by Irvin Servold, Devon, Alberta

The American Birkebeiner was a well attended (7500) wave start according to estimated time. Like a carpet of skiers, the wave moved out. Sticking to classic. we skied well to the sides on often obliterated trails. The first hill, skaters waiting

for those ahead to, yes, slowly "herring-bone" up the hill. Here we passed the skaters, next flat or downhill the skaters passed, this went on many times, finally down to the finish area and "the lake" here was water and some wet ice for 2 K's or so. Then after rafting across the lake, solid snow. Finally a trip up the main street of Hayward to the sound of cheers and ringing cowbells. A very well organized pack pickup and finish.

On to Norway via New York and SAS to Oslo where one of my relatives met me at the door of the plane. Walk into security-oh hi! and into the terminal. I stayed at a friends farm west of Oslo. It snowed 1.75 meters and I skied on a lit trail just 1 !/2 K's from the farm. Trail was set nearly every day! I went in a 37 K "Vestergellan" race at Asker, up a couple of hog back mountains. There I now saw the first of the gangli ski monsters streak by, one after the other-younger skiers starting later than the "old boys". There are a lot of tough men and women skiers over there! They are quiet - but serious!

Another event "Gol Fjell Rundt" around Gol Mountain was entered. This was near my Grandmothers birthplace. So from my relatives I met a group of "Veteraner" (masters) and traveled up the mountain base area. This was a 32 K event. Many kilometers in pure white snow, long hills and fast, long, downhills-one of which ended with a sharp right turn at full speed on an iced road - "oof", right body slamnto the snow wall at the side of the road, signals anyone? After prize awards in a restaurant, everyone disappeared into the many farm studded valleys. See you Rena!

By train to Hamar on the Trondheim Express, switch to a waiting diesel car to Rena. Here all the unassuming quiet "Norskies" are awaiting their pilgrimage across three smooth rounded mountains. Amongst all these was none other than my "old" friend Vic Emery -who invited me to join his "train" across the mountains. My ski friends from Valdies finally arrived at 8:30 pm (2 hours late) to the registration hall. A couple hours later we were in the new military camp's huge gymnasium where several thousand sponge mattresses awaited - unpack - make lunch from packsack - take skis outside - and wax. From the slush in Rena - and cold weather predicted. Klister and wax seemed certain, all done, hit the sack. Arise 6:00 am, a quick breakfast from the pack then repack all gear, then bus to the start. A sea of buses in the lot, also people walking several kms, skis and pack sacks. A quick assessment of the snow-final touch up wax-cork-wax-cork.

There in the start amongst the 3 group wave start was my old ski friend Asbjorn Nordheim. We're off uphill 15 kms to the first "flat". Then track on one downhill-full speed-and the track seemed rough, so out onto the seemingly smooth snow, not so good a move, all of a sudden I was on my first full flight, airborne for about 30 meters with no chance for a telemark. After finally stopping I slowly moved one leg and another till all seemed operational, skis, bindings and poles all intact! Pick up and slowly get pack, and all to a normal state-next feed station! My special food pouch was empty! here was my secret power source, made by Eleanor my wife - that was worst than the fall. After a bit of screeching. dit. dit. dit. dit. as we passed a station where a chip worn on our ankle triggered a timing device. The "hot shots" young elite skiers, began to pass, they seemed to be in a hurry, cash prizes at two intermediate stations and then, time overall. At last there was a 10 km downhill - skis just rattling - I stayed in the track, it was amazing to watch an elderly lady ahead, full speed among elite skiers, down around corners, just flying, no fear! I was just behind, she held on amongst the group of triple track skiers. I contemplated what to do in case of a "freeway like" pileup, jump over or hit the bush. The final 4 km was relatively flat through forest, a slow uphill and then down into the "S" turns of the Olympic Stadium for the finish of 58 kms and the ribboned medal. I was directed to the first aid station, who then directed me to the doctor on duty. After a brief examination and sitting, I was cleared. Scraped forehead and cheek, and a red left eye (black eye). Now I knew why my left eye was so sore while skiing across the high open area on the mountain tops where the blowing snow was from the right! Shower, a bit of lunch, result watch. Diploma pickup and timing diploma ($10). I made arrangements to meet my relatives who picked me up, and then I began two weeks of relative hopping. Easter week soon came with trains crowded with ski booted "Norskies", ski and packsack areas on the train cars crammed, the rush to snow caves and mountain huts was on. Yes the season was a good one, even though I had one unexplained fall.

There are many accommodation sites in Norways snowy mountain areas.