Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal

Storknubben, 1208m (Sessknubben)

Fylke/Kommune : Møre og Romsdal/Vestnes
Maps : xxx (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary factor : 118m
Visited : June 2007
See also : Øspetinden
See also : Sandfjellet/Storbua
See also : Sandfjellet
See also : Hoemstinden
See also : Helsetnakken
See also : Trolltinden/ Svartevasstinden / Prosten

Storknubben (left) seen from Hoemstinden

Storknubben (left) seen from Hoemstinden

Introduction

Storknubben and Øspetinden are two tops on a massif that connects to the Sandfjellet - Storbua massif via Hoemskardet pass. Neither top would fall into the family hike category, but it would be wrong to refer to them as difficult. Storknubben is easiest reached from Lake Måsvatnet, and up the west ridge. As there is no marked route to the top, finding the best route is key. There may be several access points, but this page describes a route that (more or less) sticks to the west ridge all the way. The terrain is rough and steep, but not harder than YDS class 2+.

Those who wants to add flavor to the trip, may traverse the Øspetinden - Storknubben ridge. Expect to use crampons and ice axe in winter, and scrambling in the summer. Some carry their skis, and have a good ski descent from Øspetinden. The full traverse is not described on this page, but the route description section will give you an idea on how to get half-way across, and perhaps some hints for the route ahead.

As from Øspetinden, you get good views from Storknubben too. While the mountain ridge stretching between Stordal and Måndalen will limit your view beyond, the views from southwest to northeast are quite good. You should easily be able to recognize Jakta and Slogen, 51Km to the southwest. You will also see Sukkertoppen in Ålesund, as well as high peaks above Romsdalen and Eikesdalsvatnet.

Storknubben seen from southeast

Storknubben seen from southeast

On some pictures taken before June 2007, you may see the name Sessknubben used on one of the smaller tops on the ridge towards Øspetinden. This has been a misunderstanding. Sessknubben is just another name for the whole mountain, Vesleknubben included. Regarding the two distinct smaller tops along the ridge, they are referred to as Kvitknubben and Svartknubben on this site, for reference purposes. According to locals, these tops do not have any names.

Primary factor:

Storknubben (Norge 1:50,000: 1208m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 1207,87m, UTM 32 V 409382 6934227) has a primary factor of 118m, towards the higher parent Øspetinden (1228m). The saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 409712 6933209) is found between the two tops. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is defined within the range 1080-1100m, interpolated to 1090m.

Storknubben (right of center) seen from Trolltinden

Storknubben (right of center) seen from Trolltinden

Google map

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

Trail descriptions:

Notes: Class ratings are in reference to YDS. Click here for more information.

The trails described below are not necessarily the *easiest* trails to this mountain.

Hoem - Storknubben (summer/autumn)

Difficulty : Class 2+ (YDS)
Exposure : No
Comments : Rough terrain on the west ridge
Distance : Approx. 6,4Km to the top
Time : Approx. 3 hours to the top
Starting Elev.: Approx. 50m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 1180m (total)
Map of the area
Map of the area
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Detailed map
Detailed map
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Access

(All distances are approx.)

From Ålesund, follow highway E136->E39 towards Åndalsnes. From the E136/E39/Olsvika roundabout near Breivka, follow E39 47,1Km (passing the place Sjøholt along the way). Turn right towards "Åndalsnes". Drive approx. 10,5Km (you pass the place Tresfjord along the way) and turn right onto a narrow road, just after a bus-stop on the right-hand side. Drive 300m up this road and park alongside the road, well below the uppermost house.

The route

Go up the barn by the house, and follow a tractor road in the northeast direction. At the end of the field, on the left-hand side, you will see the forest trail, marked with red paint. After approx. 1,2Km, 210m elevation, turn right onto a narrow forest path (the red marking continues here). This path soon joins a forest trail coming from the north. After a while, the forest trail becomes a forest path, and continues all the way up to Hoemssætra.

From Hoemssætra, follow the path that runs towards Lake Urvatnet. Pass this lake, and Lake Måsvatnet before you turn left, leave the path and head up the broad shoulder leading to Storknubben's west ridge.

Head straight up the ridge. When you reach the upper cliffband, you'll notice that a gully ends to your right. Cross the top of this gully and aim for a distinct gap on the cliffband. From this gap, stay on the ridge except for when it is easier to seek towards the right. Head back onto the ridge once obstacles has been passed to the right, and you will reach the summit without any difficulties. The summit is marked by a low, but distinct cairn.

It is likely that there also is a route up Storknubben's (steep) north flank. This is the winter skiing route, although crampons and an ice axe may be required in the upper section. The north ridge has a gap which is has a high drop and it is not trivial to get up this ridge.

The traverse

From Storknubben, head across the plateau. In winter, make sure you stay on the west side of the ridge, because of cornices. Descend until you're in front of a large cliff that blocks further access. On this site, this cliff has been named Kvitknubben, because of the white color on the rock facing east. Head down along the cliff until you see the top of a sharp cliff. Turn left here, and either scramble up a short YDS class 3 step, or curve around on the back side and follow a 2+ route that gets you on a direct path towards the top.

Descend Kvitknubben along the ridge crest. Be aware of slab rock with a rotten surface. You'll run into an obstacle which is easily scrambled just to the right, but without descending from the ridge crest. This is however an exposed point, and a fall will send you tumbling down the gully. There isn't any easier alternatives further down the gully, unless you descend most of the hillside. No further details can be given, but word has it that the cliffband below the next top (named Svartknubben on this site) can be scrambled in one of the vertical gullies below the top.

Storknubben (left of center) seen from Helsetnakken

Storknubben (left of center) seen from Helsetnakken

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