Besshøe (21.07.2013)
Written by hmsv1 (Hannah Vickers)
| Start point | Memurubu |
|---|---|
| Endpoint | Gjendesheim |
| Characteristic | Hillwalk |
| Duration | 6h 30min |
| Distance | 17.0km |
| Map |
|
| Ascents | Besshøe (2,258m) | 21.07.2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Visits of other PBEs | Besshøe fra Bessosen | 21.07.2013 |
| Besshøe sørvest | 21.07.2013 |
After the previous day on Besseggen I planned to take the boat back to Memurubu and go on a walk up Surtningssue. I left Bessheim pretty early (around kl.7.15) so I could get the first departure from Gjendesheim at 7.45. Seemed like things were going to plan. Arrived at Memurubu around 8.30 and took a leisurely pace following the signs for Surtningssue. The weather was again beautiful and still quite cool, quite comfortable for walking. Not sure how it happened, but somehow I found myself back on the same path as everyone else who were on their way to Besseggen. I can't work out how I managed to miss a well-marked, signposted path up to Surtningssue! It was quite annoying though, and since I couldn't be bothered to walk back down and find the right way I decided to change my plans and go up Besshøe and walk back to Gjendesheim around the north side of Bessvatnet, instead of coming back to Memurubu and taking the boat.
I left the main path to Besseggen before reaching the small lake I'd passed the day before, and tried to follow a sort of ridge going up the southwestern side of Besshøe. Think I might have gone a little too far to the right of the ridge and ended up on looser rocks which I didn't like at all so went a little back towards the left (west) again and found a sort of path. Saw a few piles of stones here and there, so it seemed like some other people had gone more or less the same route before. Reassuring to know I wasn't the first idiot to go this way. Seemed to be better rock and more slabs to scramble up after a while, so that was fun, even though the views were pretty much the same as I had had the day before.
Used a leisurely 3 hours to reach the top. In a way I was glad to have come up from this side of the mountain because the views from close to the edge of the south-western side were much more exciting just before the summit than the views from the other side of the mountain. Spent 30 minutes on the top before I saw anyone else, then there came 2 guys from the Bessvatnet side, soon followed by 2 girls who looked like they were only lightly dressed for a morning jog up the mountain. Realised also that this was my first 2000m top in Norway, but it didn't seem like such an exciting peak to 'start' the 2000-list with!
I took the route down which went around the southern side of Besshøbrean. It was well marked with small cairns and I passed several more small groups of walkers who were on their way up. The views across the glacier towards Nautgardstinden were OK but a little boring after a while, but at least it was easier to descend this way than the route I took up.. Hadn't expected that the walk along Bessvatnet could be that long, but it seemed to drag on for an eternity. Maybe I am lacking fitness right now. Was glad to finally reach the end of it and follow the path back to Gjendesheim. Had been a warm walk back without enough drink (I ran out of water somewhere along the path by Bessvatnet).
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User comments
I think
Written by mortenh 29.07.2013 19:26you're pretty spoiled. Besshøe and the surroundings ain't that bad. Actually with my Jotuncoloured glasses the area is really quite scenic I think.
And it's not like 2000m is the thing if you live up north. It's more a thingy for the majority of norwegians living in rather boring hilly southeastern parts. I think Besshøe is a charming mountain although not very spectacular.
As always you've captured some nice shots from your trip.
PS! You're not used to Jotunheimen I see. If you were thirsty there were certainly streams and if not you could just have dipped a bottle (or your entire head) into Bessvatn and drunk. Bessvatn is pretty clean.
I was once a bit startled as a pal dug his bottle in Bygdin and drank, as there are some motorised boat traffic there, but I followed his example there and the water was excellent :)
Re: I think
Written by hmsv1 29.07.2013 20:44Sounds like I have insulted Besshøe! I agree the views are good, but I think it depends which way you look. The south and west definitely seemed more interesting to me.
Next time I will remember to use the streams to get extra water. It is generally not so common to drink straight from a stream in the UK unless you boil the water first!