Norwegian Mountains, Sogn og Fjordane

Grøndalseggi, 1423m
Hesten (Hest), 1632m (did not summit)
 

Hest and Såta
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

Hesten (Hest) and Grøndalseggi are two tops on a mountain ridge stretching from Lustrafjorden, all the way to the Jostedalsbreen glacier, with Veitastrondvatnet to the west and Tunsbergdalsvatnet to the east. Other notable tops on this ridge are Asbjørnnosi (1610m), Såta (1700m) and Kvitekoll (1780m).  

The normal starting point (430m) is Leirdalen - a side valley of Jostedalen. From the trailhead, you can reach Såta, Hest, Grøndalseggi and Asbjørnnosi, and they are all popular winter routes. Once in the Nonskar pass (approx. 1310m), you can turn left for Grøndalseggi or right for Hest and Såta. Asbjørnnosi is reached from Vetle Grøndalen - south of Grøndalseggi.

Hest
(Click for larger image)

Hest is the most challenging of these tops. You can ascend via the south or east ridge - both steep, and perhaps bordering to advanced. If the snow is hard, ice-axe and crampons are recommended. But once on top, Såta is an easy bonus top - 1km to the northwest. This page will describe the route to Hest and Grøndalseggi.

Grøndalseggi and Asbjørnnosi
(Click for larger image)

Primary factor:

Hest (Norge 1:50,000: 1632m, Økonomisk Kartverk: -, UTM 32 V 400109 6816515) has a primary factor of 42m towards the higher parent Såta (1700m). The defining saddle (approx. 32 V 399941 6816884) is found 400m northwest of Såta. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 1580-1600m, interpolated to 1590m.

Grøndalseggi (Norge 1:50,000: 1423m, Økonomisk Kartverk: -, UTM 32 V 32 V 401046 6813275) has a primary factor of 113m towards the higher parent Hest (1632m). The defining saddle (approx. 32 V 401076 6813980) is found in Nonskar. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 1300-1320m, interpolated to 1310m.

GPS measurement read 1430m (on the ground - on snow), averaged over a 5-minute period (error margin <2m).

Såta and Hest
(Click for larger image)

Google map

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

Trail descriptions

Route 1: Leirdalen - Hest - Grøndalseggi (spring - on skis) Difficulty : YDS Class 2 to Grøndalseggi, class 3 to Hest Exposure : Yes, some on the way up Hest Distance : Approx. 4km to Nonskar + 3km to Hest or 0,8km to Grøndalseggi. 16km in total (2D distance) Time : Approx. 6-7 hours (total) Starting Elev.: Approx. 430m Vertical Gain : Approx. 1500m (both tops)

Map of the area (No Javascript) Detailed map (No Javascript)

This route description is valid per Apr 2010

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The nearest town/village with an airport is Sogndal. From Sogndal, follow higway RV55 towards the northeast - in direction of Sognefjellet. At Gaupne, turn left towards Jostedalen. Follow the Jostedalen road 9,5km to the north, then turn right towards Leirdalen. Follow the Leirdalen road 2,5km up to Leirdal, where the toll road towards Tunsbergdalsvatnet begins. Pay toll and continue 2,2km (or as far as the road allows you to). Find parking alongside the road.
 

The route

Follow the road up to the dam, then aim for a cabin at 730m. Expect to switchback up the forest, and find the best route along the way. From the cabin, the terrain gets easier. Aim for the Nonskar pass. You don't see the pass in the beginning, but just head keep skiing to the west/southwest and the route will become obvious. Grøndalseggi is up to your left and Hest is up to your right.

The route from Leirdalen
(Click for larger image)

Hest:

At Nonskar, turn right and head up a short, but steep hill before the ridge becomes more gentle. Proceed across the ridge to the foot of Hest. If you are skiing and have no plan that involves Såta, then consider leaving the skis behind for the final climb.

You have a steep ridge ahead of you, and you have to pass through a small cliff. On soft snow, this might just be a steep plod (although some may dislike the exposure). On hard snow, it's a different game and ice-axe and crampons should be used. The difficult section (crux) is very short, and the terrain above is similar to the terrain below. You can also consider passing this cliff to the left. But make no mistake; a slip can you send you straight off the mountain!

Grøndalseggi:

At Nonskar, turn left and ski directly up to the top of Grøndalseggi. There is no cairn (at least not seen per May 2010). On hard snow, there is at one point a potential risk of ending up in Store Grøndalen. Avoid doing so! You can descend Grøndalseggi to the north and join your ascent route further down.

Alternative route to Hest:

You can also ascend Hest along its east ridge. After passing the cabin at 730m, start looking for a route that takes you to the top of Hestagrovi, and eventually onto the east ridge. Based on the map, this seems to be a technically easier route than the south ridge, but be aware of avalanche danger as you approach the ridge.

Pictures and Trip reports:

• Hest and Grøndalseggi, May 2 2010
• Hest and Grøndalseggi seen from other mountains