Dates: August 14-22, 2008
Starting Place: Hotel Steens Bed & Breakfast
Days: 9 days (5 full days of trekking)
Price: $2800.00
Latitude: Jotunheimen 61°N
Style: One or two trekking options will be offered each day. The weather and group health will be our gauges for setting the pace during our daily treks. Crossing Latitudes emphasizes low impact traveling, safety, good judgment, sound outdoor traveling skills and having a great time. Distances can range from 6-12 miles (10-20 kilometers) or 4-8 hours. Elevation gain can be between 600 - 3,000 feet (200 - 1,000 meters). Our staff will always brief you on distances, elevation gain, challenges and rewards before each day so you can decide what would be best for you any given day.
Day 1: Welcome to Bergen and Norway! We'll meet in the reception area of the Steens Hotel / Bed & Breakfast at 7:00 p.m. (dinner is not provided this evening). This hotel is where we will stay tonight and upon our return to Bergen at the end of the trip (included in your price). We are only a few minutes walk from the Bergen fish market and Bryggen. You are welcome to check-in earlier this afternoon. Please contact us if you need assistance or your travel schedule does not get you into town until later this evening.
After introductions and an evening snack we will make sure everyone has all the necessary equipment for our adventure. Please read through the Equipment List for recommended clothing. We will also pull out the maps and take a look at our route.
Steens Hotel / Bed & Breakfast
Parkvei 22, N-5007 Bergen, Norway
Phone:+47-55 31 40 50 Fax:+47-55 32 61 22
Day 2: After an early morning breakfast we will walk down to the famous Bergen Fish market and then depart on the Sognefjord Express ferry (approximately 4 hours ride). The Sognefjord is the deepest and longest fjord in Norway (210 km long and over 1000 m deep). If we are lucky we might see porpoises jumping in our wake. We will for sure see spectacular mountains and small communities along the fjord.
Our destination is Sogndal / Kaupanger. From here we will drive for another hour up the winding mountain road to our first lodge; Sognefjellshytta Mountain Lodge. In 1880 the mountain farmers noticed an increase in tourists and started to build simple lodges along the high mountain road. We will stay here for three nights.
The Sognefjell lodge offer simple yet comfortable accommodations. We might share the lodge with the Norwegian cross country ski team or with international climbers. The trails leading off from the lodge can take us up on vast glaciers, through wide glacially carved valleys and around spectacular alpine lakes. The views from the dining room will take your breath away!
Day 3 & Day 4: After a hearty Norwegian breakfast and creating our own “niste pakk” (lunch bags) your Crossing Latitudes staff will offer one or two treks. The weather and the groups interest and abilities will help us to decide where and how far we go. Some days you might trek with just a few folks, other days we might all go together.
Distances can range from 6-12 miles (10-20 kilometers) or 4-8 hours. Elevation gain can be between 600 - 3,000 feet (200 - 1,000 meter). Our staff will always brief you on distances, elevation gain, challenges and rewards so you can decide what would be best for you any given day.
From our lodge it is only a few kilometers hike up to Bøverbreen (base of the Smørstab glacier). This is one of the locations where the Norwegian Mountain Touring Association (DNT) offers instructional ice climbing, glacier courses and glacier tours. For those who are interested in a tour up on the glacier our Mountain guides will rope you up and teach you the basics. You might ascend “Store Bjørn” (the Big Bear) or you might spend time cruising along on the blue glacial ice. Weather will dictate our travel as usual.
Folks with little desire to step up on the glacier will stay on the trail and hike along a string of mountain lakes. The name of these mountains is “Round Haugan” describing the surrounding round and rolling hills.
In the afternoons we return to our lodge for showers, dinner and a cozy times in front of the fire.
