Not for the fainthearted, I felt…
Day 1. Flew out Thursday to Oslo, train north to Vinstra and then a bus to Skabu. Met a Dutchman on the bus, planning to walk in to the same area… carrying a 23kg pack (pic 1). Left Wender at the waterfall, walked up to Storholiseter and stayed in the DNT hut (980m a.s.l). (17km).
Day 2. Walk to Liomseter (915m a.s.l) over the pass (about 1250m) between Nordre and Sore Langsua. Some heavy going in deep snow for about 1km. Path fine once over the pass. (Liomseter was open for the first day of the season and I was the only guest). Excellent hopsitality, but breakfasts were a little large… (36km).
Day 3. Fine weather and an easy walk to Storkvelvbua (1200m a.s.l). (15km).
Day 4. Rest day – ascent of Nonstjonnkampen (1309m). Rivers from the Storkvolvbekken were too difficult to cross so I had to return to the south of the Vestmjos Lake to cross there and then head south to meet the ridge. Easy ascent from here, 6 hour round trip to hut. (12km).
Day 5. Took the path via Storholiseter to Oskampen (1175m a.s.l). (24km).
Day 6. Returned to Storholiseter for noon. A few hours sleep and then departed 8pm for a night ascent of Ruten (1516m). 17km 986m ascent to Ruten summit. Then 28km descent to Vinstra. I arrived Vinstra for 7:30am but managed to hitch a lift for the last 2km from a local. (43km discounting lift).
Day 7. Arrived in Vinstra, train to Oslo. Anker Hostel is recommended. So too is the Cafe Sara around the corner.
Day 8. Visited the Munch Museum before lunch and flight home…
Summary… I walked 147km, stayed in 4 huts, met 3 people in the guardian hut (staff), 6 others on the trail, and no one in the huts (all empty). Huts were great, people were nice, although you don’t meet many, and it stays light…
Points to note…
1. The DNT hut system means I carried a (very) light rucksack (7kg). This meant I could travel long distances. Alternatively, it also means light sacks and short distances make a very accessible country venue to a remote area for any other members.
2. It is remote. This area is one of the first to open up after winter (July being the start of the main ‘Summer’ season), is very accessible and has a lot of easy walking options, but I saw few people in 6 days.
3. The nights are light… I successfully navigated my way up and down a 1516m peak, during a solo night ascent (as part of a 43km walk), with countless snow fields, 10m vis. in cloud, and I didn’t need my head torch. I also recharged my Power Monkey solar cell battery overnight in the huts…(You don’t get to do that in Scotland). The implications for long summer multi-pitch routes are obvious and a Summer climbing trip to Norway should be considered by the Club.
Hope you enjoy the pictures,
Jim
