|
|
 |
|
Rjukan (Telemark, Norway).
Any of you who have seen the Kirk Douglas film "The heroes of Telemark" will understand the significance of the tiny
Norwegian community of Rjukan. In october 1942 four norwegian paratroopers were dropped 90km west of Rjukan in the middle
of the night in temperatures of around -20.c. Their objective was to prepare the ground for a sabotage operation on the heavy
water plant at Vemork. Heavy water is exactly what it sounds like, water that weighs more then regular water (because of an
increased hydrogen content), and this heavy water was needed to produce the first atomic bombs. The allied forces suspected
(correctly) Hitler of attempting to produce an atomic bomb and so to halt his progress it was decided they should destroy
the stockpile of heavy water at the hydro energi factory at vemork which was at the time under german occupation (as was the
rest of Norway).
|
|
|
| The hydro factory at Vemork |
|
| Gaustatoppen, 1800m taken from hardangervidda |
|
The impressive contrast between deep valleys and high mountain ranges so claustrophobicly close
to one another made this a fantastic trip. We were there for 4 days and managed to see most of the biggest tourist attractions
but the area has endless apeal. We have access to a hut up there that sleeps 8 so there will most definately be trips there
in the future with room for visitors. How about a Team WcT reunion in such surroundings? Man I sound like a travel agent!
Well the offer is there so anyone interested just needs to let me know. If you need convincing just look at the pictures we
took there......you don't get that on dartmoor!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The story of what these four norwegians had to endure is amazing. I can recommend the Ray Mears
3 part documentary "The real heroes of telemark". But the area has alot more to offer also. Gaustatoppen is a mountain peak
reaching up to 1800m. On a clear day it is said you can see 60% of Norway from the top. Hardangervidda is a plateau, lakes,
peaks etc, now a Norwegian national park. The beauty in both the summer and the winter is awesome. Everywhere in the region
waterfalls break through the rock faces and rush down the mountains, including the famous Rjukan foss (foss is norwegian for
waterfall). When this foss was first discovered it was called the highest waterfall in the world! A slight exageration as
it only measures 105m. It is unfortunately no longer as impressive as it once was because the water was diverted to the Vemork
hydro factory early in the 1900's.
| Rjukanfoss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
