Brøknipa Trip Report, Apr 19 2003

Trip report Apr 19 2003

After a lot of hiking this Easter, I was looking for an easy mountain. This was to be a "rest day". I had noticed the day before that the entire ridge from Skaftå to Utegardsnipa was snow-free. Besides, I needed to update my Brøknipa web page. Further, I just love this mountain. One of my favourites. I've only visited this mountain once before, in January 2001. That was a strenuous winter's hike that took 2,5 hours to the top. With Troll riding the backpack. I expected a far easier hike this time.

I drove to the Skaftå trailhead and headed out 13:45PM. I had chosen a late start time, hoping to get better sunlight for the pictures. In the morning, the light was just too bright. At Haugane, I got my first views towards the mountain. The trail vanished, and I made some efforts to find it again. I seemed to remember that there was a trail running across further down to my right, but I decided to stay on the middle of the ridge. I found a faint trail, which eventually turned into a trail leading me towards the left. When I got clear views down to Skaftådalen valley (left), I joined a marked trail that was running upwards. Higher up, this trail led me to the righthand side of the ridge, and I arrived at a flagpole with a "Bruvik" sign. The bush markings continued down the steep hill, and I understood that this was the trail to Ytre Bruvik. The trail up the mountain was not marked, but it was simply just a matter of following the terrain.

On top of Utegardsnipa, I saw a crowded summit. No wonder, given the beautiful weather. In the pass, I went down to the stream outlet and looked down the long and steep couloir. The couloir wasn't all that steep, and could clearly work as an interesting route up the mountain. I climbed up to Brøknipa and looked down the second couloir (Indre Gjelet), which is the steepest one. Skiers run down here. I realize I only score average on the courage scale. However, I was quite confident that I could scramble/hike this couloir. It was clearly steepest at the top, but it looked quite doable. I have a feeling I will try this couloir some day.

I signed the gustbook on top, which I arrived 15:10PM. There had been at least 30 people up here today. And it seemed to have been busy up here all Easter. I spent some time on the summit, enjoying the familiar views in all directions. I noticed that most people came up from Trollskardet via Flatafjellet. There is also a direct approach from Trollskardet, but few people go there when there is snow, it seemed. Then I headed down the Bruvik trail at 15:50PM. Those I spoke with said this trail was steep. On my way down, it was clear that it is important to explain what steep is. Yes, the hillside is steep. The trail is only strenuous (going up). It is never exposed or dangerous in any sense (at least when snow-free). On my way down, I looked up towards the couloirs. Now, that's steep! The term "steep" is highly subjective, and a problematic word indeed.

The trail was quite visible and led me to a gate. It seemed like the trail continued into the forest to my right. On the other hand, I saw further markings across the gate. I decided to head into the forest, but that didn't feel right, so I jumped the fence further down, trying to find the other route. At the gate, another trail went left, and this was probably the right trail, going around the fenced area. In the grassy hills, I lost the trail several times, but found it again, and followed it all the way down to someone's back yard. This trail is impossible to see from the road. And no trail signs. I realized I'm writing all these pages for a reason. After walking a couple of Km, I was back at the car approx. 17:10PM.

Pictures from the Apr 19 2003 hike:

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Some of the thumbnails may have been cropped to fit the format.

The mountain seen from the road (138KB) The trailhead (141KB) The flagpole marking the Ytre Bruvik trail (194KB) The route from Skaftaa (154KB) Lake Storavatnet (184KB) View down the first couloir (168KB) Lake Storavatnet seen from the summit (134KB) Sorfjorden panorama from Broknipa (257KB) Bergsdalen mountains seen from Broknipa (386KB) View down couloir 2 (198KB) Broknipa summit (163KB) Hananipa (116KB) Vaksdal panorama (167KB) The couloirs seen from below (151KB) From the trail near Ytre Bruvik (146KB) Sea view from Ytre Bruvik (139KB) Osteroy view from highway E16 (153KB)

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