-109] They are suitable for planning and taking hikes along marked routes. [5-110] If you ramble away from the trails, I recommend that you also acquire maps in 1:50,000 scale. [5-111] All of Norway is covered by this type of map. [5-112] Even though the routs in this book are marked and described, there's no doubt that a map and compass belong on a trip. [5-113] Regrettably, there are a few too many who forget that, and experience has shown that many who have map and compass have not learned how to use these aids. [5-114] If you are to be a confident at orienteering in mountains and woods, you must practice a log, and that's where many hikers fall flat. [5-115] They follow marking in the belief that it's so good that it isn't necessary to follow along on the map. [5-116] As a rule, the hike goes well anyway. [5-117] But in many cases, you can be lead astray if you don't know exactly where you are and what you have around you of the landscape. [5-118] When in good weather you're following a marked trail, you should take the opportunity to practice skills, so that you become confident in map and compass use. [5-119] When bad weather comes, it's too late. [5-120] If you loose track of the marking and your sense of direction, it can be vital to know where you are on the map and to be able to find a bearing with the compass and find your way back to the marking. [5-121] Those who don't use map and compass, have moreover a lesser experience of the mountains. [5-122] Much of the joy of a mountain trip is precisely to learn to know a new area and to learn the names of mountains and formations as you ramble by. [5-123] So you should make a hibit of following along with the map on the way, so you always know where you are. [5-124]
[5-125 |] Taking a bearing [5-126] When you wish to take a bearing, do it this way: [5-127]
[5-128] 1 Place the compass on the map. [5-129] Lay the long edge of the compass, with the direction of travel arrow from where you are to the your destination. [5-130]
[5-131] 2 Turn the movable housing so that the orienting arrow is parallel with the north-south lines on the map. [5-132]
[5-133] 3 Lift the compass from the map. [5-134] Hold the compass flat and turn until the magnetic needle in the housing lies parallel over the orienting arrow. [5-135]
[5-136] 4 The direction of travel arrow points toward your destination. [5-137]
[5-138 |] In case of accident [5-139] Even though most mountain tours go on without indicent, you should be prepared to act should the opposite occur. [5-140] Regardless of how well organized the Norwegian rescue services are, you yourself are responsible for not getting into situations where accidents occur. [5-141] It's easier to act sensible when the forces of nature break loose if you have thought through situations in advance. [5-142] The best way to tackle dangers is to learn to avoid them. [5-143]
[5-144 |] Main rules for first aid [5-145] Of course, the same rules for lifesaving first aid apply in the mountains as elsewhere. [5-146]
[5-147] 1. Ensure free airways. [5-148] An unconscious person should be laid in a stable lateral position. [5-149] If the patient isn't breathing, you should start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. [5-150] If the patient has no pulse, in addition you should start chest compression. [5-151] 2. Stop heavy bleeding. [5-152] Heavy, lethal bleeding must be stopped as fast as possible. [5-153] Use a pressure bandage or a bloodstopper. [5-154] 3. Prevent circulation failure. [5-155] Try to comfort the patient. [5-156] If needed, position him with elevated legs. [5-157] Wrap the patient well in warm clothing, a sleeping bag or blankets. [5-158] 4. Prevent infection. [5-159] Cover open wounds, preferable with sterile compresses. [5-160] Splint or stabilize fractures such that onward transport can be as gentle as possible. [5-161] 5. Transport. [5-162] Call for help, Tel: 112 (police, rescue services) or 113 (doctor, ambulance), for instance from a staffed lodge, and prepare for transport after the patient's condition has stabilized. [5-163] Remember that you cannot rely on mobile telephone coverage everywhere in the mountains. [5-164]
[5-165 |] Blisters [5-166] The hiker's most common affliction is easier to prevent than cure. [5-167] Blisters most often occur where a boot rubs or presses against the foot, at the heel, instep, or outer sides of the toes. [5-168] Places that redden due to rubbing should be covered with broad adhesive plaster bandages, athletic tape or blister block bandages. [5-169] Places exposed to pressure should be padded to distribute the pressure. [5-170] If you know that you easily get blisters or if you have boots that irritate particular parts of your feet, it's just as good to plaster affected areas before you start walking. [5-171] If you have new boots that aren't decently broken in, you should be especially watchful to prevent blistering. [5-172] If a blister has developed to a water blister, you can puncture or clip a hole in the blister with a sterilized knife, needle or scissors. [5-173] Thereafter, cut a compress or bit of foam rubber so it lies around the wound and there's no direct pressure that irritates further when you walk onward.