Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal
 

Skåla, 1008m (Velsvikskåla, Vedeldskåla)
 

Fylke/Kommune : Møre og Romsdal/Volda
Maps : 1119-II Volda  (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary factor : 369m
Hiked : Feb 2010
See also :
Snøhornet Høgenipa
Skoratinden Trollkoppehornet
Kornbergveten Sandhornet
Lidaveten Helgehornet
Blåtind Laupsnipa
Koppefjellet Korsfurnakken
See also : Other Volda mountains

Velsvikskåla

Velsvikskåla
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

Skåla is located on the north side of the peninsula defined by Syvdsfjorden, Rovdefjorden, Voldsfjorden and Dalsfjorden. The mountain is known by several names - all depending on which side of the mountain you are, but Skåla refers to the bowl on the north side of the massif. Skåla and its neighbours Skoratinden, Storhornet and Sandegga/Trollkoppehornet are also known as Rovdefjella - the peaks south of Rovdefjorden.

Compared to the surrounding mountains, Skåla is huge. As such, there are several routes to the top. One popular route in summer/autumn runs via Ulvestadsætra, Botnaskardet and Sandfjellhaugen. This page will describe a skiing route from Løndalsvegen - a route that perhaps is a little cumbersome in places...

 

Skåla seen from Fossanipa

Skåla seen from Fossanipa
(Click for larger image)

 

The view from the top is superb. The 360 degree panorama includes most of the Ytre Søre Sunnmøre region, as well as the majority of the Sunnmørsalpane mountain range that belong to Ørsta and Volda. This is a view you will never forget!

 

Skåla

Skåla
(Click for larger image)


 

Primary factor:

Skåla (Norge 1:50,000: 1008m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 1007,97m, UTM 32 V 335995 6896302) has a primary factor of 369m towards the higher parent mountain Snøhornet (1024m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 335921 6894864) is found between Sandfjellhaugen and Kjerringa. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is defined through a fixed point - 639m.

GPS measurement read 1011m (on the cairn - 1m high), averaged over a 5-minute period (error margin +/- 1,1m).

 

Rovdefjella

Rovdefjella
(Click for larger image)

 

Google map

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

 

Google maps
Google maps
(Click on image)

 

Trail descriptions

The route descriptions are valid per Feb 2010.

Route 1: Løndalen - Skåla  (west ridge - summer/autumn)

Difficulty : YDS Class 2
Exposure : No
Distance : Approx. 5,5km to the top (2D distance)
Time : Approx. 3,5-4 hours to the top
Starting Elev.: Approx. 130m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 900m
Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The starting point for this route description is Volda. Take the ferry to Lauvstad, then turn right at the first junction. Drive 600 meters up a hill, then turn left. Drive 500 meters up to Gjerdet, then turn right onto Løndalsvegen. After 350 meters, turn right again. Drive 400 meters up to the beginning of the toll road to Ulvestadsætra. Turn left and ask for permission to park near the houses (N62.15609 E5.91840). This is the same trailhead as described for Snøhornet.

There is also a forest road on the north side of Ulvestadelva, but the distance to the mountain is shorter from the trailhead described above.

The route

The route

The route
(Click for larger image)

 

From the parking, follow the toll road to Ulvestadsætra for approx. 400 meters. Turn right, cross the meadow, then Ulvestadelva (may be a bit cumbersome), then the road on the north side of the river before you climb the forest east of Fonnelva. Follow a route that is convenient and aim for the saddle between Skåla and Dyna. From this saddle, follow the ridge upwards, past Litlenipa, then up a broad ridge to the summit cairn (N62.16279 E5.85107).

Note that the Skåla - Dyna ridge can be dangerous if the snow is hard. Avalanche danger must be considered in the forest below the saddle point. It is also possible to follow a (steep) route below the ridge, on the south side.

 

Skåla seen from Snøhornet

Skåla seen from Snøhornet
(Click for larger image)




Pictures and Trip reports:


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