Jotunheimen 1992

	My first trip to Norway, in August 1992, saw a successful crossing of the Jotunheimen National Park. A solo effort, which upon reflection was not too smart. Anyway, my starting point was Øvre Årdal, a rather uninspiring industrial town at the head of Årdalsvatnet, reached by a combination of boat and bus from Bergen. After clambering up the south side of Utladalen, a truely impressive glacial trench some 1000m deep, the hanging valley of Fleskadalen was reached. Enough for one day, especially as it didn't stop rainning.
	The second day saw progress upto the head of Fleskadalen with impressive views of Falketind, 2067m, to the south. Once over the col, the still frozen Uradalsvatnet, 1316m, was skirted on its western shore. With the head of Uradalan reached, the west face of Uranostind, 2157m, was tackled via a manky scree filled gully. The 800m climb placed me at the foot of a top on the north ridge with the summit some 1km to the south.
	After spending the the so called night on the north ridge, there is no real darkness at this time of year in Norway, a desent northwards, beneath the Skgadalsbreen glacier, gave access to the upper reaches of Skogadalen.
	Heading eastward, then north over an unamed top, 1617m, followed by a 300m desent into Raudalen eventually led to the staffed hut, Olavsbu.
	According to the the borrowed map in my pocession, the marked trail northward to the next staffed hut, Leirvassbu, was some four hours walking away. Consequently, once the col at Raudelsbandet was reached , the sack and tent were left at an easily identifiable rock and with a few chocolate bars stuffed int a jacket pocket an ascent of the west ridge of Skardalsind was made.
	Bare and bolder stewn, the snow free, west ridge provided ever increasingly fine views of the surrounding peaks. In every direction, nothing but a sea of serrated peaks and glaciers were visible.

	Particularly impressive, the next peak on the ridge eastward, Skardalsegga, was simply an impossible propostion , especially with a 300m sheer intervening drop between my feet and its summit.
	The southern prospect showed the glacier glad north face of Myørkedelstind and its lower neighbour, Olavsbunuten, the north face of which dropped sheer over 500m to the hut at Olavsbu. The map indicated that the nuten was easily attainable from the col betwwen it and its loftier neighbour. Maybe next time?
	As for the Austre Raudaltind, 2060m, to the west across Raudalsbandet, any direct assault from this side was a none starter. My only guess at a none technical ascent would be from the north via the col, Simledalsbandet, that separates it from midtre, 2015m, and that is just guessing from the map!
	Once back to the col, the rucksack was picked up and the cairned path was followed to Leivassbu, passing a string of partially frozen lakes on the way. Rather than pay for an undoubtably cosey bed at the hut, the tent was pitched some 2km to east, beneath the very sheer and impressive Kyrkja, 2032m. It was here that a certain Mr.Hock of Morgan Town was meant to show. He got held up in Deutchland, but that was another story. Anyway, while waiting futilely for Steve to show, a number of the surrounding hills were bagged. Kyrkja is definety recommended. Best to tackle it by its steep south ridge.
	Afte Kyrcha, progress along the marked path was made down to Spiterstulen. At just over 1100m, this virtual hotel marked the begining of the surfaced road back to civilisation. It also has the distinction of being at the foot of Galdhøpiggen, 2469m and Glittertind, 2464m. Once again, something to be left for another ocassion.