bridge over the Sletteåi river and continue past an old stone shelter – used among others by Norway’s famous World War Two heavywater saboteurs in the phase before the Vemork operation – and upwards into the scrub heading for new adventures. Your next destination is Mogen tourist cabin at the head of Møsvatn lake. As you approach the descent to the lake, you’ll be aware of the weight of your rucksack cutting into your shoulders. But then you get nearer and find new reserves of strength, particularly when you come upon the fabulous view towards Møsvatn, Mogen, Argehovd farm – where it’s hard to believe anyone could live – and the mighty Kvenna river rushing down from the plateau towards the lake. You simply have to sit down and take in the view before starting to make your way downhill through the forest to the red-painted cabin.
what’s for dinner, except that it will be three courses based around locally sourced ingredients. Once you’ve enjoyed your fish soup, leg of lamb and apple dessert – yes, you heard correctly! – you’ll be ready to sink into one of the fireside chairs in the lounge. And when you snuggle down under the duvet in room 212, you’ll be asleep almost before your head hits the pillow. After the world’s best breakfast, board M/B “Fjellvåken II” to Skinnarbu for a boat trip through a unique and beautiful cultural landscape. You’ve already started planning your next trip!
The joys of an open fire Walking into one of DNT’s cabins is a real joy, perhaps particularly so at Mogen. A few seasons ago, Mogen was voted Norway’s best cabin for food. The host is reluctant to reveal
How Dag Otto taught his children to master Hardangervidda Dag Otto Lauritzen relates with enthusiasm the story of the first time he took his daughter, Line, skiing on the Hardangervidda mountain plateau, before Easter one year. His children Stian and Line have been skiing with Dad since they were 12-13 years old. A love for the great outdoors Dag Otto Lauritzen is famous for his achievements as a world-class cyclist, topped off by becoming Norway’s first stage winner at the Tour de France in 1987 and winning a bronze medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. What is perhaps less well known is that he also has a love for the great outdoors. “Looking back, I was immersed in nature from a young age, and I’m grateful to my parents for sharing that passion with us. It’s something I’ve tried to pass on to my children. Not just the experience of being in the open air but learning to push yourself a little. It’s important for children to learn what it’s like to be a little out of their comfort zone. And to realise that they can master it. This is exactly what my talks are about too – the sense of mastery,” Dag Otto Lauritzen explains. The children had the chance to sample this sense of mastery time and again while out on the Hardangervidda. Dag Otto assures us there were long days of skiing, when children and adults alike dragged themselves into the tourist cabins on tired legs at the end of the day. There was some complaining, admittedly, but, after a good dinner, the children were usually in good spirits once more.
And the result? “They’ve come to love nature. I hope they’ll pass that on to their own kids. Even though they’re around the 30-mark now, they still say, ‘Can’t we go skiing again soon – it’s been years since we went!’. In other words, they still want to join in, so I’d say the trips have been priceless,” Dag Otto emphasises. telemarkstories.com 48
