Kalskråtinden

  • Kalskråtinden
  • 1801 m
  • Primary factor 708 m
  • Location: North 62.47327, East 007.85912 (GPS on the summit)
  • Difficulty: YDS (easy) class 3
  • Climbed July 25. 2020.

Information:

How to get there:
This mountain is often climbed from Venjedalen or from the vally floor of Romsdalen. This report describes the route from Romsdalen.
From Åndalsnes, drive up Romsdalen about 17 kilometer. You pass a church on your left, then arrive at a spot where a small side road crosses the river to your right and there is a bus stop on your left hand side. A single car may park aat the very end of this bus stop without causing trouble for the bus. One may ask the farm across the small bridge for permission to park there. Alternatively, there is good parking at the church about 750 meter north (down) in the valley. The bus stop is at location N62.43522, E007.86669, elevation around 70 meter.
Route description:
Walk about 200 meter from the bus stop (back) towards Åndalsnes. (Or about 750 meter in the opposite direction from the parking at the church.) The trail starts directly from the side of the highway, there is a small sign there, hard to see unless you are already at the right spot. This location is N62.43536, E007.86279, elevation about 70 meter.
This trail is small, but pretty easy to follow. It is marked with red paint all the way. It is quite impressive that someone explored a trail up this very steep hillside. This trail has a few spots where one is likely to use hands for support. There is one section protected by a chain, this would be (YDS) class 3 without the chain. The overall difficulty of the entire route is possibly only (YDS) class 2+ along the easiest path. However, the overall length, the general steepness and the likely event that one ends up with some easy scramble justifies a (YDS) class 3 classification.
The trail has a vey nice, natural staircase exit to the more level terrain near lake Mongevatnet. There is a small hut here, Mongevassbu, that may be rented. It may be a pretty good option to hike here the aftenoon/evening before. Contact Alfred Brøste (45957622) to ask about the availability and the key (NOK 100 in 2020). He lives quite close to the trailhead.
From the hut, continue along the lake. Do not ascend more than a little until you turn into the small valley that runs from the lake and up to the col separating Kalskråtinden from the much lower Mongegjura. Ascend directly towards what looks like the easiest slope higher up. This section looks a bit steep, but there are natural ledges that provide for quite easy ascent. Move left as you gain elevation. The steepest part of the ascent is now behind you. Continue up between points 1539m and 1450m, then ascend the south ridge higher up. One may avoid most of the talus by following paths with fine scree. The slope will ease higher up and before long you reach the summit area. There is a small cairn marking what looks like the highest point, then a bigger, well built cairn with a visitor book, located nearby.
Note:
There is a competing west summit. The Norwegian mapping authority (NGO) writes:

Markerte høydetopper er konstruert på nytt i fotogrammetriseksjonen og målingene viser at det østligste punktet er høyest.
Østligste terrengpunkt er 1801,33 moh. og vestligste terrengpunkt er 1800,87 moh.
Det vil si at begge høydene vises med 1801 moh. i våre kartdata.

In short, they have investigated the elevation of the two summits and concluded that the east summit is 1801.33 meter and highest.
Comments:
I came from Trondheim after hiking some peaks in Nordland with my friend Jostein. The plan called for an early start, but since I arrived in Romsdalen in the afternoon (and needed a place to sleep), I called to check if I could stay in the small hut Mongevassbu. That was easy to arrange and after buying some food and a can of beer, I started up the trail at 1700.
This trail is actually quite impressive. You ascend directly above Romsdalen. The slope and terrain looks impossibly steep and there is a solid vertical cliff high up at the horizon. Obviously, the only possible route would have to follow a climbing traverse right and exit up near the corner at the end of the visible terrain.
I stopped along the way to taste some very nice blueberries, then noticed a very nice exit at the end of the climbing trail. A very natural set of rock steps and suddenly, no more steep slopes, but gentle flat terrain. I arrived at the hut at 1930. The hut had not seen a visit for almost a year, hundreds of dead flies everywhere. After a short cleaning session, it was time for dinner.
The next morning, overcast - the forecast had predicted a clear day with sunshine. I left at 0550 and gradually, the clouds broke and a nice day was in the making. The first patches of snow were completely hard frozen, I told myself that I should have taken crampons along from the car instead of the can of beer. Avoiding snow, I thought the slope ahead was pretty steep, but then discovered that the broken rock provided many natural steps. Higher up, on easier slopes, I followed the rocks and noticed that the ridge was free of snow. The ascent was easier than what it looked like from the hut. I arrived at the summit at 0840. By now, the sky was clear and the views nice. Store Venjetind being the most striking object nearby. I rested and enjoyed the place. Looking across to the west summit, a visit there would take time. I planned to have dinner with Heidi in the evening in Bergen, so better get going. It was good to know that this summit is indeed the highest.
I started down at 0910, the view across to the Troll Wall as well as directly to the valley floor is among the best in the country. Back at the hut by 1100, I continued at 1115. The trail down to the highway was equally good in this direction and I was down in 2.05.
I now started driving back to Bergen, a late dinner prepared by Heidi, being excellent motivation.

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