A Hoffmann Adventure
June 24, 2017 – July 8, 2017
June 24, 2017 – July 8, 2017
Map of Norway with Sweden and Denmark, Trousset Encyclopedia (1886 - 1891)
The intrepid explorers of the Hoffmann clan
Exaggerated relief map of Scandinavia with Norway visible on the western, leftmost half
Looking back towards the ferry landing we just hiked up from, along the Besseggen Ridge Trail in Jotunheimen Nasjonalpark
Nick beholding the vast, rugged Norwegian landscape along the Besseggen Ridge Trail in Jotunheimen Nasjonalpark
Fjords and mountains, as far as the eye can see, along the Besseggen Ridge Trail
James, Rob, and Nick posing on their first Norwegian hike
A sunburst breaks through the clouds of the impending snowstorm while hiking along the Besseggen Ridge Trail in Jotunheimen Nasjonalpark
Massive clouds ominously following along the Besseggen Ridge Trail
An incredible view of a distant fjord along the Besseggen Ridge Trail
James pausing to capture a distant fjord while clouds swirl ominously
Small homesteads along the road to Spiterstulen
Mountain farms along the road to Spiterstulen
Fjord views on the road to Spiterstulen
Fjord views on the road to Spiterstulen
A mountain farm on the road to Spiterstulen
More farms on the road to Spiterstulen
Motorcycles cruising along the road to Spiterstulen
A view from the bottom of the valley Visdalen at Spiterstulen in Lom, located within Jotunheimen Nasjonalpark
The view from the tent camping in the valley Visdalen at Spiterstulen in Lom, the day before the big hike
A panoramic view of Visdalen valley in Jotunheimen Nasjonalpark, captured at the start of the day-long hike to the summit of Galdhøpiggen
A view of mountain streams meandering down into Visdalen valley within Jotunheimen Nasjonalpark
A first glimpse of snow on the trail to the summit of Galdhøpiggen. Other mountains within Jotunheimen Nasjonalpark are visible in the distance.
Rob ascending Galdhøpiggen with a full loadout
The peak finally comes into view while hiking up Galdhøpiggen
Nick pauses to enjoy the cool mountain air. Photos struggle to capture the sheer scale of the landscape, but you can see tiny silhouettes of hikers further down the trail.
Hikers in the distance appear as tiny silhouettes against a vibrant blue sky background
A dog (wolf?) surveys the scene from partway up the trail to the summit of Galdhøpiggen
James and Nick pause to rehydrate during the hike to the summit of Galdhøpiggen
A panorama shows clouds appearing to fly low over a massive valley filled with snow and ice
A panorama facing the other direction shows a long line of hikers from another route making their final ascent up Galdhøpiggen
Two hikers starting their descent, with a distant view of hikers making their final push to the summit of Galdhøpiggen
James sits to take photos from the summit of Galdhøpiggen, while Nick towers over the entirety of Northern Europe (2,469m / 8,100 ft)
James, Nick, and Rob posing at the summit of Galdhøpiggen ("peak of the steep and rounded mountain")
A panoramic view from the summit of Galdhøpiggen, the tallest mountain in Norway and Northern Europe (2,469m / 8,100 ft)
Rob, Nick, and James posing at the summit of Galdhøpiggen ("peak of the steep and rounded mountain")
"So Much High!" A local school band plays traditional Norwegian marches at the summit of Galdhøpiggen. They hiked up a different route while carrying their instruments, trying to set a Guinness World Record.
