At 1222 metres above sea level, Finse in Norway lies at the highest point on the railway between the city of Bergen in the west and the Norwegian capital Oslo in the east. Finse is a favoured location for both winter and summer activities.

Finse is also a favoured location for learning how to build snow caves. The KFUK-KFUM Scouts in Bergen (pictured above) annually offer their youth members a course in building snow caves. Having the tools, knowledge and skills to build a snow cave may be what gets you out alive if you suddenly find yourself surprised by bad weather, lost or simply did not turn back in time.

On winter days when the sky is so white that is seemingly merges into the ground, when snow and fog envelop any landmarks around you, and when there is no sunshine or moonlight to contour your white surroundings, you are at extra high risk of getting lost.

Learning how to build a snow cave may then be what saves you from leaving Earth and entering Heaven a little too soon.

Articles available at:

http://www.ba.no/nyheter/article7292984.ece

http://www.ba.no/nyheter/article7292975.ece

Photo credit: Britt Embry