"Sheer rock walls plunge into the depths of the arctic ocean with white and blue lines of ice streamlining their faces. It is a clear but cold day. The sun, which doesn't rise much above the horizon, can do little about it. And then there is wind, that makes enjoying the day a grim business. Except, it seems, for tough-looking locals... and, well, for ice climbers.
Norway, and northern Norway in particular, is a majestic place, that back in history must have had a special designer for it's breathtaking coastal landscapes, with snowy peaks and narrow fjords. It is not a place from fairy tales. It is a fairy tale itself.
Photos © Urban GolobA small local climbing community in Tromso area organized an ice climber's meeting in Lavangen, with some 40 people from all over Europe attending. Unlike other such meetings elsewhere, here was a clear sense of exploration present. No guidebooks, info feeds coming only from other climbers, who have spread their trails into the valleys over a large area. Dry conditions made some lines appear more challenging, the others non-existent, but still there was much to do each day.
When not climbing ice, we were driving around, scouting, searching for new possibilities, waiving we'd come back as soon as possible. You can only love or hate these places. As I watch the reflections of Tromso, glimmering in the dark waters across the bay, under the green veil of Aurora borealis, I know very well how I feel.
Photos © Urban GolobErwan, Marius, Sjur and Urban: see you soon - til neste gang!"
Aljaž Anderle, ice climber, member of the Petzl Team.
Photos from the event :
Photos © Urban Golob and Aljaz Anderle
