How to get there:
From Bergen, first E-16 towards Oslo, then right onto Hwy. 7 in the
traffic circle in Trengereid. Continue on Hwy. 7 to Kvamskogen, as you
get to lake Eikedalsvatnet, pay attention and turn left towards the
Eikedalen downhill ski area. There is a large parking area serving
the ski area. Park here. The elevation is about 450 meter.
Route description:
Continue on the road. This road mainly serves a cluster of
vacation homes, however one may continue straight at this
junction. Follow the road as it climbs on the left hand side of the river
and enters the Skeiskvanndalen valley. Ski into this valley, the impressive
Iendafjellet is straight ahead. Gradually climb left well before you reach
a small cabin. The terrain is easier as you get to about 750 meter of
elevation. In fact, due to a few deep and narrow gorges, it most likely pays off
to get up to about 780 meter, then traversing into the saddle between Flæfjellet
and Storafjellet. Ski (right) to the south side of the shoulder (that ends in a cliff),
then ascend the slope to gain more level terrain on this shoulder. Ski right towards the
steep mountain, curve left around the first, steep cliffs. After a short, steep gully, you
enter a long, gentle gully going north. It looks nice to keep going here, but that leads nowhere.
Turn sharply right at you first opportunity and ascend a smaller gully that gains the
skyline. Turn left again and ski up easy terrain, then more right and downhill into a
bigger gully that again may be followed uphill to your left. This passage gains the top,
summit area. Only a few meter across to gain the highest point.
Comments:
This was a very nice Saturday with recent, new snow and now blue sky and sunshine.
After a nice ´morning and traditional pancakes for breakfast, I drove to Eikesdalen and
was ready to leave by 1140. A ski track led into Skeiskvanndalen, but no skiers. In fact,
quite a crowd in the downhill ski area, but nobody out on cross country skis. The Iendafjellet
mountain looked very impressive from this viewpoint. I decided to ski uphill and try a traverse across
to the saddle before Storafjellet.
Quite a lot of snow meant breaking trail all the way, as well as paying attention to
the terrain with respect to possible avalanches.
My route led me into several steep spots and I eventually
descended a bit to gain the slope going uphill. It would have been better to
enter the proper saddle between the two mountains.
It was not at all obvious
how to ascend on skis, but turning a corner to the left revealed a promising continuation. Interesting
route finding, sharply up to my right, then easier ground before a short, but steep descent in order
to connect with yet another gully. This led to the very summit. The time was already 1440, so 3 hours.
I quickly descended back to the main col,
the subsequent ascent of Flæfjellet followed.
