You have probably seen us walking around town in our army kit whilst thinking, “Who the hell are they?” Or you may have a friend who has complained of aching limbs, week in, week out. But this summer I got to go travelling with the army, through the OTC (Officer Training Corps). Yes, I am one of those people I’ve just described: the students who get to travel around the world free of charge, and sometimes even get paid to have some of the most amazing trips.
This trip was organised by two close friends who came up with the idea to organise an expedition mountain climbing in Norway. I know many must think that this isn’t a very girly trip, walking up mountains carrying all your belongings and food for a five-day trek. Well in honest truth, it isn’t. Three days in a combi van travelling 1, 665 miles means that hygiene and make up go out the window. There were times, such as when our bus got broken into in Gothenburg and all our passports got stolen as well as numerous belongings including all my friends’ underwear for the trip, that I thought, “Why am I here?”
However, after 20 days of ups and downs, looking back on it, I wouldn’t have changed anything. Accommodation for the majority of the time was under canvas, wild camping next to glaciers. The weather at night dropped to freezing, and my tent buddy and I spent the majority of the night trying to place as many items of clothing on our body as we could. I have never been so cold! The rain proved a bit of an issue with wet socks and boots, with no way to dry them, meaning that trying to wake up and get out of the tent to cook porridge in the morning wasn’t easy. I have never been so happy to head back to our lodges: adorable little sheds, with beds and warm showers (as long as you got in first!) Food was interesting: taxes in Norway for unhealthy food makes it about £3 for a chocolate bar. Within the army however, we get a food allowance, which we call CILOR (currency in lieu of rations). This is a budget of £10 per person per day to spend on food, meaning that while we were out in Norway, we didn’t have to spend a penny on eating.
Looking back through this article, it sounds like I had 20 days of hell. However, what I can’t convey to you in this article, or even in the photos, is the views. Looking over the mountains from Galdhøpiggen, the highest peak in northern Europe, doesn’t get much better. Sitting 2, 469m high, over 1, 000m higher than Ben Nevis, means that sitting at the top after the long climb up has to be one the best feelings.
To end with, I have to mention the friends that we did it with. Climbing and walking wasn’t easy, especially for a girl that doesn’t do much fitness, yet everyone came together to help each other up the mountain. We each took our own roles in the group, in true army fashion. Would I do it again? Definitely. Not only have I just been paid to have an adventure, but as a group we all pushed ourselves both mentally and physically. Maybe next time though I wouldn’t camp as much!
Picture Credits: Pinterest