To Hell and Back

Overview

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AKA 'Crossing Norway' from the eastern border to the west coast

Introduction

This trip gets its name ‘To Hell and back…’ as this is the place from where you will depart by private transport to Storlien over the Swedish border, to ski back to Hell on the west coast of Norway. It could also be called Crossing Norway, as you ski from the eastern border to the west coast of the narrow part of Norway. You can even finish the journey by dipping your toe in the sea, but you might need to break the ice first!

The 100km ski trip passes through the mountainous region of Trøndelag (near Trondheim) at 63 degrees north. It requires some previous experience of cross country skiing with a pulk and winter camping. It is also a great preparation trip for our longer ski polar expeditions. Surely you’ll have a ‘Hell’ of a good time on the way too!

Start point: Trondheim, Norway
Grade: 2B

Experience Required

To complete the journey ‘To Hell and Back’ you need previous cross-country skiing experience, for example having completed our Polar Expedition Training course. You need to be reasonably fit (for example, a regular hillwalker able to carry a day rucksack for approximately 5-6 hours). Endurance exercise is generally better preparation than one hour in the gym-type of training. The fitter you are the more you are likely to get out of the trip.

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Tailor-made option

We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. Depending on your skiing experience, you may want a Jagged Globe leader or go ‘self-led’ with the assistance of local guides. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable, particularly if you take the self-led option. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the expedition or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign. We recommend that you read the FCO Travel Advice for Norway on the FCO Website.

What the price includes

• International flights from London to Trondheim Vaernes airport via Oslo (unless joining ‘Land Only’)
• 1 leader per 8 team members
• Tents, stoves, sledges, shovels, emergency communications
• 6 nights in tents whilst on expedition (2-3 person Hilleberg tents - specifically suited to and well-tested on our previous polar expeditions)
• 2 nights hotel accommodation in Hell (Hell Airport Hotel), on a twin-sharing, bed and breakfast basis
• All meals whilst on expedition (breakfast only included at the Hell Airport Hotel)
• Private transport from Trondheim Værnes airport (via Hell) to Storlien over the Swedish border (also included if transport is required back to Hell at the end of the trip, due to snow conditions)
• Jagged Globe kit bag or lightweight fleece

What the price does not include

• Personal clothing and sleeping mat - kit list will be issued once the deposit is paid
• Sleeping bag – 5 season sleeping bag can be hired for the trip
• Excess baggage on flights
• Mountain ski equipment (this can be hire – 1,200nok for the trip)
• Bar bills and laundry
• Travel insurance
• Optional trips
• Tips

Tailor-made option

We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. Depending on your skiing experience, you may want a Jagged Globe leader or go ‘self-led’ with the assistance of local guides. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable, particularly if you take the self-led option. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »

Outline Itinerary

Day 1:	Travel to Trondheim, Norway Those joining from the UK will fly from London Heathrow to Trondheim Vaernes airport via Oslo, arriving mid-afternoon. You will transfer the short 10 minute walk to the Hell airport hotel, where your expedition leader will carry out a kit check, sort the group equipment and pack the pulks. You can choose to eat at the hotel or there are local food outlets nearby (not included in the price).
Day 2:	After a great breakfast at the hotel, the team will take the private transport east from Hell to Storlien, just inside the Swedish border. On the first day you will ski for just a few hours – refreshing your ski technique and winter camping skills again.
Day 3 - 7:	Over the next few days you will ski for approximately 5-6 hours each day along this remote coastline. There is no rush. You will want to enjoy nature at its best! The journey is approximately 100km, skiing with a pulk and all of your own equipment through the very varied mountainous terrain of the Sylan region. This area includes the Skarven and Roltdalen National Parks. If the ground is very steep, you will take off the skis and walk the short journey up the hill to conserve energy. Your leader will show you many tips and tricks which would be useful on longer, colder ski expeditions.
Day 8:	On the final day, the team will ski as close as possible to the hotel on the west coast where you started out on your journey to Hell. The snow can’t be guaranteed at these lower levels and so close to the coast – if the snow ‘runs out’, you will use private transport to take the team back the last few kilometres to Hell. Then it simply remains to dip your toe in the sea (optional!), sort kit, shower and relax. You will have all of the hotel facilities at your disposal to relax – sauna, swimming pool, bar…you are back in ‘civilisation’! Time to enjoy a elebratory meal at the hotel (not included in the price).
Day 9:	Travel home Short transfer walk to the airport, for onward travel home.

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