Farewell to the sun

The sun has disappeared from Tromsø for the year. Mørketid hasn't started officially yet, not until 27th November, but the mountains in the south block the sun from town. It is also called fargetid, colour season, and this is true. We do get beautiful Arctic light, amazing 'sunsets' and northern lights, if the weather is clear. Right now, however, it is dark, wet and there is no snow on the ground, making it feel even darker.

We did get a brief taste of winter in late October, nice while it lasted. The last weekend of October we did a short walk in the hills around Tromsø while it was snowing, and walked up Lavangstinden, 35 km south of Tromsø, the day after in beautiful weather.

Great views over Balsfjorden towards Nordkjosbotn, with Henriktinden and Piggtinden behind the cairn and Store Russetinden near the end of the fjord.  

From left to right: Svartnestinden, Snømannen and Anderdalstinden

A rather wet and muddy walk to Steinhytta above Tromsø

Early November the weather warmed up again and much of the snow washed away again, unfortunately. We just have to hope it comes back soon. With these short days we have at the moment, it is convenient to hike in the hills immediately around Tromsø. The next 2 photos are from Rødtinden, probably the most popular and accessible skihill straight up from the suburbs of Tromsø, and the ridge behind.

View to Ersfjorden from Rødtinden

Coming down from Rødtindfjellet with view towards Balsfjorden, south of Tromsø

Fortunately, we did manage to catch a last glimpse of the sun for the year last Sunday. We hadn't chosen the best location for sunshine, Kvitbergfjellet and Gråtinden south on Kvaløya: it was a south-facing walk but we had forgotten that the mountains to the south were actually quite high and close enough to block the very low sun. But once we got onto the flat ridge towards Gråtinden, the sun came out from behind the mountains and we got some beautiful light and sunset.