Hurrungane

In the south from the top of Heirsnosi 1348 m, gives us this magnificent view of the Hurrungane mountain area. Hurrungane being the most alpine terrain we have in Norway, with most peaks raising well above 2000 m.

Biking Heirsnosi 1348 m

After climbing the east peak of Torfinnstind the day before, we had yet another beautiful day, biking across the mountain Heirsnosi above Øvre Årdal. We did not find the trail, but surprisingly we did spend quite some time on the seat of our bikes anyway.

Gaustatoppen 1883 m, 3. April 2011

Leaving the fog in Oslo and Kongsberg behind, Telemark is showing us the front side.

With no wind and the warm sun above, Perry is working the tan.

Even if the snow pack is retracting, the couloirs are pretty good.

After making it through the boulder garden, Perry is opening up the turns, and is really excited about the new swords.

Vettis

After the leg-burning intro on Seltun, we walked in the valley of Utla to check out the waterfall of Vettisfossen, 274 m.
It is quite an impressive place, when you turn the corner of the gigantic notch and you see the frozen waterfall plastered to the rock wall above. Unfortunately we were a few week later for our mission.

Jutulfossen

So she tricked me into believing this was the mistletoe of the Norwegian forest, and we had to kiss. She is so sweet!

With happy feet in new boots, Trude is having a blast and chopping away in the soft ice of today.

Tsunami (Fjøddebekken)

This is the last day of our annual early season ice climbing trip. Setesdal proved to be a great place to go ice climb. And we have had a very nice stay at Reiårsfossen Camp. This morning William helped us out by bringing the boat, so we could row to our climb of the day. Excellent service

The 10 minutes of rowing, saved us the hour and a half of hiking along the riverside of Otra.

250 m of climbing up ahead. That adds up to 1100 meters of ice climbing in 4 days.

With a fairly high density of frozen waterfalls, Setesdal is a great place with a variety of climbs and short approaches.

How did we manage before we started using a down- or micro loft jacket at the belay, …..brrrr

The last part of the head wall was dripping wet. It is an experience when the pouring water enters in through the sleeves of the jacket and ends up in your boots.

Thanks Thomas for a fantastic  ice climbing weekend!

Rysefossen

Photo: Thomas Lium

After scouting out the ice falls in the southbound direction, plans were changed on the fly. I love rest days

Chop chop!

Exciting and magnificent terrain. Closing in on the top wall of Rysefossen.

Thomas is braking trail.

Returning back down the same way we climbed up.

The Great Groove (Faksebekk)

With a temperature difference of 15 degrees from the day before, all worries were pushed aside and Thomas is attacking head on.

Photo: Thomas Lium

The ice went from dry to very wet in a few steps. But we stayed high and dry

Lunch brake with the best view!

A few hundred meters more of climbing, and then the 3 hour walk out. An eight hour round trip – Beautiful

Reiårsfossen

The lit up water fall from yesterday was just as impressive in the morning light. Lines were discussed and the first pitch was offered to myself, exciting…

Photo: Thomas Lium

First pitch, and the temperature is raising underneath the helmet.

The hollow blades that Thomas uses penetrates with ease and does not chip off much ice at all.

Setesdal 2010

When we arrived at Reiårsfossen Camp last night, the owner had lit up the frozen water fall. No mistaking on were to stop ;

Today we climbed it in 4 long pitches.

Store Venjetinden 1852 m

Last Saturday made for a great day in the mountains. We started of at the brake of dawn, and hoped that the snow conditions would be good to us.

We were planning to do the Normal route up the North side of Store Venjetind.

The day came creeping up on us as we slowly made it up the mountain side. We soon changed our line, involving more rock and less snow. In the back, Romsdalshornet and the Troll wall is getting ready to receive the morning sun.

The line becoming more interesting with a steeper angle and a mix of snow and ice.

At a point were the slabs were covered in a thin layer of loose snow, and we were forced back out on the Normal route.

As the day light faded, we made out way back down on the Normal route. We had to turn around 150 m short of the summit, but it will be there the next time.

Gaustatoppfossene again

The last few days snow had soften the ice, and it was wet in some places. The center pillar was dry and in excellent condition. Quite busy with 9 climbers at the scene.

Several lines were lead climbed and top roped.

Hassan with his brand new Cobra’s.

The clouds are moving light and hasty

Gaustatoppen is dressed for the winter, but not quite skiable yet.

Gaustatoppfossene 2010

Great condition in Telemark. Temperature was 5-6 minus, and the ice was not to hard. Include some stubbys, and there is 6-7 lines to lead climb.

Kongsberg Water Park

Odd and I laid down the first piece of “real” work on the coming freestyle park in Kongsberg. We placed 9 anchors for the Tyrolian travers set up, in order to do a complete survey of the river bed in the lower Nybrufossen. Now we will have to wait for the water level to drop, before we can continue the survey. Probably in the early spring of 2011.

Bingsen 13. og 14. april 2010

Årets første padletur med start ved brua i Smedrudelva. Det var lav vannstand begge dager, -15 og -20 cm under kant ved take out brua.
Et stykke ned fra put-in broen, er elven blokkert av to trær. Mulig disse vil flytte seg ved større vannføring da de ligger løst på svaberget. Det er enkelt å bære forbi på venstre side.

Urula 20. april 2010

Vi hadde en fin tur i Urula om tirsdagen. Ok vannstand og ikke for skvalpete i det kalde vannet, 219.29 moh.
Men vær oppmerksom, i det lille juvet er elven blokkert av en tømmerstokk. Den ligger i vannflaten i bunnen av stryket. Ved større vannføring er det ikke sikkert den er synlig.

The fog have closed in on the Velan Hut 2642 moh, and the Uno is at play :)
If weather permits we are going for Mount Velan 3731 moh tomorrow. And then continue to the Valsorey Hut.

Ahh.. at last we are moving again after two slow days in Orsieris and Bourg St Pierre. The wet avalanch danger peaked at level 4 yesterday, but came down to 3 today. We started 6.30am this morning in order to get past the danger zones on our way to the Velan Hut.

We were blessed with nice and cold weather while in Chamonix. Overlooking the Val Blanch and Aug du Midi in the background. We skied the Val Blanch and Petit Rognan the day before.