Some walks from my pole hunting 2020 - Gol mountain, Lillomarka (in Oslo) and Skådalen (in Nordmarka in Oslo)

The consept

The pole hunt is about finding poles centrally located in different municipalities. The poles can be registered both manually, digitally and by downloading an application on the mobile, so that you can scan the QR code that each bar is equipped with.
The pole hunt aims to facilitate the activation of both young and old; inactive, schoolchildren, cyclists, the disabled and wheelchair users - or those who simply want to get to know the city and the district better. The pole hunt is a non-profit association that will contribute to increased physical activity among most people throughout the country.
The pole hunt is a free offer. Maps and info will be available in several places in the various municipalities, as well as on a website. In some municipalities, main maps with plotted poles are distributed to all households.

A pole (Photo: Terje Pettersen-Dahl, 5/5 2020).

How it works

Finding poles
The first thing you need to join the pole hunt is the map where the pole placements are marked. The map exists in two versions: physical map folder or electronically integrated in the app. The map brochure was to be found free of charge at various outlets and institutions (this varies from municipality to municipality). In some municipalities, the map folders are also distributed to all households. The pole hunting app was downloaded for free. Once the map is in place, just get out and find poles. There are many poles to find divided into four different levels of difficulty;

• GREEN – very easy, reachable with bike and wheelchair
• BLUE – easy
• RED – medium
• BLACK – difficult

Registation
Each one can choose how many poles to find. This is done by registering the poles, either electronically with the app or via a web portal, or manually by filling in directly on the map. To register electronically, an account was required.
How does the registration itself take place? Each bar is imprinted with a code and a QR code. For manual registration, the code is noted directly on the map, which is later submitted. For electronic registration, either the Pole Hunt app is used to scan the QR codes of the poles, or plotting of the codes in a webpage. Very easy!

Tour 1 - Friday July 3. to Sunday July 5. 2020

Gol and Gol mountain

In this difficult year with covid-19 and subsequent travel restrictions, there was consequently no travel abroad. Instead, I had a weekend at a mountain hotel as a gift from my brother Erik. The idea was that we would travel together and go pole hunting in the mountains. The hotel that was selected was located on Gol mountain and was called Storefjell Resort Hotell. They opened the summer season on July 3., so it was this weekend we had singled out.
Erik came to me on the morning of Friday July 3. I had packed most of my luggage the evening before, so it did not take long before we were on our way to Hallingdal and Gol. We went across Sollihøgda and further up the valley Hallingdal, when we arrived Gol we made a stop at the Bakery. Right outside there was a pole that we marked, and then we went in for some lunch. After having lunch and drinking our coffee and tea, we went out to the car to continue up to the mountain and the hotel. We drove the hairpin turns up to the mountain plateau and further across until we came to the road to the hotel. Here we parked the car not too far from the entrance. We looked at each other and wondered if they had opened or not. The time was no more than around 12:00 in the middle of the day. We left our luggage in the car and then went in to see. Yes, they were open. We checked in, and then it turned out that we were the first guests to check in for the summer season after they closed down the winter season for covid-19. Thus, there were also flowers and markings with a picture.

Flowerwelcome (Photo: Storefjell Resort Hotel, 3/7 2020).

