Hiking while Karma is recovering…
Index
| Date | Peak | Height | PF | Location | WCP/FP | MAP |
| 31.03.25 | Rjåhornet | 600m | 107m | Herøy, M&R, Norway | WCP | MAP |
| 01.04.25 | Haddalshornet | 611m | 103m | Ulstein, Norway | WCP | MAP |
| 02.04.25 | Blåtind | 697m | 697m | Ulstein, Norway | WCP | MAP |
| 03.04.25 | Skafjellet | 573m | 82m | Hareid, Norway | WCP | MAP |
| 04.04.25 | Garnestua | 654m | 417m | Ulstein, Norway | WCP | MAP |
| 05.04.25 | Dragsund/Rambjøra attempt | – | – | Herøy, M&R, Norway | – | MAP |
| 05.04.25 | Kongsvollen | 683m | 200m | Hareid/Ulstein, Norway | WCP | MAP |
| 05.04.25 | Herøy & Huldrehornet | 271m | 113m | Herøy, M&R, Norway | WCP | MAP |
| 06.04.25 | Kjeldsund | – | – | Herøy, M&R, Norway | – | MAP |
| 06.04.25 | Instehornet | 653m | 200m | Volda, Norway | WCP | MAP |
Rjåhornet (600m), Mar 31 2025
Monday: I worked non-stop from 7:30am to 6:pm, except for walking the dog around the block at lunchtime. She seemed to have given up the concept of going on a mountain hike with daddy. It’s difficult to make a dog understand that a situation is only temporary. She’s healing nicely, but I don’t know what goes on inside her mind. Does she sense that a part of her (the Uterus) is missing?
Anne went to Runde island for work with a colleague. At 6pm, she was on her way back and I decided to leave Karma alone for 10-15 minutes and I drove to Leikong to hike Rjåhornet.
The first 300 vertical meters were super-easy. I almost felt young again.
The last 300 vertical meters were bloody hard. The coffee pot had no effect anymore. The final 100 meters were just evil.
I had no sense of time and remaining daylight, now that the clock had been set forward. I mean, the math isn’t that hard. But I still had to do the math. I concluded that I had plenty of daylight left and treated myself with a route (along Bakkelva river) that I hadn’t done before. The plan was always to ski down this route, but for some reason, I never got around to it.
It was fun though. The GPS track covered one of the few blank spots on my local map. A good start to the week!
Trip statistics: 6,6km, 620 vertical meters, 1h:32m
Haddalshornet (611m), Apr 1 2025
Tuesday: I logged in at work at 5am in the morning and that’s no April joke. I went to bed with a programming problem that I just had to sort out the next day. Why not start early…
The problem got fixed one hour later, and I was too excited to get back to bed. Instead, I worked non-stop for 11 hours, with just a few short breaks, walking Karma around the block. Anne was on a job trip in Stryn.
When she got back, I went on my afternoon hike. Solo. I look forward to bringing the dog along, but I’m following the Vet’s advice, in terms of progress. It’s been a week since the surgery now, and within a couple of days, we will let her get for a walk up to 1km. If she bothers. She seems to have embraced the lazy life in her bed.
I chose to go Haddalshornet, and I decided to start down by Haddal and go off-trail up to Hammaren.
That was not fun and will not be repeated.
From Hammaren, I followed the vague path halfway up the mountain, before going off-trail again. This time, the terrain was steeper and bordered to scrambling.
I was hoping that I was following a new route up the mountain, but given the number of hikes I’ve had up this mountain, the chances were slim. After the hike, I saw on my GPS map that I’ve done several hikes up this route.
Unlike the day before, where the final 300 vertical meters almost killed me, I was feeling fine today and looked forward to reaching the top and figure out a fun route down.
I had perhaps thought I would be going down the first part of “Klungsgylet” and bail out along a ledge. It’s too steep for me to scramble all the way down without a “grass axe”.
