A life less ordinary
Norway is consistently ranked as one of the world's happiest countries, and some of the explanation might lie in the term "friluftsliv". It was initially invented in 1859 by the Norwegian playwright and poet, Henrik Ibsen, who used the word to describe the value of spending time in remote locations for spiritual and physical wellbeing.
A mix of the Norwegian words for free, air and life - its best translated as an outdoors lifestyle and today it can be everything from a short hike or picknick in the woods to a canoeing trip, or a night in a tent - as long as its outside. Because friluftsliv involves a connection with the healing powers of nature.
This power was also one of the reasons why Mina and Alexander started their long-lasting adventure, back in 2018 when Alexander found himself without a job following a reorganisation at work……
Having spent a lot of time in the mountains all his life, he decided to turn the situation into a positive experience. He wanted to do something with his regular hiking tours and decided to go on an expedition with Mina, then only 2 years old.
“Due to work commitments, Mina's mum is unable to drop off and pick up Mina at kindergarten. It was clear from the start that if I were to go, Mina would come with me. And this made it even more exciting,” says Alexander.
They started with no less than an impressive 57-day long winter trip from Vest-Agder to Jotunheimen.
“Suddenly I had a mountain guide who opened a gate to a magical kingdom I didn’t know existed”, Alexander says.
Two years later, they have dozens of expeditions behind them, several of which have raised money for charity. They have made documentaries and children's television programs and have been nominated for several awards.
In 2019, they were named “Årets Villmarkinger” (Wilderness people of the year).
You can follow the short and long expeditions of the father-daughter duo on their Instagram page Mina og meg, where you can get a glimpse of “everyday life” in the mountains as you follow the couple's search for magical hiking moments.
Someone else who always joins them …