The pursuit of adventure: Bengt Rotmo and Randulf Valle skied through the Canadian wilderness

But how do you actually carry out a trip like this in practice? What about logistics? And is there a lot of bureaucracy you need to deal with beforehand, like on the Greenland ice sheet or in Antarctica?
 

- Canada is refreshingly non‑bureaucratic. It can be different in some national parks, but generally you can just head out. Logistics are also quite manageable. We flew to Yellowknife, which you can reach within a day from Norway. Food, fuel, and any last pieces of gear - you can buy it all there, and then you can basically just set off into the forest. Alternatively, you can take a domestic flight to one of the many small Indigenous communities in the north. Besides having an airstrip, they also have a co‑op store, which means they have everything you need to start or end a trip - or stop by to buy supplies and fuel.
 

But regarding equipment—do you need much that you wouldn’t need in the Norwegian mountains?

- The conditions in Norway and Canada are quite similar. The gear you use at home works in Canada too, with a few adjustments. Temperatures down to –40°C and below are more common, and your sleeping bag should reflect that. We chose to bring a firearm since there’s more wildlife over there. Bears can be out of hibernation as early as April.
 

We remind Randulf about his book “Hvorfor er det så kaldt å være våt?” (“Why Is It So Cold to Be Wet?”), written a few years ago. In this book, he explains the science behind things we experience outdoors. Is there anything from the book that’s particularly relevant for a trip like this?

- I’m not sure that’s the right angle, he says with a smile. The book is partly the result of experiences from the field that I wanted scientific explanations for. So in most cases, it was about understanding something we already felt through experience. But concretely - I mostly wore mesh base layers next to the skin, because I believe in the advantages and have found good scientific explanations for them. Another relevant thing is the tent we used. We helped develop it, and one of our key principles is that a tent for long winter expeditions should have a low ceiling height, because it gives better warmth and wind stability.

Anything else to consider when it comes to safety?

- You’re sometimes far from people, so bringing a more extensive set of medicines and first‑aid supplies than usual can be wise. For communication, we brought two Garmin InReach devices plus a satellite phone. But even then, it might take time before someone can reach you if the weather is bad and you’re hundreds of kilometers from anyone. Weather is another thing - you’re out for weeks, so you take the weather as it comes. You can’t check the forecast and avoid a storm. We used the forecast available through Garmin so we had an idea of what was coming. Another thing to check is whether your travel insurance actually covers this type of trip. There are differences between companies, and it’s important to have everything in place.
 

But if you don’t want to head out in complete ignorance—where can you find information?

- We connected with people who had posted photos on Google Earth from the most remote areas. On the ground in Canada, it’s smart to try to get in touch with people from the Canadian Rangers - a military force similar to the Norwegian Home Guard. In small communities, the Hunters and Trappers Association can also be a good starting point.

Randulf Valle and Bengt Rotmo used these Brynje garments in Canada:

More inspiration:

• Instagram: @randulfvalle & @polarbengt

Randulf Valle runs the podcast "Podcasten Uteliv". You’ll find lots of useful information there if you’re dreaming of a bigger adventure. Here are some episodes to start with:

• First Aid for Outdoor People – with Erling Rosenstrøm
• Dreaming of Canada and Alaska – with Mattis Thørud and Jan Monsen
• Explorers Grand Slam – with Inge Meløy
• Ready for Winter Camping – with Kjell Bratteli Jonsson
• Svalbard, Everest and Barrier Thinking – with Guri Anne Hansen