Making Mountains

I missed the mountains.

I have lived in the French Alps in two different spells, firstly in Val d’Isère and then Chamonix. Both were absolutely magical times.

Whilst my instinct to adventure was born in my upbringing, the French Alps served as a sort of Adventure University or Phd. In such raw and rugged nature the margins for error are tiny.

I have actually not been back to the French Alps since I moved out in 2012, arriving in Oslo but a few hours later.

I will freely admit that the first few years my reason for not returning was that I longed to move back. In the latter years my reasons have been somewhat to preserve a nostalgic view and memory of how it might still be…. I have witnessed online the changes due to global warming and residential development, much to my chagrin.

But back to the title of today’s dog blog. I think that we can all agree that Oslo has hills and not mountains. Yet this is where you have to make your own mountains.

I have written previously about my love of walking and adventuring on the steep slopes of Oslomarka. The constant focus which is required to not fall or slip helps keep you in the present moment of the walk.

For both Dogs and Walker it is a great workout.

There are some surprisingly steep slopes hidden away but a stone’s throw from the city. Some of the cliffs are too steep to attempt with my packs, whilst others make for the perfect playground in whatever season.

Many of the trails in these secluded areas have been walked in mainly by my shoes and many paws.

By playing with the undulating terrain, whilst rarely meeting anyone, I have made my own mini mountain landscape in Oslomarka, consistently passing 300 metres of elevation gain per day, and reaching up to 1000m when my groups can handle it.

I love my life in Oslo and it is here that I have chosen to make my base. Therefore it was always a question of moving the Mountains to me instead of moving to the Mountains.

Happy weekend

Doggies: Bamse, Lotta, Mari, Nola, Oscar and Kimba