Ski Norway 2009
Mike Barry/Phil Mecagni
2/26-3/9 2009
SUMMARY OF TRIP INFORMATION
Ski Norway 2009
Leader Mike Barry
Co-leader Phil Mecagni
Handangervidda National Park, Norway
2/26-3/9 2009
Total # of days 12
Hiking
Downhill skiing
Kayaking
Title of trip
Leadership
Location(s)
Dates
Type of trip
check all that apply
Backpacking
Cultural
Road biking
Nordic ski
Mountain biking
Snorkeling
Other – please describe
City Touring in Oslo
Max 12
Min 8
$ 2120.00
Does it include airfare? Yes
No
$ 600-1000
Is this proposal for a small group trip – i.e., less than 14 participants and 2
leaders or 7 participants and 1 leader? Yes
No
If yes, why is a small group proposed? More manageable size, ease of lodging
If a participant fee increase of more than 15% is proposed, please explain
why?
Number of participants
Advertised cost
Airfare range if not included
Smaller trips and leader
subsidization
LEADER AND CO-LEADER INFORMATION
Leader name
Leader address
Leader email
Leader phone
Wilderness first aid training
CPR training
Prior leading experience
Trip one
Trip two
Trip three
Other related trip experience
Co-leader name
Co-leader address
Mike Barry
32 Kilsythe Road, Arlington, MA 02476
mikebarry657@mac.com
Home 617.257.2251
Work 617.918.1344
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 4/2008
CPR
BLS
Expiration: 5/2009
Please list the last three longer (5+ day) trips you have led for the AMC including
destination, type of trip, dates and number of participants. Feel free to list additional
trips you have led, particularly if they demonstrate experience related to the trip you
are proposing.
Bike Prague and the Best of Bohemia, 12 Participants, ME scheduled for 9/2008
Bike Tuscany, Sep-Oct 2006, 10 Participants
Annual Quebec City Skiing Trip, Feb 2008-04, 02, 01, 00; 35-42 Participants
A very similar ME to this one was approved for March 2007 that was cancelled due to
lack of signups, probably due to the difficulty of the hut to hut skiing. I went on that
trip anyway as a participant with a DNT trip to the same area. I also lead a variety of
chapter bike and ski day and weekend trips and several longer bike trips.
Phil Mecagni
150 Pond Street, Woodville, MA 01784

To lead a major excursion you must have current CPR and WFA at the time of your trip (or AWFA for all backcountry
trips). If you do not have the required level of certification at the time you submit your proposal or it will expire before
the date of your trip, you will need to make arrangements to recertify in a timely manner.
Revised 7/15/2016
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 1 of 6
Ski Norway 2009
Mike Barry/Phil Mecagni
2/26-3/9 2009
Co-leader email
Co-leader phone
Wilderness first aid training*
CPR training*
Prior leading experience
pmecagni@hotmail.com
Home 508.435.5172
Work none
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration:
CPR
BLS
Expiration:
If you are a new co-leader you must submit an application to be a major excursions
leader or co-leader prior to submitting this application.
Scouting
Have either of you led this trip
before or traveled to this
area?
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below:
A very similar ME to this one was approved for March 2007 that was cancelled due to
lack of signups, probably due to the difficulty of the hut to hut and carrying your own
gear on that trip. I went on that trip anyway as a participant with a DNT trip to the same
area that we will be skiing this trip, including most of the trails and staying at the two
huts we will be on this trip. The 2007 trip also gave me a chance to work my Norwegian
language ability back up to a basic conversational level. I lived in Norway from 19871990 and skied extensively then. I've skied this particular area on weekend trips in
2/1988, 4/1990 and 4/1997. I stayed in an Oslo hotel in the neighborhood we will be
staying in on the 2007 trip and also on a tourist trip in 2005; this is also the same
neighborhood I lived in from 1989-90.
Co-leader: Yes
No
Leader: Yes
No
Not applicable:
Languages
Does either the co-leader or
leader speak the local
language?
Couples
Do the leader and co-leader
have a significant personal
relationship?
Private trips
Do either of you lead trips that
are private - not sponsored by
the AMC?
Yes
No
If yes, please list who has agreed to be your back-up in case one or
both of you need to drop out. This is required for approval!