After leaving our luggage in the rooms and preparing for a walk, we were ready for the first tour in the mountains. The weather was not the best, but at least it did not rain yet. (Something that should not last ...) From the hotel we went to the nearest hill apart from Storefjell, which was named Gullknapp. From the hotel we moved west and southwest, where we had seen a small route, which would take a few hours ... The first part was okay to walk and not so much uphill really, until we got to the peak. Then it was a little steep climb to get to the top. From the top it was a good view to the south, which should be the case for most of the peaks we visited that day. On the north side, however, Storefjell was blocking most of it.
We continued the tour, now almost straight south towards next peak called Bekarn. Between the two peaks we had to cross a marsh area, but in the worst places there were planks, so it was possible to come across easily. A little later we reached the top of Bekarn. The ascent here was much easier than on Gullknapp.
Then we continued to the next peak which was not a long way on. A little down and then almost immediately we started the easy climb up to Langhøvda.
We then continued further south to Stølshøvda. Now the rain had also begun, even though not heavy. But enough to get wet. However, we were prepared and could continue our tour. On the way to Stølshøvda we had to cross a small marsh area with a stream. There was a lot of water in the stream! We got over and up to the top of Stølshøvda.
After going back a bit and crossing the stream and the marsh area again, we turned east towards the peak Syningen. We got down the road, went a little north again a bit towards the hotel, and then turned again southeast. Now we had come further down and here there were much more marsh areas to pass. Fortunately, planks were laid out on the worst wet spots. Once at the bottom of the Syningen, it was then to find the way up. With the exception of Gullknapp, all the peaks had been easy peaks that did not require too much climbing. Gullknapp was the exception - and so was Syningen ... And the climb up Syningen was a good deal longer and with the rain, much more risky. We had to be careful and take a good look to see where we step! We took care without any big risks and finally got to the top of Syningen as well.
On the way down and we chose another path which looked easier, but then it was done! I slipped on the wet rocks. Luckily not downhill, just a few inches. But it did hurt! (At least for the pride ...) Eventually we came down from the peak and started walking back to the hotel. We returned the same way back until the road, and then continued on to a cottage village next to the hotel. The road continued to the road to the hotel, so we could just continue. Now it also started to be a more heavy rain, so it was good to get indoors.
The trip had lasted about four and a half hours, so we could feel that we had been walking around a bit. After entering the hotel once again, we sat down in the lobby with a beer each. We deserved that one!
The day ended with a dinner at the hotel - a lovely cooked salmon. Then we were tired and strolled calmly back to the rooms. It would be another long trip the next day!

Storefjell Resort Hotel (Photo: Terje Pettersen-Dahl, 3/7 2020).

On Saturday we got ready and had breakfast, thereafter we got ready for a long tour in the mountains. Today we were to go north of Storefjell, but in a big arc starting east and then coming back from the west.
We started by walking on the road from the hotel. The weather was also with us today, where we walked away in bright sunshine, something that would last all day. After a while we took off and went over to the neighboring hotel Kamben hotel. We had now gone down almost hundred meters in altitude. During the day we were to visit three peaks over 1100 meters altitude and now we were at a little over 900 ... After taking the road to Kamben, we started on the way up to the Red Cross cottage. When we got up to the cotage we had already gone several tens of meters up again. And that's how the whole day should go on - up and down, or was it down and up?
From the cottage it was a long way over to Ørterhøvda. This was the first peak of more than 1100 meters we were to visit. And now we didn't walk on the road anymore, but on narrow paths. Certain parts of the path were quite wet and we had to cross several smaller and one larger stream on our way. In the worst wet places, planks were laid out to cross without sinking down. In the end we reached the top of Ørterhøvda where there was a fantastic view at north towards Valdres on one side and the mountain area north of Hardangervidda on the other.
We then continued down the road on the north side towards the area Guriset. At the we turned off towards Flataskortjern. We came down to the road by the Orange Tree, walked a short distance on the road and then it was on the path down to the pond. Here, too, there were many wet parts. After marking the pole at Flataskortjern, we went back to the same spot we turned off the road, now continuing on it across the plain. We left the pole at the top of Auenhaugen - we were not in that good shape ... - and continued instead towards Lille Auenhaugen. We could now walk on the road, except for a small part in the middle where there was just a path. We got to Lille Auenhaugen and then we were to start getting back to the hotel. We had now been out for many hours, and with the tour yesterday, we began to feel it. The "small disadvantage" with the road back to the hotel was that on the way we were to go over both Veslefjell and Storefjell, both at over 1100 meters altitude ...
Before we started the long climb up to Veslefjell, there again was a large marsh area we had to cross. However, we got across it without any big problems. We went up and we went up. Fatigue began to take its toll, but nevermind, I should be able to do this! And at the top of Veslefjell we came. Then down again for a while, before we started the last climb up to Storefjell. A great moment was when we came across a ptarmigan by the path. And then it went up again! Some parts we almost had to climb, but we were gonna make it! And finally we stood on top of Storefjell and could look out over the whole of Golsfjellet in all directions. Including looking down at the hotel about 150 meters below.
We took the fastest way down to the hotel, which was to walk in the ski lift route. Some parts were steep, but now we could see the end of all the struggle. When we walked in the door of the hotel about 7 hours after we had started, two tired brothers entered the hallway. And even this day we had a well deserved beer after the tour!
After resting a bit in the rooms, we met at the reception and had a beer before dinner. The previous beers were in bottles, but this time it was local beer from Valdres on tap. Then we went into the restaurant and hd dinner, which today was venison roast. At this moment a Saturday evening a good number of guests had arrived at the hotel for a music evening. But after today's long tour, none of us felt any desire for it. A good night's sleep seemed like a much better idea!

