A beautiful solo hike and then a hike with the dog
Index
| Date | Peak | Height | PF | Location | WCP/FP | MAP |
| 26.04.25 | Saudehornet | 1303m | 825m | Ørsta, Norway | WCP | MAP |
| 26.04.25 | Garnestua | 654m | 417m | Ulstein, Norway | WCP | MAP |
Saudehornet (1303m), Apr 26 2025
Saturday: After a bad night with headache, I slept until 9am. After walking the dog and breakfast, I worked until 1pm and then I had a strong urge to hike something steep. I decided to let Karma rest back home and I drove to Ørsta to hike Saudehornet.
On my way to Ørsta, I could see that there was snow from Vallahornet and to the top. Not unexpected and that’s why I had brought an ice-axe. I was wearing trail running shoes, which would be slippery on snow. I needed a safety device.
I decided to hike from Vallabøen and it was all spring down there.
I had plenty of time to think about the main ascent. The upper 300 vertical meters are quite steep and if the snow was hard, that could be exciting. Maybe I should have brought crampons? But – it was 12 deg. C. and there was a limit to how hard the snow could be.
I felt I was keeping a good pace. I reached Vallahornet in 50 minutes. That’s a 750 vertical meter climb from the parking.
The rest of the hike wouldn’t be that swift. The snow would surely slow me down.
The hike up to 1000m was just a plod and I was pleasantly surprised about the good snow and the fact that 2 people above me had left perfect tracks.
The final 300 vertical meters felt surprisingly short and all of a sudden, I was just below the top. I decided to “hang out” at my position until the couple (taking pictures) were heading down.
We had a short chat. The guy told me had been skiing here 5 days earlier and caused the slush avalanche that was visible from far away. He felt the skiing conditions were better today, but they hadn’t brought skis today.
Then it was my turn on top.
I always love being on this top. The views are just phenomenal. It’s worth every drop of sweat shed on the way up the mountain…
On my descent, I soon caught up with the others and when we got down to 1000m, the others continued straight down the skiing route while I followed the ridge until I felt I could go sliding without worrying about slipping and having to self-arrest. It was good fun.
Once the snow was above me, I could keep a good pace again.
I jogged down to the water building. Just before I got there, the couple came behind me on bikes. I assume we were the only ones on the mountain today.
Man, that was fun. I was really uplifted. But now, Karma would get her hike…
Trip statistics: 9,2km, 1280 vertical meters, 2h:52m
Garnestua (654m), Apr 26 2025
Saturday: Once back home after the hike up and down Saudehornet, Karma went nuts. I had been away 4 hours, which is a small lifetime for Karma.
I decided to take her to Garnestua from Løset. When we got there, she was a bit reluctant. Maybe sleeping at home all day wasn’t the best warm-up.
After some sweet-talk, we were on our way up the mountain.
I tried to get her to drink in the (few) creeks. She didn’t want to, which was highly odd and unusual. She’s always thirsty in the beginning of the hikes. Oh well, can’t force water into her.
I hoped things would get better when we reached the top. She’s always very positive to downhills…
On top, she was (of course) good and ready for treats.
She had definitely earned them…
From the top, I had a clear view towards Saudehornet – which I just had hiked…
I also had a good view towards my home island – Gurskøya.
Before descending, we went over to a viewpoint where we could overlook Ringstaddalen valley.
Then it was time to get off the mountain. We took the east ridge, leading us down to lake Mørkevatnet – where Karma finally got to satisfy her thirst.
My total vertical gain today was 1750m. I’m already 1000m ahead of plan this week. I can actually relax tomorrow. Time will tell if I will…
Trip statistics: 5,5km, 470 vertical meters, 1h:33m
