Photos

The winter has come to the Norwegian mountains (at least barely, on a summit 1,728 masl.), so what's more suitable than starting the TE winter season. This picture however, was not taken during the snowstorm I experienced on the mountain last week, but in June. Not everyone gets to ski 20 km in June, especially not in the beautiful surroundings around Finse, so it's a great privelege!

Finse is the highest station on the train ride between Oslo and Bergen. And at 1,222 masl, it is a popular ski destination only reachable by train. Hardangerjøkulen Glacier is a fantastic sight as you come out of the 5 km long Finse Tunnel and the landscape really couldn't be better.

The goal for the skitrip was Fagernut (1,306 masl), a cabin located along the highest train tracks in Norway that closed when the Finse Tunnel was built in 1993. The snow depth varied between a few centimeters and up to 5 meters around the cabin.

I was tempted to move on to a nereby mountain, so I did. Hjeltnesnuten (1,492 masl) had a great view both to the glacier and the valley below, but...Norwegians don't like when huge power lines cuts through the untouched terrain like this!

The specific line in the picture leads to the small town of Ulvik by the Hardanger Fjord, a fjord that is considered one of the most beautiful on earth. It has for instance been named "the best travel destination" by National Geographic Magazine. It's now been suggested a gigantic line from Ulvik and almost all the way to Bergen following the fjord. There is a huge debate here whether it's necessary to build the line or not. Eventually, work on the line has started, but it has many enemies, including most people living in the region. They have suggested to lay the line in cables under the fjord. Now this is expected to cost some more, but we live in one of the richest countries on earth, and we should take care of our nature. My opinion.

But yes I had a great trip whatsoever...