Norwegian Mountains, Nordland
Kjøsvikfjellet and Skålvikfjellet, July 20 2009
To the main Kjøsvikfjellet and Skålvikfjellet pages (maps, route descriptions, etc.)
Kjøsvikfjellet
Mom on Kjøsvikfjellet
(Click for larger image)
It was the last day of my 2009 summer vacation in Brønnøysund, and I had no other plans than a short and easy walk up Skålvikfjellet. Actually, this was the day I had planned to return home to Sunnmøre, but the day before I visited Oksskolten - the highest peak in northern Norway and drove 654km in total. And there was no way I would get into the car for another 885km without one good day of rest.
Mom wanted to visit Kjøsvikfjellet - a top we visited together in May 2007. So I decided to join her before moving on to Skålvikfjellet. Kjøsvikfjellet was the same as it was back in 2007, except 4 things; 1) My dog Troll wasn't around anymore, 2) There was no snow (naturally..), 3) There was a drought and the small lakes were almost empty and 4) The route had now been properly marked.
The nice 9,1km walk took 2h:50m and then we headed towards Skålvikfjellet.
Skålvikfjellet
Skålvikfjellet
(Click for larger image)
As I didn't know anything about Skålvikfjellet, we just drove in the direction of the mountain (on the north side), and looked for something that could be an easy ascent route. We followed a number of small roads and ended up on a narrow gravel road that took us to the foot of the mountain. Mom decided to sit this one out. I expected the whole hike to take approx. 25-30 minutes, which was fine by her. She had her newspaper and a cold drink.
It took me exactly 20 minutes to the top, and I enjoyed the terrain very much. On top, I could see mom talk to two Dutch guys (I had noticed their license plates..) who were camping nearby. The hike down took 13 minutes and yet another Nordland top was "in the bag". Great contrasts, actually, Oksskolten (1916m) the day before and Skålvikfjellet (188m) today.
A small part of the south Helgeland coastline
(Click for larger image)
This top marked the end to a wonderful Nordland summer; 25 tops in 17 days, including Snøhetta (on the way), Oksskolten and the traverse across Strandåtindan on Kjerringøy. Superb weather almost through the entire stay, and not to forget the nice time spent with good friends.
Next report: Mehøe on Dovrefjell - on the way home
