This cache will take you to Storgruva (Big Mine) in Espedalen. A
mine providing you with both 350 years of Norwegian mining history
as well as a spectacular view of Jotunheimen and the nearby
mountains of Gausdal. In fact not many other mines can boast of a
view like this!
The mine was first established as a copper mine in the 1660s,
together with Veslegruva (Little Mine) - see geocache
GCQ1N8. Unfortunately the mines in Espedalen yielded little or
no copper, due to the large amount of nickel (an element not yet
discovered) in the ore. So the mining operations was closed down
after just a couple of years.
In the early 1800s nickel was isolated as an element and it was
beginning to get used for various purposes. So in 1847, after
several years of prospecting, mining operations was started up
again in Espedalen. Several mines were used in these operations.
This mine was the largest, yielding a total of 12000 tons of ore in
the period from 1847-1856 and another 3500 during the last period
of mining (1874-1878).
There are several paths leading up to the mine. The suggested
approach is 3.5km and you will have to ascend 500 meters. You will
also get the added bonus of passing the waterfall of Lauvåa at N61
23.702 E9 36.475.
The listed alternate parking will save you a kilometer and 100
meters of elevation. Using this approach the ascent should take you
around one hour, and maybe 40 minutes coming down.
Other caches related to the mining activities in Espedalen:
For more information about the Espedalen mining history, visit
this
link.