Saturday, May 20th, 2023. A helicopter lands on the outskirts of Jostedalsbreen, dropping off a TV host, two safety experts, climbing gear, skis, food, tents, stoves, and cameras. It’s around 11 am, and the helicopter has been flying forth and back for a few hours already. They join the rest of the group on the glacier, eager to take advantage of the two-day weather window that’s been forecasted.

It’s 1 pm when the crew starts ski touring across the glacier: 18 people in total, consisting of 4 contestants, the host, an 8-person safety team, and the production team.

“It’s a much larger group than what you normally see on such a complex expedition, and in advance, we try to uncover all the various things that we’ll be exposed to. From a safety perspective, we’re down to a one-to-one or one-to-two ratio, meaning one safety expert per one or two contestants and production member,” explains Rune Malterud, head of Storm Adventures—a company that provides safety, logistics, and medical services for television and film productions.

Rune spent years in the Norwegian Armed Forces before establishing Storm Adventures with Stian Aker, his partner on the winning team of the Amundsen Omega3 South Pole Race 2009. Since then, he has been running safety for 71° nord, and according to him, Lodalskåpa is the show’s most spectacular project to date. 

“Group size is an important factor. Everyone must be taken care of, and everyone must get help if something happens, from faulty ski equipment to a strained Achilles heel,” says Rune.

In the spectacular world of Norway's 71° nord, where contestants battle both each other and nature’s elements, the security team plays a pivotal, yet often overlooked, role. Behind the scenes lies the meticulous planning and vigilance of the team. They blend into the show’s dramatic backdrop, ensuring that the adventure remains thrilling yet safe.

Exhaustive groundwork precedes the expedition, which has been planned for months. Weather predictions, terrain analysis, and participant readiness form the triad of their planning strategy, and the preparations involve extensive reconnaissance. "The route to Lodalskåpa is familiar to us in every season," says Rune. "We've scouted the route in both summer and winter." 

Creating television in Norway's wilderness requires meticulous planning and a deep respect for nature. "The logistics of filming in such remote locations are daunting," he says. "Ensuring the safety of contestants and crew in unpredictable weather and difficult terrain is paramount.

What sets 71° nord apart is its commitment to authenticity, offering unscripted drama in real, challenging environments. The contestants must often work as a team to overcome obstacles, and nobody is given special treatment.    

For host Tom Stiansen, this credo was illustrated on the Lodalskåpa stage when one of the contestants dropped his tent pole off a cliff while they were setting up camp high on the mountain at the end of the first day.

“That tent pole was lost in the snow hundreds of meters further down, and the production crew had no urge to give him one of their own poles, so he had to sleep under the stars. For some, that could be a shock, but he dealt with the situation, and of course, he was fine. We had warm sleeping bags. I even slept outside myself as the tents can get crowded,” says Tom. 

The host is a former alpinist for the Norwegian alpine ski team and won the World Championship in slalom. He has hosted 71° nord since 2006 and has nothing but praise for the crew. “The Lodalskåpa expedition is the most spectacular we’ve done. It’s a complex stage, and there’s a reason why we’ve tried three times in the past without luck.

“I have full confidence in Rune and the safety team. I sometimes say that the most dangerous thing we do is driving, and it’s not a joke. The safety team makes sure that every aspect of a stage is planned and prepared and that the right safety measures are in place. We don’t have the same measure of control when we’re out on the road between stages.”

On the day of the climb, the team divides into smaller, manageable groups, each led by seasoned guides. This strategic division ensures that every participant, regardless of their skill level, receives the right amount of guidance and attention, a crucial factor given the varied skill levels and physical conditioning of the contestants.

The climb is as much a mental challenge as it is physical. The security team ensures that the contestants are not only physically but also mentally prepared for the task ahead. This psychological preparedness is crucial in managing the fears and anxieties that such a challenging environment inevitably stirs up. Rational thinking and being prepared are essential for tackling the psychological challenges of the climb.

“Climbing with skis attached to your backpack and crampons on your ski boots is a rare occurrence,” says Rune. “The skis are a physical obstacle. They slam into the rock, and you must climb differently as the skis push you a bit out from the wall. It adds another dimension, and it looks good on TV. 

“But of course, it’s an irrational situation. And it’s fun to see how the participants must learn to trust their gear and experience that even when they freak out, they are able to regain control by breathing with their stomach and thinking rationally.”  

As the climb progresses, the security team’s expertise emerges.“It’s about helping them find their inner strength,” he says. The team guides the participants through the most challenging sections, still allowing them to feel fear and try to solve the challenges on their own. The team’s presence provides reassurance and technical assistance, ensuring safety throughout the entire route.

Despite the best-laid plans, the possibility of emergencies looms large. People might get sick or fall. The team is prepared for rapid response, with protocols in place for various scenarios. “Our goal is to prevent accidents, but we’re always ready to respond if they occur,” says Rune.

Helicopters were crucial for maximizing the limited weather window as they facilitated quick access to the starting point on the first day. “Weather is an unpredictable player, and constant monitoring of weather patterns is vital. A sudden change in weather can turn a manageable situation into a risky one,” says Rune.

As climbers know, you’re far from done when you reach the summit. For the four semi-finalists, completing the stage means they must get down from Lodalskåpa on skis.

Maneuvering through glacier terrain with crevasses is a skill of its own, and members of the safety team lead the way to establish a route the participants can follow. Still, they have to do the skiing themselves, and with slope angles reaching 35 degrees at the steepest,  sun-baked snow, heavy backpacks, and tired muscles, the descent is in many ways riskier than the climb.           

71° nord remains a testament to the power of TV to not just entertain but also inspire and educate. The Lodalskåpa expedition, with its meticulous planning and unfaltering focus on safety, is a powerful narrative of adventure, responsibility, and the enduring allure of nature, made possible by a highly skilled team of outdoor professionals behind the scenes.