At Swazi, we love hearing about our gear being put through its paces in the world’s toughest environments. And when one of our customers, Kenneth and his Wife Sarah, shared their story of retracing the legendary WW2 sabotage mission, Operation Gunnerside, we knew it was one worth telling.
Whilst this expedition took place in part to commemorate the bravery and resilience of those original saboteurs. They were helped on their way by the training they received from British allies in Scotland. With that in mind, Kenneth, Sarah, and their team decided to set up a fundraising page and raise funds for the RMA - The Royal Marines Charity, which exists to help the entire Royal Marines family. If you would like to donate to their cause, you can do so by donating here.
Here’s their incredible journey through the wilds of Norway, where history, endurance, and Swazi gear all played a part.
Retracing the Steps of Heroes
In late February 2025, my wife and I embarked on a journey to Norway to follow the historic ski trails of one of WW2’s most daring sabotage missions—Operation Gunnerside.
In 1943, a small team of incredibly brave and resilient Norwegian commandos traversed the harsh HardangerVidda to reach the Vemork Hydroelectric Power Plant. Their mission? To sabotage the plant and halt the development of an atomic bomb by the occupying forces. Their success was instrumental, and their story was later immortalized (albeit loosely) in the film The Heroes of Telemark.
The resilience of these saboteurs was, in part, due to the training they received from British allies in Scotland. Given the vital role our military plays today, we chose to use our journey to raise funds for the Royal Marines Charity (RMA)—an extraordinary organisation supporting both serving and veteran Royal Marines, as well as their families.
The Expedition
Joining a small group, mostly former Royal Marines (and one Norwegian with a trusty husky), we set off on an unsupported journey, retracing the original route. Along the way, we stayed in some of the same hyttes—basic wooden shelters—used by the saboteurs, carrying (or dragging) all the supplies needed for survival.
This 10-day trek was one of the most challenging, humbling, and life-affirming experiences we’ve ever undertaken. There were moments when we had to dig deep and remind ourselves why we were there, but there was never any doubt that we would finish what we started.
To give some context:
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Distance Covered: Over six days, we skied more than 100km. The final 5km stretch to the hydro plant had patchy snow, so we switched to snowshoes.
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Accommodation: Four nights were spent in hyttes—simple wooden shelters with a log burner but no electricity or running water. One of those nights involved 36 hours of hunkering down while a storm raged outside.
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Weight Carried: Up to 20kg in our rucksacks, with pulks (sleds) carrying up to 50kg between two people.
There were 11 of us—five on the ‘attack’ route, six on the ‘escape’ route—plus four Directing Staff (DS). More than three-quarters of the group were either former or serving Royal Marines or UKSF. Their stories of service reminded us why raising funds for the RMA was so important.
No Such Thing as Bad Weather—Just Bad Kit!
When taking on a challenge like this, having the right kit is non-negotiable. As a hunter, I’ve learned to trust only the most reliable, hard-wearing gear—so naturally, Swazi was my first choice.
For my base and mid-layer, I used the Microfleece Shirt for warmth and moisture-wicking, paired with the Kagoule Anorak for wind and waterproof protection.
Having now tested them in extreme conditions, I can confidently say these products performed flawlessly. The waterproof layer offered excellent protection, while the high neck and hood kept me shielded from gale-force winds and snow. The pocket placement was ideal—easily accessible when carrying a Bergen, perfect for storing spare gloves and energy bars.
A merino base layer, the Swazi Microfleece Shirt, and the windproof Kagoule Anorak proved to be the perfect combination to stay warm and dry, all while ensuring moisture control—critical in a harsh environment where overheating and sweating can be just as dangerous as the cold.
Pushed to the Limits—And Beyond
This trip was a true test of endurance, mindset, and gear. We experienced firsthand the brutal conditions the original saboteurs faced, and in doing so, we gained a deep appreciation for their incredible feat of resilience.
To Swazi—thank you for producing top-quality gear that doesn’t just perform but excels in the world’s most demanding environments. Norway put it to the test, and it passed with flying colours.
For anyone heading into the wild, trust your gear. Trust Swazi.
If you’ve got an adventure story to share, we’d love to hear it! Drop us a message at customerservices@swazi.com or, if you have photos, head over to Share Your Swazi and show us where your Swazi gear has taken you!
