The Call of the Glacier

The allure of the Briksdal Glacier had been whispering to me for some time. As a former Arctic researcher, the call of the ice is something I can never quite ignore. The promise of unspoiled beauty, the raw, untouched wilderness, and the chance to witness the glacier’s majesty firsthand was too tempting to resist. So, I found myself in Stryn, ready to embark on the Olden Shore Excursion to the Briksdal Glacier.

The journey began at the pier in Olden, where the bus awaited to take us through the valley. The drive was a visual feast, with the ‘little red church’ standing as a sentinel against the backdrop of verdant hills. The Olden Lake shimmered like a turquoise jewel, and the colorful farms dotted the landscape like a painter’s palette. Each waterfall we passed seemed to sing a song of ancient times, a reminder of the glacier’s relentless power and beauty.

As we arrived at the Briksdal Inn, the anticipation was palpable. The path to the glacier was a siren’s call, winding through a landscape that seemed almost otherworldly. The mountains loomed like ancient guardians, and the waterfalls danced down their sides, a testament to the glacier’s enduring presence.

The Ascent

The trek to the glacier was not for the faint of heart. As someone who has spent years studying the harshness of polar regions, I was prepared for the challenge. Yet, even I found the climb to be a test of endurance. The path was steep and rugged, each step a reminder of the glacier’s formidable nature.

For those who prefer a more leisurely pace, the option to rent a ‘troll car’ was available. But for me, the walk was a pilgrimage, a chance to connect with the glacier in a way that only the journey on foot could provide. The air was crisp and invigorating, each breath a reminder of the purity of this untouched wilderness.

The climb was punctuated by moments of awe, as the landscape unfolded in a series of breathtaking vistas. The glacier lake, a mirror of the sky, lay nestled at the foot of the glacier, a serene oasis amidst the rugged terrain. It was a moment of stillness, a chance to reflect on the beauty and fragility of this natural wonder.

The Return

The descent was a race against time, as the bus awaited our return. The journey back was a blur of motion, the landscape a tapestry of colors and textures. The time constraints were a reminder of the glacier’s remoteness, a place where time seems to stand still, yet moves with relentless speed.

As we boarded the bus, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of longing. The Briksdal Glacier had left its mark on me, a reminder of the beauty and harshness of the polar regions I have come to know so well. The journey had been a testament to the power of nature, a reminder of the fragility of our world.

For those who seek the thrill of the wild, the Olden Shore Excursion offers a glimpse into a world that is both beautiful and unforgiving. It is a journey that challenges the body and stirs the soul, a reminder of the raw beauty that lies at the heart of our planet.