On Sunday morning we had breakfast. Then we packed our belongings and placed the luggage in the car. And then we checked out, ie Erik did it. The weather had again changed to light rain and more rain was to come during the day. So, we did not wait too long before we started the journey back home after a couple of wonderful days in the mountains.
We made several stops in Gol and found some of the poles at the place. Afterwards we drove further down Hallingdal. We made a stop in Nesbyen for lunch. Now the rain had increased, and it really was time to get home. So without more stops we continued down to Oslo across Sollihøgda and further to my home at Stovner. Here we parted ways and agreed that we should repeat this. Then I could walk the few meters to my apartment with my luggage, while Erik drove home.

Lillomarka is part of Oslomarka, located northeast of Oslo city center, in Oslo and Nittedal municipalities.
Lillomarka is bounded by Maridalen in the west, Nittedal and Gjelleråsen with Gjelleråsmarka in the east, the settlements in the Groruddals districts Bjerke and Grorud in the south and Gjøvikbanen and Movatn in the north. West and northwest of Lillomarka, on the other side of Maridalen, is Nordmarka.
The highest peak in Lillomarka is Brennberget 441 meter altitude, one kilometer north-northwest of Lillomark chapel.
Lillomarka has been inhabited for a long time, and has given an income for people in several different ways over the years. Here there has been mining, stone cutting and forestry, in addition to many crofts. Until around 1964, several people lived more or less illegally in temporary huts in Lillomarka, until the municipality of Oslo decided that the huts should be demolished.
Several of the lakes in Lillomarka were previously used as ice ponds. The ice pond at Årvoll, and Vesletjern (Lilletjern) near Ammerud, were both important ice sources for the population in Groruddalen and in Oslo. Vesletjern was used until 1945, but ice blocks were retrieved from Isdammen at Årvoll until the winter of 1967–1968. Today, Vesletjern is a public swimming pool. The lakes Alunsjøen and Breisjøen are drinking water sources and therefore closed for swimming and public use.

The lake Aurevann a sunny day in the autumn (Photo: Terje Pettersen-Dahl, 18/10 2020).

There can be found traces of mining and quarries in several areas in Lillomarka, including Hestejordene. Lillomarka also houses, among other things, the old Gotthalf copperworks. The famous thief Ole Høiland's hiding place from the 1830s is located in Lillomarka, and the Tourist Association regularly arranges tours to the cave.
In modern times, Lillomarka has become a popular area for outdoor life and physical recreation. At the sports hall at Linderudkollen there is a popular training facility for ski jumpers.
An area of ​​just over 3 square kilometers was protected as a nature reserve on March 20, 2015.
Lillomarka has four public sports cottages that are open for smaller meals most of the year. These are Lilloseter, Linderudkollen, Sinober and Trollvannstua. The tourist association has the cottage Fjellvang located in Lillomarka. This can be rented for accommodation for the association's members. In addition, there is the private cottage Sørskogen, which is located between Lilloseter and Sinober. Here as well, it is possible to get light meals. At Steinbruvann, Grorud sports club has a club house, here there is a kiosk with somewhat uneven opening hours and sales of, among other things, waffles and coffee.
The location of Lillomarka makes it very well accessible, and it has become a central outdoor area for residents from the nearby areas, not least for those who live in Nittedal and in Groruddalen. Lillomarka is mentioned by the Ski Association as a good alternative to the ski resorts in Nordmarka, especially in winter.
The sports cottages are natural destinations for a trip in Lillomarka, but the forest has many idyllic lakes and ponds that are well suited for tours with tents etc. All lakes and ponds in Marka is open for fishing except the water resources Alunsjøen and Breisjøen. There is even several riding trails in Lillomarka.

