Report from the course
When you pull your sledge up the steep hill at Haukeliseter, its nice to know that others have done the same before you.
Some of the crew in the Expedition Amundsen spent the weekend out, recon parts of the route the participants will go. Originally the crew race should started early Friday morning, but the weather in the mountains in January decides when you actually can start. Saturday afternoon four crew members was ready to start at Haukeliseter. Already before start, the crew race turned into a recon trip, in the first part of the route. In the dim light, four moving headlamps went into the mountain, with sledges hanging behind. With one day available in the mountain, dark was no barrier, and late Saturday night the tents were established. The four melted snow down to boiling water and ate well deserved food. A few hours later the sun was up. Skis and poles shouted impatiently for company. The "hotel" was packed in the sledge, and the four continued towards checkpoint 2; Hellevassbu. In flat terrain the sledge is your best friend, but in uphill your worst enemy.
Our company with uphills turned arms and legs into an extension of the sledge. It was what we came here for. After 50 km and a few hours, the size of the blisters were exactly half as large as those we will see at the finishline Garen in four weeks! We really look forward to see you all at Haukeliseter!