Norwegian Adventures on Radio1190.org

I had the opportunity to speak on Climb Talk the radio show at University of Colorado Radio 1190 while travelling Norway and Sweden this summer. Michael Francis Brooks hosts the only radio show in North America specializing in rock climbing and adventuring. He interviews  authors, climbers and medical doctors with a climbing or adventure story. His mission is to widen the education of students to the outdoor community with the hope of making the world a better place.

In my interview on  Climb Talk from Norway (click on link for show) I discuss the experiences in the land of the world's happiest people, and the ancestral home of the greatest adventurers of all time the Vikings. I was impressed with the Norse ships that  travelled throughout the world at that time. They were designed like giant war canoes with an open deck and oars.  Their shipbuilding was considered mastery of their times and they were known as the Lords of the Seas. The modern Norwegians are now the operators of most of the large cruise ships that we enjoy our vacations on. Vikings were also great outdoorsmen and enjoyed the snow. The town of  Morgedal in Telemark County has an incredible ski museum that explains the evolution of modern skiing. One man called Sondre Nordheim is considered the father of modern skiing. The ski terminology of telemark and slalom turns (a lom) come from this area. Norwegians such as Jack Rabbit Johansen and Stein Eriksen brought their ski culture to North America and were the pioneers of American skiing history. Americans took the rudimentary Norwegian ski equipment and invented plastic ski boots (Lange), metal skis with edges (Head) and heel hold down release technology bindings (Look Nevada) and most importantly the chair lift (Sun Valley). From this we have the modern ski technology that we use today. Stein Eriksen was the first man to do a flip on skis and could be considered to father of freestyle skiing.

Norway has the highest user rate of electric vehicles and are working hard to reduce their carbon footprint to combat climate change.  The country has implemented strong tax incentives to support this environmental goal. Part of the secret to Scandinavian happiness is the connection between the people the environment and socializing in nature. The culture supports the importance of the outdoor life to a happier life. Scandinavian spas and saunas are part of that lifestyle. Something we can all learn from the Vikings.



Skaal,


The Adventure Guy