Tour 2 - Thursday August 13. 2020

Lillomarka - Sinober

I had bought the maps for pole hunting in Lillomarka and this was the day when I was going to do my first tour. There were a total of ten maps, and I chose to start with the most difficult one which was furthest away. I took the subway to Nydalen subway station and went on from there to Nydalen train station. Then I took the train a couple of stations to Snippen station. This is located on the edge of Lillomarka towards Maridalen. Together with the ytain station thereafter - Movatn - these are stations that are primarily used by people who are entering the woods, whether it is Lillomarka or Nordmarka.
I started walking from the station, first a little north to get to a tunnel under the railway and then on the other side south along the northernmost part of the hill Barlindåsen. The walking road was nice and wide, but with a long slack hill uphill. At the top of the hill I could choose to follow the road further, across a low part of Barlindåsen to the other side and then continue south. But I was heading for Sinober, so I moved instead into a path. The path I entered continued upwards and consisted almost only of rocks as the rain had washed away any other material. I kept going upwards and upwards. After a while I got up to a turning point on a road.. This was actually the continuation of the road I already had been walking on, but via a fairly long detour. I continued on the path on the other side of the turning point which continued upwards and upwards. In the end I reached a plateau. The path continued on towards Sinober, but I had to take a large detour southwards via Granberget and Holåsen and then to Sinober.

Sinober (Photo: Terje Pettersen-Dahl, 13/8 2020).

Thus I started to go south again, now towards Granberget. But first I arrived at the pond Jomfruputten, and from there I went over to the southern shore of the lake Nordre Langvann. At Langvann I could see other people for the first time since I got off the train, but only at distance. I went on crossing over to the hill Granberget partly in open terrain and partly on smaller paths. At Granåsen there were no paths to see, so yet again I had to walk into open terrain. And this time it was uphill to get to the top of the hill. Going uphill in open terrain, and partly in dense forest, was heavy. In addition, it was sad to see spruce trees that were just dry twigs the first 3-5 meters due to drought and acid rain. I went on and finally I was at the top. However, I was on the north side, while the pole was on the south side. The reason why I chose to take the north side, was of course because I came from the north, but also because that side had a slacker slope. I found the pole and had an excellent view towards Oslo city. To top it all, there even was a path!
I continued walking on the path down on the eastern side of Granåsen. Here it was noticeably steeper than the side I climbed up. Eventually I got down and could enter other paths and went towards Holåsen south of the lake Kringler. I passed the edge of a marsh area, and then turned towards Sinober.
I went along Kringler on the west side of the lake. And further towards Sinober. During this I had once again taken a short detour to the top of a hill in open terrain to find another pole. Closer to Sinober, there were a larger network of paths, and here I met a cyclist on wide tires at full speed. Just a little later I reached Sinober. I chose to take a little extra detour in the direction of Sørskogen to find another pole. In the marsh area I had to pass, a bridge of planks had been built over, so there were no problems getting across, and back again.
Back at Sinober, I met a young man in one of the cabins for rental and had a quick little chat with him and his dog. Then I started on my way back to Snippen station. The path I was walking on went up and down a bit, and parts of the path went through marsh areas. In the end I reached the same plateau I had been at earlier. The remaining was the long trip I had done upwards, but this time it was just downwards and downwards. Through the parts where there were a lot of rocks I had to be careful. But otherwise it went well to get to the walking road and finally to the train station. When I arrived at the platform I had been in the woods for about 6 hours in slightly cloudy weather with sunshine. A tiring, but wonderful trip!

Tour 3 - Saturday August 15. 2020

Lillomarka - Barlindåsen and Gryta

After a day of rest, I was ready for another tour in Lillomarka. Even this time I took the subway and the train to Snippen station. I even started to walk the same walking road as last time, but when I got to the top of the long hill, I turned into the hill Barlindåsen itself. The Barlindåsen is shaped like a thin, but rather long ridge that runs north-south. I started walking uphill from one side, ie the north side, and had to follow the whole ridge to the other side. Even though I was really on the easy side, there were still some steeper areas. But not too difficult to get up. At the top of the ridge there was a fantastic view towards Maridalen. And unlike the day before, there were now a lot more people out for a walk, especially since it was a weekend. I followed the ridge across and found a number of poles along the way.

The view from the top of Barlindåsen (Photo: Terje Pettersen-Dahl, 15/8 2020).

