Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 12

Remembering the
Heroes of
We had been cross-country skiing
into a strong, steady wind all
day across the Hardangervidda-
Europe's largest mountain plateau.
On our backs we carried everything
needed to survive the subzero
weather of the Norwegian winter:
sleeping bag, warm clothes,
food, water, coffee, camp stove,
headlamp and first aid and
personal hygiene items. Some of
us also packed history books about
our reason for being here.
" Mitch, I will lead the last 3 kilometers.
There is a river ahead and I know the best place
to cross, " our Norwegian guide, Øivind " Tank "
Tangstad said.
Tank quickened his pace slightly, took the lead
from me, and we fell in behind him. We pressed
on, racing the increasing wind and darkness. We
crossed the frozen river and began another uphill
slog, each of us wondering when we would see the
outline of the hut.
After another hour of skiing, it fi nally emerged
We stopped for a few minutes every hour to cram
calories in our mouth and drink water. Breaks were
short. They had to be. Frostbite and hypothermia
would occur in minutes if we were not moving and
generating body heat, and a storm was inbound
from the North Atlantic. We had to get to the hut
before it hit. The sun dropped below the ridgeline,
and the snowfi elds immediately turned from
blinding white to pale gray. After eight hours of
skiing, we had not yet reached our destination.
from the darkness. Several of our group raced
ahead to get the day over with and cross their personal
mental and physical fi nish lines. At the hut's
door, I stepped out of my skis and unshouldered
my pack. This was the end of the fi rst day. It was
early March 2023. Before I went inside to warmth,
comfort and safety, I recalled the saying that
80 years earlier had helped motivate the young
heroes whose World War II deeds we were honoring:
" A man is he who walks until he can walk no
longer, and then walks twice as far again. "
I thought, I think I could turn around and ski
back to where we started, but I sure am glad I don't
have to tonight!
12
Jan/Feb 2024
sonsofnorway.com
PHOTOS SCOTICA FILM

http://www.sonsofnorway.com

Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024

Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 1
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 2
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 3
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 4
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 5
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 6
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 7
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 8
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 9
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 10
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 11
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 12
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 13
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 14
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 15
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 16
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 17
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 18
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 19
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 20
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 21
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 22
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 23
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 24
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 25
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 26
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 27
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 28
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 29
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 30
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 31
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2024 - 32
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