Climbing Norway's Two Highest Mountains
Relatively Easy Ascents of Neighbouring Peaks in the Jotunheimen
Feb 10, 2009
It must be said, however, that the huts are far from Spartan and more like high grade hostels in a wild, mountain setting, and both can be reached by vehicle.
Juvvasshytte
The original mountain refuge at Juvvasshytte was built by a mountain guide, Knut Vole, in the 1860s. The present chalet is a much more spacious construction, and though it stands on a moonscape of permafrost, it provides comfortable bunk beds, shower facilities and excellent meals.
The road from Boverdal, on the Sognefjell highway, twists its way to the hut’s altitude of 1841 metres, making it the highest road in Norway. A more energetic visitor can reach the hut by means of a four-hour walk up a footpath that cuts across a steep hillside from Elveseter, also on the Sognefjell road.
Galdhopiggen
The ascent of Galdhopiggen from Juvvasshytte can be accomplished in two-or-three hours. However, as the route crosses a glacier, it may be advisable to join one of the roped parties led by the hut’s resident guides. These parties often number in excess of a hundred, but at least there is little chance of a member falling irretrievably into a crevasse.
The route passes a nearby lake, on which float several mini-icebergs, and continues up by the side of the Galdhopiggen Summer Ski Centre. The glacier crossing takes about forty minutes, after which a rocky ridge leads to the 2469-metre summit, on which stands a café and tourist shop. The view is tremendous, encompassing precipitous drops to blinding, white glaciers. To the far west are the Alpine peaks of the Hurrungane. Nearer are countless jagged mountains, jutting from the snows. And across the deep valley to the east is Norway’s second peak, Glittertind.
Spiterstulen
A daily coach service runs from Lom to Spiterstulen, though the road suffers from winter snows and floods and often needs repair. Despite its situation on the tundra-like landscape, Spiterstulen is remarkably comfortable. Accommodation varies from bunk beds in tiny rooms to small cottages, suitable for families. Campers are also welcome.
A spacious lounge looks out through a large picture window onto a magnificent view of the valley head and the mountains that enclose it. The large dining room can double up as a ballroom, while the basement houses a sauna and swimming pool.
Glittertind
A rough track leads diagonally up the very steep slope to the east of Spiterstulen for more than 1000 metres. This opens out onto a broad plateau. At the far end of this a steep, rocky ridge runs up the side of a gully. An easy scramble up this brings one to a snow slope. Unlike that on Galdhopiggen, it hides no crevasses. The gradient is gentle, and becomes even more so until one stands on the highest point.
The view to the west and south looks back to Galdhopiggen and other high mountains. That to the east is more extensive, sweeping as it does across much smaller peaks. Because of the glacier that covers the summit, Glittertind has often rivalled the claim of Galdhopiggen to be Norway’s highest peak. In recent years, thinning of the snowfield has led to the height being taken as 2465 metres, though the summit bedrock itself stands at 2452 metres.
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