Photo. The Norwegian macho family man Rune Eineteig takes the last check of the safety rope on his young daughter before crossing the glacier on the way down. © Travel Explorations.
The paths to the peak of Galdhøgpiggen are rough and stony, and there is a glacier to cross. There are steep ascents and descents on foot, so the walking is quite challenging. The rewards more than make up for this though! In the beginning is like flat desert area, so it’s starts to be quite stony. Then it’s a glacier, a steep ridge with stones and some parts with ice and snow.
Anyway, ascending Galdhøgpiggen, you need to know exactly what you are doing and where you are going. Focusing on each step is not enough; you need to look up to the route above. And of course, you must know when to turn.
If you get cold or exhausted, you need to descend immediately. The weather can also change fast. On the day (Wednesday 30 July 2008) we ascended Galdhøgpiggen, it was high risk for thunder and lightning. We observed dark some clouds approaching us, so we considered walking down again.
The day before hikers had to turn. Its dangerous being up in the heights when the thunder and lightening starts for real. If your hair start to rise, then it’s best to return. For few years ago a lightening hit the stone hut on the top.
We were totally aware that there are no bars or kiosks on the trek up where we could buy food and drinks. For the tour both up and down the mountain, we bought with us sufficient food and drinks plus lots of goodies, as we carried in our backpack. Especially chocolate gave us a lot of energy.
Due to climate changed the weather has become warmer. The glacier is melting and Galdhøpiggen is more exposed to thunder and lightening. Sometimes the weather has been very extreme the previous years. It’s always hard to turn before reaching the top, but the general rule is: don’t be stupid! Don’t take any unnecessary chances for yourselves and other in your company.
Reaching the top of Galdhøgpiggen is not a macho trip for men any more. People of both sexes and in different ages, from ca. 7 years old to 60-70 years joined the group. They encouraged and assisted each other to reach the final target. Tours like this connect people together. They struggle towards a same target, and that strengthen the social bounds between them. It’s easier to get in contact with other people, and the solidarity within a family or a group grows.
| Photo. The sporty family Eineteig worked well together in their struggles to reach the top. Here they are preparing for crossing the glacier. © Travel Explorations. |
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Large amount of ropes and anchors are regularly carried for the climbs, but ropes are just necessary at Galdhøgpiggen for crossing the glacier. People need to be connected to each other by rope when they cross glaciers to reduce risk falling down in one of many cracks. Norwegians are a very independent people, but when they walk around in the mountain landscapes they focus strongly on safety and cooperation. They are used to take their precautions to minimize the risk for accidents. For example when they walk on glaciers, they use of course safety rope between them.
Photo. People walking in chain connected together with safe ropes.
If you go on a glacier you should go with a guide or at least go in a group so that all the participants are connected by a safety rope. Partially the trails are crossing glaciers or sometimes "airy" paths. Then ropes are a must. The guidance by a mountain guide is indispensable, unless you have great high mountain experience.
Our main guide was totally feed up the irresponsible foreign hikers who didn’t use any safety rope on the glacier. He yelled at them, but they totally ignored them. On the way down we observed at mother walking together with her young child without any safety rope. I can now understand why there are so many foreign tourists get lost and are involved in serious accidents in the wild Norwegian landscape.
Stein Morten Lund, 16 August 2008
Additional information
Read more about Galdhøgpiggen, Galdhogpiggen, and other exciting adventures in Norway on our global travel guide: www.TravelExplorations.com
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