Høgnakken

  • Høgnakken
  • 1045 m
  • Primary factor 844 meter
  • Location: North 66.97174, East 13.84861 (from Map)
  • Romsdal, Norway
  • Difficulty: (YDS) class 3
  • Climbed August 7. 2020.

Information:


How to get there:
From Bodø drive towards Fauske, but turn right ont Hwy. 17 (coastal hwy. south) shortly after crossing a big bridge. The turnoff is signed for Saltstraumen as well as town located further south in Norway.
Follow Hwy. 17 south, you will pass into Gildeskål, then cross a bridge and drive south with the fjord Holmsundfjorden on your right. Next, the road runs through 3 consecutive tunnels, then next to a new fjord that is turned on its south end. Hwy. 17 next enters a new tunnel. Do not go there, but fork right very shortly before this tunnel. This road heads north. After about 1.3 kilometer, fork left onto a road that has slightly lower quality. Follow this to lake Storvikvatnet. You will see a concrete wall on your right. Just as this wall ends, park on the left side of the road. This is a reasonable trailhead (there is no trail). The location is near N66.96021, E013.85977.
Route description:
Head directly uphill just right of a small creek. This is 5-star bushwack, steep, slippery, lots of birch trees and high grass. Small cliffs can be avoided going left or right. Push on until the vegetation stops being an issue. Continue uphill on pretty steep, but now much easier terrain until the slope eases as you enter what is called Nakkdalen. You can see the VLF-building up on the ridge. Continue towards it, do not ascend to the local col that may seem natural up right. The final slope is steeper, there is a nice access point near the steeper rock where some cable comes down, protected by a metal tube. Zig-zag up on the grass to reach the VLF-building. They have a private gondola lift for work and maintenance, what a luxury way to get this high!
Traverse on easy ground towards the cliffs that guard the summit. Descend a bit to gain access to a steeper greenish slope (moss), and ascend thie slope with care. Head somewhat right (when facing uphill) to gain the lower end of a distinct gully that comes down from the summit ridge. Enter this gully a couple of meter uphill by doing a short traverse on the rocks. Finally, follow this gully to the summit ridge. It is now a short stroll (right) to the summit cairn.
Comments:
I had a morning flight from Trondheim to Bodø, then a rental car to Saltstraumen, where I did a solid round of shopping. Next, continued driving to the trailhead. I discovered a very unpleasant thing, my GPS with a map and tracks for all planned climbs was not with me.
I headed uphill around 1230. The terrain was pretty bad, steep, slippery, wet and with birch trees and high grass. Quite a struggle to advance up here! Finally on better terrain, progress improved. I got to the VLF station, then traversed to the cliffs. I had read a trip report (Otto) that warned about possible difficulties if the terrain was not totally dry. Today, the ground was wet and he ws right. I needed considerable care and time to move safely upwards. I carried my ice axe since I had spotted snow from below, however it provided some extra safety when planted into the moss.
I was on the summit at 1450, so 2:20 up. I stayed 10 minutes, very nice views all around. North to Fugløya, west to south-west along the coast. The VLF station, now below on the ridge. I should have stayed longer, but wanted to get back down the tricky section while it was still fresh in my memory. A rest was called for immediately after completing the steepish descent.
The rest of the hike followed more or less the same route as I had ascended. Lots of trouble in the steep birch area, I was happy to step back onto the road at 1700.
I would now establich a b ase camp at the nice DNT Gjælentunet hut. I planned to stay there 2 nights. My goal for tomorrow will be Åselitindan with a trailhead a very short drive from here.

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