Day 5 to Day 7: Depending on the weather we might do another trek in this area or make our move along the mountain road to our next lodge. Turtagrø Mountain Lodge will be our home for the next three nights. This lodge was one of the first hotels in the Jotunheimen area and was considered a classic. Hikers and climbers from all over the world gathered here to enjoy the atmosphere and the spectacular setting. Unfortunately the old lodge burned down few years ago but now we get to enjoy the new and quite modern Turtagrø Mountain Lodge (opened 2002).
From Turtagrø we hope to reach the lofty ridge below “Storen” (the Big One). Stora Skagastølstind is the third highest mountain in Norway (2,403 meters) and has fascinated hikers and climbers for generations. It towers over the valley and was first climbed in 1876 by the famous English mountaineer William Cecil Slingsby.
Our pace is mellow, each member may take as many breaks as they’d like, to view the mountains, breathe the fresh mountain air or drink from the cold gushing streams. The surrounding peaks are impressive and it’s very likely that we’ll encounter other international climbers.
Another excellent hike is Mount Fannaråken (2,068m.) The trail leads up through the valley and along a rushing stream called Helgedalselvi. The route up this famous peak is curvy and steep in some places, open and wide in others. From the top of Fannaråken you can see the entire Jotunheimen National Park with it’s sparkling glaciers and jagged peaks. On top there is a warming hut where we can enjoy waffles and share stories with fellow hikers.
If you need a rest from hiking Turtagrø Lodge has a excellent library and it can't get much better than hanging out with a good book, a cup of tea in front of the fire.
Day 8: Today we will travel back to Bergen and our hotel. Dinner and lodging is included in your trip price.
Day 9: Breakfast and final group photos will officially mark the ending of our trip.
General Information:
Travel Insurance: We recommend that you protect yourself from unforeseen circumstances while traveling. The Travel Guard "Protect Assist" insurance plan protects you in the event that you have to cancel your trip for a variety of reasons. It covers you for everything from your cancellation to Trip Interruption, Travel Delay, Lost, Stolen or Damaged Luggage, Baggage Delay, Medical Expenses, Emergency Medical Transportation and more. This plan is ideally suited for adventure travel.
Pre- and post-trip accommodations: We recommend EDMONDS TRAVEL outside Seattle. They specialize in travel to Scandinavia. “KJ” is our primary contact person, she will help you book tickets. Call: 1-800-261-3868. Email: kj@seanairtravel.com
Weather: The coastal weather of Arctic Norway can bring strong winds and rain. Count on clouds and drizzle for at least half the time. Sunny days will be a welcome exception. Here the average temperatures range between the low 50's to 70’s. The coastal weather of Sweden is usually warmer and sunnier than Norway, but be prepared for some strong winds or heavy rain. Summer temperatures in Sweden can reach into the 80's. At times, the elements can prohibit us from paddling or hiking but not from enjoying these spectacular places. Good rain gear and footwear will also enable us to explore the mountains, forests, coast and villages by foot. The weather in the mountains is variable like in most mountains. One day can be warm and sunny with the next being windy and drizzly, it’s even possible to see some snowfall.
Currency: Each Scandinavian country has its own currency. Exchanges can be made at banks, airports, train stations and most hotels. Scandinavian currency is not interchangeable between countries as each has a different exchange rate value. Major credit cards are widely accepted throughout Scandinavia. Sweden and Denmark are part of the European Union but have chosen not to use the Euro. Norway is not part of the EU. Travel checks are not used in Scandinavia. The banks will charge a stiff fee if you want travel checks cashed.
Language: English is Scandinavia's second language and is almost spoken fluently throughout. We encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to speak the native tongue. Phrase books and dictionaries are a great help. All our staff are bilingual and speak English as well as Norwegian or Swedish.
Last minute assistance: If you need assistance shortly before departure or while traveling to Scandinavia, you may call the following number for Crossing Latitudes in Sweden: 070-670 11 53 (within Sweden) or 46-70-670 11 53 (from outside Sweden). Please leave your name, a message and a number where we can reach you.
See you in Scandinavia!
