Last day in paradise

All good things comes to an end. Easter holidays are no exception. Inghild preferred to stay in the cabin whilst I chose a short trip to Kyrkjeoksle on rando-skis….

…. to mark my signature…

… before skiing the 6 km track down to where the car was parked, and then driving for 6 hrs back to rOslo.

I’ll let this photo from the highest point on the road – Valdresflya – mark the end of this holiday in Jotunheimen’s paradise.

Comfort zone – and beyond

After a rather relaxed day yesterday we decided to stretch our limits today. Sun from a clear sky and -14 in the morning. Perfect! Today’s destination was Langvasshøe, with Visbretind as a stretch target. The trip starts off with a rather long and steep climb. Not much of a problem with skins under the skis. However, there is a part where we walk along a very steep slope. One of those places where it’s not allowed to fall – unless you want that to be the last thing you do.

As you might guess we didn’t stop to take photos very often today. Across some of the steep parts we had to take the skis on our backpack and walk. It was simply too challenging with skis. I have gone this route once before many years ago and sort of knew what to expect. Though I must admit it wasn’t so icy then. Hence, today I was on the border of my comfort zone and I think Inghild was way beyond her comfort zone, even though that isn’t easy to spot in this photo.

At the end of the day we had to give in. Without cramp-ons and ice-axes there was no way forward. We chose to follow one of the nine “mountain-guidelines” we have here in Norway: “there’s no shame in turning around and go back”

After all we had a full day out in the lovely weather, we stretched our limits and had a tough exercise. In other words an excellent day!

Good Friday – good indeed

Today it’s Good Friday, and it has been a really good day. A clear sky and -10, can we ask for more?

From left: Store Urdadalstind, Store Hellstugutind, Visbretind and Langvasshøe (QC’d by my good friend Gunnar)

One of the important things to be aware of in the mountains is how fast the weather may change. The following two photos was taken within half an hour.

The clouds and snow made it easy to accommodate Inghild’s wish for a short and easy trip, and we returned early to the cabin.
However, just as fast as it can change from sunny to snow, it may turn around again. And so it did. Hence, while Inghild enjoyed the sun outside the cabin, I got a nice walk with my rando-skis to a peak nearby and a following run in white powder back down. Just great!

Is it safe?

“Is it safe?” I’ve heard that question a few times, and it is always a relevant one. The answer is yes and no. Yes, when I’m in charge, ’cause I prepare for the worst possible. I always bring equipment for surviving a night outdoors if required. However, the most important safety measure is to consider the weather and pay attention to the forecast.

Today it was no sun, but wind and snow. However, not enough to keep us from going out.

As seen on the photo the visibility wasn’t too bad, at least not in the morning.

The sticks are used as marking for the routes between the various cabins. If two or three sticks are visible we are in good shape.

Leirvassbu – a cabin or a hotel?

In Norway the term “tourist cabin” is well known. It is an (often quite big) cabin in the mountains open for any member of the Norwegian Hiking Association (Den Norske Turistforening), and some are even open to anybody.
These cabins are very basic, without water and electricity.

And then there are some exceptions. The cabins which have people working there, serving food and sometimes even water and electricity, and en-suite bathrooms. My friends in London may wonder: so is this a hotel in the mountains? 3 course dinner and en-suite could suggest so.

It’s not. The photos below will perhaps give you an idea of what it is.

The lounge and the bar

The luxurious en-suite

the generous sized bedroom

Leirvassbu in all its glory

Midtre Høgvagltind

Yesterday I mentioned that there’s no reception here. That’s still true, but the 21st century has arrived here – in terms of WiFi!!

Today, Wednesday, the sun is still clear and bright from a blue sky. -10 C and no wind make it perfect for targeting a peak. Contrary to many other countries, Norway has given names to all mountains and peaks, not just a number indicating its height. Our destination today was Midtre Høgvagltind (2066 m). Please don’t ask me to translate the name. It’s not possible.
Yes, it’s the round one far away…

Inghild happily pointing towards where we came from.

No matter how great weather, if I’m not fit it will be hard work! And I should have been more fit! It was hard work skiing/walking/”climbing” towards the top. It made it even better reaching the top!

Everything we could wish for

Arriving at the parking area in Leirdalen felt almost like coming home. The sun was shining from a clear sky and the mountains were dressed in white. Could we ask for anything more?