Norwegian Mountains, Møre og RomsdalStoretinden, 1408m (Gjuratindane /Krokfannfjellet)
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| Fylke/Kommune : | Møre og Romsdal/Ørsta,Volda | ||||||||||
| Maps : | 1219-III Hjørundfjord (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000) | ||||||||||
| Primary factor : |
Storetinden: 318m Litletinden: 109m |
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| Hiked : | Apr 2011 (Storetinden), Oct 2010 (Litletinden) | ||||||||||
| See also : |
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| See also : | Other Ørsta and Volda mountains |
Litletinden and Storetinden (right)
(Click for larger image)
Storetinden (The Great Peak) is located on the Ørsta/Volda border in the heart of the Sunnmørsalpane mountain region. There are several routes to this top, but none of them are categorized as easy. The book "Fotturar på Sunnmøre" describes a hiking route from Rognestøyldalen via Tverradalen, and the book "Skiturar i Sunnmørsalpane" describes two skiing routes; a) Fyrde - Norddalen - Storetinden and b) the Rognestøyldalen - Tverradalen - Storetinden route.
This page will describe a skiing route (works well in summer too) from Bakkedalen (you can also reach Jolhornet/Kvasshornet from here), and is by some considered to be the best winter route to Storetinden. Whether you start at Fyrde or Bakkendalen (they come together near 1300 meters), you'll have 2,3km of ridge skiing ahead of you, which is almost unique in Sunnmørsalpane.
According to the books mentions above, Storetinden is also called Gjura in Austefjorden and Bondalen, and Gjuratindane refer to the pinnacles between Storetinden and Litletinden. The name Krokfannfjellet is hardly used these days.
Litletinden and Storetinden
(Click for larger image)
Litletinden (The Little Peak) is Storetinden's lower neighbour, located 1,2km to the north/northwest. The ridge in-between requires climbing. This peak - although it might look steep from a distance - is a fairly easy hike from Kvanndalsvatnet. The route will soon be added to this page. While Storetinden is shared between Volda and Ørsta, Litletinden belongs to Ørsta. And according to the above books, the name Solskinnshatten is used in Rekkedal.
Storetinden seen from Kvasshornet
(Click for larger image)
Storetinden (Norge 1:50,000: 1408m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 1408m, UTM 32 V 363514 6889652) has a primary factor of 318m towards the higher parent mountain Kvasshornet (1409m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 365843 6888939) is found between these two peaks. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 1080-1100m, interpolated to 1090m.
Litletinden (Norge 1:50,000: 1239m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 1238,78m, UTM 32 V 363183 6890809) has a primary factor of 109m towards the higher parent Storetinden. The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 363268 6890241) is found between these two peaks. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 1120-1140m, interpolated to 1130m.
Note; If future measurements of these peaks should conclude that Storetinden is higher than Kvasshornet (the difference is today 1 meter), Storetinden's primary factor would increase from 318m to 761m or more.
Storetinden
(Click for larger image)
Google's interactive map. You can zoom, pan and click on the markers.
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| This disclaimer is regarding all of the literature and instructional guides posted on the westcoastpeaks.com website. These instructions are guidelines only, and should not be used in lieu of common sense or judgement when attempting any of the actions involved or instructed. Westcoastpeaks nor myself will not be liable nor will it indemnify any form of compensation to anyone who has injured, harmed or even killed themselves or others while following any of the instructions written within the website. It should be noted by any persons willing to undertake any of the instructions provided that mountains offer varying levels of risk, regardless of size or incline. Risks to be considered are as follows but not limited to: wild animals, weather, the terrain, bad judgement, inappropriate or insufficient equipment, improper training or experience and of course, bad luck... |
The route descriptions are valid per Apr
2011.
