The Long Mountains / Gallery

Section 01. Reinheimen

: 01. The beautiful old farm in Brøstdalen where Arild dropped us off at the start of our trip.

: 02. Skiing up the forest track in upper Brøstdalen a few kilometres into the trip.

: 03. Skiing beside the frozen Pyttlåa River headinf towards Tunga before the climb to Pyttbua cabin.

: 04. The cabins at Pyttbua lie under 1900 metre mounains in a high valley.

: 05. Stuart relaxing on the balcony of the Pyttbua cabin in the sun waiting for me to arrive and open up.

: 06. Heading south from Pyttbua cabin towards the small side valley where there is the steep pass over to Tordsvatnet lake

: 07. Stuart coming up the steep section where deep loose snow made climbing very difficult.

: 08. Skiing down Tordsvatnet Lake towards Tordsbu cabins with the sun trying to break through.

: 09. The gale whipping up spindrift between the cabins at Tordsbu. It was perhaps force 6 or 7 all evening and the entire next day.

: 10. Stienar and Stuart with the mound of pancakes Steinar had cooked.

: 11. Looking down Torddalen valley near Tverråhytta cabin with the sun about to break through.

: 12. Heading down Torddalen on the mohair skins in the deep snow.

: 13. Having climbed out of Torddalen with the gorge we avoided on the left. The snow scooter tracks were from the cabin wardens scooter restocking Tordsbu with gas cannisters.

: 14. Looking across the Otta river valley above Billingen towards the foothills of Breheimen, our next section.

: 15. One of the sun blackened 200 year old summer farms at Billingham near the main valley road.

: 16. The final stretch of the Reinheimen section was a gentle descent on a forest track for 7 km to Pollfoss Hotel.

Section 02. Breheimen

: 17. The exceptionally characterful Pollfoss Hotel was a comfortable break. On account of a hot tub it was now called a boutique ans spa hotel.

: 18. Heading up the track on the SE side of the Framrusti river where my ski were clogged with warm wet snow.

: 19. The immensely taxing climb over the Bråtååsen saddle between the Framrusti and Ostri Valleys. This 1.5 km climb took well over an hour of hard toil.

: 20. One of the beautiful old summer farms and cabins which were beside the track beside the Liavatnet lake and the valley below.

: 21. As we skied south along Liavatnet lake towards Sota Seter the massive monolith mountain of Tverrådalskyrkja loomed above us.

: 22. The cosy artifact-filled “Peisestue” at Sota Seter lodge, where everyone gathered to chat.

: 23. Our companions for a few days at Sota Seter and Nørdstedalseter. From left Terje, Anders and Erik. Extraordinary characters, accomplished outdoors men and exceptional skiers.

: 24. On the climb up through the difficult forest from Sota Seter the sun broke through the mist.

: 25. Heading up the high Tverrådalen valley towards the monolith of Tverrådalskyrkja, 2088m.

: 26. Looking up the steep crevassed glacier which tumbles down the east side of Tverrådalskyrkja mountain.

: 27. The three Norwegians, Terje, Erik and Anders heading up Fortundalsbreen glacier to cross over it. We followed in their tracks

: 28. At the top of Fortundalsbreen glacier looking south to the giants of Hurrungane. The infamous Store Skagastølstind is the highest in the middle.

: 29. Stuart sking down the end of the glacier and reaching the morraine debris in Nørdstedalen which led down to the lake and cabin.

: 30. Leaving the small new self service cabin at Nørdsteddalseter in the morning.

: 31. Heading up Vesldalen east of Nørdsteddalseter cabin in gnarly terrain.

: 32. Looking back down Vesldalen after climbing past the more difficult area. Nørdsteddalseter is far below in the valley.

: 33. Stuart in front of the Smorstabb Massif on the descent to Storevatnet.

Section 03. Jotunheimen

: 34. Leaving Prestesteinhytta on a overcast norning heading to Skogadalsboen.

: 35. Looking back at Fannaråki and Steindalsnosi, both 2000m mountains from our ski across Prestesteinvatnet lake.

: 36. A distant view of the Stølsnos Massif to the south from the start of the descent down Vetle Utledalen.

: 37. Entering the funnel of Vetle Utledalen knowing there is no escape if we encounter a difficulty except back up.

: 38. Descending into the steep sided gorge which was like a giant Cresta bobsleigh run in Vetle Utadalen.

