Loftet, 2170m
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Loftet seen from Bukkehøi |
Introduction
Loftet (the loft) and Dumhøi marks the northern entrance to Leirdalen valley, leading straight into the heart of Jotunheimen. Unlike the wild peaks all around, Loftet has a large, flat summit plateau. From Loftet, one can hike southbound over a number of friendly 2000m peaks, all the way to Store Smørstabbtind.
Even if the mountain is in the
outskirts of Jotunheimen, the summit still offers spectacular
views. Especially towards the east, where the 2300m peaks around
the Illåbre glaciers are stretching from the Leirdalen valley.
Trail Descriptions
Loftet is normally approached in three ways: a) Over Storbreatinden, Hurrbreatinden and Veslfjelltinden, b) from Bøvertun, up along Drangsbrean glaciers and c) from Jotunheimen Fjellstue. The latter is described on this page. This is also the most popular trail.
Trip Report July 07 2002: Troll was on the way up north for his summer vacation, and I was free to hike with lighter weight in the backpack. On my way home back from Otta towards Bergen, my plan was to hike Store Smørstabbtind. But a wild guess changed my plans. I saw the clouds over Jotunheimen and guessed they would cover the highest peaks. As such, I chose Loftet as the target, also influenced by the lovely weather by Jotunheimen Fjellstue. I asked the people inside about the trail and they sent me off-piste on the ridge leading up from the building. When I got to my senses, the terrain was fairly obvious to understand, but still I hiked all the way up the west ridge and met the proper trail just below Veslloftet. I quickly hiked up to the Loftet ridge, and as the views began to vanish, I prayed to the weather Gods to spare me for the Ragnarok I encountered on Fannaråken the day before. They were listening and provided me with fog and snow as I struggled with the rotten snow up the ridge. But soon they decided to call the prank off, and when I got to the upper part of the ridge, I got my views back. Once on the summit, 2.5 hours after I started, I noticed that Store Smørstabbtind was partly fogged in. Loftet felt nothing like a peak. It was just way too big and flat. But I cherised every bit of the mighty views, and did not regret the choice for one second. With help of all the snowfields I could find, I was back at the car 1.5 hours after I left the summit. This time on the proper trail. |
Pictures from the July 07 2002 Hike:
Other scenery from this hike
Other pictures: