Global Adventure - Trek Hut to Hut through Jotunheimen National Park, Norway

Itinerary Highlights:   Oslo in far south Norway is the starting point for our trekking adventure on the classic Jotunheimen Circuit trek in Jotunheimen National Park.  After a night in Oslo we’ll board a bus for the 3 hour trip to Gjendesheim lodge, one of the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT)'s excellent staffed lodges.  For the next 8 days and nights we’ll trek 6-14 miles, 1000-3000’ of gain per day with daypacks, crossing hut to hut across the stark, incredibly beautiful high alpine country between lakes, through valleys, across high ridges and below (sometimes over!) high peaks.  Each hut is very different but all offer comfortable dorm-style accommodations and all meals, served communal style with a fun international clientele.  Our last trekking day crosses the famed Bessegen Ridge, a high rocky knife-edge between two lakes, one glacier-fed and aquamarine, one stream-fed and deep blue.  Snow can sometimes linger on hillsides and peak-tops so we’ll bring microspikes and poles to cross safely.

NOTE:  As with most high-alpine country like this where snowfields can persist year-round and mountains drive the weather, conditions can be unpredictable, so our itinerary can change without notice and sections may be modified or dropped.  The priority will always be on safety for all participants. 

Time of Year:   In  late June/early July, the weather is drier, most snow is melted, and crowds are not as thick as later in the summer.

Lodging:   We will trek with daypacks between well appointed private lodges and DNT huts with full board and dorm-style accommodations, plus 3-star hotels at the beginning and end in Oslo.

Food:   Norwegian food is heavily influenced by the sea and it’s fishing history, as well as game from its mountains.   Lodge food is typically ample and tasty.  Drinks are extra.

Leader’s Experience:   Cheryl Talbert has led many Mountaineers hikes and several Mountaineers and private backpacks, treks and cultural trips around the U.S. west and worldwide.  She organized and led a day-hiking trip to Norway including Jotunheimen in 2014. (cascadehiker@earthlink.net)

Strenuousness or Difficulty rating:   This itinerary is rated strenuous and challenging, less because of sheer distance and gain and more because of sometimes very rugged conditions including steep moraine and boulder field ascents and descents.

Limit:   Maximum of 12, including the leader.  If insufficient people register, the price may have to be adjusted upward.

Participant Requirements:   Must be a current Mountaineers member with an up-to-date waiver on file. This outing includes strenuous hiking on rugged terrain (including some steep moraine and scree slopes) and multiple successive days without such amenities as showers or laundry.  In the Jotunheimen high country, snow can linger late and it can be cold.  For all these reasons, participants need to be in excellent condition with good balance and confidence traveling on rough, sometimes very steep terrain with a pack on and off trail, and with the experience and willingness to pack appropriately and to deal with cold and/or wet weather for extended periods.  Recent experience with multi-day strenuous backpacking, scrambling or hiking, plus a positive attitude and a demonstrated ability to get along well with groups under demanding conditions, will be very important.   NOTE:  Your leader makes most of the arrangements and provides logistics support during the trip, but is NOT a tour guide!  As a Mountaineers group we will operate as interdependent, capable travelers making our way together and helping one another succeed and be safe.  You must have the ability to navigate on trails with a map and compass.

Trip Price Detail:   $2200 for the Jotunheimen segment including all lodging, ground transportation and most meals.  Your airfare (~$1500), travel insurance ($75-350), camping food (~$200) and a few meals in town (<$100) are not included.  (Norway is an EXPENSIVE country, for food, lodging and transport….but trust me – it’s worth it!!)

Registration Instructions:   Priority for available spots will be given to people who register for both the Jotunheimen and Lofoten adventures.  If space is available after September 1, spots may be offered to qualified people who wish to do one or the other.  Leader approval is required so before registering please submit the application form which will automatically be sent to the leader.   After the leader’s approval, go to the trip listing and click the REGISTER button to pay the 50% deposit and hold your space on the roster. Registration will close on October 15, 2018 or whenever the roster fills. The balance of the trip payment is due by March  1, 2019.

APPLICATION                        TRIP AGREEMENT     RELEASE

Cancellation Policy: If you cancel because of an emergency, you may receive a refund less expenses incurred and a $100 administrative fee.

Fly to Oslo (flight not included) no later than Tuesday June 25 and stay one night before taking a bus approx. 4 hours to Gjendesheim Lodge where our Jotunheimen circuit trek begins and ends.  We’ll finish our trek back at Gjendesheim on Saturday July 5, and catch a bus back to Oslo the next morning for one more night before flights out (also possible to take a bus and train from Gjendesheim to Bergen for explorations of the famed Norwegian fjords!)