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Route 1: Bakkedalen - Storetinden (spring - on skis)
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Access
(all distances are approx. distances)
The starting point for this route description is Volda. Drive southeast and follow signposts towards Fyrde/Austefjord. At Fyrde/Austefjord, don't turn right towards Straumshamn, but keep driving straight ahead towards Viddal. At Kalvatn, the road turns northeast towards Bjørke and Viddal (don't take the road towards Norfjordeid). As this is being written, the Kvivsegen road is under construction, so no distances are given.
As you approach Bjørke, stay left in the forks. Follow the road to Finnes and locate the toll road to Bakkedalen. Per Apr 2011, the fee for passenger cars is NOK 30,-. Cash only. Drive all the way up to Bakkedalssætra (or as long as the snow permits) and - if possible - turn right and drive up Bakkedalen until you see the bridge on your left hand side.
Statistics; On May 25 2008, we could drive all the way up to Bakkedalssætra. On Apr 23 2011, we could drive to the east side of Bakkedalsvatnet (900 meters east of Bakkedalssætra), but we had to pass a very troublesome point further down the road.
The nearest airport is Hovden Lufthavn, located 5 minutes (driving distance) north of Volda.
The route
The Bakkedalen route to Storetinden
(Click for larger image)
From the bridge (N62.10417 E6.46962) in Bakkedalen, keep a straight west course towards the valley. Your most important task is to consider the avalanche danger from Jolhornet. Avalanches go in this mountainside all winter long, and less (of course) during spring. But keep in mind - most of it is coming down, sooner or later...
The main avalanche zone is quite breathtaking and is a place that you should try to get away from as soon as possible. Once you're into the valley proper, you're fairly safe although minor avalanches can come down on your left-hand side.
Aim for the steep hillside up from the Storetinden - Jolhornet pass. Alternatively, ascend on the south side of this ridge. Under any circumstances, an ascent on hard (or icy) snow requires ice-axe and crampons!
Once you're on the ridge, the rest of the 2,3km route to the summit is quite easy. Pass point 1363m (N62.10860 E6.41520), then descend down to 1290 meters before the final ascent. The summit (N62.11415 E6.38388) is a narrow spot, and is marked by 3-4 solid cairns.
The route up the valley
(Click for larger image)
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Route 2: Kvanndalssætra - Litletinden
(The fast route) (summer/autumn)
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Access
(all distances are approx. distances)
The starting point for this route description is Ørsta. Follow highway RV655 east towards Sæbø. Halfway between Vatnevatnet and Bondalseidet, turn right towards Bjørdal (signposted - N62.14258 E6.27843). Drive 1,4km to Bjørdal, then turn left at a road fork (N62.13521 E6.30012). Drive up Bjørdalsbakken, and after 800 meters, park at the next road fork (N62.13927 E6.30735) without blocking for other traffic.
The nearest airport is Hovden Lufthavn, located 5 minutes (driving distance) southwest of Ørsta.
The route
The fast route to Litletinden
(Click for larger image)
From the road fork, follow the road 230 meters to the north/northeast, then turn right onto the road to Kvanndalssætra (1,7km). At Kvanndalssætra, Locate a path that runs along Kvanndalsvatnet. After 600 meters, break away from the path and go off-trail up the steep slope towards the mountain ridge. Once on the ridge, follow a vague path all the way up to the trigonometric point (N62.12455 E6.37594). The ascent up to this point is quite easy. There is a cairn (N62.12454 E6.37616) 10 meter east of the trigonometric point, and this cairn might be the turnaround point for some.
The high point (N62.12441 E6.37663) is 30 meters further ahead, but the ridge in-between is quite airy. The scrambling is however easy. The high point is marked by a few rocks.
Upon descent, consider following the ridge across Grøthornet (approx. 1075m) and Eidstuva (approx. 800m). This is also a good ascent route if you are unhappy with the steep route from Kvanndalsvatnet and up to the ridge.
Even if the gate on the road to Kvanndalssætra is open, it does not mean that you are welcome to drive there. If you choose to do so, it's at your own risk. Someone may just close the gate while you're on the mountain...
The fast route to Litletinden
(Click for larger image)
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