THE MACHOS OF THE FJELLS

The name says it all: Innlandet, the Norwegian interior. In one of Europe’s most attractive regions, after a whole day’s intensive photography, I’m now searching for somewhere to set up my tent. The fierce gusts and the stony ground don’t augur well. Nor does the beautifully coloured reindeer moss, seemingly composed of thousands of packed reindeer antlers, look particularly inviting. Yet it will be my soft bed for the coming night. Putting my head outside in the morning, the feeling of space is total, the view phenomenal. For miles around, brightly coloured birches and glowing moss carpets stretch out in front of me. The superb light with the passing cloud formations gives everything an extra punch. Rich food for landscape photographers indeed.

In the belly of Norway, any number of top areas exist for the choosing, with a large network of adventurous trails connecting one cosy log cabin to the next. You pitch your tent wherever you want, not a troll cares. A piece of Arctic in the south. If you know that a little further on a handful of musk oxen wander around, then no further description is needed. In a few days’ time I’ve an appointment with this powerhouse, the macho of the fjells, a meeting I’m really looking forward to!

The addiction level of this part of Norway is quite high. Here you can wander for days without meeting a single lost soul. In a rugged landscape, occasional unhinged reindeer and a lone moose keep your focus sharp. Deep in the tundra the crackling call of a ptarmigan. In the icy water, a white-throated dipper dives after the scarce insects as if its life depended on it. If you thought you were coming for a lazy holiday, you’re wrong. There’s so much to experience and discover in this part of the north, it’s enough to drive you nuts!