3rd time lucky?

Yesterday we tried again to reach the top of a not insignificant hill just outside Bergen called Svinningen (842m). We first tried it in June. Then, despite gorgeous weather, we failed to reach the true summit as we left it too late in the day, with insufficient food and by approaching it from the longest, most difficult route. This time we had time, route and snacks on our side but the weather deteriorated during the approach to a level best described as shitty in the extreme. Lashing rain and driving winds pushed cold water through every conceivable seam, vent and 'waterproof' material we could throw at it. When hardy locals are warning you off attempting it's steep, rocky, exposure-laden ramparts in that kind of weather you pay heed and retreat. Live to fight another day and all that.

Next time hopefully the planets will align and all the necessary factors will be in our favour.

"Damn you Svinningen! You are my Everest!"

Autumn approaches (Spring is in the air)

Summer is drawing to a close, especially here in more northerly latitudes. Autumn colours are starting to make their debut this year. The nights are drawing in and warm sunshine is an ever increasingly valuable commodity. Synthetic base-layers in my wardrobe are being replaced with last year's merino and my thoughts are already turning towards planning ski trips and wondering if there is a place in my gear for a bit of Paramo....

So with all this talk of Autumn, why the feeling of Spring in the air? Well, Spring is a time for fresh starts and re-growth. After a personally tumultuous summer I now have new things to look forward to. A recent steady diet of Guinness, Lucky Strikes and apathy is giving way to a fresh start, new opportunities and a desire to get out into the mountains again.

I tried easing myself back out into the mountains with a Sunday afternoon ridge walk with a Norwegian friend who didn't let up on the pace and handed my ass to me in a sling. The recent relentless rain left the hillsides literally flowing underfoot. The troll-inhabited fairytale forests surrounding the ridge were awash with green. My senses were being assaulted. The steep ascent and blustery wind blew many a recently affixed cobweb away. The endorphins washed away the apathy and ideas for new adventures were turning over in my mind.

Here's to Autumn/Winter/Spring/Summer*

(* delete as applicable)

The sun sets on another day

Sometimes life isn't predictable or dependable. Things change.

The islands around Sotra have been sitting there, casually shrugging off the attentions of pounding Arctic storms, scouring wind and driving rain for thousands of years. Resolute and unyielding. They were there before any of us and will be there long after we are gone.

It's good to put things into perspective.