Nigandsbreen - BiGgest Glacier on MainLand Europe

I went to the biggest alpine glacier in mainland Europe at Jostelsbreen national Park. It was a fantastic experience (this might be effort justification: I spent so much money, time and effort, that the outcome MUST be good :p). The scenery was spectacular. The mountains had mini-waterfalls and streams, likely consequencies of melting snow. The glacier was a massive blue crystal etched between 2 mountains. It was a valley glacier, slightly different from ice sheets in ANtartica and Greenland. Fallen snow collected within the valley became the compact ice structure. The blue arises from the water molecules absorbing some of red light. :>

I had a miraculous journey to reach the glacier. It began with a 7 hour overnight bus journey. Then 3 hours of waiting for a bus at Sogndal bus terminal. Further waiting (and not too sure there is a bus) at Gaupne, a nearby village. Then a private ride in the bus carrying also a truck load of goods at 70 miles per hour on the narrow mountain roads. I managed to get there in time for the only glacier walk that day. Finally I had to hitch a ride with a kind Dutch couple from the visitor centre to the base of the glacier.

Sognal

Gaupne

We were given spikes for our shoes, ice picks and harnesses. Our group of 8 were all belayed on 1 long rope. After the guide showed us the 'power' of the spikes... that as long as you kept your feet flat on the ice, you could not slip no matter which way you walked... I felt a sense of invincibility :p

the crew

View from the Glacier

A crevice

The journey back to Oslo was yet another adventure. I was definitely was like a 'fox thinking its safe passage, while it was being skinned' (a saying I learnt at the Cultural history museum :> opposite of better be safe than sorry). I got another lift back to the visitor centre with the Dutch couple. My intention was to have a look around the visitor centre, then take the bus back to Gaupne, back to Sogndal. I thought I double-checked with the lady at the reception about bus times and she warned me that there were no buses that day. The time-table I was looking as actually indicated return journeys only on saturdays. I was still in dis-belief as I thought it inconceivable that the bus will take you there, but not back. Still I took her advice to ask for a lift from someone. Luckily, I caught a Spanish couple in the centre and they were happy to give me a ride. They took me straight to Sogndal as it was on their way. :) I was really lucky to have met such nice people, or else I would have been stranded in Jostalsbreen (or be completely broke from getting a taxi ride for 500 NOK).