Preikestolen

We get up at 0600 to have breakfast. No bacon here, something about red meat causing 15 % of the gas emissions in the world. So now we have done a small bacon less part to save the world. By the time we eat, shower, and walk to the ferry terminal, it is 0740. We are taking a ferry to Tau and then a bus to Preikestolen, also known as Pulpit Rock, or Preachers Rock. It is a famous promontory that you hike to. It is about 3 miles one way and 1300 feet in elevation gain. It just out high above the Lysefjord.
The ferry is right on time, we board, and they are off within minutes. We purchase our combo round trip ferry/bus ticket and settle in for our 40 minute cruise. There are partial blue skies off one way, but where we are headed does not look as nice. We depart the ferry, get on the bus, for another 20 minutes to the trail head.

At the Trail Head

As we start up, it begins to rain. It is a rocky trail, which makes the going even tougher. Having the raincoat on, combined with the humidity and uphill trek makes me sweat even more than usual. After the first climb, we cross an open meadow on a boardwalk. Then back to wet rocks and more climbing.

Wet Rocks, Wet Charlie

There is a fairly steady stream of people both in front of and behind us. If we stop for a short breather, people pass you by. This is a popular place. The rain is not conducive for stopping, so it actually helps us to push on. It gets a little heavier and my pants are getting wet so we stop to put on our rain pants. Then back to hiking. We make it up the steepest part and think we are getting close but a sign tells us we are still almost a mile from the top. The views start to open up and we come to some small lakes. Nearing the end of the hike, we climb a ledge with view opening up to the Llysefjord, some 1800 feet down. We reach our destination and even with the light rain and clouds, it is breathtaking.

Carol on Preikestolen

We take some photos near the edge and then find a perch to have lunch on. The people watching is very good. The drop off straight down is not for the faint of heart and it is fun to watch people creep up to the edge.

Making Carol Nervous

After lunch, we take a few more shots and it is time to start back. We have to watch our every step on the wet rocks. Many have been placed and are flat but many are not. I am guessing that by the time we are through, we will have done well over 10,000 stair master steps. We talk to some people from California on our way down. They are on a 14 day cruise which started in England. About 3/4 of the way down, it stops raining and I can take my rain jacket off. My shirt is soaked and it is not from rain, but my own weather system. Finally, with our legs a little jelly like, we make it back to the trail head.

CNC on Preikestolen

We just missed a bus so have about an hour wait for the next one. After our wait, we get on the bus which fills to standing room only. We are happy to be sitting. Funny story while we were sitting on the bus. You buy the tickets for the number of people in your group and are supposed to get on together. This one girl gets on and points to her brother about 10 people deep in line. The driver says she must get off and come on with him. She, instead hands the brother the ticket and continues to the back. As she starts to walk back,the driver says hey stupid girl, come back here, in a Norwegian accent. Quite amusing, I thought. From the bus we get back on the ferry to Stavanger.
We walk back to the hotel and we’re going to have Thai food as the restaurant across the street had cheap prices until five. When we get there at 4:30 , the sign says they close the kitchen a half hour before closing. Crazy, why not just say you close at 4:30. Thai food choice gone, we decide to just go back to the bowling alley cafe, since the meal was excellent and good Norwegian value for the money. Another window seat, we both get the exact same dinners as yesterday. Afterwards, we go back to our room to just relax after a long but satisfying day. Anybody can hike Preikestolen in good weather, but we did it in the rain. It turned out just fine and we are happy that we went. Tomorrow, on to Bergen.
Expenses
Ferry/bus to Preikestolen 500 NOK
Cafe Harbour Dinner 418 NOK
Comfort Square Hotel 799 NOK
Hiked/Walked 12.5 miles