It was good to "be on the move" again, after last season's modest outing record – and I especially appreciated the wood-powered sauna, which has been sorely missing of late. It was also good seeing Emma again – and other previously known people – and I do think that Vålåvalen was the better choice this year; five people are on the low side, and overcrowdedness brings its own set of problems, but the number present now was Just About Right®. And, it is always interesting to see what people bring for The Dinner, since weight is usually not a big concern on shorter tours like this – and the occasion itself merits some extravaganza.

The weather this time around was fairly similar to previous New Year trips. The first stage to Stensdalen felt very familiar, and the last day was almost a direct copy of the one from two years ago, only that the wind was not quite as bad and had a more favorable direction this time. The real high point was the second day, with its lack of wind, clear skies and cold but somehow still warming light – until evening, anyway. Midwinter at its best, heightened by the serenity and presence of the fjelds.

So, four times, evenly spaced – does that a tradition make? We shall see...