The Norwegian Mountain Code
1. Plan your trip and inform others about the route you have selected.
Plan your trip based on the group’s abilities, and always include alternative options.
Obtain current information about the area and the weather conditions. Listen to the advice of seasoned mountaineers where possible.
Ensure you have sufficient knowledge and practical skills to complete this trip.
Respect the natural environment. Plan ahead and do not leave any litter behind you.
Arrange meeting points during the trip that don’t require mobile coverage or accurate timing.
Is your planning sufficient to guarantee an enjoyable trip no matter what?
2. Adapt the planned routes according to ability and conditions.
Assess the conditions continuously and adjust your plans accordingly.
Respect the weather!
Travelling with others is safer and means you will have someone to share your experiences with. If you’re travelling alone, exercise caution.
Do not embark on a long trip without sufficient experience. You must be able to take care of yourself as well as the others in your group.
Be considerate of other hikers. Make sure you have read The Right of Access and its requirements.
Make sure your group maintains an open and direct line of communication at all times.
Can you complete the trip under these conditions and with this group?
3. Pay attention to the weather and the avalanche warnings.
Always check the weather forecast and avalanche warnings to see what impact they have on the area. Follow the advice and choose a gentler terrain when conditions are too demanding.
Check the conditions on yr.no, storm.no and varsom.no.
Monitor the development of the weather and avalanche conditions along the way. Bear in mind that plans may need to be adjusted.
4. Be prepared for bad weather and frost, even on short trips.
Dress appropriately for the weather, and the terrain.
Remember that the weather changes quickly in the mountains. Bring extra clothing, and the equipment your route and terrain requires.
Extra food and drink can help save lives, if the trip takes longer than planned or you have to wait for help.
Is your group equipped to deal with a sudden change in weather?
5. Bring the necessary equipment so you can help yourself and others.
In the winter, you need a windsack/bivy sack, sleeping pad, sleeping bag and a shovel so that you can spend the night outdoors if you have to. A windsack can save lives.
Bring a high-visibility vest or a headlight, that will make it easier to find you if necessary.
Bring a first aid kit so you can help yourself and others.
Always use a transmitter/receiver, and have an avalanche probe and a shovel if you are traveling in avalanche prone terrain.
Pack smart! Packing lists for different tours can be found at ut.no.
Mobile phones can be a useful tool, but remember that they do not work in all situations and areas.
If an accident occurs, alert the police at 112, go for help or try to notify someone with other means.
Are you able to take care of yourself and help others?
6. Choose safe routes. Recognize avalanche terrain and unsafe ice.
Take an active decision to avoid terrain that is prone to avalanches, and plan your route well.
Be aware that avalanches can start in drops higher than five meters and steeper than 30 degrees.
Even if you walk in flat terrain, you can trigger an avalanche on the mountainside above you.
An avalanche dropout zone can be three times the height of the drop.
Avoid terrain traps, such as narrow gorges. Consider what will happen if there is an avalanche.
Be aware that a cornice can break off when you walk on a mountain ridge.
Be aware of ice conditions when you walk on regulated lakes and rivers.
Can an avalanche happen where I plan to go? What will the consequence be?
7. Use a map and a compass. Always know where you are.
A map and compass are an essential basic equipment that always work.
Pay attention to the map even when hiking on a marked trail.
Knowing where you are on the map, makes for a better hiking experience.
GPS and other electronic aids are helpful, but make sure you have extra batteries.
Do you know where you are?
8. Don’t be ashamed to turn around.
Evaluate your route continuously and if conditions are becoming difficult, choose your best alternative long before you or group members become exhausted.
Have the circumstances changed? Should you turn around?
Is anyone in your group have problems completing the route? Should the group turn around?
Enjoy the hike for its own sake, and remember that there will be other opportunities if it is too challenging today.
9. Conserve your energy and seek shelter if necessary.
Adjust your hiking speed to the weakest member of the group, and make sure that everyone can keep up.
Remember to eat and drink frequently. When you exert yourself, your body needs more fluids than you may feel you need.
Don’t wait until you are exhausted before you seek shelter. Strong winds will tire you out quickly.
Use your windsack or dig a snow cave before it’s too late.
Are you able to get back to your base? Do you know where the nearest shelter is?
Clothing and footwear
Baselayer - preferably wollen (bra, boxer/panties, thermal leggings/top, woollen socks)
Insulation layer - thin woollen or fleecejumper
External layer - wind and waterproof jacket/pants
Tramping boots - gaiters if wet
Backpack
In the rucksack:
Woolen hat, gloves and neck buff
Sunhat, sunglasses
Shorts, t-shirt
Thick woollen jumper
Sit pad (insulated)
Equipment
What supplies you need for each hike will vary. Here is a guideline of what to take for a summer hike.
(M) = Multiday hike
Food and drink:
Have a decent breakfast before you go.
Take sufficient food and water to drink and include snacks like muesli bars, chocolate, dried fruits and nuts.
When cold there is nothing better than a hot cup of tea!
Essentials:
A comfortable backpack with packliner (e.g. garbage bag)
A basic first aid kit - remember medications if you have any pre- existing medical conditions
Map, compass and map case
A torch or headlamp with batteries - in case you don`t get back before dark
Toiletpaper in a plastic bag - remember to take all scraps out with you - leave no trace - protect our environment.
Toiletries, and, if need be, a small towel (M)
Sheet bag/light sleeping bag (M)
Insulation mat (M)
Pocketknife (M)
Matches/lighter (M)
Money/bank card
Mobile phone
A change of first layer/clothes (M)
GPS
Extra batteries (M)
Camp kitchen (M)
Tent/bivvy bag (M)
Walking poles
Packing tips
Packing right can really make a big difference to your trip. Here are some suggestions:
Ensure to pack in a comfortable tramping pack. The size will depend on how long you`re out for and how much you have to carry. A good estimate is 60L oer oerson for a 2-3 day trip.
Put your pack liner (e.g. garbage bag) in first to ensure everything else goes inside that. This is to prevent your gear getting wet.
Wet clothes increases the chance of getting hypothermia.
Put the heavy items you won`t need during the day in first, such as your sleeping bag, tent and cooker.
Keep lighter items and items you may need during the day at the top of your pack - such as warm jumper, hat, gloves, raincoat, food and communication device.
Aim at getting your pack as close to your back as possible. This will be more comfortable and keep you balanced.
Using cooking equipment safely
The biggest hazard when cooking in the outdoors are other people. Make sure as few people as possible are near the cooker to encourage safety.
Inadequate ventilation around the cooker can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Always cook outside or near a window, and give your flame room to burn. Never cook inside a tent.
Light the matches before turning on the gas.
Make sure to let the cooker cool down before refuelling. Refuel in a safe place away from other people.
Use a pot grip to move your pot, and let the cooker cool down before you touch it in order to prevent burns.
Put the cooker on a safe and stable surface away from anything that may burn.
Overheating can cause explosions, so make sure you protect the fuel canister from direct flame, and give your cooker a reste every so often to let it cool down.
Keep your spare fuel clearly marked and in a cool place away from sunlight and the cooking area.
Have a safe trip!