But instead, I followed the trail towards Blåtind until I reached a very distinct couloir, that I was pretty sure I had hiked before. It looked steep, but I decided to take my chances. It turned out OK, but I had to use both my hands in order to get down.
Now it was just a matter of heading down Klungsdalen valley and return to the car.
A very nice hike, and a good start to the week (yesterday included)! The weather was OK, except for a few drops of rain in the beginning.
Trip statistics: 4,6km, 620 vertical meters, 1h:28m
Blåtind (697m), Apr 2 2025
Wednesday: Sort of a normal working day. Anne had her last full day here and took a hike in the daytime. When she got back, she took her turn in looking after Karma. Fortunately, the dog doesn’t seem to be very interested in the stitches across her belly.
The weather was drop dead gorgeous. I decided to go to Blåtind, and the temperature was 18,5 deg. C. at the Ringstaddalen trailhead.
I didn’t have the heart to go outside the islands, as Anne likes dinner early. At the same time, I wanted as much vertical meters as possible, trying to catch up for “lost meters” in the past two weeks. Today’s hike would give me around 650 vertical meters, which was OK.
After a while, I went off-trail, hoping to get some new GPS tracks. What I didn’t know was that my GPS wasn’t tracking. Oh well.
This was my 198th visit to Hareidlandet island’s highest top. Maybe I need to prepare for a small celebration when I reach 200…
It’s been a very strange winter. And I don’t really think the snow will come in April…
I guess I don’t mind too much. I’d prefer that the coastal islands are free of snow and that I can drive to Ørsta or Volda for skiing, when I want to…
After a few seconds on top, I sat course for the NW ridge, which took me down to Klungsdalen.
From Haddal, I followed the roads back to the trailhead. Nice hike and good exercise!
Trip statistics: 5,9km, 660 vertical meters, 1h:57m
Kaldholelva + Skafjellet (573m), Apr 3 2025
Thursday: I tried to figure out a combination of where Karma could be interested in taking her first steps outside the neighbourhood, after the surgery – and – where I could get 500 vertical meters without spending too much time, while Karma waited in the car.
The choice fell on the Rotary path for Karma, and then Skafjellet (on Hareidlandet island) for me. When I let her out of the car, she was eager for like a couple of minutes…
But after walking 130m, it was full stop. Normally, I would have sweet-talked her with a firm voice, but not today. Any walk would be on her premises.
So, we returned to the parking lot, but I got her across the road and down to Kaldholelva. She was moderately interested, without exaggerating anything. There was a carousel-ish device here, and I decided to try it out. I should have read the user manual first. I went around and around, without doing anything and I got more and more dizzy.
I considered throwing myself off this thing from hell but was too dizzy. Then I must have done something to slow it down, and I was able to jump out. It took a whole minute before I got back to my senses. Karma was looking at me as I was the dumbest creature on the planet. I didn’t blame her.
Then we went down to Kaldholelva. I hope this would ignite some fire into Karma, but no.
Then we found this neat path that I didn’t know about. Karma took the lead!
After this short hike, I drove to Geilane to hike Skafjellet. Karma would just have to wait in the car.
I took all the shortcuts that I could…
I like this forest…
I reached the top, took a picture and turned around. I was thankful about the absence of rain. This morning was truly miserable.
Then I jogged back down…
Trip statistics Kaldholelva: 0,9km, 5 vertical meters, 0h:16m
Trip statistics Skafjellet: 5,1km, 500 vertical meters, 1h:03m
Garnestua (654m) + Årvika, Apr 4 2025
Friday: After work, I was really hoping that Karma was willing to do a short hike. I drove up to Fjelle, with the plan to walk up to Hasundhornet along the gravel road.
She was slightly eager, smelled, peed, walked a little then made a full stop. OK. No point in pushing her.
Then I drove back to Ringstaddalen to let her try out the nice path in the direction of Ringstadnbotnen.
She was slightly eager, smelled, peed, walked a little then made a full stop.
Ok enough of this. Daddy time.