After crossing the highest part of the hill, I had to go a little bit down on the side of the ridge. And that one was steep! Luckily I did not have to go far down to find the pole, and back again I could follow a path that continued southwards along the ridge. After a while I got back on the path on the ridge, but soon after I was to leave it again and follow another path to the west. Now I had come so far down that the steepest slope was behand me. Still it went clearly downwards towards Sandermosen. In addition, there was a larger marsh area I had to pass. I got through the marsh area and further down to the walking road again. This road was the same walking road on which I started and went on the west side of the ridge from where I started the climb. At this time I had found all the poles in the map Barlindåsen and then started on the next map called Store Gryta after the lake of the same name.
I now went on a walking road that went southwards from Sandermosen to Monsetangen and further down to Kjelsås. But as usual, after a while I moved into a path in the woods instead. I started a new climb across a hill and down again in a northeasterly direction. Then went south again to the pond Lille Gryta. Here I had to be extra careful since I had to cross a swamp next to the pond. I almost had to be able to walk on water ... Later I continued south and downwards until I came to Grytebekken, before I once again on the other side of the stream, began the climb up to Solemskogen. First on the path and as housing appeared, I could walk on the road. But it was steep and heavy and tiring after a long day in the woods, especially to get up the very last bend. Finally I got to the top and found the bus stop from where I could take the bus down to Nydalen and the subway back home.
The trip itself took about four and a half hours. The weather was slightly cloudy, but that suited me just fine. It had been two tiring but great tours so far! And in total I had now found 25 poles of 100 in Lillomarka, and finished the maps Sinober and Barlindåsen, as well as half of Store Gryta.

Tour 4 - Tuesday August 18. 2020

Lillomarka - Solemskogen

Then it was time for yet another tour in Lillomarka looking for poles. I took the subway to Storo and switched to a bus, which took me to Solemskogen. After leaving the bus in sunshine, I started walking eastwards. The first pole was at the archery range not far off. It was just to follow the walking road and there I was shortly after. Then I turned south towards Linderudseter. Now it was no longer a walking road, but a pretty good path. At the same time, it began to go upwards. At Lilloseter, ie the place where it once had been, there was a fantastic view of geater parts of Oslo.

Linderudseter, today just a viewing point (Photo: Terje Pettersen-Dahl, 18/8 2020).

I continued on my tour in more westerly direction to the ski jumps located on Linderudkollen. Since I came in at the top I had to be going all the way down, it was a long and steep staircase down. At the bottom, I turned northwards again and followed the road past the pond Søndre Putt, before I went back into the woods. Arriving at the pole, it turned out that this was an area where children from one or more kindergartens played. I turned and went back to Søndre Putt and further up on the small ridge west of the parking lot to the ski jumps. After being at the top of the ridge, I moved further northeast through the forest down to the water Kringla. To get the final pole for the day, I had to get down a small slope, but with care it went well. I came down to the lake Kringla from the south side through the forest and just had to get through quickly. There were a lot of mosquitoes here! I passed the water on the west side and then came to the road up to Solemskogen.
Actually, I had intended to find even the five poles that were remaining in the map Store Gryta. But I wasn't ine the best shape, so I was content with the ten poles that completed the map Solemskogen. I had arrived at the road just where there was a bus stop and just waited for the bus to arrive. The day trip was only about 2 hours, which probably the sun and the heat had made their impact.

Tour 5 - Sunday August 23. 2020

Lillomarka - Alunsjøen with southern parts of Breisjøen and Steinbruvann

Then it was time for another tour in Lillomarka. This time to find the poles lokated in the map Alunsjøen and perhaps a few more.
I went on the subway to Ammerud station. Then I continued past Rødtvet church and further past Apalløkka school to the pond Vesletjern. The pole was on the small islet out in the pond, but in early summer this was a nesting place for birds. Thus, a sister pole had been set up on land to not disturbing the nesting. Thus I did not have to take a bath!
Thereafter I went into the forest towards the football field Greibanen on the upper side, furthermore I turned around and started following paths north. I passed the western side of Vesletjern on the edge of a marsh area and then started climbing up a small hill. At the top a teepee had been set up and it was also obviously a place for a campfire with barbecue and other coziness. I continued further north and came down to the edge of the marsh Rosentorpmyra. In the northern part of the marsh, a pole had been set up, so I needed to step carefully without sinking down. I continued north to the lake Alunsjøen itself and came down next to the urban area in Alundamveien.

The marsh Rosentorpmyra (Photo: Terje Pettersen-Dahl, 23/8 2020).

