How We Met - Finnmarksvidda

February 2019 marked our first taste of authentic polar travel - 85 km across Norway’s frozen high plateau, Finnmarksvidda, in the depths of the Polar Night. This was a guided tour with Ousland Explorers. It was hands-on training with our guide, Stig at Ousland Explorers, deep in one of Europe’s last great wildernesses. Temperatures plummeted to between -20 to -25°C. And yet, it was one of the most formative weeks of our lives.

We crossed vast, snow-covered plains and learned how to function as an expedition team in brutal conditions. It was beautiful. And brutal.

More importantly, we learned lessons that have stuck with us ever since:

• How to pitch a tent in biting winds without losing a finger or your sense of humour.

• How to stop snow from invading every corner of your shelter.

• How much food do you need when pulling a sled for 8 hours a day (hint: more than you think!)

• How vital small routines are, like drying socks before you need them.

From gliding over the frozen lake of Iesjavri to navigating featureless whiteouts, Finnmarksvidda taught us that confidence in the cold is earned, not assumed. We called it a “training trip,” but it felt like a full-blown expedition, and that’s exactly what we needed.