I decided to hike Garnestua via “Martinråsa”. This route runs from where my buddy Martin grew up. I actually had to ask his dad where the route begins, as I had forgotten. After some good instructions, I found the route, although I lost it here and there.
Out of the thickest forest, it was easy to follow Martin’s route until I was out of the forest.
Above the forest, I spent 0 calories on looking for tracks. I just headed straight up. I loved the terrain.
Higher up, I had good fun with scrambling.
It was big fun. I should definitely do this route more often!
It was windy on top. Not a place to stay for long, which I had no intention of doing anyway.
I took the same route down. It was quite steep, and I fell on my butt a couple of times. But in a controlled way. I returned to Karma, safe and sound.
I didn’t give up on Karma just yet. I drove down to Haddal and let her onto the new gravel road, leading to the Selvåg tunnel. She actually seemed happy and walked for 300 meters until I decided I wanted to cross the road and go down to Årvika and the boat houses. I’ve never been there before.
Now, she got really excited. Brand new turf! We continued until there was no more molo.
Finally, I took this picture showing 4 of the 5 tops I’ve been to this week. I look forward to a time where I feel I can take as much time in the afternoon for hiking, as I want to. But now, it’s just work, work and work…
Trip statistics Garnestua: 3,1km, 510 vertical meters, 1h:19m
Trip statistics Årvika: 2,2km, 80 vertical meters, 0h:30m
Dragsund + Rambjøra attempt, Apr 5 2025
Saturday: I knew that as things are now, there was no way I would get Karma outside the neighbourhood loop, and so to give her a slightly longer morning walk, I had to be clever. So, I drove down to the school and let her out.
She seemed surprised. Like “hey…?” But she walked. Which was the most important thing.
As I had expected, her mojo dropped halfway, but it seemed like she understood that we were on a loop, and turning back or continuing was roughly the same thing.
Back home, I worked for 4 hours. Afterwards, I was pretty sure that she would be interested in a walk up the Rambjøra forest.
And she was! She was very eager in the beginning.
But after 10 minutes, there was no more mojo, and she turned back around without even consulting me. I guess her age makes her feel entitled.
Okay. You’ve had your chance. Now, it’s daddy time…
Trip statistics Dragsund: 1,8km, 10 vertical meters, 0h:23m
Trip statistics Rambjøra: 1km, 30 vertical meters, 0h:18m
Kongsvollen (683m), Apr 5 2025
Saturday: I drove up to Løsetvatnet to hike Kongsvollen, but I wasn’t quite sure along which route. The normal route – via Kvamstua – was a little boring, so I decided to follow the path into Ringstadbotnen (dead end) and take it from there.
Looking back, I could see the steep route I followed up to Garnestua, yesterday afternoon.
I decided to go off-trail, as steep as justifiable possible.
The terrain got steeper and steeper, but I played it safe and had a mighty good time.
Eventually, I got on the ridge route. The upside was that the terrain onwards is definitely not boring!
Finally, “Bukketrappa” (goat’s staircase) was ahead of me, and like always, the fun challenge was to ignore the ropes and hike up without using the hands.
I followed the route alongside the ridge, and the route was a little slippery due to fresh snow.
And then I was up!
No point in hanging around. Two final pictures and I started my descent.
But along which route? Kvamstua still seemed boring, and so I decided to do another off-trail route, quite parallel to my ascent route. Once down on the meadow, I just continued off-trail until I joined the Ringstadbotnen path, not too far from the trailhead.
It was a most effective route. I don’t think I’ve ever done Kongsvollen up and down in less than 80 minutes…
Trip statistics: 5,7km, 500 vertical meters, 1h:18m
Herøy & Huldrehornet (271m), Apr 5 2025
Saturday: After getting back from Kongsvollen, I took Karma and drove to Herøy island, hoping she would enjoy a short walk around this very nice island.
She seemed to appreciate being here and took the lead.
When we got to the place where a path breaks away from the paved road, she suggested that we should follow it. That was another good sign.
