Heroes of Telelemark: Part 4 - Return to Rjukan

You've seen the pictures, read the meet reports, now live the experience.

Yes, we're off to Norway for the fourth successive year; heading for Rjukan in the Telemark region. To quote the guidebook:

"Imagine a place with more than 150 waterfalls, almost all of which have easy access and a stable climate that guarantees long periods of cold weather. Add a local population that welcomes visiting ice climbers, a dramatic World War II history and great skiing on offer for 'rest days' and this is not just a place to dream about - it is Rjukan."

(Ice Climbing in Rjukan Norway - Rockfax 2005)

Rjukan has something for everyone; a valley full of ice climbs, the compactbut attractive Gaustablikk downhill ski centre and the almost limitless cross-country skiing opportunities of the vast Hardangervidda plateau.

The ice climbing goes from 1 to 17 pitches; with most in the 1-4 pitch range. Walk-ins range 0 to 60 minutes, but the majority are less than 30 minutes. There's water ice (WI) up to WI7 and mixed climbing up to M10, but the bulk is in the WI2 to WI5 range. For comparison WI3 is approximately Scottish Grade IV.

Gaustablikk ski centre has 12 lifts, 28 downhill runs (longest 3.5km); 635m vertical drop, 80km x-country tracks, ski school and ski hire.

This year we have booked a 10 person cabin up at the Gaustablikk ski centre (about 10 minutes drive up from the valley) with its fine views of the Gaustatoppen and the Hardangervidda. So far we have four Marsdens and two Maddisons and it would be good to fill the other four spaces. If more people are interested we can advise on other options.

Ryanair flies from Liverpool to Oslo Torp. From there it is a 2.5-3 hour drive northwest to Rjukan. The Marsden/Maddison party flies out at 18:35 on Sunday 14th February and back at 2:50 on Sunday 21st February. We recommend booking now before prices rise.

If you plan to come, please let Craig Marsden or Colin Maddison know as soon as possible, so we can coordinate and advise on accommodation and hire cars.

For previous meet reports, see the September 2009 and January 2009 Newsletters.

For more about the area and climbing see the Rjukan pages of: VisitNorway.com and Rockfax....

...or just rent a copy of 'Heroes of Telemark' to see Kirk Douglas yomping around the area as a Norwegian saboteur!

For further information speak to Craig or Colin.