SignaTUR Gullruta in Etnefjellene from 16. maj

[Caspar Nielsen]

Hi everyone,

I plan to start my hike Friday the 16th, moving from Seljestad to Olalia. I am just checkin' in here to see if anyone has any comments, since UT.no says the "season" starts from July.

The weather looks good so far - But should I bring snowshoes?

My plan is:

Day 1) Seljestad -> Simlebu (cabin)
Day 2) Simlebu -> Sandvasshytta (cabin)
Day 3) Sandvasshytta -> Blomstølen (cabin) -> Storavassbu (cabin)
Day 4) Storavassbu -> Løkjelsvatnhytta (cabin)
Day 5) Løkjelsvatnhytta -> Olalia

I bring my own tent (Hilleberg Unna), 12 pages of maps, and cookware.. Not sure how many good tent spots I will encounter outside of the cabin areas, but it always nice to have the choice.

Caspar

Endret 11. mai av Caspar Nielsen

[graham]

I would expect a great deal of snow now and rivers/streams could be an issue due to heavy snow melting.

For water crossings I use shell/rain trousers with some straps around the ancle. And hiking poles for stability. 

The trail will probably be hard to see, at least for the first half of the trip. A good map/navigation tools is necessary. I would also consider to bring some lightweight snowshoes as well.

[Caspar Nielsen]

graham skrev (2 timer siden):

I would expect a great deal of snow now and rivers/streams could be an issue due to heavy snow melting.

For water crossings I use shell/rain trousers with some straps around the ancle. And hiking poles for stability. 

The trail will probably be hard to see, at least for the first half of the trip. A good map/navigation tools is necessary. I would also consider to bring some lightweight snowshoes as well.

Thank you Graham, much appreciated. I will be getting some snowshoes for the hike. And I bring my poles (of course.)

With water crossings, I still need to nail my tactic. Are you saying, you don't change shoes? I was thinking to bring my kayak shoes, that are light weight and has a good grip. And keep my boots "dry".

[Caspar Nielsen]

I saw https://www.instagram.com/p/DHeJhM0Im6c/ from 7 weeks ago

Those peaks around the cabin are at 1000-1200.

[graham]

Yes, it is for the first half of the trip I would expect snow this days, and less snow as you descent some going south.

For water crossings I use water proof trousers and straps around the ancles, I try to tighten them as much as possible. I also often have a pair of Crocs in my backpack for camp/cabin use which I sometimes use for water crossings. I never go bare foot or in the socks

[graham]

The best alternative is to not get any need for the snowshoes, but if you really need them... 

[+Bjarne H.S.]

Satelittfoto i dag over indre Etnefjell:

[Caspar Nielsen]

Bjarne H.S. skrev (5 timer siden):

Satelittfoto i dag over indre Etnefjell:

Thanks Bjarne - Which service gives you such photo?

[+Bjarne H.S.]

Copernicus

[Caspar Nielsen]

Bjarne H.S. skrev (På 13.5.2025 den 5.09):

Copernicus

Thanks Bjarne!

@graham I don't think it "looks" that bad.. This picture is from yesterday, and this is the route.

[Petter Murud]

Have you gone? How was it?

[Caspar Nielsen]

Petter Murud skrev (På 28.5.2025 den 6.53):

Have you gone? How was it?

Yes, I went and completed the route. I was so lucky with the weather, and there were a lot less snow than usually for that time a year. So I did not need show shoes, but there were still snow to walk across, and I was happy for my trekking poles, to determine the robustness of the snow bridges. Occasionally there were running water underneath, and one time my leg did go through, but not at any particular dangerous point. And sometimes I was forced to do a small detour, and do a occasional climb to not have a detour, due to the snow. And sometimes the T's were not easily located, but I used my GPS (and had map/compass as backup).

Just as the satellite images showed, all the locals that I met at the cabins talked about how much less snow there were than usual. So the less snow and the sunny weather, really made it an incredible trip. It was tough as I was carrying 20kg on my backpack, but there were water everywhere, although less at the two last stages, because of the dry weather and lower elevation.

It was a blast as I also ran into volunteers who were out repainting T's and building bridges, and I got to help with some helicopter drops!

When I arrived at Olalia, somebody had rented the whole place, and while I could have stayed at the "Sikringsbu", I opted to walk to Ølen, and got to the city already on Saturday. I wish I had stayed, but I started dreaming about a hotel room and a bath tub.

[Caspar Nielsen]

Thanks for all the help here. Great forum!