From little snow on the coastline to snow-bonanza in Sogndal
Index
| Date | Peak | Height | PF | Location | WCP/FP | MAP |
| 29.01.24 | Garnestua | 654m | 417m | Ulstein, Norway | WCP | MAP |
| 30.01.24 | Haddalshornet | 611m | 103m | Ulstein, Norway | WCP | MAP |
| 31.01.24 | Heida | 239m | 126m | Herøy, M&R, Norway | WCP | MAP |
| 01.02.24 | Rambjøra | 132m | 109m | Herøy, M&R, Norway | WCP | MAP |
| 02.02.24 | Stedjeåsen | 625m | 123m | Sogndal, Norway | WCP | MAP |
| 03.02.24 | Stedjeåsen | 625m | 123m | Sogndal, Norway | WCP | MAP |
| 04.02.24 | Stedjeåsen | 625m | 123m | Sogndal, Norway | WCP | MAP |
Garnestua (654m), Jan 29 2024
Monday: The weather forecast for the week was depressing, but this afternoon, it was supposed to be just “cloudy”. I put my trust in it and chose to hike Garnestua from Haddal, with the intention to return via Ringstaddalen.
The long summit ridge would be a very exposed place for the dog if the weather turned into more than “cloudy”.
The good news was that it didn’t seem like snow depth would be a problem today.
A little up in the forest, I felt raindrops. What was going on with the weather? It didn’t look good.
But the weather remained sort of stable and we made our way up the forest.
I envied Karma, who didn’t seem to have a single worry in the world…
Eventually, we reached the high ridge, and the weather wasn’t any worse. This looked good!
We sat course for the top, hoping the weather to the east would remain – to the east.
Karma was certainly enjoying the icy crust. I didn’t. It seemed to hold – for like half a second – then it didn’t hold.
We reached the top and I could see that snow would not be an issue on the north side either.
The route down was icy but it helps to know this path inside and out.
Further down, we took a short-cut that didn’t live up the intention of a short-cut, but eventually we reached the road.
Now, we had only 3,3km back to the car. I enjoy walking down Ringstaddalen after dark. It gives me a welcomed opportunity to just … think.
For the first time, I tried photographing a river after dark. That didn’t go well at all, which served as inspiration to figure this out.
A good hike and a good start to the week.
Trip statistics: 8,8km, 620 vertical meters, 2h:17m
Haddalshornet (611m), Jan 30 2024
This hike is featured on a separate post…
Heida (239m), Jan 31 2024
Wednesday: The extreme weather “Ingunn” was hitting the Norwegian coastline, but it was the northern part of Norway that got the hardest impact. We were clearly in the outskirts, but that didn’t mean it was pleasant to be outside. Our local municipality advised us to stay indoors.
I decided to walk the dog in the forest. And so, I drove to Leikanger skule to hike Heida.
Karma didn’t seem all that interested. Most likely due to the rain. She wanted to discuss the sofa option. But sofa time must be earned.
I had a trick up my sleeve, though. Off-trail! Karma forgot all about the rain and went into “scanning mode”.
It’s quite nice to walk about in the forest, not having to worry about the ticks. At least, I assume they haven’t come out from their hiding yet.
When we reached the top, it wasn’t as windy as I had hoped/feared.
It was just an ordinary rainy day.
But on our way down, there was this roar. You know, the sound from a subway train about to come out of the tunnel. The sound is just building and building and then it just gets all quiet. Except that we got “hosed down” (a hefty rain shower) before it got quiet. And then it started building again…
We were OK down in the forest, except that it was raining more and more.
I had brand new Gore-Tex pants, but my jacket was from 2017 and there wasn’t all that “Gore left in it”. Still, it did the job and allowed me to extend the hike.
We went down to Feirelia, from where we went into terrible off-trail terrain. First, it was incredible muddy (cow terrain), then we had to get across a high fence. Eventually, we found a tractor road that would take us back to the road. But I managed to go off-trail one more time and it was just … terrible.
But, once out of the shower, in dry clothes and with dinner on its way, it’s all forgotten.
Trip statistics: 6,6km, 355 vertical meters, 1h:34m
Rambjøra (132m), Feb 1 2024
Thursday: As I was driving to Sogndal in the afternoon, I decided to spend my lunch break on walking Karma up and down my local forest top Rambjøra.
I knew that when I finally got to Sogndal, hiking or skiing was the last thing I wanted to do.
After the snowmelt over the past week, we once again had a tiny layer of snow.
Right now, it was just perfect conditions for me. I could hike any top along the coastline and ski any top in the Ørsta/Volda region. I do like having the choice. But Sogndal meant full winter and no hiking. On the other hand, it would also be nice to get to a different landscape, after being home a month. But the main thing was of course to be with my girlfriend…
Then, we headed back down. My lunch break was 30 minutes, and so was this hike.
I looked to the east to see what kind of weather conditions I could expect on my drive to Sogndal. The answer was “any”.
