Ice climbing at Njupeskär

I had been eyeballing Njupeskär for a few years. In fact Njupeskär was the ice fall that inspired me to start ice climbing when I saw it frozen for
the first time back in 2004. This year I felt I was ready and when I mentioned Njupeskär to Andreas he was as eager as me, so we found a weekend
in mid-March and off we went. We stayed at a very nice place called Fulufjällsbyn. Not only is the place in tip top condition and very affordable, the
managers are very nice people that are genuinly interested in their guests. We also had the company of a Gyrfalcon, the largest of the falcon species.
According to Albert (one of the managers of Fulufjällsbyn) it is very rare that Gyrfalcons are seen so far south so we were very lucky to have seen it.
Albert had been out shooting some photos of it and he also took some very nice shots of us and shared them. A very big thank you to Albert for that.
The photos without credits were taken with my pocket camera.

Almost there... Photo by Andreas Forsberg.	On Saturday I took the first pitch. Photo by Albert Kuilderd.	Photo by Albert Kuilderd.	Photo by Albert Kuilderd.	Photo by Albert Kuilderd.
Andreas belaying. Photo by Albert Kuilderd.	Finding a good spot for the belay. Photo by Albert Kuilderd.	Photo by Albert Kuilderd.	Andreas seconding the first pitch. Photo by Albert Kuilderd.	Andreas coming up to the belay.
Me seconding the second pitch.	At the top after a third and final pitch of snow climbing and bushwhacking.	On Sunday Andreas took the first pitch.	I belayed him from the comfort of an ice cave.	He took a harder line than me.
Belaying from the cave. Photo by Albert Kuilderd.	Inside the cave.	Andreas at the top of his first pitch. Photo by Albert Kuilderd.	Getting ready. Photo by Albert Kuilderd.	Off I go. Photo by Albert Kuilderd.
Andreas climbed a longer first pitch. Photo by Albert Kuilderd.	Photo by Albert Kuilderd.	Up at the belay switching leads. Photo by Albert Kuilderd.	This time we did it in two pitches.	Toping out in the sun. A nice end to a nice weekend.