But I was only halfway thru and continued northwards into the woods again. Now I moved into the small hill area named Breisjøhøgdene. The poles stood in a nice line roughly straight north, with one exception. Most were easy to find, but even there with one exception. I simply could not find the pole. I was sure I was at the right spot, but still. I reported it missing and was notified that I had been in the right place and then continued for the next pole. Then I found the tree where the pole had been, but just the strips was remaining. The pole itself was gone.
Also another pole was a minor challenge. It was placed in a natural shallow pit, where most of it just was a little marsh. I came in from one side and the pole was on the other. But luckily there was a thin strip of land on one side I could cross.
After finding all the poles on the map Alunsjøen, I came down on the walking road on the south side of Breisjøen. I continued on the walking road north towards Lilloseter now on the western side of Breisjøen. Earlier there had been an old croft here named Slengfu. After passing Breisjøen, I could turn onto the walking road towards Steinbruvann. On my way I had even found three poles from the map Breisjøen. The walking road now went eastwards and I came down to Steinbruvann at the old Gunpowder House. I followed the walking road next to the water southwards to the south shore of the water. Further I went into the forest to Danseplassen (Dancing place!) before I finally ended up at Romsås church. Thus, I had even found four poles in the map Steinbruvann
I had been on a nice tour of between four and four and a half hours. The weather had yet again been pure sunshine. And found poles from three maps, one of which was completed. Another wonderful day! (Admittedly, the mosquito was more intrusive, but that is to be expected in late summer.)

Tour 6 - Saturday August 29. 2020

Lillomarka - Grefsenkollen and Isdammen

Another weekend and I was ready for a longer tour looking for poles in Lillomarka again. Today I was heading for all the poles in both maps Grefsenkollen and Isdammen.
I took the subway to Storo and switched to a bus that took me all the way up to the top of the hill Grefsenkollen. Thus, I would start at the top and - in principle - just move downwards in the terrain. But of course it would be both up and down, as usual in the woods.
I took the path in an easterly direction down to the walking road and then followed this one to the top of the slope Grefsenkleiva. Continued past the slope and followed the path which then turned in an easterly direction - and downwards. When I had reached about halfway in the steep slope, I went into the forest at the southern end of the hill to a leanto. Then back again to the slope, but continued straight over to the other side and further to the slalom track and crossing this one. Further into the forest, now in a northerly direction. I followed the path a a while and then I was going to find Harald Grande's small hut where the next pole was to be found. With a little help from some other people who was out in the nice weather, I found a path and began the climb up to the hut. When I arrived at the hut, it was situated some distance up the hillside below a cliff. Not easy to find if you didn't know where to look ...

Rhe lake Trollvann and the cottage Trollvannsstua (Photo: Terje Pettersen-Dahl, 29/8 2020).

I got down again to the path and continued towards the lake Trollvann. I arrived on the south side of the lake and went up on the eastern side to the walking road, and then around to the sports cottage Trollvannsstua on the west side of the lake. I had now completed the map Grefsenkollen and could grant myself a lunch. I went in and bought a healthy lunch - a waffle with strawberry jam, a pastry named Skolebrød (school bun) and a soft drink named Mozell!
After lunch I returned to the walking road and started walking in the direction of Linderudkollen. The road first went southeast and then made a sharp turn to go north! After a while I turned off the road and into the forest in the direction of the pond Isdammen. I was now going a little uphill and south-southeast. I found the pole I was looking for and was able to turn north again.
During my walk north towards Linderudkollen I found a couple of poles on hills along the way. Not far away of the hill Linderudkollen, on the eastern side, I found the northernmost pole in this map. From there on I went east-southeast down a small valley and up again to the northern part of Storhaug where I found Ole Høiland's cave. Continued to the top of the hill Storhaug and across. I was now heading south and could just continue south until I got down to Isdammen. Along I had found some more poles on the road. Arriving at Isdammen, I found the last pole on the northern shore of the pond and had thus completed even the map Isdammen.
What remained was to go down to the area named Stig and take the bus to Veitvet. Then walk down to the subway station and take the subway back home. Today I had found 20 poles on around a four hours walk. I was very satisfied with that!

Tour 7 - Sunday September 6. 2020

Lillomarka - Steinbruvann and Breisjøen

Another weekend and time for a walk in the woods for poles. I took the subway to Grorud and bus further up far north in Romsås, at the stop Røverkollen. From there I started walking the road up to the tower Røverkolltårnet. I could walk on a road all the way up with no challenge other than that it was ascending all the way to the tower. At the tower I went up in the neighbouring viewing tower, and got a view in many directions.

The tower Røverkolltårnet (Photo: Terje Pettersen-Dahl, 6/9 2020).

