Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal

Kvannfjellet on skis, Mar 21 2008


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The winter route

The winter route
(Click for larger image)

Jørgen ..

is a buddy from Bergen that I've had the pleasure to do a couple of ski-trips with (Meneseggi & Brøknipa). All memorable. Being from Molde, he visits his old neighbourhod from time to time, and this Easter was a good opportunity to finally do a new ski-trip together. We agreed on Kvannfjellet and Jørgen's wife Siv would join in as well. 

I had carefully ..

studied the weather forecast. It wasn't bad at all, but I didn't like the double-digit wind-speed. Gale-force, minimum. In addition to the regular winter gear, I brought my "Hannibal Lector face mask". It would surely get me in trouble anywhere except on a mountain top.

I left Ålesund 08:45AM, in due time for the 09:45AM ferry from Vestnes. I waited for Siv & Jørgen at Syltesætra, and we were on our way up the mountain by 11:10AM. Kvannfjellet is quite a gentle mountain. I chose it because it's one of the highest peaks on Moldehalvøya. But now that the avalanche danger had been upgraded to level 3, the gentle factor became an upside too.

From harmony to inferno

After having ascended the forest, we entered the land of harmony; the shining sun, crystal-white snow, deep shadows and a landscape that deserved to be painted. And no wind. We enjoyed ourselves to the fullest.

Higher up on the mountain, the wind picked up. Having ascended the basin, we had been in some kind of shelter, but once we hit the west ridge, a small inferno was awaiting. We agreed to stick together, as visibility was rather low. All in all, we encountered bad weather.

Fortunately, the inferno paused now and then, allowing us to breathe and understand where we were. We arrived at the summit 13:33PM and we didn't stay for long. More skiers followed and suddenly the entire Kvannfjellet west ridge was full of skiers. A popular mountain, indeed.

A delightful descent

To our big surprise, the windborn and packed snow offered brilliant skiing conditions. It was just like skiing through butter, even if this was nowhere near powder snow. I could hear Jørgen scream in pure joy behind me. He had several of these primal moments during the descent. Siv obviously enjoyed the skiing too. The smile on her face gave her away..

 

What we came for..

What we came for.. (Click for larger image)

 

Jørgen said it best ..

It's a pity it is over. Even if the packed snow was a little bit more packed further down the mountain, skiing was still brilliant. In the forest, we could ski anywhere - on or off the tracks. It felt wrong to reach the trail head, but that's the way the game is played. Going back up was not an option. It seldom is. Thanks to Siv & Jørgen for being part of this memorable ski-trip. I hope it's not going to be 3 years until the next.

Back home ..

I met a dog in need for a walk. My good neighbour Pål had of course let him out now and then, but it wasn't the same thing as a walk. I decided to take him to Sukkertoppen, and unfortunately, I skipped changing clothes and get something to eat. When I decided to ascend the Trollråsa route, my sloppy preparations backfired. This became a true winter ascent with no energy left...

Pictures from the Mar 21 2008 ski-trip

The pictures were taken with a Canon EOS 300D + Canon EF-S 17-85mm IS USM F 4-5.6

 

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Through the forest

1. The ferry to Molde 2. The Syltesætra junction 3. Kvannfjellet ahead 4. Leaving the trail head 5. Talstadhesten 6. Deep shadows 7. Beautiful landscape 8. Siv & Jørgen 9. Beautiful landscape

To Kvannfjellet summit

10. Rising above the forest 11. Jendemsfjellet 12. Into the basin 13. Aiming for the top 14. Snowdunes 15. Siv 16. Above the valley floor 17. Wind dance 18. Things turning hostile 19. Look down.. (158KB) 20. Sticking together 21. Reaching the top 22. Kvannfjellet summit 23. Hannibal

View from Kvannfjellet

24. View from Kvannfjellet 25. View from Kvannfjellet

A wonderful descent

26. Jørgen descending Kvannfjellet 27. Jørgen descending Kvannfjellet 28. Jørgen descending Kvannfjellet 29. Arnt descending Kvannfjellet 30. Arnt descending Kvannfjellet 31. Entering the forest 32. Siv at full speed 33. Tailing Jørgen 34. Out of the forest

Post-trip pics

35. Passing Urdfjellet 36. Leaving Molde 37. View from the ferry 38. Midsund mountains

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