Birkebeinerrennet - the old days
David Dermott
1920's in Gudbrandsdale (Lillehammer area) and Østerdale (Rena area), 2
valleys 50 km apart, separated by a 1000 m high mountain range.
For practice, I've tried to translate part of this story at:
"http://www.amot.gs.hm.no/birken2000/historie/gamle_dager.htm"
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When Østerdalers or Gudbrandsdalers would take part in ski competitions
in the neighboring dale, they skied gladly over the mountains both to and
from. Especially in the 1920s were there many from Lillehammer who took
part in the big races in Østerdale. It was cross-country on Saturday and
jumping on Sunday and all must take part in both disciplines. It was
only the combined placing which gave the prize. The supper with prize
giving and dance Sunday evening was obligatory
It is told that Halvor Kampen, one of the pioneers of Birkebeinerrennet
(it is first and foremost Halvor who should have the honor of the
Birkebeiner trail), was rather dazed early Monday morning when the
Lillehamrings set off over the hillside west of Glomma to
ski home. But when they came up the mountain Halvor was in his element;
and even if he was breaking trail, he was in Lillehammer well ahead of
the others.
In the first decades of this (1900s) century skis were still an
important means of transportation - to the shop, to school, to court,
church and midwife. Such there became a marked ski trail between
Gudbrandsdale and Østerdale. Thus became the Birkebeiner trail, even if
it partly goes farther south than the most important travel routes in
the old days.
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On the same site (a magazine created by students at a school in Rena)
there are other stories about the original Birkebeiners of year 1205,
Birkebeiners during WW-2, etc.
--
David Dermott , Wolfville Ridge, Nova Scotia, Canada
email: der...@ns.sympatico.ca
WWW pages: http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/dermott/