Alpine Exploratory Jotunheimen Tour Guided

Holiday Notes 2018

Jotunheimen Tour (Guided)

Please email us at [email protected] to chat about this holiday. You’ll find all the latest information at www.alpineexploratory.com/holidays/jotunheimen-tour-guided.html.

The hut system is possibly our favourite of any Stay in mountain hut nation's and typifies the Norwegian experience. A stay in one is a glimpse into the small things which Stage 1: Memurubu to Glitterheim form the culture. For example, in hot or cold it is (18km (11.5m), 950m ascent, 600m descent) expected that you will be trekking with a thermos On the first day the group begins by taking the flask, as is the Norwegian way. Thus in the morning ferry from Gjendesheim to the Memurubu evening guests line up their flasks, labeled with hut on the North shore of the Gjende lake. From name and hot beverage of choice and Memurubu it’s a stiff ascent north, away from the miraculously come breakfast they are full and lake, before passing into the Lower Russglopet ready to provide sustenance for a day on the hills. valley, walking along the sandy shore of Lake Food in the huts is chiefly Norwegian, with all that Russvatnet. The path climbs away from the lake can be grown in Norway if not the local region. on grassy ground, crossing the river Blåtjønnåe. Hearty mountain food is found for dinner as you As you reach the high plateu of the day the ground might expect! becomes increasingly rocky with some snow patches. The Glitterheim hut can be seen many The huts at Spiterstulen Meals are taken at communal tables and give an kilometres away but the descent over boulderfield excellent opportunity to dine and chat with local should be taken with care. About these Holiday Notes trekkers. English is widely spoken. You'll have to Stay in mountain hut. tear yourself away to bed early or risk a spirited These Holiday Notes help you decide whether this night of beer and cards. Stage 2: Glitterheim to Spiterstulen holiday is right for you. Before your trip we send (15.5km (9.5m), 1400m ascent, 1100m descent) you final detailed information. We hope you'll enjoy the cultural experience and Today's stage is an exciting ascent of Glittertind’s sense of fellowship between all walkers, snowy peak. Ascend from the Glitterheim hut to Details Norwegian and otherwise, that is formed through meet the snowline and climb gradually in soft the shared common experience in the hills. snow to the flat summit. Enjoy superb views Start Gjendesheim before the long, rocky descent to Spiterstulen. For Finish Gjendesheim for hotel in Otta The start and end points of our trek are easily poor weather or low cloud a lower route is also Region Jotunheimen reached from the cities of Bergen and Oslo. Our described. Country Norway notes contain all the details to make the journey Stay in mountain hut. Length 6 walking days, 7 nights with confidence by bus or train. To give a hint, it's Total distance 90.5km or 56.5 miles about 5 hours by coach from Oslo, and between 5 Stage 3: Spiterstulen to Leirvassbu Typical day 15km (9.5 miles), 820m ascent and 7 hours by coach from Bergen. The buses and (15.5km (9.5m), 500m ascent, 100m descent) Highest altitude 2,258m, optionally 2,469m trains will often be busy with residents escaping A relaxing day after yesterday’s endeavour! Enjoy Grade Black3 the city on their way to adventure in the the wide valley as you ascend gradually, Group size 4 to 8 people plus leader mountains. surrounded on both sides by walls of glacier- formed peaks. Eventually pass by the shores a string of small lakes and the sharp ‘Kyrkja’ Introduction Our approach (Steeple) peak before arriving at the gastronomic Leirvassbu hut. The Jotunheimen is arguably the finest of Your route Our trip gives a hut-to-hut tour in the Jotunheim. Stay in mountain hut Norway’s national parks, certainly the most popular for walkers: dense with high plateaus, On the trek itself, no transport is possible except on some stages where a day’s travel will take you Stage 4: Leirvassbu to Gjendebu imposing peaks, and deep valleys running with (18km (11.5m), 250m ascent, 650m descent) streams, rivers and waterfalls. Glaciers, barren to the next hut. A short, stiff climb leads to a pass and the sweeping valleys, flourishing meadows, and revelation of the long valley ahead. Pass the Nordic forests can all be traversed in a single day. Guided walks Each day your leader guides the group along the turning to Olavsbu and an isolated hut on a promontory in the lake. Before the final valley Founded in the 1960s, the national parks were stage. On some days there is a choice of route; which route we take depends on what people descent to Gjendebu, at the head of its lake, we Norway's means of protecting its natural beauty drop beside a huge waterfall. and unique flora and fauna from encroaching prefer and on the local conditions. Stay in mountain hut industrialisation. You'll find little sign of human life other than the huts and the paths. This paired with Getting there and back Your holiday starts in Gjendesheim and ends in Stage 5: Gjendebu to Memurubu a lack of mobile phone reception means you'll (10km (6m), 700m ascent, 650m descent) likely find the walking in Norway free from the Otta, a short bus ride from Gjendesheim. Travel to Gjendesheim is not included in the holiday price - Steep rocky paths guard a plateau at either end, noise and stress of modern life! especially steep on the way up from the shore of we leave it to you to make the arrangements that suit you best using our extensive notes and lake Gjende and helped by chains. The middle The Norwegian approach is orderly with a time- section of the day gives high and wild views to the honoured reverence to preserving their natural advice. Oslo is the most convenient airport with Bergen a close second. Several transfer options North. Arrive at Memurubu in a grassy setting by spaces and maintaining the parks for the next the shore. An alternative path in the morning generation. As the snow melts, Norwegian are available. Expect about 5 hours from Oslo and 9 from Bergen. Full information on flight and misses the steep trail from the lake. families return year after year to the walk in the Stay in mountain hut parks. As you'll experience, trekking and the transfer options will be sent to you on booking. outdoors form an absolute part of the Norwegian Stage 6: Memurubu to Gjendesheim Itinerary cultural soul. Trekkers in Norway will meet (13.5km (8m), 1100m ascent, 1000m descent) Norwegian walkers of all ages; meeting three On the last day we take in the famous Besseggen generations together is common. With so few Arrival day: Arrival in Gjendesheim ridge. After a fair ascent away from the lake, the foreign walkers it's easy to feel warmly adopted Evening arrival in Gjendesheim. Dinner is served path continues over rocky ground with dramatic into this lifestyle. in the hut. views out to the south over the Gjende lake. The

