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 weeks to late 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.

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.

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.

A steep day at the office.

Isklatringen er igang

Selvom tåka hang tjukk, så er det fine forhold på GT-fossene. Det var 5-6 ledbare linjer, og noen "tynne" topptau muligheter.

Søndagen dro vi tilbake til Golsjuvet.

Sen lunch smaker like godt, og fjellet viser seg fra sin beste side.

Isen eksploderer ved hver øksehugg, og angsten for å lage store "dinner plates" følger meg hele veien opp. Da er det deilig å komme opp på standplass etter en fight med den kalde og harde isen. Thomas følger på med hulblader og kjenner mer på leggmusklene sine.

Veldig fornøyd!

Jeg står på standplass, driver med anleggsarbeid for å holde varmen. Hydalen Terrasse er ferdig, 8 m lang og god plass:)

Etter noe stillestand og to rapeller ned fossen, er mine føtter kalde, så Thomas starter returen opp fossen.

Teknologien følger med oss innover fjellet, selvom man må strekke seg litt etter signalene noen ganger.

Lørdag grydde til en strålende dag, og vi ville ta turen innover fjellet til Hydalen. Det var -12°C da vi parkerte ved Vavatn, og begynte noen timers truging innover fjellet.

Thomas er flue på veggen. Bratt vilt og vakkert!