Yes
No
If yes, please note that you cannot advertise AMC and private trips
together unless there is a clear distinction between the two in any marketing
materials you send out.
LOGISTICAL DETAILS OF TRIP
Executive summary
Please provide a brief
description of the trip and the
activities planned.
Accommodations
Please describe your plan for
accommodation(s)
Meals
Please describe your plan for
providing meals
Revised 7/15/2016
Daily backcountry ski tours from the Finse DNT hut in Hardangervidda National Park in
Norway between Oslo and Bergen. Terrain is rolling mountain plateau above treeline,
altitude ranges from 3000-5000 ft. Trails are tracked through use and daily trek will be
approx 20+/- 5 km. Dayack weights will be approximately 20lbs maximum including
food and fluids. Included is one overnight to the Geiterhyyte hut approximately 20 km
each way. There will be 2.5 days in Oslo and 1.5 days in Oslo at end of trip for city
touring, dining and skiing in the foresets surrounding Oslo. Transport to/from OSL and
ski region by NSB train service.
Lodging in the mountains will be in the Norwegian Trekking Club (Den Norsk
Turistforegning, or DNT) Finse and Geitterhyyta Full Service Huts. These huts are quite
a bit larger and higher standard than AMC facilities with approximately 100-120 beds, a
large lounge area, showers, toilets at Finse (outhouse at Geiterhyyte), drying room,
electric service, running water, family style meals and cash wine and beer service. Both
huts provide down comforters and pillows; sleep sacks only are required (no sleeping
bags). The Finse hut is 0.8 km from the train station an participants will be expected to
carry all their gear on their backs to it. All day skis will be done with daypacks. The
lodging in Oslo on either end of the trip will be in a nice, but basic tourist hotel in a nice
residential neighborhood in Oslo approximately 500 meters from the train station.
The huts are full service. Dinner will be three courses and served at the tables family
style and will be typical hearty Norwegian country fare. Breakfast will be a make your
own "Scandinavian Continental" buffet with a wide range of items. Lunches will be selfmade from the breakfast buffet and the huts will fill thermoses with hot beverages if
requested the night before. Breakfast at the Oslo hotel will be provided and will be
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 2 of 6
Ski Norway 2009
Mike Barry/Phil Mecagni
Permits or permissions
Does the trip require special
permits or permissions?
(required on many U.S.
federal lands and national
parks)
Special equipment
Does the trip require special
equipment?
Special experience
Does the trip require special
skills on the part of the
participant?
Pre-trip activities
Do you plan to get your group
together before the trip for an
activity or social event?
Conservation, education and
recreation
How will this major excursion
meet the mission of the AMC?
www.outdoors.org/about/
mission.cfm
2/26-3/9 2009
"Scandinavian continental" as well. All other meals in Oslo and in transit will be on
own/with the group at local restaurants. A median price estimate for these are included in
the estimated cost but are at participants expense. Cost for alcohol is not included. It will
be stressed to the participants that dining in Norway, especially Oslo, can be very
expensive, but that a variety of standards can be obtained. Alcohol of any type is highly
taxed; a pint of beer or glass of wine costs at least $10.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will need to do to obtain them:
For the length of stay and rates, all participants will be supplied with a normal 1-year
DNT membership, this is included in the trip price ($96). No permission is required to
ski or access the trails .
If no, please describe the process you went through to find out that they were not
required:
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of equipment and how you
will ensure that people know how to use it:
Double-camber touring skis with metal edges and poles with standard size baskets are
required. Climbing skins very higly recommended.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of experience? Also describe
how you will ensure that the participant has this experience?
Ability & comfort to ski in low/flat-light conditions and ability to read map and
compass; to ask on screening to relate experience.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will do:
Per location and avaliablilty of particpants, a backcountry ski as a final shakedown is
planned for the Greeley Ponds/Kankamagnus Brook/Livermore Trails. Target period will
be early to mid Feb 2009.
