Back to my roots

I've focused on the two big races I did this summer - Xreid (part 1, part 2) and UTMR 100k (part 1, part 2). In the coming weeks I'll write about what filled the time in between.

When I originally conceived of taking the summer off after handing in my PhD dissertation, I imagined grandly striking out into parts of the world I hadn't explored before. But as I wrote my thesis, and my plans evolved, I felt the draw to re-explore parts of Norway that had been dear to me.

As a 16-year old, I got my first summer job working at the full-service hut Jøldalshytta in the Trollheimen mountains, a few hours south of my then home city Trondheim. It was my first taste of independence and I loved it, going back to the same job for a total of four years. I worked mornings and evenings, cleaning and serving food, and had a long stretch of time off during the day to explore the nearby mountains.

Zoe looks out over Jøldalen at sunset.

I had spent significant time in the mountains with my family before that summer, but never under my own volition. There was something magical about opening a paper map of the area and asking myself, where do I want to go today?

My sister Zoe has picked up the family tradition and was working there there this summer, so I hiked the handful of kilometers into the hut to join her for her day off. The adventure of choice was a twist on a classic: we would hike to the summit of Trollhetta, but take an alternative, off-trail route home.

Headed for Trollhetta (left).

Like the rest of Norway, it was bone-dry in Trollheimen, as a result of one of the warmest summers on record. It was also, unsurprisingly, hot and sunny. The trail quickly ascended out of the boggy lowland and onto the rocky grey mountain landscape that once felt like home.

"Trailrunning". Photo: Zoe

It was over these summits that I first extended myself and took the leap from hiking to running. It's funny how the views could be both utterly familiar and brand new at the same time. In the rush to explore the novel I so often forget the novelty in repeatedly discovery of familiar landscapes.

Zoe signs the register on the first Trollhetta summit.

We made short work of the long Trollhetta ridge that rolls over three separate peaks. I was pushing Zoe and I knew it, but she rose the challenge of keeping up with her crazy running sister admirably.

A slightly exposed section over the aptly named 'Litjhelvete' - Little Hell.

After backtracking around the three summits, it was time to head into the unknown, and descend towards Rinhattdalen. We managed to find a nice, clean line, staying above the brushy vegetation for as long as possible.

The main peak of Trollhetta towers above Zoe.

Gazing down at the Storrindvatnet lake, we both had the same reaction. 

"Is that white thing a beach?!" 

Nothing would do but we check it out. The terrain to get there turned out to be complicated, crossing several bogs that most definitely had survived the summer's drought. There were also some ominous rain clouds chasing us, and I wondered if the swim was going to be more refreshing than I had bargained for.

We made it just in time for a refreshing dip before the rains came, but the shower was short and refreshing in its own right.

Our secret high mountain beach in Trollheimen. I'll tell you where it is, but that doesn't make it easy to get to!

Next was a final climb to get back to Jøldalen valley, which involved more entertaining bushwhacking before we were finally, blessedly able to pick up the trail.

And what a trail! A narrow brown strip, slightly downhill, cutting through luscious heather, leading us straight to supper.

Matchy-matchy

As that run showed, four summers in the area had still left untouched ground for me. Probably there's more, I just have to take a look at my map...

{Strava here}

- The Wild Bazilchuk