I continued further in a northerly direction, but now it was downhill and there were only a small path. I maneuvered through open areas and forest areas and after a while I had got down to the walking road between Skytta and Steinbruvann. There I turned south towards Steinbruvann, but first I came to the pond Romstjern. Here I had a small detour into the forest and down to the shore of the pond to find a pole. It stood in the middle of an area where some people were camping but on their way to start wrapping it all up. It went well without geting any close contact with any of them.
Afterwards I continued southwards past the marsh Romstjernmyra. Yet again it was time to do a detour, this time to the north end of the lake Stokkevann to find he next pole. Well back on the walking road, I then arrived to the north end of the lake Steinbruvann. I got on the path on the east side of the lake to a cliff and found another pole. Thus, I had completed the map Steinbruvann.
Then I turned to the map Breisjøen - Lilloseter. I went back to the main walking road and walked a few meters further south. Then into the forest again, now in a westerly northwest direction. I passed Stokkevann, now on the south side of the lake. Continued on a path that eventually went along the edge of a marsh and further up towards the lake Aurevann. It went up and down and across several marsh areas, but I finally reach Aurevann on the south side. I continued along the southern part of the lake and on my way I had to get across a small hill. It was a steep slope up and even worse down again on the other side. I had now gone along the entire south side of the lake and then had to climb yet another steep slope. Comming up most of the slope, I found the pole, and could continue all the way up to the top of the slope. From the top I continued through the woods and onto the walking road to Lilloseter.
Arriving on the walking road, I could walk on it to Lilloseter. On the way I had a small detour to find another pole. Arriving at Lilloseter, I could finally take a breath and eat my light lunch.
After relaxing about 10 minutes time with the lunch, it was time to continue. I continued northwards past Lilloseter to the horse garden, where I crossed this one and found a path on the other side. I followed the path further until I came to a couple of small cabins. Right on the other side of the cabins, a large marsh started where a pole was placed a little way out in the marsh. I stepped carefully onto the soft surface to the pole and back again. At that time I had finished the pole hunt for the day. But it was a long way back home!
I had looked upon a possibillity to walk all the way home, but then I would need to go further north through the woods in the municipallity of Nittedal, north of Oslo. Between the cabins and the marsh I had found another path which went in east-west direction, so then I just had to take this one in easterly direction. Again as usual in the woods, it went up and down. In addition, the path turned a lot, so after a while I was a little unsure of my route. But according to the map and the GPS, it should be correct. After a while I came to a large colony of small cottages. These were the cottages of scouts from Korsvoll. After walking through the area, I even came down to a new walking road. Now I could follow the walking road all the way until I got out of the woods. But it would be a long detour, so after a while on the road I took into the forest again. On the map I had seen a path that would be more direct than the road. The first part of the path went without any problems, but gradually it became more and more marshy. And when I passed on the north side of Bodalsputten I yet again had to tread carefully on the soft surface. But even this time I got pass the soft area without any accidents and could start walking downwards and find the walking road again. Well down on the walking road, I continued further to Bjønndalen ski resort. The walking road continued to Skytta, but I broke off again and went in the woods to the walking road between Skytta and Steinbruvann. Finding the walking road I just got across it to take the walking road to Skillebekk instead. It went well even though it was much downhill past Frantzefoss Bruk and down to the road Trondheimsveien. I crossed the road to Skillebekk and further I took the walking road in Gjelleråsmarka passing Liastua. Not long thereafter, I finally got home to my apartment.
Even today it had been a long day with a around six hour walking and pole hunting. But the weather had been good and the mood was still high. And I had discovered new roads and paths not too far from my home. I had walked the walking road to Skillebekk past Liastua many times, but not further from Skillebekk. In addition, now I had found so many poles in Lillomarka that I was qualified for the golden mark. Not bad for an untrained old man!

Tour 8 - Sunday Oktober 18. 2020

Lillomarka - Lilloseter

It was so beautiful weather today that I just had to get out for a walk. This even though I had a fracture in two ribs after a previous bicycle overturn ... So I needed to take the tour at a leisurely pace without too much exertion.
I took the subway to Ammerud station and started walking. First through Ammerud urban area to the Ammerud road barrier on the way up to Lilloseter. After the barrier, in principle there should only be cyclists and pedestrians, no cars. As mentioned, I walked at my leisurely pace up on the south side of Breisjøen, turned around the lake and continued along the western side of the lake and further to Lilloseter. These were partly walking roads I had been at earlier. In the shadow of the forest on the south side of the lake it was possible to see that the cold season was approaching, when ice had formed on the small puddles.
Before I arrived at Lilloseter I broke off the road and onto a path that led me down to the lake Aurevann. I came down to the lake on a hill where I previously had come the other way, this time I went further north along the west side of Aurevann. I arrived at a lookout point over the lake where there was a leanto and an old foundation of a house. I continued further down to the shores of the lake to a few cottages that was here. However, no one was present in any of the cottages.

