Viking Magazine - May/Jun 2023 - 31

ILLUSTRATION: RANDALL NELSON
AMBASSADOR INSIGHTS
Summertime " rules " for the great outdoors
BY ANNIKEN KRUTNES
S
ummer is on its way! With warm
weather and free time oſten come
plans to visit the great outdoors-especially
in Norway, where vacationers may
be treated to hours of extra sunlight. It's
no secret that many travelers particularly
enjoy the mountains, home to some
truly stunning views.
However, a proper mountain experience
requires some preparation. This is
where our fjellvettregler, or " mountain
common sense rules, " come in handy.
And, as more than one Norwegian has
pointed out, these tips are useful for
more than just an encounter with the
natural world.
Here are the rules we ask naturelovers
to commit to when they visit
Norway, at any time of year.
1. Plan your trip and let others know
where you are going. The last thing
anybody wants is to find themselves
lost on a mountainside with no WiFi
signal and no way to get home! It's wise
to make some decisions in advance
about where you intend to hike and
to share this with at least one other
person, so that you can be found in case
of emergency. This is, of course, a good
way to embark on any big undertaking.
2. Adapt your plans according to
ability and conditions. Making a plan
is important, but not so important that
you should stick to it even if you're feeling
short of breath, you've got a blister
on your heel and the wind is threatening
to bowl you over. Some flexibility is
needed for every part of life, and a trip
to the mountains is no exception!
3. Pay attention to the weather and
to avalanche warnings. Up where snow
may cover the peaks even at warmer
times of year, conditions can change
quickly. Again, flexibility is key-be
willing to reschedule your plans if
things start to look dicey.
@sonsofnorway
4. Be ready for any kind of weather
you might encounter, even on shorter
excursions. This might mean wearing
layers that you can take off, always
packing a raincoat and making sure
that you have footwear that can handle
mud and snow alike. It's always smart
to come prepared!
5. Bring the necessary equipment to
help yourself and others. You never
know what might happen, and if something
unexpected should occur, you'll
want to have gear on hand that will
make your experience easier. For
example, while you should always have
a first-aid kit, you might also think
about items that could be helpful for
the terrain and weather you'll be experiencing.
This rule is a great reminder
to approach life's ups and downs in
ways that anticipate potential hurdles.
6. Choose safe routes and be able to
recognize avalanche-prone terrain
and unsafe ice. If you're not used to
walking in places that are vulnerable to
avalanches, it's vital to read up on what
to look out for and what to avoid. More
generally, know your own limits and
pick a route that will be safe for what
you're hoping to accomplish. Adventure
is worth a challenge-but not putting
yourself in danger!
7. Use a map and compass-and
always know where you are. As in the
United States, Norway has many areas
of breathtaking natural beauty, and it's
only human to want to go off the beaten
path. However, it isn't safe to do so if
it means you'll be heightening your
chances of becoming lost. Compasses
and paper maps are especially helpful
for finding your way, as they don't rely
on battery power or phone service, so
it's worth learning how to use them
effectively. This rule prompts us to go
old-school sometimes, to look away
from our devices when we need to be
most grounded.
8. Turn back when needed-there
is no shame in it. If a trip to the
mountains isn't working for you for
any reason, it's okay to decide to head
home. You can always try again another
time. This, of course, applies to many
personal goals. Now might not be the
best time for a particular challenge,
but later could be!
9. Conserve your strength and seek
shelter when necessary. When out in
nature, we need to be able to trust our
bodies, which means taking good care
of them. Staying hydrated, eating when
hungry, progressing at a sustainable
pace and being prepared to find shelter
are good ideas when exploring the
mountains-the same way that looking
aſter ourselves is always a good idea.
Now that you know the nine fjellvettregler,
you're ready to conquer the peaks
like a Norwegian! I hope to see you on
my next trip to the mountains.
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
Anniken Krutnes
is Norway's
Ambassador to the
United States. An
expert in security
policy, the law of
the sea and Arctic issues, she has previously
served as Deputy Director General of the
Department of Security Policy, as Norway's
Ambassador for Arctic and Antarctic
Affairs and as Norway's Ambassador to
the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
facebook.com/
NorwegianEmbassyinWashington
@NorwayAmbUSA
May/Jun 2023
31
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Viking Magazine - May/Jun 2023

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