Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal

Ramstadvarden from Årsetsætra, Aug 13 2007

This route is described as route #1 on the Ramstadvarden main page.


When standing on top of Hovdeåsen a bit earlier in the day, the weather settled, the fog began to lift, and I decided that I should pay Ramstadvarden a visit.

I had heard that there was a path up the forest, but I didn't know where it began. I drove up Ramstaddalen and then in turn Fasteindalen and watched steep mountain sides all around. Then I noticed a trailsign that said "Skotet". I didn't know what or where Skotet was, but there was a path, and it would take me through the forest.

My dog Troll had already walked up and down Hovdeåsen and had earned a rest (a comfortable seating in my backpack). I headed up the forest 15:30PM, looking forward to get to know a new area. It had been raining recently, and high grass and bushes made my trousers soaking wet. Besides that, the path was perfectly OK. The grade was fairly gentle, and I could keep a steady pace up the forest. Higher up, there were no more switchbacks - just one looong hill.

After having passed the dam, I got Ramstadvarden in view. For a few minutes, the sumit was free of fog. The route up seemed pretty straightforward. The question was - was there a path? The path I was on seemed to lead in the direction of Brekka, on the main ridge. I had no business there, and decided to head directly up to the ridge up to my left. After an easy meadow, I had to fight a small section of bush until I was on the ridge.

The fog came back and hid the summit, but the direction was obvious. 17:08PM, I was standing on top of Ramstadvarden. This was obviously a most excellent viewpoint, but not today. I put Ramstadvarden on my have to visit again list. I didn't feel cheated, though. I had already been to nearby mountains and have good panoramas from this part of Sunnmøre.

By 17:20PM, I was on my way down the mountain. 17:30PM, the sky was as dark as the night, and I felt raindrops. 5 minutes later it was *pouring* down. Back at the lake, Troll was let out of the backpack, seemingly just as eager as I to get back to the car. We reached the car 18:12PM, wet to the very bone, and I hadn't even brought change of clothes! But it's a short drive back to Ålesund, and within the hour (or so), we were back home.

This was my vacation week. The weather forecast promised rain all week. Hell no! The very next day, I reported back to work. In this modern age with laws and regulations, not without certain complications...

Pictures from the Aug 13 2007 trip

To Årsetvatnet

1. Arriving Ramstaddalen (190KB) 2. In Ramstaddalen (234KB) 3. The route up the forest (268KB) 4. The trailhead (320KB) 5. In the lower part of the forest (440KB) 6. In the upper part of the forest (392KB) 7. Arriving the lake (372KB) 8. Looking back on Løsethornet (323KB) 9. The dam by Lake Årsetvatnet (658KB)

To Ramstadvarden

10. Ramstadvarden comes into view (623KB) 11. Moment by Årsetvatnet (133KB) 12. Leaving the Skotet path (338KB) 13. Nice colors (410KB) 14. Ramstadvarden ahead (483KB) 15. Shifting weather (151KB) 16. Company (269KB) 17. Lakes Årsetvatnet and Svartevatnet (514KB)

On Ramstadvarden

18. Troll on Ramstadvarden (269KB) 19. Trompen (220KB) 20. Ramstadvarden summit plateau (984KB) 21. A glimpse of Stordal (317KB) 22. Less optimal views (193KB)

Descent + back home

23. Fog lift, for a brief moment (266KB) 24. Red sky, later in the evening (134KB)

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