Rjukan/Gaustatoppen

While out riding

Saua

 They were just fed by a farmer and were very much interested in me. 

They followed me with their vision as I rode by. Creepy.

      Now, the real reason for this post is that I just came back from Rjukan, which is just north of here about 2 hours by car. Sofia's folks (Finnish) were visiting so we went out to Gaustatoppen which is one of the larger mountains in Norway. It sits at something like 1883m (6200 feet) over sea level. Sofia was camera woman so it is just to wait for the pictures. We ended up getting snowed out (not enough gear) and the clouds were covering the peak while climbing. We found a good spot just under the fog line and enjoyed the view of Hardangervidda. 

For now I will toss these in here until I get the real photos.

 Rjukan is probably most known for the heavy water sabotage efforts during WW2. 

More on this may be read here.

Another thing Rjukan is known for is the fact that the town rarely receives any sun. The town combated this through the use of mirrors. Read the article here.

Not a great picture but there are the benches and the exhibit on it.

Information

Rjukan

Grinding up Gaustatoppen

Jesus

Our dilemma. Continue on with lousy gear not ideal for snow and deal with the fog, or turn back. Ultimately we did not go that much further which is a bummer because the fog did lift later. 

Maybe I will have to attack it on a summer someday.

Check out a nice video on Gaustatoppen here

 

So then we headed back into Rjukan to find Krossobanen. 

Again, I was not camera operator but this is what I got.

Explosives and flammables not allowed to travel with passengers. Shoots...

This thing goes up the other hillside from Gaustatoppen. This gives you a view of the valley where town sits and Gaustatoppen.

From here we went into town for a cup of coffee and apple cake at Cafe Ammonia...

Finished off the day with coming back to Bø and picking up some Homer bread.

Left at 9 from Bø this morning and came back about 20.30. My classes were canceled today so I am glad I had the opportunity to do stuff. Meetings tomorrow to take care of projects and presentations. Do it to it folks.