Jotunheimen Tour (Guided)

path has a rocky descent to the narrow ridge For lunches there are no options to buy food on Hazards which is flanked on both sides by water. Some the route so it’s Norwegian tradition to make two slight scrambling will be required to ascend the substantial sandwiches on the hearty seeded Health other side of the ridge’s saddle which is very steep bread at the breakfast buffet and fill their thermos Norway does not require tourists to take any in parts. The long, occasionally steep, descent to flask for the day ahead. vaccinations. However, it is recommended to keep the Gjendesheim hut is a great finish to the trek. tetanus vaccines up to date. Stay in local hotel, Otta Insurance Safety Departure day: Departure from Otta Clients must have insurance to cover themselves This is adventure travel! This holiday takes you to Otta is on the train line so Oslo can be reached in for helicopter search & rescue, medical expenses some wild and remote areas, in particular some about 3h30m, Bergen in about 9 hours. and repatriation. We recommend, but it is not areas of upland mountains where navigation can compulsory, that you also have cover for personal be difficult in poor weather. The weather can also liability, cancellation and your baggage and be a hazard in itself. During any walking, whether money. You might find that your annual multi-trip following a guided walk or a routecard or making travel insurance covers these items already. We your own route, you are responsible for your own will send you details of suitable insurance policies actions and safety and you should join the trip with on booking. suitable skills, experience and equipment.

Passports and visas Further information

Passport holders of the US, Canada, Australia, Please email us with any questions to help with New Zealand and Singapore do not need a visa to your planning and logistics at Norway. [email protected].

Weather Disclaimer Accommodation

The weather in the Norway from mid-July to early This information is given in good faith and is Our standard schedule of accommodation September is generally highly suitable for walking. believed to be correct at the time of issue. Alpine consists of 1 night in a 3-star hotel, and 6 nights in While snowfall is possible on higher ground all Exploratory cannot be liable for any loss or injury mountain huts. The huts are comfortable and year round, it is unlikely in this Summer season. incurred. welcoming. Hut accommodation is in dormitories Patches of snow left over from the Winter and in bunks or if you are travelling as a pair we can Spring might linger into the start of, even arrange private rooms where available. throughout, Summer, but should not pose

problems. July and August are commonly the Your info pack contains full details of your warmest months although there is always the risk accommodation including contact details and or rain. Into September there is a greater chance directions. of rain but temperatures should remain pleasant.

Thunderstorms are a risk in summer, occurring The walking most often in the afternoons. This all means that it is sensible to come equipped and expecting all the Terrain types of weather that might be experienced in a The terrain encountered will vary greatly. Days are typical summer in the UK: from heavy rain storms generally a combination of good paths, and with a chill in the air, to hot sunshine. rockfields where progress is slower and care must be taken. On these sections the path is less well Equipment defined but cairns mark the way, generally visible on the horizon for navigation in poor visibility. You will need the usual equipment for mountain Small streams are quite common and mostly walking, plus a sheet liner for use in the huts. easily crossed. Throughout summer there is a Especially important are good walking boots, good chance of snow patches lying on the higher waterproofs and sun protection. We will send you paths, but the lower paths are likely to be snow- an equipment list on booking. Please also see the free. There are short sections of scrambling where Equipment page of our website for more hands will be needed for stability. These sections information. are within the realm of normal mountain walking and are not via ferrata. Local expenses Self-guided days On this guided holiday there is the option each day Local expenses include food and drink other than for participants to walk by themselves instead of those meals that are included, any local transport, joining the group's walk, either on their own route attractions and extras. or following one of Alpine Exploratory's routecards. Guided days

Your own routes Hire a professional mountain leader to join you on While your guided walks and the optional this self-guided holiday. A leader helps plan and routecards make up the walking for the trip, you carry out each day’s walking and adds interest to are of course free to walk wherever you choose, your holiday with their knowledge of local features. taking side trips or going by a different route of Please contact us for prices and more information. your own choice. Please note that if you follow your own route you will have left the holiday for the Groups duration.

Walk by yourself or in your own group. We arrange Food many group trips large and small every year. More details about how we make group bookings as Meals included are all breakfasts, all packed simple as possible can be read here: lunches, plus evening meals at the 6 huts. www.alpineexploratory.com/holidays/groups.html