Friluftsjenta
Introduce yourself:
My name is Karen Kyllesø and I come from Hjelmeland, a small municipality in South-West Norway. I am 21 years old, and until recently I worked for the fish farming company MOWI. Now I focus 100% on training as I am preparing for the South Pole trek I will undertake in November 2024.
What kind of activities do you do?
I love everything to do with the outdoors, and I grew up hunting, fishing, skiing and going on long mountain hikes. I still do all of these, but I have grown especially fond of extra long ski tours. In 2018, I became the youngest woman to ever cross Greenland on skis, and since then the South Pole has been my next big goal.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about dreams. I believe that one should dare to dream big and dare to seize opportunities, instead of following trends or doing what everyone else is doing.
What are some highlights/achievements that you are proud of?
Crossing Greenland as a 14-year-old in 2018 was a major highlight for me, and something I had dreamed of and worked towards for a long time. I am also proud to have completed the world's toughest expedition race, "Expedition Amundsen", together with Aleksander Gamme.
In 2023, I completed my longest solo winter trip from Alta to Abisko, a three-week trip on the North Calotte, which gave me the final confidence I needed to apply to go solo to the South Pole.
What or who has inspired you to keep doing what you do?
Many people have inspired me through books, films and social media, but most of all I am inspired by dreams, the joy of traveling and a sense of accomplishment.
What environmentally conscious choices do you make in your everyday life and when you are out hiking?
When you spend a lot of time in nature, you become more aware of littering, pollution and environmental changes. I think this is the best way to become environmentally conscious. My best tip is to reduce consumption. Set requirements for what it takes to buy a garment, for example: "I will wear this often, I will not get tired of it, and it is comfortable and functional." Then it will be much easier to shop environmentally friendly.
What is your best hiking experience? And worst?
Best: One of the best hiking experiences I have had was when I crossed Svalbard with six other girls. We walked across Svalbard, from Kapp Linne to Agardhbukta. It was an incredibly nice hike and a raw experience to share this with a group of girls.
Worst: Finnmark in May, when I had to wade in sugar snow, and the sled kept getting stuck.
Have you ever been scared on a hike? What did you learn from that?
Once I was on a trip in Finland, it was so cold that my Inreach (GPS and satellite communication) died. It took several hours of warming up and charging in the tent before I got it back to life. I was a little scared, since I use it to send messages back home so they know I'm okay. I learned that a lot can happen on a trip, and that it's important to keep a cool head and do the best you can to resolve the situation.
What's the best thing about being out in nature?
Nature is the easiest arena to experience a sense of accomplishment. It can be anything from reaching a peak, lighting a campfire, or spending a night alone in nature. I think this is an important feeling that makes me more confident in myself and my choices.
Where is your dream trip going?
The South Pole!
Where would you like to be right now?
On a white expanse with skis on my feet and a tent on my sled.
Where will you be in 10 years?
I hope I am at least 1000 hiking experiences richer, and that I can share my experiences and inspire others to follow their dreams.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I did cross-country skiing in an elite sports program in high school, but the program was adapted so that I could include long ski trips as part of the training.
What are your favorite shoes from ALFA?
Alfa Polar is my absolute favorite for mountain skiing. My feet have never been cold in these shoes, and they fit well on the foot, which helps me avoid blisters.
The new hiking shoe Driv has also become one of my favorites. It fits very well on the foot, is light and allows good movement in the ankle joint, unlike many other mountain shoes I have tried.
