Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal
Godøyfjellet

Kjerringtindane, June 3 2008

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The exact definition ...

of the map name Kjerringtindane (Økonomisk Kartverk), is unknown to me. But I tend to refer to the pinnacle ridge on the east side of the Kjerringgjølet couloir. I had wanted to visit this ridge for over two years, and on this nice afternoon in June, I finally took the trip. 

 

Kjerringtindane

Kjerringtindane (Click for larger image)

I walked up the normal route to Lesten, and descended slightly along the path before I left the dog. Tied up and with enough water. I headed down the ridge towards Kjerringtindane, and it struck me that the terrain was much easier than I had pictured it to be. This was merely a research mission, and I hadn't brought any gear. I hadn't considered it to be realistic that I would reach the pinnacles without a rope.

The flies have come to town

Hard as I tried, it was impossible to ignore them. They followed me from the car and until I returned to the car. Are they not supposed to come in July? Well it's been a mighty hot spring, so.. 

As the ridge got steeper, I stopped thinking about them. The ridge turned sharper and more rugged. The rocks on the ridge couldn't be trusted. But still, it was fairly easy to descend. I would say the ridge down to the highest pinnacle was YDS 2+ (moving carefully using hands for handhold and balance).

The highest pinnacle ..

looked intimidating and doable at the same time. I took a closer look. Getting half-way up was the technical crux (YDS 4), but there was no exposure involved in the move. From my half-way up position, I couldn't quite reach the top. Climbing to the top would be easy, but the handholds were not that excellent. Getting down would be harder. I climbed back down. Then I went back up (half-way) and considered my future. After concluding I had one, I climbed to the top, leaving a small rock I had brought along.

The highest pinnacle

The highest pinnacle (Click for larger image)

As expected, getting down was less easy, but I sorted out the sequence of handholds and made it down, safe and sound. But with a certain rush inside..

The lowest pinnacle ..

looked harder. Much harder. Not the climb itself, but getting there. The ridge route didn't difficult, but it was just on the borderline of what I wanted to do with hiking boots on. With climbing shoes, I know I would have at least tried. So, now I have a good reason to come back. Along with a hiking mate. A rope is probably a sensible thing to bring along. When I saw this pinnacle on my Kjerringryggen hike, an eagle was sitting on the lower pinnacle. That's when I decided that I wanted to on top of it too. Why? Don't ask. Please..  

I went back up..

and picked up my dog who was snoring. Watching him work his way down from Lesten made me think - "God! you've turned two years older within the last two months". Is it the heat or his age? Time will tell..

Pictures

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

 

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Down to Kjerringtindane

1. To Lesten 2. Lesten summit ahead 3. Beautiful light 4. Down the ridge 5. Pinnacles come into view 6. The pinnacles 7. The pinnacles 8. Having climbed the highest 9. Moving on down the ridge 10. Climbing a lower rock 11. The lower pinnacle. Not today.. 12. Gap on the ridge 13. The lower pinnacle 14. View down

Back up, then home

15. Another pinnacle. Rotten terrain 16. Passing the highest pinnacle 17. View up the ridge 18. The highest pinnacle 19. Collecting Troll 20. A fishing boat 21. Seagulls

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