Training Log Archive: Big Jon

Glittertind with S. Struggling on climb - lacking leg push, not sure if not enough food or else just tired. Reindeer (about 30) near foot of big climb and a female Ptarmigan trying to decoy us away from her 2 chicks - got within 3-4m of her before she moved.
Thunder away to south and east when we were at top (snow field that edged out to a large cornice) so headed back straight away. Plenty of Norwegians heading up not apparently concerned by the possibility of lightning at the top of Norway’s second highest peak... brave or ignorant?

C • Ptarmigan and chicks 2

Up Galdhoepiggen with S. 13km 1500m climb up in 2-30 total 30 mins at summit and 1-30 down. Amazing views from summit - peaks glaciers and more glaciers - amazing AMAZING!
Met a stream of others climbing as we descended, smug in having been first to top;-)

Wander up to waterfall above Spiterstugen - great spot but the force of the water was a bit too much to risk going under :-)
Landscape here is fantastic- mountains and glaciers looming all round and ground covered with lovely plants rather than peat bog!

Walk at Lom - small way up hillside behind town, but felt tough, steep and lots of sneaky small quiet mozzies that bit ankles and behind the knees!

Along valley from Spiterskulen with S. Legs felt surprisingly decent. Still 16 hours more recovery

Terrible night in bivvy bag - too hot, mosquitoes then it started raining and got cold. Up at 6am, moving by 20 past, missed out all 2000ers but track back (short direct way of 21km) climbed to 1650m to avoid cliffs above lake.
Felt dreadful the whole way - suspect not refuelled last night. Really struggled on uphill - plus the rain turned to sleety hail by the top... Strong tailwind did as much hindrance as help.
Eventually reached Rondfassbu Hytte and plodded back along dirt road to van.
4 hours later it is +17c down in the valley - the sleet seems like a bad dream!

Attempt on 2 day round of Rondane 2000ers with S. Apparently someone has done the whole lot in 8+hours... We did 4 (of 10) in 10 hours start to finish. Then bivvied near Doralseter.
Amazing day out but mountains are huge - we did 2500m climb all on boulderfields and covered about 30km. Never been on such raw rock covered mountains, amazing.
The 8 hour man - I suspect that he did it when lots of snow on hills.

Pleasant run with S at Kasen (Swedish side if Svinesund) tired
Then more driving to Mysoster in Rondane

C • Svinesund 1

11hours driving, Amsterdam to Sweden. German autobahn fairly shit with lots of monster jams - 80 mins for 8km in one...