Spiterstulen cabins back down in the valley provide a welcome respite from a long day of hiking
Spiterstulen cabins back down in the valley provide a welcome respite from a long day of hiking
An icy lake nestled in the mountains along the steep descent into Geirangerfjord
A view looking down into Geirangerfjord within Møre og Romsdal county in northwestern Norway
Sharp turns of a mountain road, with homes built confidently on the steep slope, a common sight amongts Norway's many fjords
Water falls many hundreds of meters down into Geirangerfjord
Sun rays burst through the mist to create a rainbow lens flare in Geirangerfjord
A waterfall rushes down the rock face and snakes past a small cabin
A snowcapped peak in the distance as viewed from the water of Geirangerfjord
Large buildings in the port of Geirangerfjord are dwarfed by a giant cruise ship, itself dwarfed by a massive mountain towering behind
A boy excitedly reels in a fresh catch while fishing from a dinghy in Geirangerfjord
Nick enjoys a freshly made waffle with jam on a ferry cruise in Geirangerfjord
A breathtaking sunset at a small campground near Geirangerfjord
Workers paving a section of road on the drive to Dovrefjell
Nick attempts to use lip balm on his extremely chapped and burnt lips
Muskoxen graze near a small dwelling in Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella Nasjonalpark
Rob steadies his camera to photograph musk oxen in Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella Nasjonalpark
Nick and James pause to admire the distant peaks and warm sunbeams breaking through the cloud cover in Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella Nasjonalpark
The summer sun melts snow in Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella Nasjonalpark, causing mountain streams to grow
A well-worn trail meanders through the verdant landscape of Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella Nasjonalpark
A panorama showcasing a mountain stream as Rob endures the bright sun in Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella Nasjonalpark
Nick watches as Rob brews some coffee in the morning after camping in Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella Nasjonalpark
Heddal Stave Church, the largest stave church in Norway, was built in the 13th century in modern day Notodden
Heddal Stave Church, the largest stave church in Norway, was built in the 13th century in modern day Notodden
Heddal Stave Church, the largest stave church in Norway, was built in the 13th century in modern day Notodden
Heddal Stave Church, the largest stave church in Norway, was built in the 13th century in modern day Notodden
James and Nick kayaking on Heddalsvatnet (Lake Heddal) in Notodden
A canoe awaits its next voyage at Heddalsvatnet in Notodden
Early morning reflections on Heddalsvatnet in Notodden
Meanwhile...
The main hall of Oslo City Hall. One wall is covered by a massive oil painting by Henrik Sørensen, titled "Arbeid, Administrasjon, Fest" ("Work, Administration, Celebration", alternatively "The Nation at Work and Play") c. 1938-1950
The main hall of Oslo City Hall. One wall is covered by a massive oil painting by Alf Rolfsen, titled "Arbeidets Norge fra de drivende garn til skovene i øst" ("Norwegian trade routes from the drifting nets to the forests in the east") c. 1938-1950
A waterfall near the city of Bergen
A view of fjords from the deck of a ferry cruise from Bergen
A water fountain in front of picturesque buildings in Bergen
Sailboats docked near the picturesque buildings at the water's edge in Bergen
Sailboats docked near the picturesque buildings at the water's edge in Bergen
A path behind some colorful flowers seemingly leads straight to impressive snowcapped mountains
A gate opens directly onto a classic Norwegian scene, where the mountains meet the sea
Bright orange flowers bloom in front of a stave church near Bergen
Soft light illuminates a small cemetery at a stave church near Bergen
Bob and Paula pose in front of a stave church near Bergen
An old viking longship at a museum in Oslo
An old viking longship at a museum in Oslo
The Fram, a famous polar ship that completed expeditions to both the north and south poles from 1893-1912, seen here at the Fram Museum in Oslo
The Fram, a famous polar ship that completed expeditions to both the north and south poles from 1893-1912, seen here at the Fram Museum in Oslo
The Fram, a famous polar ship that completed expeditions to both the north and south poles from 1893-1912, seen here at the Fram Museum in Oslo
A monument to Karl III Johan, king of Sweden–Norway from 1818-1844, seen in front of the Royal Palace in Oslo
The Norwegian Parliament building in Oslo
A cemetery near the Royal Palace in Oslo
A cemetery near the Royal Palace in Oslo
A lone fishing boat bobs in the shallows near the road on the drive north to Tromso
A small waterfall near the road to Tromso
The road to Tromso showing surprisingly lush foliage
James captures a mountain scene from the car on the road to Segla on the island of Senja
A winding road leads to mountains shrouded in mist on the road to Segla on the island of Senja
The road to Segla passes by massive peaks shrouded in mist
The road to Segla enters a dark tunnel lit ominously by red lights
A classic Norwegian landscape of fishing boats near steep peaks right up to the water's edge in Senja
Bob poses in full Nordic safari regalia on a hike in Senja
