Thursday, April 28, 2016

Kolåstinden - Hjorundfjorden skiing day 5

Kolåstinden 1432m, the technical one 28-04-2016

Fifth and final ski day Hjorundfjorden with Fjord Adventures.



Our guide Douglas drove us from Saebo in the van up the road to near the DNT Standalhytta (hut).

A large group of Norwegians, mainly young women, was heading off on another route when we arrived.

We skied up following a creek gully then climbed towards a ridge, stopping for lunch on a rock outcrop. It was quite warm in the sun with no breeze.

We then skied to the right of the ridge to over a steep high "notch" pass, with a great view to the summit appearing.

The high traverse was tricky with firm snow with a slippery dusting and a steep skin track.

We reached a flat section below the summit then booted up a steep exposed boot trail to summit. My self arrest grips came in handy near the top.

We got fantastic views from the narrow summit with a 360 degree panorama and the ocean visible in the distance,  Ronny and Roger found the climb and the summit quite exciting!

We then walked back to our skis and headed down.  Douglas scoped out fresh tracks, initially through powder then wetter snow.

The tip for the day was "never point at where not to go, always point at where to go" as people in the distance often can't hear you.

It was a fast run down the trail back to van.

Our last ski mission for this trip and a great way to finish our memorable boat and ski trip to the Sunnmøre Alps around Hjorundfjorden.  The cruise back down the fjord soaking up the sun and views with a beer in hand was very relaxing.

We spent the last night on the boat back in port.  After dinner we headed out for some celebration.  We met Jesse Richman and the La Nuit de la Glisse crew who had been filming around Hjorundfjorden while we were there.  Jesse told us of his exploits kiting from a peak and getting unexpected updraft and going much higher than intended.  He was looking across at the helicopter pilot until he was able to lose some height and get back to the snow!  

Here is the video: 



Martin, Ronny and I then went to Dirty Nellys (Irish pub) for a guiness, then on a mission for more food (baked potatoes and hot dogs) before fetching up in a local pub/club that was full of young boisterous Norwegians with the faces painted blue (possibly a University break up?) before staggering back to the boat for a solid sleep.

All good things must come to an end, but I shall return . . .








The summit is in the distance



Still a way to go - that's the summit



View from summit of Kolåstinden

View from summit of Kolåstinden

View from summit of Kolåstinden

View from summit of Kolåstinden
View from summit of Kolåstinden

View from summit of Kolåstinden looking to the ocean


Me on the summit of Kolåstinden

Ronny down climbing

Where we left our skis, ski descent to the left





Roger on the summit of Kolåstinden

















Ronny, Martin, Roger, Peter and Douglas cruising home on the boat
Jesse Richman and me (photo: Martin)

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Slogen - Hjorundfjorden skiing day 4

Slogen. The Giant One. 1564m  27-04-2016

Fourth ski day Hjorundfjorden with great weather, with Fjord Adventures.



Fourth ski day Hjorundfjorden with great weather, with Fjord Adventures.



Another hearty breakfast then a tractor ride up the snow and some lovely green roofed huts.

We skied the long trail/road on right side of valley above frozen lakes, passing the engine of Messerschmitt fighter shot down in World War 2 when the Allies were attempting to bomb a German warship hiding in the fjord.

Slogen, the giant of the fjords, loomed in the distance as our objective.  From our approach it seemed impossible to ski to the summit.

After a lunch in the sun we skied up to join a skin track on a big snow slope then gained a col with views down to the fjord.  Ronny and Martin elected to wait there as we pushed on for the summit.

The ridge got steeper as we climbed. We took our skis up to follow a boot trial for a hundred meters, then put them back on for the next 200m close to the summit.

We left our skis just below the summit and booted up the last 50m.  A spectacular summit, small on the top and very airy with views right down to the fjord and all around.  This is one of my top 10 summits ever.

Douglas skied from the top while Roger and I walked 50m down to our skis to commence our descent. A fall from the top would be fatal.

The snow was heavy up high but much better when we got on slopes with a northerly aspect. More powder!

We met with Martin and Ronnie then continued down loving the snow and the skiing.

A very fast traverse took us to the return trail for a fast run down to meet the van and a cold beer.

This was a big day - I was very tired at the end.

Another swim in the fjord (cold but refreshing) and a barbecue dinner by a roaring fire in a small lakeside lodge/hut topped it off.


Our ski lift


Our chef

Up to the snow, in a trailer behind a local tractor




Shepherds huts, we skied from here





Slogen, our objective to the right. A seemingly impossible ski route

Engine from WW2 Messerchmitt shot down

Approach Slogen, a 9km route


Slogen from below where is the ski route!!!???




Starting the climb, Patchellhytta (huts) in the valley far below





First boot trail up the ridge




Approaching the summit

View from the summit of Slogen

View from the summit of Slogen

View from the summit of Slogen

View from the summit of Slogen


Peter and Roger on the (small) summit of Slogen


Douglas, our Uteguiden guide, on the summit, ready to ski down

Douglas skiing off the summit of Slogen

Douglas skiing off the summit of Slogen




Roger skiing Slogen




Martin

Powder!




Avalanche of Slogen (the side facing the fjord)


Ronny having a dip

A celebratory beer

Oya lodge, our BBQ feast

Slogen

Martin and Douglas

Ronny
Emily

The BBQ chef

The feast