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.