Across Hardangervidda, From Finse to Haukeliseter for a Good Cause

Written by Linas Hauge

Photographer: Linas Hauge and Sissel Weng

On Saturday, March 12th 2022, seven veterinary students, one graduated animal nurse, and a dog, jumped off the train at Finse station. The sun was shining between the clouds moving quickly by the wind. To the mountains!

We weren’t gathered only to hike; we were going to walk for a good cause. By crossing the mountain plateau, we wanted to collect money to Kreftforeningen (The Norwegian Cancer Society) and Ung Kreft’s (Young cancer) work for relatives of those with cancer. I myself, am a relative left behind, and started the project “turforliv” (hikeforlife) in 2018, after my aunt passed away from cancer after three weeks in the hospital. I needed help, my mental health was rotting, so I sought my comfort in hiking and collecting money to Kreftforeningen. Since then, we have collected more than half a million kroner in the fight against cancer. Now, it was time for Hardangervidda.

The weather was magnificent the first few days, much better than we dared dream of. From Finse and southwards across Krækkja, the weather was cloudy, but the wind grew weaker and weaker. On day three, we made it up to the plateau and was met with the extensive, white landscape with a bright blue sky, shining sun, and no wind. The sunrise on day four was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.

From day four, the wind picked up the pace, the sun hid behind the clouds and the more classic mountain weather got a hold of us. We hiked no less than 32 km that day, and made it all the way to Litlos. From there, the hike became more tiresome. On day six, it all culminated with sticky skis, fresh gale, whiteout, and no more than 12 km in 8 hours. The trail was unmarked, so both compass, map, and GPS were heavily used.

Half an hour before the bus was leaving on March 17th, we made it to Haukeliseter, drained of energy yet full of a sense of accomplishment. What was really cool about this hike was the diversity of the travel company. We had everything from the inexperienced one who had never pulled a pulk before, to experienced mountaineers and Greenland crossers. With blisters, cramps, and everything else that comes with a trip like this, the whole group made it to the finish line, with an amazing nature experience fresh in memory, in addition to having collected nearly 70 000 kroner to the cause.

If you yourself are a relative, know that you are not alone. Kreftforeningen and Ung Kreft offers help to young relatives of cancer patients. If this is not your thing, go for a walk outside; it always works for me. Nordskogen or Hardangervidda, no walk is too short for the soul.

If you want to support our fundraising to Kreftforeningen and Ung Kreft, you can vipps what you have left to #734820.