Andalsnes - close to so much amazing scenery

Yesterday we drove here from Alesund, via Molde - more island hopping involving multiple ferries. We spent the afternoon driving the Trollstigen road (Troll's ladder).  The Norwegians are very big on trolls. So many place names start with "Troll", and they have ugly trolls at many tourist shops.  Trollstigen must be one of the world's greatest roads. There are 11 hairpin bends to the top.  The road crosses in front of a huge water fall.  The valley you drive up is a classic glacial carved valley:

I could not visit Norway without doing at least one serious hike. Today I abandoned Graeme, and broke all the rules of bushwalking by hiking Romdalseggen alone. This is not a walk for anyone with a fear of heights.  Part of the walk involves walking along a narrow rocky ridge with drops off to both sides.  The views were great even though the sun did not come out all day.  It took me 7 hours; spot on that advised by the hostel.  I am now recovering - the worst was the 1200m descent, seemingly never ending.

 the view about 30 minutes into the initial ascent

 from here the track ascends over rocks up to the ridge

 nearly at the ridge top - the red splotches mark the way

 it's early in the season and there was a lot of snow to trudge through

 this is not a view off to the side - it's the track on the ridge line

 the ridge goes up and down a bit - note the red markers

 Looking at back at where I've just walked. Parts were much steeper than the photos can capture. Two men were here cementing metal poles into the rock so more chain could be installed as help.

 The worst is over.  After this gentle ascent through snow there 

was just a long steep slog back down to Andalsnes.

Great hike!  Great day.  Tomorrow we leave here on yet another scenic route - the Rauma Valley to Dombas.  Then onto Trondheim to meet Judy and John and celebrate my birthday (hopefully).