What I’ve Learned After Backpacking For the First Time
A Traveller Story in Norway
A Garden in Flåm - Picture by Me
“In 6 months, I’m taking my backpack, my tent, and I’m going to Norway for 15 days.”
This was the somewhat crazy challenge my best friend and I set for ourselves in January 2022, and it turned out to be one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
Before the trip, Norway has always fascinated me. With its lush nature, mountains bordered by fjords, not to mention its culture and the unique lifestyle of its inhabitants. Additionally, since Norway allows camping almost anywhere, a 15-day backpacking trip seemed like the best idea. Plus, given that Norway is quite an expensive country, this was also a good alternative for my finances.
Shall I tell you about all the stages of this journey?
Before the Trip — Preparation
A trip like this requires some organization! I started by researching about the country, planning the best route to follow in line with how I wanted to explore Norway, booking a few essentials (planes, train,…), and most importantly, getting equipped for the journey.
I was starting from scratch, but I had 6 months to prepare. I needed a lot of gear, which I bought gradually: a tent, sleeping bag, backpack, hiking poles, shoes, and equipment to prepare food.
I took the time to ask questions around, browse forums, read reviews to compile a comprehensive list of gear to have, maybe even a bit too comprehensive…
The mistake I won’t make again: Like many first-time backpackers, I quickly realized on the spot that I had brought too much gear. It didn’t take long to notice that every extra item was a burden to carry on my back. Even though it might not seem like much, a kilo here and a kilo there quickly make a difference when you have to carry it all.
During the Trip
(Even though I speak in “I,” I was always with my best friend.)
I first landed in Oslo and then headed straight west. My goal: an initial, not too difficult hike: the famous “Preikestolen” rock.
I must admit that the very beginning was peculiar, almost as if I was looking for signs to tell me “I’m here, the adventure is on.”
It took a few hours to leave civilization behind and get a first glimpse of the magnificent nature Norway had to offer. But in an instant, something clicked, and it felt like all the planets were aligned to tell me I was going in the right direction. I can’t describe the feeling, but it was there: the feeling of being in the right place at the right time.
I could talk for hours about all the incredible experiences I had, like sleeping in the wild and waking up each morning to a different garden with a view worthy of a famous painting. All the beautiful hikes and treks, including the famous Trolltunga with its suspended rock.
But even though the famous visits remain beautiful memories etched in my mind, I can’t tell you how amazed I was to lose myself in this vast nature, discovering places that seemed unexplored, hidden paths that sometimes had more to offer than some of the more renowned spots.
And then I think of those improvised campfires after an exhilarating day of hiking (with the necessary precautions), that beautiful afternoon kayaking on one of the fjords, all the encounters with locals, the feeling of well-being after jumping into the cold water of the Oslofjord following a sauna.
Btw, It never got warmer than 15°C that summer; I can’t imagine what it must feel like in winter…
The two weeks flew by, each day having its own unique energy. After exploring the west and reaching the central part of the country, we took a night train from Bergen to Oslo to end the journey with a more “city trip” dynamic, visiting the capital, the small surrounding islands, and the famous museum dedicated to Edvard Munch, which delighted me, even though he’s not usually one of my favorite painters.
Finally, what stands out the most is that we never lost our good mood and this chemistry with my friend, who was a perfect companion even in situations that could challenge our plans.
The mistake I won’t make again: I must admit that my memory of it is close to perfect as everything went smoothly. If I had to point out one thing, it would be to perhaps better optimize my routes since all our movements were by public transport.
After the Trip — The Positives
The country’s beauty and rich nature are obviously at the heart of the experience. I would also add the friendliness of its inhabitants, who were often very warm despite the “rumors” I had heard before.
The signage was clear, even for hikes off the beaten path!
Regarding transportation, there were plenty of options with a lot of availability. Most were quite modern and allowed us to recharge our devices since there were plenty of places to plug in.
Norway is also a well-connected country and civilised; I never lacked Wi-Fi (even though it was nice to disconnect completely at times), and public transport schedules were very reliable.
The most positive aspect I want to highlight was this constant feeling of safety and goodwill. For example, it wasn’t uncommon to arrive at a campsite at night and pay for the spot the next day.
The Negatives and Unforeseen Events
Far from me the idea of being a killjoy or a pessimist, it’s true that a few unforeseen events occurred, which were also part of the travel experience.
Mother Nature can be capricious, and the weather wasn’t always on our side. We had to deal with heavy rain, especially during the second week. This same rain seeped into all our clothes and… even caused a rockslide on the only road to get from one town to another.
But that’s also part of the game, and since I was well-equipped, we managed to limit the inconveniences and weren’t too impacted.
I would also say that even though it’s possible to camp freely, it was sometimes a bit more challenging than we thought to find an appropriate spot to set up camp, but in the end, I can’t really say it was a major negative point.
Beyond that, the only downside I would highlight is the cost of the trip. As for the equipment, it will be useful in other circumstances, but I would emphasize more the cost of living there because even when being economical, Norway remains a country where the cost of living is high.
Reactions
“And how will you wash, in the river? What will you do if you meet a bear?”
Exactly that. I washed in a river — it was cold, but at least I was clean! I didn’t really meet any bears, though, and I’m not complaining about that.
What I mean is that since this was a completely new experience for me, I can understand why my loved ones were surprised or worried. But by taking a path a bit more unconventional than “traditional vacations,” almost everyone started giving me their opinion, many highlighting the absurdity of the trip in their eyes.
I won’t hide that before leaving, I had created an imaginary world of what was going to happen, full of fears and preconceptions caused by all this fuss. Before leaving, I was even quite demotivated and unsure of myself, constantly thinking that maybe this wasn’t for me after all and that the others might be right.
The reality was completely different as this trip turned out to be the most enriching experience of my life and just the starting point for other similar journeys.
The mistake I won’t make again: I won’t let myself be discouraged by self-appointed experts with no experience and will trust more those who have lived one or several similar experiences.
To Conclude
If you’re passionate about nature, not on too tight a budget, and want to try the backpacking experience, I can only recommend visiting the land of the midnight sun.
And for all novice backpackers who want to give it a try, here’s what I wish I had heard before leaving:
Make your own judgment; backpacking will either suit you or it won’t, but one thing is for sure, it’s a unique experience. Prepare yourself, read stories from other backpackers, meet them, and avoid naysayers and self-proclaimed experts. Equip yourself with the right gear, establish your budget and be ready to use the soles of your shoes, everything should go well.
Have you ever been to Norway or had another backpacking experience you’d like to share? I’m curious to read your comments.
Thanks for reading!