Rjukan Ice

In deepest South Norway there is a dark, cold world class ice climbing venue called Rjukan. I was there recently for a week with London Mile End climbing club and Junior (?!) SMC Cronies.  It is one mad icey playground, and although not climbing world class level myself (well, only in my head), I was more than content to see myself and others up some more modest routes  (mind you there was some crazy Mixed top-route action, not by me, but by enthusiastic others [one of whom later concussed himself snowboarding - need I say more?]).  Rjukan's many gorge locations provide routes, of all variety.  We had tropical conditions of plus 3-5C which was all good. Considering Feb average temp is minus 6C we were dead lucky. The routes were mostly in good nick, and we all battered ourselves.  I lead my first ice route, and learnt a heap; now I have opened this Pandoras Box of Ice I hope to climb more in Tromso area.

Thanks for the gear loans, Trev., Jane and Al., and Tore.  And for The Boys for putting up with a gal in their hut all week! 

So here are some shots: apologies but I know not how to rotate pics using the newly purchased Mac. computer (ahem).... so all the funky vertical scary ice pics have had to be left out (most of these are in my head anyways).  Hope these horizontal shots do the place justice! (the one vertical one was not rotated by me - thanks Jaap, for the uphill perspective).