Thursday 2/1

After waking up a few times I slept like a log, and awoke to another morning of wind and snow. After breakfast I packed up, while my new roommates tried to decide whether to stay or not. As Karin held a morning exercise session in the kitchen I slipped out, and started the return journey shortly after 10.

The snow had stopped, but there was quite a bit of drift at first, although it subsided as I got down to the nearby mere. I was again feeling the adverse effects of the boots on my ankles that had plagued me during last year's easter tour, and had therefore padded the sensitive areas; it felt pretty fine after a while, as did the (by now) light rucksack. On a mire between the two trail splits I met five of the septet, who were out on a short day tour to pass the time – they had tried to change their train reservation to an earlier day, but the train in question was booked to the very last seat, so they were "stuck". At the second split I met the remaining two, who already had tickets for said train, and I paused to talk with them before pressing on ahead. It had now started to snow again, and the bit through the imposing forest was pleasant. Not too long thereafter I sought out a suitable mound against which to sit, finding one just beside the trail around 11:45.

Snowy descent

Much calmer

Deep forest

I had my lunch in a light snowfall, and soon the other two passed me by without noting my presence. Another three people then came up from Vålådalen – and these did see me. After I got up again I crossed several wide mires, where there was more snow on the ice now, and then the trail started to descend Vålåsen. About halfway down I caught up with the others, who were carrying their skis, but I kept mine attached and whizzed down the slope with ease. After the bridge I took a wide side track up to the field at 12:45, and could then cross the car road without removing the skis thanks to the recent snowfall.

Walkers

Vålådalen ski slope

Vålådalen fjeld station

The parking lot was very full now, and there were more people inside the station, many of them kids. Since there was still a fair bit of time until the taxi-bus was to carry me away I sat down inside the cozy establishment and relaxed, while the snow continued to fall outside – better late than never.

Holiday greetings