Location 59 deg. 59.676 min. north, 6 deg. 5.209 min. east
In Hordaland, Norway
Climbed May 1. 2002
Information:
How to get there:
This mountain is located in Kvinnherad, a small
community east of the Hardangerfjord. This area has
some of the most alpine peaks in Hordaland, between the
fjord and the glacier Folgefonna. From Bergen, one
can drive in about 1.5 hours to Gjermundshamn where
a ferry crosses to Årsnes (previously Løfallstrand) in Kvinnherad.
Continue south for 5 km to the small village Rosendal.
Turn left in Rosendal and follow signs reading "Baroniet".
The road will take you right through a stone gate,
the Baroniet building is on your right. A bit later, there is a road
that forks left going uphill. Do not take this road, but continue
on the main road until the next road fork where there is parking
on the right hand side of the road. You should see the creek
coming down between Melderskin (1426m) and Laurdalstind across the
road (to the north-east). Route description:
As you look up and across the road, you will notice the
creek that runs steeply down from the basin between Melderskin (left)
and Laurdalstind (right). The overall strategy is to climb up to
the basin, staying on the right side of the creek, then enter the
ridge (on the right side) and follow this to the summit. More details
follow: There is actually a fairly well marked trail that goes all
the way to the basin. A more precise description may be a route rather
than a trail as very little use leaves few signs of a trail. In order
to find the trail, proceed through a gate by going a short distance
back on the road, then turn right and go parallel to the road as well
as following a rock fence until you locate an old farm building. At this
spot turn sharply left and proceed up some open fields then in among
some trees. You should have a small creek (that runs to the right
of the main creek) on your right side. About 50 meters after entering
the trees, turn right and cross this little creek while looking for
(rather small) cairns that mark the route. The route heads up slightly
right of a field of boulders. Besides the small cairns there are
also a few wooden signs with red paint. After the rock area, the
trail steepens, but red signs should show the way. Follow this route
steeply up until the slope of ascent decreases as you approach the
basin.
At this point, one should bear right and climb the ridge. On May 1st.,
there was a distinct gully filled with snow that allowed us easy access
to a point higher on the ridge. An alternative is clearly to enter
the ridge a bit lower in a fairly flat area. Our snow climb varied
between 30 and 45 degrees and gained considerable altitude.
Follow the ridge, typically near its center line, until it becomes
horizontal before dropping slightly. You are now at the first
narrow and slightly exposed section. The scrambling here is still
mostly (American rating) class 2+, with perhaps one class 3 move across
a crack (at least when it is snow covered and slippery). The route
continues more uphill with easier rocks (and no exposure)
across a fairly distinct
"hump", before facing another narrow section which clearly is the
crux of the route. On dry rock without snow, this may still be
a class 3 section, our snow conditions would call for 2-3 class
4 moves. The last part of this section starts with a move down next
to a very distinct pointed rock, then a pull up a vertical rock just
left of a narrow crack. This route stays on the top of the ridge
and has some exposure. The final move will take you around a rock
on the left side on a fairly narrow ledge. From this ledge the
difficulties ends and the remaining hike to the fairly flat
summit is quite easy. One can avoid the last two moves by climbing left
of the ridgeline, this may be the best way with summer conditions.
In winter, (even on May 1.) this route involves crossing moderately
steep snow located at the very top of a chute that quickly drops
off into near vertical shape. The somewhat more difficult rock
climbing avoids any danger that may be associated with this snow chute. Alternative route:
On May 12., 2006, Knut Sellevold wrote me and informed about an easier route
to this summit: Hike up the valley "Vesle Laurdalen" directly south of the
peak. As you get to the lake (elevation 988 m), turn north (left) and follow
the ridge that climbs toward the peak. This ridge ends higher up in a gully
(loose rocks) that can be followed to the summit plateau. Knut describes this
route as having no exposure and that it only requires easy
scrambling in the final gully. Comments:
I did this climb with my friend Arnt. The conditions were far
from optimal, with rain and (higher up) snow. The wind was also
quite strong at times. Add the snow that made this ridge
climb a good challenge. The ridge portion should still rate
as a winter ascent. Perhaps this was the first ascent
in 2002?
The fact that this is a well known named summit without rank
shows how such criteria may fall short in recognizing what absolutely
"looks" like an independent mountain. The very complex topography
of this mountain area is mostly to blame.
Laurdalstind as seen from Rosendal. The creek mentioned
in the route description is easily seen. The snow gully is
far right on the ridge (just left of a little snow triangle
in the rock).
The Laurdalstind ridge. The "hump" with the two narrow
sections can be seen, the summit is far left, while the snow
gully entering the first part of the ridge is straight ahead.