Besseggen

One iconic hiking trip in the Norwegian mountains.

Got myself and my car ok down from Juvasshytta, was more tarmac than snow on the road. Had to take it easy, but no problem. Drove for 1,5 hour around to Gjendesheim, by Gjendevatnet (Gjende lake). Gjendesheim is an tourist cabin, a cheaper one than Juvasshytta, and this one too is placed in the middel of the most amazing scenery of Norway.  (Picture 1 is from Juvasshytta and picture 2 is from Gjendesheim) 

Since I got in early, too early to check into the cabin I decided to take a kayak trip on the lake. A little bit chuppy, so I stayed close to land and did not go for a long trip, but it was nice.  After check in I spend my time reading, still reading about Pol Pot, got curius about that madman when I was in Cambodia. It is a good book, about Pol Pot, but also about the near history of Cambodia and their relationship with their neigbours. Later on, a good dinner by chefs trained by Arne Brimi, famous Norwegian chef who is very traditional Norwegian in his cooking style.  Nice!  Early to bed after a beer.
(Picture, out my window 6:32)
Up at 6.30, breakfast at 7, boat across Gjendevatn at 7.45 and see 2 raindeer running up the hill away from the water, starting the hike at 8.10. 

The hike is 18 km long and the total climb in altitude is around 1000m, the normal time one use for the hike is 5- 8 hours, the hike start at 1000 m and the top is at around 1700.

(Picture, some snowy mountian)  
I cant describe the route all together, but it start going up up up, guessing for about 600 m, but nor very hard, just to keep on going. I am first on the track for a while, getting company by  a couple of young Sweeds, and we are at the same speed, they are first, then me again… and we are changing to be front for an hour or so. Not a competition, or I have one, but they dont know that.  *lol They get behind me on the way down to Besseggen, the real one, and I don’t see them anymore. 

Besseggen, the real one as I call it is very airy. Steep down to the waters 600 m on one side and up to 200 to the one on the other side. The climb to the top is hillarius, it is crazy steep and you really have to climb it, I don’t think it is possible to get it look steep enaugh on pictures, very cool. Having my lunch break almost at the top, the best view I ever have had for a coffe and sandwich break ever, it is just fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is so beatiful that it is hard to belive. But, belive it!
It keep on going up after lunsj as well, but not so far, getting on a broader mountain platau and it is easy going on rocks and some snow field, the path down to the cabin is a little bit steep, but nothing dangerous, even if I almost slide down one place, would not have been deadly, only bruses, but I stopped after 10 cm and did not hurt anything else then my pride.

I am back down at Gjendesbu after 5 h and 25 min hiking, that include lunsj, photostops and some small talk with people that I meet on the track, it is good, less than 5 hours walking on a 18 km track in though terrain.
And the Carlsberg I got for myself when I got back was very tasty. :-)