Day 5
Gaustatoppen is by far the highest peak in the area and has the record of having the most extensive views in Norway. With the plateaux base at ~1100m and the other summits at ~ 1200 – 1400m, Gausta did provide us with some views. We reached the hut up there in 1.5 hours from the road, as we climbed up, the view became increasingly hazy with gale force winds high up.

Our campsite by the
lake with Gausta visible

The remaining ridge to the summit we decided was too narrow for the conditions and so we went back. All the signs up there were bent over by past winds and we thought about the times when it does get that strong.

The final summit ridge of Gausta

The Summit of Gausta toppen

The lake we walked round as seen from the slopes of Gausta

Day 6
The next day was spent walking around the big lake present and then going to the other side of Gausta to climb some peaks there. We climbed up to quite a big cave, though we didn’t have torches to take a further look inside. It started raining that day and it continued into the night. The next day gave us some extensive views though and the haze had cleared away.

Rjukan from the east on the
road up to the plateau near Gausta

Day 7
We set off down Gausdalen to climb Bonsnos at 1304m we climbed the northern top but not the main top due to a cliff being in the way! It was impressive with a steep 200m escarpment down the east side.

Looking south from the summit climbed

Day 8
Our last Day walking. This peak being a rise above the other rises on the undulating plateaux proved to be challenging navigation wise. The 1:50000 maps only have contour intervals of 20m. This means small crags present are only evident on the map by a small closing together of two contour lines. Much skill is needed to accurately go over ground like this in mist though luckily it was clear weather but still challenging. The views over the Hargangervidda plateaux were extensive and wanted me to explore the wilder places.

From the summit plateau
looking north to Hardangervidda

The following night was very cold making breakfast in a gale a chilly affair. This was the first time to Norway, it wasn’t going to be the last!

The valley in which Rjukan lies