Days 3 and 4: The Road Less Traveled—and for a Reason

 Before we left for this trip, when I told several people that we were going to Norway, they asked me, “Oh, do you have relatives there?” First, anyone who has seen my olive skin and knew my natural hair color of long ago, knows that I am in no way the AARP version of the “Norwegian Woman.” To think that the only reason to come to this country is to see an aunt or uncle once removed, is a traveling missed opportunity.   In fact, if I had more people following my blog, I would not put in writing just what a hidden jewel this country really is, for fear it would be overwhelmed by American tourists! But to be fair, it would be hard to get the full impact of this country’s beauty by seeing it while sitting in a bus or car. For that, you’ve  got to climb some hills. 

That being said, the question becomes, just how high do you have to climb?

Our Backroads trip usually provides us with two daily hiking options: a moderate climb with beautiful views or a more difficult one also with beautiful vistas, but for the insane. (That is my interpretation, I don’t believe Backroads would describe the experience that way in any of their brochures) For example, yesterday’s more strenuous hike included walking on a glacier. Initially, this sounded very exciting to me as it was an adventure I had never experienced and as I get older, I know—because my right knee reminds me daily—that I may not be able to try it in the future. It was the description of the “expedition” however, the night before by one of the guides that gave me pause. Each person, we were told, would have to be fitted for “crampons” or ice shoes to be attached to your shoes, be provided with an ice ax for God knows what and then all be tethered together on a rope. I immediately thought, “What are we climbing Mount Everest?” Well….

What made me realize that my life would not be considered a failure if I did not choose the glacier option, was when I heard about the guides. Unbeknownst to me, this is Nepal’s off-season for Everest climbs and two Sherpas (that is their last names) came from Nepal to lead Norwegian visitors on glaciers climbs.  In sum and in short, these guys meant business. 

I had a tough few months before this trip and didn’t have any time to work in my new hiking shoes by actually hiking in them.  I didn’t think walking in them around my house during conference calls primed me for glacier walking, even when wearing borrowed crampons.  Plus, I was a bit scared. And so, while my family chose the insane option, I opted for the non-Sherpa hike, and while not easy, allowed me to see a “hanging” glacier, which was lovely. My new hiking shoes were just perfect for such a moderate trek, until a stone I stepped on while crossing a stream decided to go vertical and my foot and shoe got soaking wet. FYI, stuffing paper into a nearly new hiking shoe does wonders in drying it out quickly.  

Similarly today, there was a shorter, tough uphill hike with great views that also included a visit to a Glacier Museum and a scenic two-hour all uphill hike—clearly, the insane one.  Today, I asked my daughter which option she was choosing particularly since she spent the day with the Sherpas and she said, “I always love a good museum.”  A girl after my own heart. By the way, either route, the views were spectacular. 


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