A perfect day.

We woke to a pretty decent morning, however the forecast had changed and it now looked like it would rain today but not until after midday, so we decided to forge ahead with our plan to climb hill somewhere. There is a good looking hill (well actually there are hundreds) quite a bit south of us called Bitihorn (1609m) that would probably offer superb views but I was unsure of the terrain and how the boys might cope, also it was Saturday and being so far south I though perhaps the parking may be an issue by the time we got there, so we chose something a bit closer and also the write up suggested easier and varied terrain. Stuttgongkampen at 1418m sounded good for Callum and Logan. 650 meter's ascent and 10.9k was hopefully within their remit so it was all systems go getting lunch sorted and rucksacks packed with food and clothing......it was full waterproof 's in the bag day as the clouds looked very threatening and I did wonder if this walk was a mistake today.

The boys played again while we got ready and soon we were on the road, we swung by a shop and managed to buy a map for the area as I had borrowed one from the campsite lady last evening looking for ideas and had to return it this morning. I am a happy man with a map in my hand. We parked at the Hinsaeter fjellhotel which is a superb looking establishment, I went inside to ask if it was ok to park here and the lady said it was, athough she did initially suggest there was a parking area 10 minutes (drive) further along there road........in the wrong direction. We left the van at about 11am and set off wondering what the weather would do.

We got on the access road and then eventually found the little path that curled its way up onto the hill, I don't think this is such a popular hill as all day the path was small. Again it was very dry, I don't think I stepped in a wet area all day which is superb. The path climbed steeply and after a couple of hours we sat down for lunch, the sun had been coming and going while climbing and it was quite hot. The mosquito's were again a bit annoying in the forrest but once out the trees they were gone. After lunch we carried on up and eventually onto the ridge to the summit which was a very good vantage point. The main Jotunheimen peaks were unfortunately in cloud, but we could see lots of glaciers on their flanks.

Many of the hills actually look very easy to climb, although the distances are quite big. Joyce and the boys had done great again, it was a steep little hill and it took us 3 hours to reach to top. We had a cup of tea and a cereal bar, filled in the summit log book and took some pictures and then set off down, there was another path so we could do a circular route which was good. Soon we were back in the trees and getting bitten again by our friends, a liberal coating of Mygga (Finlands super mozzie repellant) was applied to try and keep the little beggars away. The downward path went on and on, and the promised 10.9km's came and went but the boys were soldiering on just fine. A little encouragement is all they need sometime and Callum was delighted when he spotted a red squirrel running up a tree which we looked at for a while. Interestingly this hill was almost completely devoid of the lichens we have seen elsewhere and I don't know why, there were small pockets growing in the rocks at places and also lots down the bottom in the woods but very little up high, maybe its something to do with the type of soil on this hill, I don't know.

 Back on the track and we were soon marching along. I popped down to check out the Stuttgongfossen but Joyce and the boys headed straight back to van where I caught up with them. They had walked 14km's today and ascended 650meters in pretty much bang on 6 hours. A damn fine effort. It was 5.20pm when we left the hotel parking and we decided to drive till 6pm unless we found somewhere sooner, which we did, a cracking campsite at
Gjendesheim, it was daft to pass it not knowing what else we may or may not find further along the road. I went to check in and it wasn't too expensive, and the place looked lovely. We got hooked up and sorted and got ready to make tea, however the restaurant here looked good so I suggested to Joyce we try it and soon showers were being had and we got ready to go out for dinner. I polished off a couple of fine Norwegian beers before we headed over and we were good to go.


The resturaunt and building have a quite Alpine feel to them, all wood, with lots of antlers and tools hanging from the wall, it was busy and I think we just got in on time as it seemed full. We sorted drinks and ordered dinner, Joyce and Myself the Biff (beef) and the boys a pizza. So we settled down, the boys were on good form chatting away and colouring in aeroplanes and trains. Soon our meals arrived and wow, what a superb feast we all had. The beef was fantastic and the boys pizza was enormous.....it would probably have done us all had we known how big it would be, it won't matter however, the remains will do lunch tomorrow. This meal was a fitting end to a great day in the hills....a perfect day (in my book anyway). Back in the van, the boys enjoyed an ice cream while watching a bit DVD and listening to the rain outside. Eventually it was bedtime for them and there has not been a peep out of them since they got in their sleeping bags, fresh air and exercise the perfect recipe for a great sleep. All good and tomorrow we will head further south again.