Rjukan Ice Climbing

Twelve years since the legendary 'Norge Ice Trip' and I'm back ice climbing in the winter climbing playground of Rjukan. Not much has changed in the valley, except that now the weekends are busy with climbers!

It's been between minus 8 and minus 4 all day and we've packed in loads of climbing. I was out of bed early and went as an advanced party to rig some ropes for the student group that I am working with. The sunlight never reaches this part of the valley until mid March and although it gets light, it was a day that started by the light of my head torch.

We spent until mid afternoon in the 'Ozzimosis' area, getting as many climbs done as possible as well as working on developing efficient technique.

At around three, we travelled to another area to scope out routes for tomorrow and in doing so, chanced upon the Rjukan Ice Climbing Festival! Trade stands, competition climbs, pumping music and free hot chocolate! Brilliant! I love stumbling across festivals and events when away on trips, so this was a nice surprise. The only shame was that we were too late to enter in the speed climbing contest!