Lilloseter (Photo: Terje Pettersen-Dahl, 18/10 2020).

I continued further north on a path that eventually turned a little in a westerly direction that would take me to Lilloseter. I was now a bit lower than the sports cottage and had to prepare to go upwards from here. The path went up through the slope Trollkleiva and continued further upwards. Finally I came up to a cottage beneath Lilloseter. There I could follow the access road of the cottage to the walking road and then further up to Lilloseter. Arriving at Lilloseter I could take a short break. There were a lot of people out in the nice weather, so people stood neatly after each other in line streching out on the lawn waiting for their turn to do som shopping.
After the break, I continued further north past the horse garden and could now follow the path towards Sørskogen. Almost at the pond Rudsputten I got up on a small hill and found my last pole for the day. I had not found particulary many today, since the most I had been passing I had found earlier. As well, I had to be a little careful with my breathing and my ribs. No intention to exaggerate either. Just enjoying a nice day in the woods. Thats why I chose to turn around and walk the same way back, but without the detour via Aurevann.
I walked calmly in the nice weather and got back to Ammerud subway station. From there I took the subway home again. I had been walking for about four hours and was very happy, even though I got only three new poles.

Tour 9 - Wednesday September 2. 2020

Nordmarka - Frognerseteren and Skådalen

After ending the day at work, I decided to take an evening tour looking for poles. There were some poles left at Frognerseteren station and in Skådalen. And these were the ones I was heading for. It was nice weather, but at the same time the days started to get a shorter, so it was time to find these poles.
I took the subway from Sognsvann to Forskningsparken, then the tram to Rikshospitalet. Further I walked the short distance down to the subway station Rikshospitalet, and finally the subway to Frognerseteren station. The plan was to escape large crowds, but on the subway there still were lots of people. At Frognerseteren station, there was a good view to the city and the fjord. And on the other side, the big sails in the Rose Castle - the Art Installation of Vebjørn Sand, waved to commemorate the victims and prisoners of World War II.

The big sails in the Rose Castle (Photo: Terje Pettersen-Dahl, 2/9 2020).

Starting at the station I went down to Sporten beneath. There, I followed the walking road further down a while, before getting into the woods. First a relatively steep slope down from the road and then on a path through the dense forest. For the most part, the whole tour of today would be to go downwards, with one exception. I followed the path down until I came to the pond Borgenkulpen and further on the walking road through the valley Skådalen. The walking road I went on to was laying a bit up in the hillside on the side towards Vettakollen. I followed this road a little bit south and then into the forest again with a small climb up to a cottage. There was a pole next to the well of the cottage. At the other side of the cottage there was an opening in the vegetation which gave a nice view towards the city.
After the visit to the cottage I went back to the path prior to the walking road. Now I was going to enter another path that went deep down in the valley.
The trail was good, although some sections were rocky. At the same time, the stream Skådalsbekken were flowing next to the path. I moved on and got down to Skådalen climbing wall, where a group of people were busy trying. After a short chat, I continued further down and came out of the woods at Skådalen subway station.
However, there were still one more pole to be found so I went a little further down and got into the forest edge on the path that was leading to the pond Bånntjern. The pole was at the edge of the forest, so it was not far into it I needed to go. Then I went down to Vettakollen subway station to take the subway home, but no! It had become so late in the evening that there was no more trains leaving due to an upgrade of the track. Instead, it was bus for subway. Thus, I had to go further down a bit to find the bus stop to enter the bus. On the way, however, I found more poles from the northern part of the map Holmendammen. And of course the bus left the stop just before I arrived at Svendstuen bus stop! Oh well. Then I had time to find one more pole ...
Back at the bus stop, I didn't wait long before the bus arrived and I was on my way down to Majorstua. But my timing was of course perfect, as there was road work between Vinderen and Majorstua! I finally arrived and was able to take the subway from Majorstua back home, even though it was a bit later than expected.