I checked out the trail from Gåsbu to Stenfjellet (a mountain) and back, which is located on Hedmarksvidda (famous for being a gentle swamp). I had some experience with this area last year hiking the Rondanestien.
Gåsbu-Stenfjellet-Gåsbu will be the route for Bèrghem Ultraløpperklubb’s Ultra100 Stenfjellet Endurance race in October. The ascent up to Stenfjellet will be via Appelsinhaugen and the descent from Stenfjellet will be via Lageråkvisla.
The start of the trail is over many rocks through woodland
Each runner has 30 hours to run as many loops of the 11.7 km course as they can. The goal for iron men and women will be 100 miles or 14 loops. The min. goal for beginners like me, will be 4 loops, and if still standing, then more.
Then it heads up to a more exposed plateau area still quite wooded
To quote race organiser Fulvio Øksendal “It’s not supposed to be easy.” He wasn’t joking when he said there’s going to be rock, swamp, wet wood, and roots. The first leg from Gåsbu to Stenfjellet passes through Stormyra (literally means ‘big swamp’), and well, it’s going to be wet. The return leg via Lageråkvisla seems not as bad. Although everything is relative. Together with this will be darkness and night time running. Plus in one month the weather will be colder and if it rains before then? A wetsuit and flippers might be useful.
The first of many swamp crossings, the board can become very slippery during snowfall and frost
It’s a beautiful area and a stunning location, which provides a great chance to learn more about ultra running from those already experienced in it. Looking forward to the run, and feeling ‘a bit’ more prepared now that I know what to expect (kind of). Although it would be more realistic to say this won’t be a race, but rather a jump into the unknown.
The DNT hut where you can get water and have a break, although it will be closed during the run
Hildegunn, who will be feeding me during the entire race, thinks the trail is doable ;)
Bilberry snacks on the way
Autumn in the mountains