Hardangervidda Plateau - March 2023

In March 2023 65 Degrees North embarked on their latest expedition - a 10-strong group headed to the Norwegian mountains and attempted to ski across the iconic Hardangervidda plateau from Finse to Rjukan - a 140km mission over six days.

This was a unique expedition for 65DN, as for the first time, it involved representatives from all three of the services - Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force.

65 Degrees North CEO, Richard Morgan MBE said: “We were delighted to be able to put together this latest mission under the expert guidance of George Matthews and his team.

“As always, this was a challenge for the team members but one that was both fulfilling and a great opportunity.”

Hardangervidda is famous for its links with the 'Heroes of Telemark’, depicting the World War Two raid on the heavy water plant in Rjukan, and was also used as a train ground for the great Polar explorer Roald Amundsen

The traverse of this exposed route required the team to move on skis, carrying all of their equipment, while hauling pulks over daily distances of between 20-30 kilometres.  

Team leader George Matthews put in to perspective the challenges that faced the expedition.

“Winter on the Plateau can be an unforgiving place with deep snow, high winds and extremely low temperatures (temperatures of minus 20 degrees centigrade are not unusual).

“The 140km crossing took us six days using the well-established Norwegian Hut system. A good degree of physical and mental endurance were essential in this testing environment and the crossing required discipline and teamwork.”

The group set out on their mission on Friday March 17.

The Team consisted of: Georgie Smith, Ruth Lanckham, Craig Skinner, Lee Spencer, Sean Gane and Ray Evans, with the Support Team including: George Matthews (Team Leader), Billy Baxter, Ross Matthews, Ben Clark (Team Doctor)