Is it possible to reach Kjerag in winter? I always wondered about this. I managed to get Hessel, manager of Flørli 4,444, to join me on a mini ski expedition from Hunnedalen, through Frafjordheiane Protected Landscape Area (landskapsvernområde) to the edge of the Kjerag mountain plateau at the Lysefjord.

On day 1, we skied all the way to Langavatn cabin, where we made camp in our tent. The second day, we wanted to reach Kjerag. It became extremely challenging, due to the treachurous hilly terrain, full of short but steep slopes, edged with small cliffs, ledges and cornices. Skiing in a white-out, combined with a solar eclips was a new experience for me. I almost skied of a cornice, had it not been for Hessel and my pulka to warn me. The pulkas slid and fell down, and the rope cut through the cornice. I threw myself to the ground in time, but it was hard getting the pulka loose again. 

At Kjerag, we spent 6 hours digging a great snow cave, just a few meters from the famous boulder. Enjoying a good moose stew with whisky, we were safe from the raging snow blizzard above us, comfortably tucked away in our sleeping bags.

The views on the winter landscape at the Lysefjord from the Kjerag mountain plateau was just majestic. It was a long way to ski back to the car, but this trip inspired me to organize guided winter expeditions to Kjerag, be it with a very different approach and equipment.