Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal
Liadalsnipa (924m) - normal route, Aug 16 2010
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Liadalsnipa
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My colleagues Ansgar and Jakob had a strong desire to plant the flag on top of Liadalsnipa this autumn, and as I just love this peak, I wanted to come along. On this gorgeous mid-August Monday, we decided that the hike was on for the same afternoon. I also invited my colleague Terje B. to come along. Given the short notice, and the fact that he lives in Ålesund, he would have to borrow clothes and boots from me. We all got together at Eiksund and drove to the Liadalsnipa trailhead at Halse.
We headed out 4:55pm and were soaking wet from sweating five minutes later. I hadn't eaten anything since lunch and I felt a bit dizzy. An energy drink helped the situation, as well as soaking my hat in the creek above the forest.
Liadalsnipa looks rather intimidating as you head towards it, and I wondered how the others would do up on the steep ridge. Well, I wasn't wondering about Terje. we've done several hikes and climbs together (Hundatinden, Bladet, Slogen, Lodalskåpa, Middagshornet,...) and I know he doesn't spook easily. Time would tell. In any case, I didn't worry. Intimidating as it may look, Liadalsnipa isn't difficult. Lots of people climb this mountain, and there are few accidents.
We passed Nakkevatnet, ascended up to the main ridge and started really enjoying this wonderful mountain, the views and the gorgeous afternoon.
Enjoying the day
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As the scrambling begun, Ansgar and Terje seemed to have a real good time. Jakob hadn't been up anything this steep and exposed before, and expressed a sincere respect for the terrain surrounding him. The route has three notable scrambling points where hands and legs really come into play (YDS class 3), and I suggested it would be helpful if we climbed the first point back down again. As the other points aren't any harder than the first, then there would be no reason to worry about the descent as we continued upwards. It was just a theory. I forgot to ask if it worked...
The first scrambling point
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As expected, we were not alone up here. More hikers were coming up from the valley, and many of them were up here for the first time. And some were not particularly looking forward to the descent. The second and third scrambling points were easier than I remembered them to be. This was the 4th time I was on Liadalsnipa, and the route seems easier every time. But we were not up yet. The upper part is a bit nasty, with loose scree on the path.
A beautiful pyramid shape
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The rest of the hike upwards went just fine, and we arrived on the summit 7pm - roughly 2 hours after heading out. Cameras and phones "went hot", and in this modern day and age, I suspect that families also were taking a real-time part in the event. And after a little while, it was possible to gather the team for a group picture ;)
On top!
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The guys really enjoyed being on this summit, so I had to chase them on their way back down. It would be late by the time I got back home, and I didn't want to miss my beer while posting the highlights on Facebook...
Terje got the idea
that he should descend Liadalsnipa without using his hands. On the roughest
sections, this meant some serious a$$work, and I strongly objected to the idea.
Not because of his safety (knowing well he can take care of himself) but because he was
wearing my shorts!!
Terje and his no-hands project
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Jakob maintained his respect for the mountain throughout the descent, Ansgar kept smiling like he had done all afternoon, and Terje successfully completed his no-hands project (it looked fun, and I am considering this for my next trip up there...) and we all returned to the trailhead safe and sound at 9:06pm. I gave Ansgar a lift back to Eiksund, and we enjoyed a drive without a roof and an emerging red sky above Liadalsnipa. The highlights got posted on FB, I got my beer and the others seemed fairly happy about the afternoon...
Looking back on the ridge
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