Summary: Kongsvoll to Ryphusan (then a drive to the campground). 21 km with 740 m elevation gain. Drizzle and overcast, then sun and the second part of the day was sunny with cold winds.
7:15 am wake up. I notice I don’t have as many aches and pains in the night now. My upper back (lats) are stiff in the mornings, and my feet. I haven’t taped my feet for blisters for a few days now. They seem good and callused up now. The shoes still aren’t my favorites, and they might be a size too small. My feet, mostly my toes, cramp in them when they get tired.
8 am breakfast and pack lunch from the buffet
9:00 am start walking
Our feet were soaked by the end of the 4 km when we sat down to wring our our socks and put fresh ones on. I put new socks on that were wet as soon as I put my shoes back on.
It was spitting as we left the guesthouse and we walked through the most difficult terrain of our walk so far. If it were raining more, it would be hazardous. Already, the lush plants cover the rocks and holes and roots, but today with the rain, the roots and rocks were also slippery. There were a lot of ups and downs as well and the adventure tired my right knee out early.
I was reflecting along the tough part of the trail how, on this trip, I focus on beauty every day with my camera. But even the challenges, I see beauty in them, and am grateful for my own ability to overcome the challenges.
Vårstigen (Spring Trail) was the next section, and was recorded in use by pilgrims on their way to Nidaros as early as 1182. The trail runs high as the valley was often flooded and impossible to pass during the spring. Horse drawn coaches would also use Vårstigen, and it was the “most important road over the mountains for 150 years” after improvements were made to it in 1704 (Oppdal Local History Association). I saw the trail in the distance yesterday and feared we’d be walking it. I feared correctly, but it was actually a beautiful, albeit strenuous, walk up.
7.6 km 12:15-12:45 lunch at the falls
10.8 km 14:00 we stop for a snack in the alpine field just before the dirt road.
11 km point, we hit a dirt road
16.4 km break in a spot protected from wind
19.3 km (phone) or 21km (guidebook and signs) Ryphusan. This is a basic shelter people can stay in. No heat.
We took a taxi to the camping ground where we have a small cabin (no grocery store and a junk collection in the little camping store). We’ve eaten like queens until today though, so I’m sure I’ll live.
Tomorrow, we will take a taxi back to where we were picked up. Then we walk to this campground so we walk the entire way. We’ll stay here again tomorrow.
Thank you for this day!
Stories from the Walk Home 