And that was that

Well, we're back 'home' (in Rjukan) and in the great bag-packing rotation that just keeps on rolling, we are ready to move on again later tonight. Our nordic ski journey was memorable...and yes, that does mean a mixture of things, but only in the ways that adventures are: hard work, retrospectively enjoyable in places, and beautiful momentarily. As James commented, 'this is learning to nordic ski Glasgow Academy style: 17 kilometres, with packs, on day one, with another two days of skiing ahead!' Pam and I lost a lot of heel skin between us - it's a shame we don't get extra luggage allowance for that. As for the bruises, well - some people have more bruise than not, particularly in the knee and shin area.

Kerr getting some air.

Pamela about to wolf a whole malt loaf (okay, she did share a bit)!

As Nigel would say, 'more boring beauty...'.                                       

More of the same...                            

Reindeer stew and rehydrated mash - surprisingly edible when you've been skiing (or taking your skis for a walk) for enough hours in the dark.

Mountain hut style, as demonstrated by Kerr.                                

Sloaros, the second of our mountain huts                                         

Mountain man, Nigel Williams, in his element

Most of the team can be spotted ahead.

The team very nearly at the end of our journey, but not quite: just one little green home run. This slope resulted in all sorts of carnage and uncrumpling, never mind being surrounded by scores of competent Norwegian tots on skis. 

Into the wild

Well, that's us off to the mountains for the next three days. Today's delights were the incredible ice falls at Krokan - it's oh so quiet and the routes are absolutely 'fat' with ice. We managed to have ropes down the five most popular routes there, and I didn't get one glare or elbow in the ribs for hogging the ice. The team really got to grips with the ice today and climbed an impressive number of metres between them.

 Team riggers carry the gear to the top of the crag.

Craig 'pulling the moves' on some very steep ice.

 Craig still managing to cling on!

TGA Head Boy being awarded a Winnie the Pooh plaster for activities that he might like to explain in his own words.

James trying on the look of 'serious'. Onlookers unconvinced.

 Ali about to indulge in a slice of steep ice.

Indulging (probably combined with a smidgen of muscle exhaustion).

 Kerr on the last route of the day.

Pamela has developed the 'pam move' which involves hooking rather than swinging her axes. The sensible are following suit.

Mysterious ice.

 Ice behind the ice falls.

Skiing in a straight line, apparently.

A bridge too far

Ready, steady, slow

Day one in the Norwegian ice box. As airports go, Oslo Airport is an appealing one. However, its relaxing ambience and Scandinavian architecture of lusterious expanses of wood and glass do not warrant an extra six and half hours of lounging. After a longer journey than usual, we finally tucked in to the Rjukan wendy houses.

Climbing at Krokan today was perfect - friendly but freezing temperatures, very 'fat' ice (it grows so quickly!) friendly, rope-sharing climbers, and most surprisingly, blue sky and sunshine that touched down.  Between leaping into deep, deep snow, seal launching and other snow-focused play, we climbed the ice. 

Icing the appetite

An update of Sunday's Winterr Mountaineering course will follow shortly, with words being kindly donated by David, S6. In the meantime, and to whet (or should that be 'ice') the appetite for the Norway expedition which sets sail this saturday, here are a few icey images from the pupils' Ice Factor outing and Miss Goolden's trip last weekend to scout the snow and ice conditions in Rjukan, Norway.

Icing the appetite...proof that training can take place in the most unlikely of settings!

Clemmie getting to grips with it all - axes, crampons, ice, gloves...

Leon taking a well earned rest.

Hannah hanging in there.

Melissa, still able to belay despite the chill.

Pamela, Kerr and Rosie simul climbing inside the big fridge.

    Snowy, snowy, snowy. I'm thinking tunnelling, snow angels, bears (there are none), wolves (none), snow balls...etc.

An easy abseil approach to a multipitch ice route. 

An animated recounting of the route, post climb.

Almost lost in a sea of ice. This is part of the new 'Ice Park', which means that pipes have been put in above the gorge, water is pied up from the river 70 metres below, and is carefully released to create and 'top up' these routes.

                                                    Caged in...or out?

Climbing in the Rjukan Ice Park: 60 metres of incredibly good and unusually featured ice - heaven!

A full view of one of the Ice Park routes (with Rosie Goolden about half way up) and the Vemork Bridge.