Ski and Paddle Norway 2009

Distance 15km | Time 3.5hrs | Ascent 110m | Descent 460m

I woke late at 0700 and treated myself to a lie in until 0800; the time I should usually be leaving. Today was an easy day though. After a breakfast of tinned ham and a large tin of peaches (which beats porridge any day) I did my domestic chores in the cabin and was ready to go at 1000. I was sorry to leave Kongshelleren as it was so homely.

It was yet another cracking day. Just a few half hearted clouds in the south east. Otherwise deep blue sky throughout. There was a very small breeze which chilled the ears until the hat went on.

I had a lovely easy ski across West then East Volavatnet lakes. The snow was fast, the sun was warming the right side of my face and my rucksack did not feel too heavy. At the end of the lakes was a small saddle where I stopped to take some photos and dress up a bit for a long downhill run in the shade.

The descent down into Lungsdalen was quite interesting. While most of it was big open bowls there were some areas where there were snow filled gullies between the bowls. The snow was soft and deep here. I don’t think the low on the horizon sun had shone on these slopes since November. It was a lovely descent.

At the bottom of the slope I was in Lungsdalen proper. I passed a small stone shelter which I later found out was inhabited by an outlaw, Eivind, some 200 years ago. He sought refuge from his enemies in these harsh mountains summer and winter for 20 years.

From this stone hovel there was a flat 3 km in the blazing sun again to Lungsdalshytta cabin. The main lodge was closed but there was a small self service cabin nearby. After the usual tasks of melting water and getting the fire going I was ensconced. Again the cabin was small and cosy and took no time to heat. It was only 1400 and I was delighted to have leisure time.

A local couple with a team of 12 huskies dropped in on a days excursion from a village across the large Djupvatnet lake. Their dogs were quivering with excitement to get going again and were straining at the sledges snow anchor while we chatted.

I have been thinking a lot about equipment while I ski. I have a choice to ditch the rucksack now as things are flatter and go for a sledge. In theory this sounds a great idea. However they are cumbersome things and a nightmare in difficult terain like woods. Alternatively I could go even lighter. Change my rucksack to one half its weight and go with a lighter thermarest mattress will alone save nearly 3 kg. Another 2 kg can be shed from first aid and repair kits and I would be down to 16 kg. I think I will go for the latter option as I could manage that for many hours each day.

It had been yet another top day. That is 4 in a row now. The atmospheric pressure is 1024 Mb so I am confident tomorrow will be good for the short day up to Bjordalsbu cabin.

This entry was posted on Sunday, February 1st, 2009 at 9:28 am and is filed under Update. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.