Norwegian Mountains, Sogn og Fjordane

Lusaskard on skis, Feb 12 2011 & Dec 18 2010


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Lusaskard seen from Øvstedalen

Lusaskard seen from Øvstedalen
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1st attempt - Dec 18 2010

Not for a minute did I think that we would make it to Lusaskard on this Saturday, just before Christmas. Not only was there a lot of snow in the mountains - I was also suffering from some mysterious fatigue. We headed out from Øvstedalen and followed Furesetelvi for a little while, before we sat course for Seltuftebotnen. Anne was breaking trail all the way and I was just sobbing behind.

We decided to turn around after 2,5km. The wind was quite cold and we had still more than 3km to go. Never has a decision to turn around been easier. Upon descent, we descended along Furesetelvi. That was quite fun, and without a doubt the highlight of the trip.    

 

Along Furesetelvi

Along Furesetelvi
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2nd attempt - Feb 12 2011

After one month (at least) with shitty weather, the sun came out and as we had unfinished business on Lusaskard, the choice of a mountain was easy. It became even more easy when I learned that Anne and a colleague had been breaking trail from Hodlekve to Øvstedalen the day before. This meant that we would get a smooth ride from Øvstedalen, all the way to Furesete, and we expected that the snow on the mountain would be wind-packed.

We left Øvstedalen in gorgeous weather, and even if the mystery fatigue had recently returned, I was 100% confident that we would touch the summit cairn today.

 

Beautiful tracks!

Beautiful tracks!
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Furesete was a beautiful place, and the cabins were almost buried in snow. I felt a strong urge to ski across (and even jump from) a roof top, but concluded that the cabin owners would probably not approve...

 

 

Furesete

Furesete
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Above Furesete, the snow was wind-packed and we were just cruising towards Lusaskard. The fatigue was completely forgotten, and I enjoyed the day to the fullest. Given Anne's permanent smile, she didn't seem to have a bad day either...

We reached the summit 1:26pm - 2,5 hours after leaving Øvstedalen. It was rather cold, and we decided to have lunch inside our wind sacks. I've actually never done that before...

 

 

On Lusaskard summit

On Lusaskard summit
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We decided to descend our ascent route. The tracks would at least give our skis some speed. Going elsewhere would mean that we would just get stuck in a heap of snow. On the way down, we were almost run over by a guy on a snow mobile. With a shovel as the only gear, I bet he was going to Furesete to relieve a cabin roof from heavy snow. Whether this activity warrants the use of a snow mobile is for others to decide...

We returned to Øvstedalen 2:46pm - 4h:10m after heading out. The total distance was 12,6km and the total vertical gain was approx. 700m. Lusaskard is now in the bag. Been there. Done that. Memorable!

 

Passing Furesete on our way down

Passing Furesete on our way down
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Pictures

The pictures were taken with a Canon EOS 550D + Canon EF-S 17-85mm IS USM F 4-5.6
+ a Canon Powershot G12

 
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    Feb 12 2011                      Dec 18 2010

 

On the way to Sogndal, Feb 11 2011

1. Snøhornet 2. Velsvikskåla 3. Rotsethornet 4. The ferry to Lauvstad 5. Koppefjellet 6. Storetuva 7. Kyrshovudet 8. Ålfoten peaks 9. Hyeneshesten 10. Trollenyken 11. Lotsbergnibba 12. Eggenibba in Våtedalen 13. Vora 14. Sygnesandnipa

To Lusaskard, Feb 12 2011

15. Lusaskard seen from Øvstedalen 16. Cows, enjoying the snow 17. Storaskriki 18. A horse, relaxing in the snow 19. Heading out 20. Along the toll road 21. Up a steep hill 22. On top of the hill 23. Across a bridge 24. Moon view 25. Fox tracks 26. Follow the tracks from yesterday 27. To Furesete 28. Furesete 29. Furesete 30. Passing Furesete 31. Furesete 32. Passing Furesete 33. Annes tracks from the day before 34. Hurrungane 35. Towards Lusaskard 36. Towards Lusaskard 37. Dyrhovden 38. Towards Lusaskard 39. Fun terrain 40. Rock face 41. Lusaskard comes into view 42. Sastrugi 43. Almost there 44. Approaching the summit 45. On top of Lusaskard 46. On top of Lusaskard 47. On top of Lusaskard 48. On top of Lusaskard 49. Anne in her wind sack

Wide-angle view from Lusaskard

50. Wide-angle view from Lusaskard

Zoom views from Lusaskard

51. Zoom view from Lusaskard 52. Zoom view from Lusaskard 53. Zoom view from Lusaskard

Descent

54. Sognefjorden 55. Sognefjorden 56. To Furesete 57. To Furesete 58. Passing Furesete 59. Passing Furesete 60. Skriki 61. Down the steep hill 62. Down the steep hill

1st attempt - Dec 18 2010

63. Heading out from Øvstedalen 64. A road junction 65. In deep snow 66. In deep snow 67. Skriki 68. In Furesetelvi 69. Skriki 70. Into the bush 71. Lusaskard is still far ahead 72. Dyrhovden 73. Turning around 74. Bush skiing 75. Move! 76. Gggggggg 77. Into Øvstedalen 78. Ouch! 79. On Fureseteelvi 80. On Fureseteelvi 81. On Fureseteelvi 82. On Fureseteelvi 83. Ice 84. A cool bridge

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