Return to Ålesund and a new adventure climbing Åndalsnes

In late August, we returned to Ålesund to help with some missionary matters, and hiked another version of the mountain above the city.

THE CITY

This is just something we saw along the way on the road.  

No photo-shopping was done in the making of this blog.  This is just Norway!

On the hike above the city.  We went above the tower.

This is Rundskue (Round View) donated by former city
dwellers who moved to USA

A view.

Just a stop on the road to Åndalsnes . . . not even our destination.

THE HIKE

On the drive home, we hiked Rampestreken from Åndalsnes.  The hike is just 1 km in distance, but you climb steadily to 580 meters above sea level (where you started).  You do the math .. . it is a steep climb.  Some of the reviews almost scared Kirt off as he is somewhat "height challenged," but we did it.  There are some nice stone stairs, built by Sherpas from Nepal as a sort of service project.  We asked locals where they got all the stones, and were told they were helicoptered in and dumped into big piles for placement.  Some of the paths were narrow, and climbing the steep stairs on the edge is not for everyone.  But the views atop the lookout were spectacular.  Here are just a few pictures to enjoy.

On the way up and down we spoke to nearly everyone and found people from all over the world on this hike.  We gave them cards about what we are doing and the Church of Jesus Christ.  We even met some college students from Trondheim (who were from Russia, France, and Latvia) and invited them to our young adult activities.

The hiking center; because there are plenty of options
in this area.

This was the last of "flat land" we encountered.

This is what the trail was like. . . 

and this . . .

Some of the Sherpa Stones

Markers every 100 meters give you motivation.

Yes, that little town down there is where we started.

A little more than 1 1/2 hours up, and a lot faster coming down.

Breathtaking views.

That is a frozen mountain lake on the top left of this photo.

This is taken across the fjord as we continued our journey home, looking across at the city. 
You can see the Hiking Center in the bottom right of the photo.