After a while, her batteries were running low again. It’s really hard to imagine how she is feeling, 12 days after removing the uterus. Did the surgery drain her from her strengths? She was so strong prior to the surgery. Well, time will tell…
In any case, we had a nice and short walk in the sunshine.
I then drove her home and then I decided to do a quick hike up and down Huldrehornet, just to get some additional vertical meters.
It was altogether a good day, and I could deposit 840 vertical meters in my “bank account”. It feels like currency. Can’t help it.
Trip statistics Herøy: 1,5km, 50 vertical meters, 0h:21m
Trip statistics Huldrehornet: 2,4km, 250 vertical meters, 0h:32m
Kjeldsund, Apr 6 2025
Sunday: I love Kjeldsund, especially on a sunny morning, and I hoped that Karma would appreciate a morning hike here. I was blown away from the very get-go.
And so was Karma, when she noticed a mink down by the shore. They stared each other for a few seconds (Karma on 3 legs) before the mink went into hiding. But that set the tone for Karma. Maybe there was more to discover?
Me, I just wanted to drive back home, leave Karma and bring the kayak. But there will always be a time for kayaking. Karma won’t be around forever. Me neither, for that matter, but hopefully a bit longer.
Karma seemed very enthusiastic, which warmed my heart. Was this the turning point?
I let her just lead on, not guiding her in any way. To my surprise, she headed for the old ugly factory on Hestholmen.
Once there, I proposed that we should cross the ridge and go down on the other side of the island. And Karma showed the way.
Back at Kjeldsund, I could see that she was slowing down. But I was interested in checking out the peninsula behind Kjeldsund, as – for some reason – I’ve never been there before. Karma followed, still looking OK.
We came to a major “Gapahuk” (lean-to shelter) and then I figured we should stop by the high point. Karma started dragging her feet, but at least, now we were turning back.
This was also a Discgolf course. Maybe I should take Anne here…
All in all, a very nice morning walk!
Trip statistic: 4,6km, 100 vertical meters, 1h:01m
Pictures (Canon EOS RP/Iphone 13 Pro Max) from the hike:
Rotsethornet (649m), Instehornet (653m), Apr 6 2025
Sunday: Then it was time for my solo hike, and I chose to go to Volda and let Karma wait in the car. Hopefully, she would be willing to do a walk afterwards. She looked really good this morning.
It was a sunny day, but I knew there would be shade at the trailhead in front of the tunnel. Karma would be OK there, with windows open.
After a hike up the tractor road, I was ready to embark on the hardest 1km route I know of.
It’s always been a struggle to get Karma up here, but I’ve been able to find ways around the steepest parts. Today, it would be a much easier ascent.
I tried to do a selfie to illustrate the route, but taking pictures here doesn’t work well unless you’re parallel to the route.
The route is fun though. I’ll come back here with Anne and get some good pictures.
And then I was halfway.
The reward for such a monster hill is fabulous views.
The top of Rotsethornet was occupied by a group of young people, and I let them have it to themselves.
I was more than busy taking pictures of the mountains…
But it was time to move on. Rotsethornet is not the high point here. To claim a prominent top, I had to go over to Instehornet.
Which was no detour, as I had planned a round-trip hike anyway.
I really like the Volda back-country. One could hike a full day here.
When I got down to the road by lake Rotevatnet, I decided to jog back to the car. The sun had just begun to shine on the car, but Karma was totally OK.
She also seemed happy to go for a walk. For about 5 minutes and then it was full stop.
I was not totally happy about that. She was probably tired after the morning round, and so I didn’t want to pressure her. But I was able to sweettalk her for a short round trip, so we didn’t have to go back the same way.
Going home, I wasn’t sure what kind of weather we would get…
Trip statistic Instehornet: 7,8km, 665 vertical meters, 1h:45m
Trip statistic Volda: 1,8km, 40 vertical meters, 0h:23m
Pictures (Canon EOS RP/Iphone 13 Pro Max) from the hike:
