Grytenuten 862 m asl

Grytenuten is another destination point which I wanted to visit since long time. The peak with 862m over sea level is located close to the connections of three fjords and in the neighborhood of few others. That means that the views from the summit are incredible.

It supposed to be another sunny but very windy Sunday (even 10 – 11 m/s). There was also this weekend, when we usually change time and we have one hour more for sleep. I decided to use this and get on the place very early and say hello to raising sun, when I will be on the summit.

There was dark, when I started. Over one hour drive (and of course I lost my way in the meantime) and I parked my car close to Kjølvik kindergarten. Just next to this parking lot you can find beginning of the trail. I used flashlight in the dark. Tractor road led among the trees and along rock wall up. And it is a very steep. I could see nice, night panoramic view of surrounding are below, single light of houses, water of fjords, which was lighter than the ground and the sky that became gray and get lighter in every minute. Soon, I came into the forest and I had to change wide road to narrow and steep path. Climbing on slippery rocks was risky but alternative was mud and water flowing down all the time. For last few days there were raining a lot. Finally, I managed to get to more less flat terrain, but there was even more water. I tried to not get drowned when I stand in wrong place. But I managed also with this.

Some time later I went out on an open terrain and left the trees behind. I could put the flashlight into the pocket. I knew that the sunrise is close, and I need to hurry up if I want to catch the sun on the summit. But I couldn’t resist to stop and make some pictures time to time. Behind one of the hills I found nice waterfall. The water fall down from the lake. There was building area with digger machine and other equipment. At the end of the lake there was a concrete dam and the work here seems to be not finish yet. On the other end of this lake I could see another waterfall, but the trail led me in other direction.

*Uphill? And this is only the beginning. I made this photo at the end of this trip.*

Sun rise long before I get on the top of the mountain. The views until now were brilliant, but they became even better when the sun lighted everything around. I noticed that the wind is very strong and at many places there is a thin layer of ice covered the rocks. I had to walk very careful. Few minutes after I decided to wear the jacket, I reached the summit. There was impressive stone tower and, what was surprising, stationary observation binoculars (or how it is called). I couldn’t use this equipment because of wind. At this place there was difficult to stand straight and keep the balance. I hid behind the stone tower and rest for a moment.

The views were just amazing. At all directions. Even towards the wind, although it was very difficult to face to the north-west direction. I couldn’t stay there for long. Slowly, to avoid any fall on slippery rock, I started to descend. Before I get to the lake with digger machine, I lost my way and circumstantially founded alternative trail. I had to go back and find my path but finally I reached the lake. The waterfall on other end of the lake lured me. I abandoned the path and went along the shore toward this magnificent sight. I came closer at least to make a good picture and after a while I was on my way back.

Descend way wasn’t so simple. The path was really steep and my knees cried for help. In the meanwhile I met some other wanderers and before I came to my car, several times short rain caught me. But finally I ended the trip glad and with decision that next time I had to take trekking poles.