Conservation: The Norwegian Government has conserved this entire area for future
generations for future use yet allows some "traditional" uses within national parks and
conservation areas. Huts are also usually fully electrified by hydro-electric power from
glacial lakes, rather than damming rivers. This approach and positive & negative impacts
vs the approach in the US (especially vs the US approach of fostering a "wilderness"
experience will be examined. Education: Norwegian culture, history and language will
be related by the trip leader, who lived in Norway from 1987 to 1990. This will take a
larger focus on the portions of the trip in Oslo and several museums will be visited,
depending on the outlook and desires of the group. Specific areas of culture/history
covered will be outdoor recreation ethic, social democratic governmental policy and
effect upon daily life, economic history and impacts of the North Sea oil boom.
Recreation: We will be covering approx 100 km of skiing in 5 days. Also, in Oslo we
will have a chance to explore how this approach works in a capital city of Europe as we
explore it and a portion of the 2500 km of trails that surround it to the north.
TOUR OPERATOR AND GUIDE SERVICE INFORMATION
Will this trip require a tour
operator or guide service
during part, or the entire
trip?
Name of tour operator/guide
service
Tour operator website
Safety record
Please provide information
about their safety record.
Insurance
Revised 7/15/2016
Yes
No
Please describe their services. If you are using a tour operator for the entire trip,
please describe why you will be using them rather than doing this trip on your own:
Liability? Yes
No
Maximum amt: $
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 3 of 6
Ski Norway 2009
Mike Barry/Phil Mecagni
Do they have liability
insurance?
Emergency response
Please describe the outfitters’
response plan in the case of an
emergency.
2/26-3/9 2009
Are they willing to list AMC as an
additional insured?
Yes
No
RISK ASSESSMENT
Please assess the risks and hazards of your trip. Carefully consider each area of risk and how it may affect your trip.
Devise a plan to prevent each hazard and to respond to it if it becomes necessary. Please be very specific for each section
if applicable.
Trail conditions, river crossings, weather, wildlife (bears, snakes, etc.)
Climate/terrain
Potential hazards
Trail/snow conditions, potential storms and white outs.
Response
Since we are doing day skis, if weather is bad or threatening; we need not do the day's
tour, or stay near the hut. during normal days we will be at most 10-15 km from the hut
and/or the railway line. In addition we will be on well travelled and marked ski trails.
Leader will have a barometer and GPS unit in addition to good maps. Weather in late
February/early March is expected to be generally stable. Storms could be encountered
with white out conditions and high winds but temperatures below minus 20 degrees C
are very unlikely and the weather tends to not change that fast is this area. Terrain is
undulating with not that many cliffs present.
Political concerns, crime, language translation, terrorism
Foreign Country
Potential hazards
Language & petty thievery/pickpocketing
Response
English is widely spoken in Norway, also trip leader has some basic Norwegian ability.
All other risk factors are much lower in Norway than in the US and on the Continent or
UK. Petty thievery should be safeguarded against in downtown Oslo, but is nowhere near
the level in the US or continent.
Road conditions, drivers, insurance
Transportation
Potential hazards
Snow and accidents
Response
Public transport, vast majority rail, only will be used, projected modes are rail and air.
Level of fitness, screening concerns, experience with equipment or activity
Participants
Potential hazards
Medical issues, behavior, fitness, capability and experience
Response
Medical issues to be addressed through screening and use of the medical form,
participants will be advised to bring medications with them. Behavior and capability
issues will be addressed by screening and setting of expectations right from the start in
the trip listing and proposal and through further information provided to the participants.
Specific screening questions, such as where did you ski, how many miles, etc to be
asked.
Conditions unique to this type of trip
Other
Potential hazards
Severe, multi-day storms and small, localized avalances.
Response
Severe-multi-day storms with white out conditions can occure, but rearely at this time of
year and are usually predicted well in advance, so that it's very unlikely the group will be
caught in the open in such conditions. However, in that unlikely event; L and CL will
carry snow shovels, bivy sacks or poncho-saks and full length closed cell foam pads for
use in digging in an emergency snow cave or shelter. L has had some basic orienetation
to snow cave construction and will review prior to trip. Since slopes in this area are
generally either less than 30 degress or greater than 60 degrees avalanches in this area
tend to be very small and the marked trails steer clear of any danger areas. We will stick
to the trails. Avalanche beacons are not worn in this area generally by XC skiers staying
on the trails.
