To encapsulate this journey in the space permitted is not possible....suffice it to say this was a trip 2 years in the making ...
( We don’t have enough time or alcohol to discuss this in detail )...
First, I want to give Johannes an outstanding compliment
He remembered me from 2 years ago, and the original trip I booked with Outdoorlife
Norway ... I lost a good bit of money due to circumstances beyond my control...
Johannes; however, was empathetic and he gave me a voucher for my current trip!!! ... This was not expected, nor necessary, as he had nothing to do with the cancellation of my trip....( I must pause here to be very clear with everyone....I am not under any obligation to disclose this information, nor is Johannes required to supplement anyone’s travel plans that become derailed...especially if Outdoorlife Norway is NOT responsible for the derailment...) Yet, I wanted to tell everyone this part of my personal experience because it demonstrated Johannes passion, and conviction for creating an exceptional trek for all of his clients....️
Moreover, if I sent emails to garner information about the trip, or ask questions to feel more comfortable about my upcoming adventure, he (or a staff member ) returned my emails the very next day at the latest....
From the moment his colleague, Eric picked me up, I knew I was going to have an amazing trip! Eric was engaging, and enthusiastic about the 3 day trek we were about to take... Once we arrived at the office, Johannes sat us down for an informational session, outlining the 3 day hike... no detail was too small to review, and his knowledge and training were evident from the start.
The ferry ride provided us with breathtaking views of the Cliffs similar to the ones we were to ascend once we reached our destination!! ( on a side note, we were able to see Preikestolen from the Fjord below, giving one an awe inspiring feeling of majesty in the mountains ...
Johannes gave us solid instructions on the use of the snow shoes, and how to utilize our ski poles properly. We experienced ferocious winds on our initial ascent to our basecamp, and Johannes wasted no time in preparing us for the impact the wind would have on our climb... this was my first time hiking in heavy winter conditions, yet I felt confident in Johannes, and Eric’s abilities to guide us, and keep us on the right track to our destination...Base Camp.... ️ Our meals were prepared each day, and they worked tirelessly to build a wind break wall around our camp, as well as a wall for the
“Facilities”
Johannes provided the insight to know where we were going at all times, and to be realistic about the ever-changing weather patterns during our 3 days....He added extra treks for us to see The Fjords below, and to our ultimate day 2 destination....Kjerag
The boulder between the cliffs....!!!...
After some of the most grueling climbs ( Day 2 saw a few near vertical climbs ), and kilometers of trekking, we stopped to see the cabin built for Emergency situations. Johannes took this opportunity to speak to each of us individually to see if we were in good spirits, but more importantly, he wanted to make sure that each of us was mentally prepared for the long haul of hiking for the day. I genuinely appreciated this, and although I was excited and ready for more, I valued his attention to everyone in the group to see if anyone was overwhelmed and needed to wait at the emergency cabin until we returned....
We all made it, and we worked together as a team to encourage one another, and make this a memorable trip for each other....not to mention, the plethora of pictures Johannes and Eric took of us for the photo package ( I HIGHLY RECOMMEND PURCHASING THE PHOTO PACKAGE...PERIOD )...
In closing, this was a phenomenal experience for me. A Life-Affirming trip! One that recharged my internal battery after a long year and a half of Professional studies
From the physical challenges of the trekking, to the meals, and comraderie, this trek did not disappoint.
Johannes provided a first class experience, and one that I will remember, well, forever.
People usually provide something negative as an “honest” appraisal of the trip, or hotel, or meal, or whatever they are reviewing.....
However, The only negativity for this expedition would be the negativity you bring yourself....If you want to challenge yourself, stretch your limits, and do something you have never done before, then bring the positive energy with YOU, and this will be an amazing experience for you too.
Eric
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