I have been in Rjukan in Norway this week climbing with Andy and Kat Congleton, we were joined by there 6 month old daughter Ellen. The plan was that Andy and Kat would alternate climbing with me and looking after Ellen, this worked really well for them getting a rest every other day but my arms were a bit tired by the end of the week. Rjukan has loads of really accessible ice falls at all grades most of the routes are only 1 or 2 pitches so you can climb a few in a day. The temperature during our stay was unseasonably mild making for damp but soft friendly ice conditions we just had to make sure we chose big stable structures to climb. Andy and I started the week at the ice cragging venue of Kroken we climbed a number of variations on Bullen then the steeper Gaustaspokelse before heading to ultra roadside route Svingfoss. On Mon Kat and I headed into the gorge climbing superb Nye Vemorkfoss Kats first WI5 we also climbed the left variant Bakveinen. The temperature was so warm that some of the snow bridge we had crossed on the way into the gorge had melted so we climbed Lattvann in 2 rope stretch pitches to escape. Tue Andy and I headed o the outlying area of Kong Vitner we climbed the classic of the crag Kong Vitner, Andy wasnt feeling to great so we headed back to the ranch for a change of partner Kat and I headed out and climbed Svingfoss. Wed kat and I started with Vemork Ost then drove up to Kroken where we climbed a couple of variations on Jomfrua then the superb Fyrstikka. Thursday Andy and I climbed Vemork Ost then abseiled into Nye Vemorkfossen climbing the left variant as well. Still feeling really keen we went o Kroken where Andy discovered the problem with leash less tools if you fall off and let them go you may struggle to climb back up to them luckily there was a handy Spaniard to through up a spare. Kat and I went back to Kong Vitner on Fri climbing Kong Vitner and Silikon, andy and I climbed the classic Trapfoss on Sat which was a bit wet but great. Kat and I had a quick morning at Kroken before we headed for the plane.
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