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Except from when you're looking straight at it, Storskorka is a fairly anonymous top that is part of a mountain massif that stretch between Stordal by Storfjorden and Tresfjord by Tresfjorden/Romsdalsfjorden. And only 1,7Km southeast of Storskorka, you'll find the high saddle (633m) that connects this massif to another vast massif, stretching between Tresfjorden and Måndalen. In comparison to prominent tops such as Lauparen (1434m), Nonstinden (1576m), Storbua (1498m), Middagstinden (1569m), and Skjervan (1545m), to name a few, Storskorka has a modest appearance.
It is more tempting to say that Storstorka is a spur of Litleskorka (1164m, locally: Litleskorkja or Vesleskorkja), although it has enough "rise" (a primary factor greather than 100m) and thus, is recognized as an individual mountain on this site. An amusing point is that "Stor" means big whilst "Litle"/"Vesle" means "small". One cannot quite get rid of the thought that humor has been involved in the naming process.
The suffix Skorka or Skorkja is also used for other peaks in this region. In addition to Litleskorka, you also find Rollsbotnskorka (Rolvsbotnskorkja) and Heimste Skorkja (Ørskog/Stordal). This page suggests that the name comes from the word skarka - ’gå tungt og slepende’, which means that a hard physical effort is needed in order to reach the mountain. This web site uses the "skorka" variant, as this is the current official map name, and that gives you a hit when searching for Storskorka on the interactive map from Statens Kartverk.
In its own right, Storskorka is a beautiful peak, when seen from its finest angles. Unless you're in for climbing, Storskorka can not be reached from the north, east or south. Fortunately, the western side of the mountain offer fairly easy access in a steep (as in strenuous) hillside. A vague path can be of some help, but you might be just as well off by just following the northwest ridge, where there is very little vegetation.
A path begins down by Myrelva in Øvstedalen, and runs up the east side of the Fossåna river. You enter a beautiful, unnamed valley, where you are surrounded by Storskora, Litleskorka, Rollsbotnskorka and Brudefølget. The path runs all the way to Lake Dalsvatnet in Dalsbotnen - the inner part of the valley, but watch out for a path fork already as you begin passing Storskorka. The river Fossåna is quite a sight when melting water comes down from the mountains.
Storskorka (Norge 1:50,000: 861m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 860,99m, UTM 32 V 405528 6927867) has a primary factor of 111m, towards the higher parent mountain Litleskorka (1164m). The saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 405733 6927109) is found on between the two mountains. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle height is within the range 740-760m, interpolated to 750m.
Google's interactive map. You can zoom, pan and click on the markers.
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.
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Øvstedalen - Storskorka (summer/autumn)
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Access
(all distances are approx. distances)
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 7,7Km to Tresfjord, then turn right towards "Øvstedal". Follow this road 5,2Km and turn right onto an unmarked side road that runs down to the river.
Drive down to the river, and cross it on a bridge. 500m after you left the Øvstedalen road, you're at a quarry. Find a place to park without blocking for industry traffic.
The route
Follow a tractor road from the quarry. After 200m, the tractor road turns into a marked (red paint) and well worn (not so visible in the very beginning) forest path. The forest path runs approx. 100m east of the Fossåna river and passes a cabin at approx. 380m elevation.
From this cabin, follow the path approx. 900m and begin planning your ascent route. There is a vague path that runs up a very cumbersome low-birch section. A good advise may be to stay on the flank, and face the small obstacles that initially arise. The higher you get, the easier it gets. Make no mistake, this is a steep hillside. There is no exposure as long as you stay on the safe side of the flank. However, the very easiest route has a certain exposure.
You'll pass the unmarked high point before you reach the summit cairn, 10m further east. Descend your ascent route, or head down to the Litleskorka - Storskorka saddle and try another descent route.
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