: 39. The steep traverse across the side of the snow in the gorge was necessary to avoid a 15-20 metre vertical drop.

: 40. Looking down upper Utledalen to the start of the forest. Skogadalsboen cabin is just 3 km away but the forest was difficult.

: 41. A relaxing rest day in Skogadalsboen cabin reading with the large Jøtul stove keeping us warm.

: 42. Looking back down to Skogadalsboen lodge and cabin from the start of the extremely taxing forest section with deep soft snow.

: 43. Looking back down the boulders section with hazards at every turn. It was hard coming up but near impossible to descend.

: 44. Once in Urdadalen the wind threatened to pick up to beyond gale force but luckily did not.

: 45. Stuart skiing across Kvitevatnet lake heading east on higher ground towards Fondsbu lodge

: 46. At the start of the steeper long descent down Mjølkedalen valley towards the huge Bygdin lake. Galdeberget is on the lake’s left

: 47. Solbourg Kvalshaugen, the host at Fondsbu lodge and the Queen of Jotunheimen, whom I have known for 25 years.

: 48. Looking SW down Tyin Lake which is about 16 km long as we skied down the snow covered road on the east shore.

: 49. The Bombardier weasels are about 60 years old. Their 600hp engine can transport up to 10 people along the road we just skied from Fondsbu.

Section 04. Skarvheimen

: 50. After leaving the top of the piste in Tyinkrysset we skied 2.5km in poor visibility to Tenlefjordenhytta cabin.

: 51. Stuart heading up to Sulebu cabin on the marked trail in a rare period of better conditions.

: 52. It was a maelstom of a blizzard with strong winds and heavy snow when we reached Sulebu cabin.

: 53. A DNT cabin breakfast fit for kings and skiers. Porridge with a can of peaches, chocolate pudding and vanila sauce.

: 54. Virtually the same photo as last night but this time in benign conditions at Sulebu cabin. Suleskardet pass is behind the cabin.

: 55. Stuart heading across Tysketjornet tarn with Sulefjettet mountain in the back with its avalanche potential.

: 56. Heading towards Sulevatnet lake in everchanging sun and shade.

: 57. Stuart beginning the descent to Sulevatnet Lake in great conditions.

: 58. Happy with the conditions at last and heading towards Masseringstjornet lake where there was a shallow watershed.

: 59. Crossing Masseringstjornet lake and about to begin the fantastic long descent into Mørkedalen and the main road.

: 60. Heading up the U shaped ravine of Stardalen leading from Briestølen in Mørkedalen and up onto the higher plateau around Statsjøen lake.

: 61. Looking south across the plateau around Starsjøen lake. Bjordalsbu cabin is in the distant sunlit mountains.

: 63. Looking across Starsjøen lake towards the sputh face of Graveggi mountain. Bjordalsbu cabin is the other side of this mountain.

: 64. About to ski up Nedre Bjordalsvatnet lake on the way yo Bjordalsbu cabin, with the wind increasing.

: 65. In the evening there was a raging gale at Bjordalsbu cabin with Force 9 or 10 winds carrying huge amounts of spindrift. It would have been impossible to ski.

: 66. The next morning after the storm the wind quickly dropped and the sun returned just 12 hours after the peak of the tempest.

: 67. Crossing the upper Ovre Bjordalvatnet lake before starting the wonderful descent down Mjolgedalen valley in the sun and clearing mist.

: 68. Looking down Mjolgedalen, full of beautiful new snow, towards the large Djupsvatnet lake.

: 69. On the way down Mjolgedalen I met two skiers, Hege Raastad and Anni Kummeneje, who I met 10 years ago in Skogadalsboen. It was a joyous coincidence.

: 70. Approaching Ijungsalshytta after sking along the north shore of the larg. Djupsvatnet lake

: 71. The 100 year old Iungdalshytta lodhe had a lovely ambience in the living room and served high quality, local, traditional food

: 72. The route from Iungsdalshytta to Gieterygghytta lodges climbed to a high lake studded plateau where it got very windy before descending again.

: 73. Heading up the valley west of Geiteryggenhytta towards Omnsvatnet lake

: 74. Crossing Omnsvatnet lake and heading towards the start of the climb over to Finse.

: 75. Looking south to Hallingskarvet. We had to climb over this huge ridge to get to Finse on the south side of it.

