Hardangervidda, Norway - March 2025

In March 2025, 65 Degrees North will take on a challenging expedition across the iconic Hardangervidda Plateau, retracing the ski tracks of the ‘Heroes of Telemark.’ This 140-kilometer journey, taking 4-6 days, demands mental and physical resilience as you navigate marked trails with rucksacks or sleds. The trek begins at the northern edge of the plateau and concludes with a visit to the Vemork museum, site of the original WWII raid. This adventure not only tests endurance but also fosters leadership, decision-making, communication, and teamwork, strengthening relationships through shared challenges.

In the late 1930s and early 1940s, British, American, and German scientists were racing to achieve nuclear fission, a key step toward developing nuclear reactors and weapons. In 1940, Germany occupied Norway and gained control of the Vemork hydro plant, the only large-scale producer of ‘heavy water’ in Europe, essential for nuclear fission. To prevent Hitler from advancing his nuclear ambitions, the Allies planned a daring raid to destroy the facility.

An initial British raid failed tragically when their plane was shot down over Southern Norway, resulting in most of the force being killed. However, ‘Operation Gunnerside’ succeeded on 29 February 1943, when nine Norwegian commandos, trained in Scotland, sabotaged the Vemork plant. After parachuting onto the Hardangervidda Plateau and surviving a harsh winter without supplies, the saboteurs destroyed the facility and escaped. Some remained in Norway, while others crossed into Sweden before returning to England. The last surviving saboteur, Joachim Ronnenberg, passed away at 99 in Ålesund, Norway, on 21 October 2018.