After the monster day yesterday — 38 km and finishing past 2 AM — it’s probably no shock that today started slow. Really slow.

I didn’t even get back to the car until 1:30 in the night, and after finally getting a few hours of sleep, I spent most of the day editing videos again — about five hours. That meant I didn’t start walking until around 5 in the afternoon. Not exactly a textbook start for a thru-hike, especially when you know the terrain ahead is going to be steep, overgrown, and unforgiving.

And sure enough… things got messy.

While descending from one mountain, I stepped into a hidden hole covered by tall grass. My leg dropped straight through. I broke a pole, and worse — I twisted my left foot pretty badly. Not enough to stop me completely, but enough to slow me down and change the plan.

I had originally hoped to climb one more mountain — the same one we looked at back in March — but I knew there wasn’t time or strength left for that. I also hadn’t brought my headlamp, which meant any chance of continuing safely was gone. I decided to descend into the valley and rejoin the previous Norge på langs route, passing through the river again and heading for the small village of Haddeland.

This wasn’t the day I had imagined. But tomorrow, I start earlier. No more late-night editing. No more 5 PM trail starts. I need a real routine now — early mornings, steady movement, time for the unexpected. That’s the only way forward.

—

From Stina:

While Petr was still deep asleep (and later in his editing zone), I got up and made breakfast and a solid matpakke — the classic Norwegian lunch bag. At least I could do my part to keep him fed and fueled.

Once he finally hit the trail, I headed down to Liknes in Kvinesdal to do a bit of work. I found a quiet little Italian restaurant where I could sit and send some emails, and afterward I picked up some groceries for the next couple of days. Then it was time to drive out toward Haddeland, where we planned to meet up.

But timing was off. Again.

I ended up arriving a good half hour after Petr, and by then he was tired, sore, and hungry — and the daylight was disappearing fast. It’s not ideal, but this project is a balancing act. Nothing runs like clockwork. The filming, the running, the driving, the planning, the logistics — it all piles up.

When I finally got there, I threw together a quick pot of pasta, which he absolutely destroyed in record time, and then we both crashed. Another day done.

The rhythm isn’t there yet. But we’re figuring it out — adjusting, learning, and doing our best.

Good night from Haddeland. 🌙