Looking up the steep ascent to the summit of Segla
Clouds roll in while ascending Segla
Nick and Rob take in the view from the summit of Segla
A Norwegian flag flies at the summit of Segla, an iconic mountain on the island of Senja
Beginning to descend Segla
A small town at the water's edge as seen while descending Segla
Nick and Rob making their way down from Segla, a steep hike in Senja
Rob, Paula, Bob, and Nick on the final stretch of a hike in Senja
More misty mountains on the road from Segla to Skrolsvik
Golden light reflects off the water in Senja on the road to Skrolsvik
Passing through a small town on the road to Skrolsvik
Small farms along the road to Skrolsvik
Golden light bathes some pink flowers in warmth outside the house in Skrolsvik
The sun gets low over a small dock in Skrolsvik
A small fishing shop in Skrolsvik
A gull flies low over the rocky coast of Skrolsvik
Small boats tied up at a dock in Skrolsvik
A colorful home in Skrolsvik
Paula enjoys the extra sunlight on a stroll through Skrolsvik
Old German artillery from a WWII battery in Skrolsvik
Bob poses next to old German artillery from a WWII battery
Rob and Bob scan the horizon while exploring an old German WWII battery in Skrolsvik
Paula walks along a rocky pathway in Skrolsvik
Several rusting old German artillery are visible at a WWII battery in Skrolsvik
Rusting German artillery protrude from old bunkers that now blend into the landscape in Skrolsvik
A road passes by an entrance to a bunker at an old German WWII battery in Skrolsvik
A view from the entrance to a bunker at an old German WWII battery in Skrolsvik
Rob and Nick gaze down from a beached landing craft while Paula looks on from a distance
Rob and Nick pose on a beached ship in Skrolsvik
Paula captures some Norwegian wildflowers in full bloom in Skrolsvik
Nick, James, Rob, Paula, and Bob pose in front of some mountains in Skrolsvik
Bob and Paula pose on a rocky pathway in Skrolsvik
Tall mountains visible from a dock near the ferry to get to the Lofoten archipelago
"PARKERING FORBUDT!"
A view looking back from the ferry to the Lofoten archipelago
James looks for a good composition on the ferry from Senja to start the final drive to Lofoten
Bob poses on the ferry to Lofoten, the final leg of the journey
Nick walks out to the shoreline on a secluded beach along the road west to the tip of Lofoten
A secluded beach along the winding Lofoten road
A lighthouse is visible from the winding Lofoten road
A dirt road branches off the winding Lofoten road
A mountain with multiple peaks is visible on the road west to the tip of the Lofoten archipelago
Hay bales are visible from the winding Lofoten road
Sun rays break through the cloud cover along the winding Lofoten road
Fishing boats are docked near the road with sun rays visible in the background
A raised bridge spans the water between two sections of the Lofoten archipelago
A prominent peak is visible from the winding Lofoten road
An explosion of light is visible in the distance while driving along the winding Lofoten road
A farmhouse serves as lodging for the night somewhere along the winding Lofoten road
Snowcapped peaks are visible from the window of the farmhouse
A viking museum inside a massive recreation of a viking hall
A viking museum inside a massive recreation of a viking hall
A viking museum inside a massive recreation of a viking hall
A horse observes humans at the viking museum
A viking longship is visible in the distance through a break in the trees
A viking longship is docked near the museum
The bow of the viking longship
The road continues west out to the tip of Lofoten and to Reine, our destination
The road continues west out to the tip of Lofoten and to Reine, our destination
A raised bridge appears as we approach Reine
A fishing boat is docked near a raised bridge with jagged peaks visible behind
Drying racks for cod fish stand empty near several rorbuer in Reine
James is dwarfed by massive rock formations as he photographs the scene
Massive rock formations seemingly jut out of the sea in the Lofoten Islands
Rob, Nick, and James pose near the water in Reine, Lofoten
Nick, James, Rob, Paula, and Bob pose near the water in Reine, Lofoten
Norwegian houses in the town of Reine, Lofoten
Two people use a small yellow motorboat to travel between islands in Reine, Lofoten
Two people use a small yellow motorboat to travel between islands in Reine, Lofoten
A massive peak looms over bright red boats docked in the town of Reine, Lofoten
Jagged peaks dwarf the red houses built at the water's edge in Reine, Lofoten
Massive jagged peaks are visible behind Eliassen Rorbuer, which served as our lodging while visiting Reine, Lofoten
Clouds shroud the peaks of Lofoten's jagged mountains, as seen from the rorbuer
A peaceful scene with pink wildflowers in full bloom near a small inlet in Lofoten
A majestic scene with the jagged peaks of Lofoten towering over the fishing village
Cod fish drying on racks by the thousand in Lofoten
Golden light illuminating a patch of purple wildflowers in Lofoten
Paula, the famous wildflower photographer, enjoying the natural beauty of Lofoten
Three brothers on a mission to summit the steepest mountain in sight
James surveying the scene of Reine and the surrounding area in Lofoten
Looking down on Reine in Lofoten from the top of a nearby mountain
Looking down on Reine in Lofoten from the top of a nearby mountain
Rob prepares to descend the jagged peaks of Lofoten
