Norwegian Mountains, Oppland

Myssmørhelje, 1070m
Prestkjerringa, 1060m
 

On Myssmørhelje
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

Myssmørhelje is the highest point on Skjellbreida - a small mountain region between Synnfjell and Lillehammer. More precisely; between Dokka river and Saksumdalen. The larger mountain region is known as Fåberg Vestfjell. There are numerous routes to this mountain, but this page will focus on skiing routes from Åltjerna and Bleikesætra to the south.

The view from Myssmørhelje is quite extensive. You can see the Jotunheimen, Dovrefjell and Rondane mountains at the same time! See Petter Bjørstad's panorama pictures from the summit.

Although Myssmørhelje is the high point, it is Prestkjerringa that receives the majority of visitors. Prestkjerringa is located 1,3km south of Myssmørhelje, and should be included in a round trip. Prestkjerringa has a viewfinder on the top;

Viewfinder on Prestkjerringa
(Click for larger image)

Primary factor:

Myssmørhelje (Norge 1:50,000: 1070m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 1070,3m (UTM 32 V 557721 6776743) has a primary factor of 232m towards the higher parent Mossfjellet (1072m) - 21,8km to the northwest. The defining saddle (approx. 32 V 551063 6784930) is found on the wetlands north of Kittilbua. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 835-840m, interpolated to 838m.

GPS measurement read 1072m (on the trig. point, ~1,5m high), averaged over a 5-minute period (error margin +/- 2,6m)

Prestkjerringa (Norge 1:50,000: 1060m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 1059,62m (UTM 32 V 557985 6775447) has a primary factor of 37m towards the higher parent Myssmørhelje. The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 557664 6775901) is approx. halfway between these two tops. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 1020-1025m, interpolated to 1023m.

GPS measurement read 1063m (on the cairn, ~1,5m high), averaged over a 5-minute period (error margin +/- 1,1m).

Google map

Google's interactive map. You can zoom, pan and click on the markers.
 

Trail descriptions

Route 1: Åltjern - Myssmørhelje - Prestkjerringa (winter) Difficulty : YDS Class 2 Exposure : No Distance : Approx. 6km to Myssmørhelje Time : Approx. 1,5-2 hrs to Myssmørhelje Starting Elev.: Approx. 850m Vertical Gain : Approx. 530m

Map of the area (No Javascript) Detailed map (No Javascript)

This route description is valid per March 2010

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

Note! This route description is based on the prepared tracks during Easter 2010. These tracks may of course change over time, or even next year...

The nearest bigger town is Lillehammer (Olympic village). Follow highway E6 7km south to the place Vingrom. Turn right onto RV250 (Dokka). Follow RV250 13,7km west to Lake Storlondammen. Turn right just before the lake and enter the road on the north side of the river. This is a toll road (fee NOK 50,- per March 2010). Follow the road (normally ploughed during winter) 9,4km up to Lake Vismundvatnet. Turn right and follow the road 1,7km to Åltjern.

If there are prepared tracks from here, then this is where you can start. If not, drive back to the junction and continue northwest 2km to Bleikesætra. In case there are no tracks here either, you are at least closer to the mountain.

The route from Åltjern

Follow the track northwest. The route passes a cabin after 600m, continues across a meadow, then along Bjørtjernet on its north side until it turns north towards a junction (signposted) just south of the Skjellbreida hut. Continue west/southwest 350m to another junction. Turn right for Prestkjerringa. Continue northwest towards Bekkedalen valley and follow the valley upwards. When you top out on the flats, you have Myssmørhelje right in front of you. The top is marked by a trigonometric point.

To return via Prestkjerringa; head south from Myssmørhelje (follow the terrain where it makes sense), and after  1,5km, you'll reach the Prestkjerringa cairn (and the viewfinder). From the top, descend northeast into Bekkedalen and join your ascent route. 

Pictures and Trip reports:

• Myssmørhelje & Prestkjerringa on skis, Mar 31 2010

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