It took me 4 hours to get to Sogndal. For the most part, driving conditions were OK. I was overall lucky. But it was annoying to come from a snow-free road on the Volda-side of the Kvivsvegen tunnel, to a slushy road on the Grodås-side. Two different budgets for plowing, or just bad coordination.
When I got to Sogndal, Anne was at the gym, so I took Karma for a walk down by the fjord.
The weekend weather forecast was not good, and the avalanche danger was “13 on a scale to 5”. But I expected that I would have the chance to at least ski Stedjeåsen during the weekend.
Trip statistics: 2,5km, 140 vertical meters, 0h:30m
Stedjeåsen (624m), Feb 2 2024
Friday: When with Anne, she has the responsibility of walking the dog in the morning and in the evening. It’s an arrangement I’m mighty pleased with…
After work, I decided to ski to Stedjeåsen. Solo. The dog would not stand a chance even if “Trakkarlaget” had kept the trail open. They hadn’t and so it was up to me to contribute to this.
I could not remember a more strenuous ski-ascent. For the first time, I sat goals, like “to the next bend” or “up this hill”. Moreover, it was pouring down.
But my main motivation was to break the trail so maybe I could bring Karma along in the weekend.
I was skiing on Randonnée equipment, which was a necessity for me – in this forest which definitely is not known for nice downhill skiing. But it helps to have skied here before.
The snow ON the skis felt like a ton, and so did the snow that was glued under my skins. But I also found motivation to get to the next tree, where the snow wasn’t so deep.
Finally, I reached the meadow on top of the forest, and I decided to ski up to the high point – where hardly anyone goes.
It had turned dark when it was time for the descent, and I switched my headlamp on. The descent went easier than expected. The wet snow was just great to ski in. If I wanted speed, I could follow my track, if I needed to brake, I could just ski outside my track.
It went well until I got an awkward passage that was too narrow to just ski down. When I skied on the outside, one ski got stuck in a branch that was glued to the ground. I fell head on and did 3 somersaults before I stopped. I had one ski left on my foot and no poles. Within these few seconds, I found myself to be “present in them” and decided to relax, not fight against it and just let gravity work. After going back up to retrieve my ski and poles, I continued down the forest, safe and sound.
When I got back to Anne’s place, I was legitimately wet to the bone, and so was everything in my backpack.
Trip statistics: 6,8km, 590 vertical meters, 2h:01m
Stedjeåsen (624m), Feb 3 2024
Saturday: The primary intention of breaking trail to Stedjeåsen the day before, was so that I could bring Karma in the weekend. The weather wasn’t great, but it was good enough for one more trip. I persuaded Anne to come along. She wasn’t too keen on skiing down this forest. I can sympathize, but if it’s a bit crazy, it’s also a bit fun. If you ask me…
After rain and snowmelt, there was less snow than the day before, but it wasn’t difficult to see that Karma had a much easier life on the track, compared to her off-trail escapades.
She was properly dressed today, that’s for sure.
It was raining light when we headed out, and as expected – higher up in the forest, it was snowing.
Which also meant that the snow was brilliant.
It was snowing quite noticeably when we reached the meadow on top of the forest.
But the spirit was good!
Now, we could focus on enjoying the descent to the fullest.
Those times Karma didn’t seek our legs, it was fun!
In the afternoon, we went to the cinema to watch the documentary “Sau” (Sheep). It was a feelgood documentary about a small farm in northern Norway where the farmers had a personal relationship with every sheep. Very touching and food for thought!
Trip statistics: 6,5km, 590 vertical meters, 2h:32m
Pictures (Canon EOS RP/Samsung Galaxy) from the trip:
Stedjeåsen (624m), Feb 4 2024
Sunday: Like all other Sunday mornings, Anne went down to Sogndalsfjøra for a swim – and took Karma with her.
I came down half an hour later to chat with the others and to pick her up.
It was snowing when I drove down but then it cleared up and I decided to go for another ski-trip to Stedjeåsen.
I reckoned it hadn’t been snowing that much and decided to bring Karma along.
The lower part of the forest went just fine for her.
Then it started snowing again.
As the snow got deeper, Karma seemed to lose her “mojo” and started trailing instead of leading.
Finally, we reached the upper meadow and Karma saw and end to her struggle. At least an end to her ascent struggle.
We reached the top, Karma got her treats, I removed the skins and looked forward to a beautiful descent in powder snow.
Karma had no problems going down the forest and I had a mighty good time!
In the afternoon, we had invited our friends Liv and Rein Arne for home-made Sushi.
Afterwards, we went down (along with our friends) to Sogndal Kulturhus to enjoy the “Sound of the 60’s“
Stardalen Mannskor (Men’s choire) were fabulous and so were the skilled musiscians that gave us a very memorable evening! Personal favorites: California Dreaming (Mamas…), While my guitar… (Beatles) and Any day now (Dylan)
Trip statistics: 6,5km, 590 vertical meters, 1h:58m