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
Please describe your plans for dealing with emergencies. Use as much detail as possible, and list any special
Revised 7/15/2016
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 4 of 6
Ski Norway 2009
Mike Barry/Phil Mecagni
2/26-3/9 2009
communications equipment you may need to ensure the safety of your participants. DO NOT LEAVE THIS SECTION
BLANK
Cell service is available in the region of the Finse hut and the train line; huts also have
Emergency communication
Phone contacts, language,
land line phones and radios. Trails are patrolled periodically. When within cell phone
documentation, distance from
service area near rail line, leader and coleader will have a cell with european service.
emergency services
Also, L's cell phone is a smart phone with email and www capability. English is widely
understood and leader has some basic Norwegian language ability.
Communications. In addition to the above, L and CL will carry modern digital walkieEmergency equipment
What sort of emergency first
talkie radios with a nominal 1-3km line-of-sight range. First Aid. L/CL will carry a
aid or communication
typical b/c first aid kit. Other equipment that will be carried and can be used for a litter
equipment (satellite phone,
and/or splints are: 2xsix ft closed cell foam pads, 2 snow shovels with detachable hanles
two-way radios) do you plan
and holes in blades, ski poles, duct tape wrapped around ski poles, etc.
to use, if any?
We will never be more than approximately 20-25 km away from a train station on the
Evacuation
Please describe your plan for
Oslo-Bergen railway which is approximately 5 hours from Oslo and 60 minutes to the
evacuation from the
nearest medical facility in Al. Evacuation/alert to a railway station would be via cell
backcountry location if
phone or runner. This area is heavily patrolled by Norwegian Park Police by snowmobile
applicable?
and there is a snow rescue station in Finse.
The nearest rural hospital is the 32-bed Hallingdahl Sukestugu in Al, approximately 60
Medical care
Please describe the medical
minutes by train once evacuated to rail service. Road ambulance serveice in this area isn't
care available in the area(s)
available. Air ambulance service is provided by Norsk Luftambulanse AS, phone
where you will be traveling
number 32.08.60.30 (international +47.32.08.60.30). Their address is Postboks 113, 3571
and list names and telephone
Al, Norway. In general, Norwegian medical service and transport in rural areas is
numbers for these facilities.
superior to that in the US.
COST AND BUDGET DETAILS
Deposits
What deposits will be required
by airlines, hotels, tour
operators, etc., and when?
Refunds
What is the latest date you can
cancel and still receive a full
refund?
Participant deposit
What are the initial deposit
and your schedule of
payments?
Cancellation policy
What will your cancellation
policy be for the participants?
Minimum numbers
Will you still run the trip if you
do not get the minimum
Revised 7/15/2016
The Oslo hotel will require a deposit 3-6 months out and typically will offer a full refund
within 30-60 days out. Rates have risen significantly in the last year and I am looking at
several hotels in the neighborhood, since my previous "stand-by" has gone too
expensive. The only other fixed in advance costs are the rail tickets, which are nonrefundable to get the low rate. However, they can be booked within about 30 days. The
huts cannot be booked in advance,. However, in my experience for this time of year there
is plenty of room available during the week, which is when we will be there.
Will verify upon bookin gthe Oslo hotel.
$500.00
Date
Payment Remaining Balance
Upon Application$500
$1620
Upon Acceptance $500
$1120
November 1, 2008 $1120
$000
Date of Cancellation
Replacement Found
Up thru Oct 31, 2008
(fees of $1000 paid to date)
$900
Nov1 thru Dec15, 2008
(fees of $2120 paid to date)
$1820
Dec 16, 2008 – Feb 25, 2009
(fees of $2120 paid to date)
$1620
Yes
No
Replacement not found
$500
$1120
$320
If yes, please describe conditions:
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 5 of 6
Ski Norway 2009
Mike Barry/Phil Mecagni
2/26-3/9 2009
number?
Reference web links:
MEC Home Page:
Forms:
Deadlines:
Club House:
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/application/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/listings
amcexcursions@outdoors.org
E-Mail Addresses:
Club House:
MEC Chair:
amcexcursions@outdoors.org
mecchair@amcboston.org
Revised 7/15/2016
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 6 of 6