Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal

Hundatinden, 1234m (Hundeidstinden, Slettefjell)

Fylke/Kommune : Møre og Romsdal/Sykkylven
Maps : 1219-IV Sykkylven (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary factor : 184m
Visited : July 2007
See also : Hovdeåsen
See also : Blakstadfjellet
See also : Skopphornet
See also : Straumshornet
See also : Rømerhornet
See also : Urfjellet

Hundatinden seen from the air

Hundatinden seen from the air

Introduction

Hundatinden is located on the northeast side of Hjørundfjorden, and is a close neighbour to Skopphornet on the other side of Megardsdalen valley. Hundatinden has two tops (1222m and 1234m) and the majority of visitors end their hike at the lower top. A deep gap cuts in between the north ridge and the summit, and the only way to reach the high point is through exposed scrambling (and couple of climbing moves). Experienced hikers, comfortable with this type of terrain might choose to climb this top without any safety measures.

Existing information about Hundatinden on the internet can be confusing. One site states that Hundatinden is impossible to reach without climbing gear. This is certainly not true, but it is sensible to climb this mountain with safety precautions, because there is no room for error during the scramble/climb. The booklet Fjellhug only describes the route to point 1222m, while Fotturar in Sunnmøre doesn't make a very big point about the scramble up to the high point.

It is difficult to compare mountains one-to-one, but Hundatinden has similarities to Store Brekketind - (if you look aside from the Brekketindbreen glacier) a series of techincally easy moves in airy terrain, with one or two moves being harder than the rest (most fit people will manage). In comparison, Hundatinden requires a few more moves than Store Brekketind.

The route described on this page, runs from Megardsdalen (same trailhead as Skopphornet). It is also possible to walk the entire ridge from Hundeidvik, and this route is described on the internet. Fjellhug also describes a route from Megardsdalen via Baklidalen valley.

Hundatinden (left)

Hundatinden (left)

Hundatinden was referred to as Slettefjell in the pioneering days of Norwegian mountaineering. E.C. Oppenheim, an Englishman who did many climbs in the Sunnmøre region (described in the book New climbs in Norway) said about Slettefjell: "A virgin peak which looks as if it would afford some execellent rock climbing". Besides this statement, there seem to be no reports about first ascents.

K. Randers only briefly mentions Hundeidstind in his book Sunnmøre.

Based on the map, it seems that point 1222m is located Ørsta/Sykkylven kommune border, while point 1234m belongs to Sykkylven kommune.

Hundatinden (left) seen from Festøykollen

Hundatinden (left) seen from Festøykollen

Primary factor:

Hundatinden (Norge 1:50,000: 1234m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 1234m, UTM 32 V 369135 6914108) has a primary factor of 184m, towards the higher parent mountain Synnavindsnipa (1367m). The saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 369111 6913440 (wild guess)) is found on the ridge between Hundatinden and Synnavindsnipa. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle height is within the range 1040-1060m, interpolated to 1050m. (the Lake height is 612m).

Google map

Google's interactive map. You can zoom, pan and click on the markers.

Trail descriptions:

Notes: Class ratings are in reference to YDS. Click here for more information.

The trails described below are not necessarily the *easiest* trails to this mountain.

Megardsdalen - Hundatinden 1234m (summer/autumn)

Difficulty : Class 4 (YDS)
Exposure : Yes!
Distance : Approx. 4,4Km to the top
Time : Approx. 2,5-3 hours to the top
Starting Elev.: Approx. 360m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 900m (total)
Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

From Ålesund, follow highway E39 towards Bergen, and then highway RV60 (Stranda) to the Magerholm - Ørsneset ferry (7,9Km). This ferry runs quite often; every 20 minutes in the busy hours of the day. From Ørsneset, drive RV60 to the Hundeidvik/Ikornes junction south of Sykkylven (4Km). Drive on toll bridge across Sykkylvsfjorden (fee is NOK 31,- for passenger cars per July 2007). At the upcoming roundabout, follow signs to Hundeidvik and drive 9,3Km until you see the "Megardsdalen" sign. This sign is 250m after you pass the ferry harbor in Hundeidvika.

Turn left onto the road up Megardsdalen. After 550m, you come to a self-serviced toll booth. The fee for passenger cars per July 2007 was NOK 20,-. Make sure you close all gates behind you. 1,7Km after you left the main road, you come to a "roundabout" (180m elevation). You can either park here, or continue driving until the road is no longer compatible with your car. Small cars may choose to park at 250m elevation, where a side road branches off to the left. 4WD vehicles can drive all the way to road end at approx. 360m elevation.

Hundatinden (right) seen from Skopphornet

Hundatinden (right) seen from Skopphornet

The route

Follow the well-worn path up Megardsdalen until you reach Lake Heimstevatnet. Unless there is an exceptional amount of water in the river, crossing the north drain should be fine.

You will have to figure out the best route up to the ridge leading to Hundatinden (our trip was in thick fog), but a tip could be to head directly westbound (in the direction of Keipen) and follow a wide ledge with boulder. Probably the rightmost route on this picture. Refer to existing information on the internet for this particular ascent.

1222m:

Once on the ridge, walk on grass and boulder up to the gap that separates the summit block from the ridge. Turn right (south/southwest) and follow the ridge towards point 1222m, marked by a small cairn. If you pick the easiest route, there is no exposure involved. Early on, you pass the access point to Baklidalen valley. You must go down there in order to get to the high point.

1234m:

The lower route

The lower route
(Click for larger image)

 

Locate the (obvious) entry to Baklidalen. Immediately, you will see a series of narrow ledges that lead towards a distinct boulder section near the gap. Bypass these, descend a few meters down into Baklidalen, and locate a grassy ledge (1,5m high, YDS class 3) that marks the start of the route.

From this grassy ledge, you'll climb two corners (YDS class 4 and 3) - the first corner being the technically hardest point on the route. Especially upon descent. The exposure isn't overwhelming, since you're still just above the starting point.

Proceed across the boulder section, climb one more corner (class 3) before you reach a crack. The crack (YDS class 3) is easy once you figure out where to put your feet. Just before the crack, you'll find a short awkward slab that doesn't have direct exposure. When you descend here, you'll be wondering where to put your hands and feet.

Then comes a candidate for being the mental challenge of the climb - the slab section. This section is fairly short, perhaps 15m (horizontal). There are good handholds, but you need to look for them. A small fold across the slab give you foothold as well. Big boots may not be your favorite choice of footwear. A good advice may be to bring your climbing shoes on this climb, providing you have a pair.

Around the corner, you will notice an overhang that you can go under. Once past this section, move carefully across a grassy ledge towards the last corner (YDS class 3) The summit is just above you, marked by a tiny cairn. There is another - tiny - cairn a few meters to the east, but the high point is the cairn you reach first.

Descend your ascent route.

The upper route

The upper route
(Click for larger image)

 

 

Trip reports and pictures


westcoastpeaks.com Other Møre & Romsdal mountains Other Norwegian mountains