: 76. Arriving at the apex of the huge Hallingskarvet ridge having climbed up from Omnsvatnet lake.

: 77. After a long easier descent from the Hallingskarvet ridge we finally arrived at Finse.

: 78. Maj-Kristin, our companion for half a week and 80 kilometres since the storm at Bjordalsbu about to get the train from Finse Station.

Section 05. Hardangervidda

: 79. Heading south across Finsevatnet lake in the early morning as the cloud was starting to dissapate

: 80. Looking up to the plinth on which the large Hardangerjokull ice cap sits covering the entire 15 km diameter plateau on top.

: 81. Having decided not to go over Helvetes Nutane we detoured round them and continued down the valley and across Midnutvatnet lake shown here.

: 82. After meeting Hannah McKeand we dropped down to Finnsbergvatnet lake where there was a junction with a route to Kraekkjahytta lodge and another to Kjeldebu cabins.

: 83. After the last climb there was an exciting run down the final slope to Kjeldedalen valley and Kjeldebu cabin.

: 84. The cluster of cabins at Kjeldebu. The nearest is the toilet and wood shed. On the left are the provisions and on the right the one we stayed in without booked beds.

: 85. A superb sunset to end a perfect day at Kjeldebu cabin. Here looking SW across the flat Hardangervidda.

: 86. Approaching Dyranut after the climb up from Kjeldebu with the vast flat plain of HArdangervidda before us.

: 87. Skiing up the very shallow valley of Bjoreidalen as we head from Dyranut to Sandhaug.

: 88. Approaching the large lodge of Sandhaug in the middle of Hardangervidda. The self service cabin in closed when the lodge is open. Beyond the lodge is the large Nordmannslågen lake.

: 89. Skiing across Nordmannslågen lake towards Besso Turisthytta lodge on the way to Litlos lodge

: 90. The narrow cleft in the undulating plateau of Dimmedalen provided a 2 km shortcut to Bismarvatnet lake.

: 91. Skiing up the narrow U shaped valley floor in Dimmedalen we had to skirt a few areas of open water.

: 92. Skiing acroas Bismarvatnet lake with the weather slowly starting to close it before the blizzard arrived.

: 93. The self service cabin at Litlos during a lull in the blizzard. At the height of the gale the cabin was barely visible from 75 metres away.

: 94. Leaving Litlos lodge for Hellevassbu cabin on a glorious morning after the gale. The small self seevice cabin is ob the left and everything else is the lodge.

: 95. Skiing across Kvennsjøen lake and looking west towards the mountains between Hardangervidda plateau and Sørfjorden, an arm of the sea which penetrates deep into the mountains.

: 96. The lively youth from Sogndals Folkehøgskole ourdoor education programme skiing across Kvennsjøen lake towards a campsite near Hellevassbu cabin.

: 97. Skiing along the high wide shelf towards the Tuevotni lakes above Kvennsjøen lake on the left and the small range of mountains to the south (right).

: 98. Despite the wind we managed to find a sheltered spot on the ridge between the Tuevotni lakes to have the usual snack of Bixit biscuits.

: 99. Skiing up from Bjørnadalen towards the saddle between the hills of Sandvikenuten and Buanuten with the sun reflecting off the wind polished ice.

: 100. The descent from the final saddle of the day down to Hellevassbu cabin (centre right) was an easy downhill ski.

: 101. We had to spend a day at Hellevassbu cabin as there was a blizzard outside making skiing quite difficult.

: 102. Leaving Helkevassbu cabin at 0500 in the morning with headtorches to ski the 25 km to Haukeliseter before rhe bus at 1315 hrs.

: 103. Crossing Årmotsvatnet lake after skiing 12 km in the early morning en route to Haukeliseter.

: 104. Stuart about to reach the saddle to the west of Vesle Nup where we had to negotiate through a section of large drifts and cornices to reach the actual saddle.

: 105. Looking south from the saddle to the west of Vesle Nup and down the 400 metres of near continious vertical descent ro the larger lake of Sjåvatnet, just visibke on the far right.

: 106. A final cup of tea before the long and fun descent to Sjåvatnet Lake and the final ski along this lake to Haukeliseter lodge.

: 107. After skiing 423 km over the last 25 days we finally reach Haukeliseter lodge and the bus to Oslo. This is the Nansenstue at Haukeliseter where the earliest polar explorers stayed over 100 years ago.