trolltunga adventures
CELINE JESSEN
From: Bergen, Norway
Adventurous and fearless are two words that describe Celine! She works as the general manager of Trolltunga adventures, which tailors guided tours in the mountains around Hardanger. We have been lucky enough to work with Celine for many years and look forward to the future!
WHAT IS YOUR JOB AND HOW DOES A DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
I work as the general manager of Trolltunga Adventures, and have worked at Trolltunga Adventures for almost 4 years. When I started my job, I started as a guide and also worked with social media. Today, I am more in the office and do administrative work.
A day at work for me is never the same. The tasks can vary from working on computers with sales, marketing, organization, staffing and logistics - to guiding tours to Trolltunga. My favorite office is outdoors, when I am guiding; then I feel truly free, and it is fantastic to be out in nature with people and help them have a good nature experience.
Even though many days in the mountains are demanding, it gives the most energy. When you are out on a rainy day, you come home with a good feeling and the guests on the tour are the ones who really influence that good feeling. See them master and really do something that is outside their comfort zone. We live in Western Norway in Odda and here it really is not only sunny days. But it really does mean that you do not get bored of the job when you are guiding, no days are the same. You meet people from all over the world and are inspired by them and learn a lot about culture.
INSPIRATION
During my studies at the Norwegian School of Economics, I daydreamed about being able to work with what I truly loved – being out in nature with other people. The idea of having nature as my office was truly a dream that I never thought would come true. I then took a big step when I moved from Bergen to Odda, initially with the plan to live here for four months, but eight years later I am living here and living the dream. I am incredibly happy that I followed this passion.



What has been most rewarding, and what do you appreciate most now that you are living your dream?
I am passionate about working closely with others and creating memorable experiences for those around me. Every day offers new challenges and opportunities, and this is precisely what makes this lifestyle so enjoyable. One of the most rewarding things about my job is seeing guests experience the enormous sense of accomplishment – especially when someone who is unsure if they can handle the trip completes it and is beaming with pride. I also really appreciate the varied work schedule, the opportunity to be out in nature, and not least the fantastic team of guides we have. We have about 40 guides in high season, and we are incredibly lucky to have such a great team.



Det har vært utfordringer på veien?
Absolutt – veien hit har ikke vært uten utfordringer. Det har vært en bratt læringskurve, og jeg har lært ufattelig mye – ikke bare om naturen, men også om mennesker og kultur. Hver utfordring har bidratt til å forme meg. Det er alltid noe nytt og lære og det er noe av det mest spennende med denne jobben! Man blir aldri ferdig utlært😉
Hvordan håndterer du naturens uforutsigbarhet?
Naturen her på Vestlandet kan være svært varierende med stadig skiftende værforhold. Derfor er det avgjørende med god forberedelse og solide sikkerhetsrutiner. Vi sørger for at alle guider har nødvendig opplæring, flere av våre guider har bachelor i friluftsliv.
En ting jeg virkelig har lært meg er hvor viktig det er å kle seg godt. Jeg har mye mer i sekken i dag enn jeg hadde for 8 år siden. Været er uforutsigbart så det er bedre å ta med seg for mye enn for lite om været skulle endre seg. Der er vi og veldig observant på våre gjester hvor de får gode pakkelister på forhånd og kan eventuelt leie utstyr dersom de mangler noe. kan hjelpe til med tilvenningsprosessen.