Bergen's Seven Mountain hike

Published: 12.06.09 (updated: 09.02.11)

Employee contribution by Olav Bjarne Rolfsnes

Three vigorous Omega team members set out to top all seven mountains surronding Bergen in one day. Read about their experience on the Seven Mountain hike.

We started out in good spirits at 07:20 at sea-level by Gravdal, ready to ascend 396 metres to the top of Lyderhorn. The mountain is known as “the witch mountain”, mythology has it that witches went either to the Brocken or Lyderhorn. The trip to the top took longer than planned due to a long line forming when entering into the terrain from the last stretch of asphalt. Being stuck for 50 minutes made us even more impatient and ready for the big hike.

We were still going strong as the descent started, taking us right to Damsgårdsfjellet (350 metres above sea level). In the valley between the two peaks we were back to the asphalt road for a while before the very steep hill was upon us. A few stops were needed to finish the hardest part of Damsgårdsfjellet. After reaching the plateau we walked up and down some more, and in towards the second punch in our 7-mountain cards. By then, we were past 11 o'clock, and we felt the pressure to keep moving, but there was always time for some fruit. Going down from the mountain there was another line forming due to some slippery areas with handrails, and we spent some extra time before approaching Fyllingsdalen.

Our third mountain of the day was Løvstakken (477 metres above sea level). This was a tough one for the man of the group, who struggled with a groin injury. The ascent to Løvstakken goes along a ridge, and the last part was really rough for Mr. Rolfsnes. I did not feel very good at the time, but had decided to complete this hike. A little rest and a sandwich lifted the spirits again. Descending from Løvstakken went like a charm, and then we could stop at the school in Årstad for some soup and a drink.

Time had come for the real trial of strength, Ulriken (640 metres above sea level). The injury was back, but I had already decided to finish this. The two ladies seemed in good shape, so it was not really the time for injuries. Even though Ulriken seemed like the toughest trip, we were pleasantly surprised by the gentle curve upwards going Northeast, before getting steeper towards the end and turning West. Unfortunately, the weather had become worse, so were wrapped in fog and rain. Unpleasant weather was combined with slippery and muddy trails on the way up. When we finally hit the plateau it seemed like an eternity walking to the point where we could get our fourth punch out of seven (great feeling).

After a short break for another replenishing sandwich (freezing at the top of Ulriken) we started walking down towards Svartediket. At this point, Haldis had some trouble with her knee. It did not look good, but as you all know, women can handle a lot of pain. This descent was quite steep with slippery rocks, so it seemed very possible to trip and fall. We made it down and found some Red Cross personnel. Haldis wanted them to put a supporting bandage on her knee, which they were happy to do, but then she would have to forfeit the 7-mountain hike. That was of course out of the question. So we were left with one person struggling to get up mountains, and one struggling to make it down. Not an ideal situation, it was also 6 PM and we were all exhausted. Once again, we gathered our strengths to finish the last three mountains.

The hike up to Fløyen (400 metres above sea level) was surprisingly easy, with asphalt and gravel roads. When getting our fifth punch out of seven, we were thoughtless enough to ask how much time we would spend walking to the next mountain. 45 minutes was the answer, oh no. Rundemannen (560 metres above sea level), here we come! The first part was a piece of cake, but we also hit a very steep hill before getting our sixth mountain registered (great feeling, again). The nasty weather had really hit us too. Rain and mud, cold and windy, and no one cared to talk much. That was until we, after another fatiguing trip, reached the top of Sandviksfjellet (417 metres above sea level) and got our final punch.

However, if you think that was the end, think again. We had to descend through the steep Skredderdalen to Haldis' despair. But women are tough, and we made it down too. Going back into town to the finish line we were very happy that we had finished. Now, in the aftermath of the hike, the brain is slowly erasing the not-so-pleasant memories from the trip, so we can do some more hiking (not this week).

Yes, we made it! We had been walking for 14 hours, more than Omega's Exercise Log can handle :-)

- Marit Helen, Olav Bjarne and Haldis

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