What a hike! We attempted this route knowing very little about it. We saw that the mountain was the highest (2,469 m above sea level) in not only Norway but Scandinavia and Northern Europe. We knew that you had to cross a glacier and that you would be rewarded with excellent views of it and of the surrounding mountains. We felt up to the challenge!
The problem was, that we didn’t know what the challenge would entail. We took the route from Juvashytta lodge and booked onto a group guided hike, costing 250 NOK which we felt was really reasonable. You cannot do this particular route to the top without a guide. You can however reach the summit independently following an alternative route from Spiterstulen Hut.
We had hoped to stay at Juvashyya Lodge the night before the hike but it was fully booked. Even so, we arrived early by car and enjoyed a cup of coffee and hot chocolate in their really lovely dining and lounge area. The lounge area was the best we had seen from the mountain huts. It was large with lots of comfortable seating and was very quiet. The hut is in an ideal location to stay if you want more time to take in the surrounding view of the mountains.
We had two guides on our trip up the mountain. Before starting off, she went through the clothing we would need. This included: layers of warm clothing, waterproof trousers and coat, hat, gloves (ideally waterproof due to the snow), suncream, sun glasses, water (as the glacier water is undrinkable) and, food. There is a hut at the summit selling hot drinks and basic food but most people brought their own up with them. She explained that we would wear an upper body harness throughout and when starting the glacier section of the hike we would be linked together with rope. When we reached the glacier, she further explained that we had to keep the rope tort in case the person either side of you fell into a crevasse. The glacier be a bit more real to us at this point!
To get to the glacier, you will hike over stones and rocks on a well marked path, followed by two ‘ice walks’ before reaching the glacier. One guide leads the way out front while the second guide remains at the back of the group. You can walk at your own pace and take pictures as you go along. The guide did say that you could take pictures on the glacier but in reality, you are in a line of people tied together, walking across at times a slippery glacier with a chance of falling down a crevasse. There were generally rare opportunities when the line stopped for long enough where you could grab a quick picture.
The glacier is 2km long and generally very flat. We passed a few small holes as we walked and there were also a couple of larger and deeper ones which we each took turns in jumping over. Unfortunately one person did fall into a crevasse on our hike across the glacier. The guides and those on the ropes next to her, supported her out. The woman, although visibly shaken, did not appear injured from this and continued to summit the mountain. It certainly made me watch my step more closely across the final part of the glacier!
The journey on the glacier was made tougher by the harsh 13mps wind which occasionally, and forcefully, blew our bodies and legs out of the established track. At times it snowed and with the strong wind, it whipped against our faces making them feel quite sore. The sunglasses really helped to keep the harsh snow out of your eyes but everyone did end up with red, sore looking cheeks at the summit.
At the end of the glacier, you are presented with an impressive ridge view and what, on a clear day would be the top of Galdhopiggen. For us, the summit was covered in cloud and so we could only assume that it was under there somewhere. We started our scramble up the lower side of the ridge,and after this started to trudge, very slowly, in 1 foot deep of snow to the summit.
I have never wanted to stop and quit a hike so much but we kept going (as if there was any other choice) and after a short amount of time, the tiredness and aching was overtaken with elation and excitement! We had made it!
The challenge and unusual terrain made this my favourite hike in Norway. Yes, due to the weather and final ascent it was at times tough but this added to the sense of achievement once we had summited. The hike let us see a very different landscape and this meant we were not too disappointed that we didn’t get to see the views from the top of Galdhoppigen. We got to have the experience of a lifetime! I really hope this blog post doesn’t put you off but rather prepares you for what really is a amazing opportunity that shouldn’t be missed. 10/10.
