Via the Nonsrabben ridge
| 04.09.26 | Mosaksla | 527m | 449m | Brønnøy, Norway | WCP | MAP |
Friday: My last full day in Brønnøysund in 2026, unless unexpected things happen. As the weather was great, I decided to revisit the Nonsrabben route to Mosaksla. A chaotic, annoying and fun route I did back in 2018.
I didn’t really remember many details, except: a) route-finding is key in the lower forest and b) there is a rope that you really feel like holding on to…
I drove to the regular trailhead on the north side and left my bicycle there. Then I drove back to Hildurs Urtearium and parked there.
As I approached Nonsrabben, I got the stupid idea to approach the ridge from the left. If I hiked across Brennheia, I would have to descend before I could continue up the ridge. So why not just come from the left, straight up into the pass?
Meanwhile, my eyes were all over the place. Like, would it be possible to get up north of Bjønndalstinden?
My route up to the ridge got steeper and steeper. There was a point where I thought that this was impossible, if I were to preserve a minimum level of risk. I was in a cleft, and I clearly could not scramble straight up. So, I would have to try my luck further right. I got up but I was not happy about my choice of route.
The Nonsrabben route – which is challenging enough in itself – looked like a walk in the park after my initial ascent up to the ridge.
Another thing I remembered from the 2018 hike, was – stay left! The lower part of the ridge is very chaotic and if you’re too optimistic, you’ll just run into problems.
My “stay left” approach led me into a corridor that vaguely felt familiar.
The exit point didn’t…
But finally, I reached the route’s crux point and I noticed that the rope had been replaced by a chain.
There is nothing difficult about the chain section. You place both feet firmly in two obvious spots, then you hold on to the chain while you move your feet one step up. And then you’re done. The only problem here is the mental one. There is a really deep cleft just below your feet.
The route doesn’t “let up” after the chain. Route-finding is still required and you will find that your hands are eagerly willing to support you in your progress…
I cursed myself for not bringing water. Fortunately, I had “Seigmenn” in the backpack…
After a little while, the route turns overall “centric” and the choices are never complicated.
Higher up, I could see another section that didn’t immediately scream out as “a walk in the park”, but since I had gone up here once before, I assumed the problem was negotiable.
When I arrived there, the problem vanished and I could follow a “bush route” that was far easier than what I had expected.
I was pretty sure I was “home free” now…
I could lower my shoulders and enjoy the adjacent terrain…
The ridge actually descended a few meters before it continued upwards…
I was quite happy with the ascent so far. This had been good fun!
A picture of Brønnøysund and Torghatten was mandatory, like always…
For some reason, I thought I was almost up. I wasn’t…
After a while, a cairn finally came into view, and I was 100% sure this was the top…
Meanwhile, I said to myself that it was high time I visited Trollvasstinden – the high point on Vega Island – again. Hopefully, already in 2027. Surely, it’s at least 30 years since I was there the last time…
Also, it was high time I revisited Høyholmstindan. That’s also a magnificent hike…
To my “despair”, I hadn’t reached the top. Not that I was in a hurry per se, but I had promised to help mom with various stuff and the hike had taken more time than I thought it would. Not only was I not on top, I had to descend the mountain and bike back to the car…
I picked up speed and approached the top quickly.
And then I was on top, for the second time this week…
Fog started to move in, but I had already taken all the pictures I wanted.
I didn’t care if the fog encapsulated the mountain entirely. I knew the route down quite well…
The descent along the north side route was swift and I picked up my bicycle at the trailhead – now resembling a quarry. 10 minutes and 3,8km later, I was back at my starting point.
A superb hike!
Trip statistics: 4,5km on foot, 3,8km on bike, 580 vertical meters, 2h:18m
