Norwegian Mountains, Nordland
N. Høyholmstindan

N. Høyholmstind East Top, 1015m
N. Høyholmstind West Top, 1000m (ca.)

Fylke/Kommune : Nordland/Vevelstad
Maps : 1826-III Vevelstad (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary factor : East top: 705m
West top: 50m
Hiked : Aug 2008
See also :
Søndre Høyholmstindan Syv Søstre
Mosaksla Vega mountains
Dønnmannen  
See also : Other Nordland mountains

Southern and Northern Høyholmstinder

Southern and Northern Høyholmstinder
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

Høyholmstindan is the common name for the rugged peaks just north of Andalsvågen. The northern group consists of two peaks and will be described on this page. The southern group consists of Saltkartinden (966m), Stortinden (930m) and Hornstinden (885m). Hornstinden is also known as Søndre Høyholmstind.

None of these peaks are difficult on their easiest routes, and Hornstinden is frequently found on the Fjelltrimmen list of mountains. The route to N. Høyholmstindan described on this page, involves a traverse between the west and the east top that many will find quite airy. If air is not what you are looking for, then follow what is described as the descent route. This is an easy route across Brenndalstinden that does not have any airy points.

N. Høyholmstindan seen from Stokkafjorden

N. Høyholmstindan seen from Stokkafjorden
(Click for larger image)

You'll have different types of views from the top. To the west, you'll see the Vega Archipelago, consisting of 6500 islands, and present on Unesco's World Heritage List. To the north, you'll see the famous De Syv Søstre (the Seven Sisters). To the south, you'll see the Sømna peninsula, consisting of low, but rugged peaks. And of course, Torghatten - the legendary mountain with the hole straight through. To the east is a vast landscape with numerous mountain tops. The east is northern Norway wilderness as good as any.

 

N. Høyholmstindan seen from Stortinden

N. Høyholmstindan seen from Stortinden
(Click for larger image)

 

Primary factor:

N. Høyholmstindan east top (Norge 1:50,000: 1015m, Økonomisk Kartverk (ØK): 1014,83m, (approx. UTM 33 W 382454 7283020), has a primary factor of 705m towards the higher parent mountain Snøfjellstinden (1072m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 33 W 388668 7279058) is found 7,3Km to the southeast, on the north side of Langvatnet. Ref. 1:50,000 map (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 300-320m, interpolated to 310m.

GPS measurement on the cairn (1m high) read 1014m, averaged over a 5-minute period (error margin +/- 4,6m)

N. Høyholmstindan west top (Norge 1:50,000: - (highest contour is 1000m), Økonomisk Kartverk (ØK): -, height set to 1000m (approx. UTM 33 W 382113 7282990) has a primary factor of 50m towards the higher east top parent. The defining saddle (approx. UTM 33 W 382286 7282955) is found between the two tops. Ref. 1:50,000 map (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 940-960m, interpolated to 950m.

GPS measurement on the cairn (<1m high) read 1000m, averaged over a 5-minute period (error margin +/- 3,3m)

Google map

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

Per Aug 2008. The Google map is terribly wrong...
 

 

Google maps
Google maps
(Click on image)

 

Trail descriptions

These route descriptions were valid per Aug. 2008. All distances are approx. distances.

Route 1: Vevelstadsundet - N. Høyholmstindan (summer/autumn)

Difficulty : YDS Class 3
Exposure : Yes, between the two tops
Distance : Approx. 8km round trip (2D distance)
Time : Approx. 6 hours roundtrip
Starting Elev.: Approx. 15m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 1100 (total)
Map of the area
Map of the area
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Detailed map
Detailed map
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Access

The nearest larger place is Brønnøysund. From Brønnøysund, drive RV17 to the north. Take the Horn - Andalsvågen ferry, and from Andalsvågen, drive 9,7km on RV17. Locate a pocket on the left-hand side of the road and park there.

The route

Rough outline of the route from the trailhead

Rough outline of the route from the trailhead
(Click for larger image)

From where you parked, you should be able to see a river or stream on distinct slab rock (ref. picture above). Head towards the large rock on the above picture. Behind this rock, you will find a convenient forest ridge. The forest gets a bit steep halfway up the first hill. Just after the steepest section, there is a nice place by the river where you can take a break. From this point, the terrain is quite trivial until you reach the mountain proper.

As you get closer to the mountain, you'll see three distinct ridges. The one up to your right leads directly to the west top, but this is not the route you'll follow, as this ridge isn't trivial to gain. Up to your left is a shorter ridge, which also leads to the west top. But your ascent route will be up a gully between these two ridges. Further away, to your left, is the ridge you'll be descending. But if you want to ascend that way, then begin heading towards it already at approx. 350m elevation.

The gully will take you directly up to the west top, from where you'll have a great panorama view. A modest cairn marks the summit. You'll see the east top 340m to the east. The ridge leading to the east top is a bit airy upon descent, and requires scrambling (not climbing). The view down the ridge is quite something, and you may wonder how safe it is to continue. But there is a way. Just take the time to find it. After descending, cross the ridge and continue up to the east top, marked by a modest cairn. There is also a mailbox which may or not may contain a visitor register. Expect some scrambling towards the east top too, unless you actively search for a route that you can just walk.

Route down from the west top

Route down from the west top
(Click for larger image)

From the summit on the east top, follow the north ridge (on slabs) to 890m elevation. From here, the ridge shifts to the northwest. Brenndalstinden is some point along this ridge. There is certainly no top where the name is found on the map. It is reasonable to assume that Brenndalstinden is the small, pointy hump at 610m elevation (UTM 33 W 381361 7283975). From this point, descend southwest towards your ascent route.

Pictures and Trip reports:


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