Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal

Nonstinden, 1573m (Bøstølfjellet)
Middagstinden, 1569m

Fylke/Kommune : Møre og Romsdal/Rauma
Maps : 1319-IV Valldalen (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary factor : Nonstinden: 983m
Middagstinden: 719m
Hiked : Nonstinden: Oct 06, Middagstinden: Jul 08
See also :
Kammen Lauparen
Storbua Ådalstinden
Finnan Trollvasstindan
See also : Other Rauma mountains

Nonstinden

Nonstinden
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

Nonstinden and Middagstinden are found in the western outskirts of the Romsdal mountain region. A peninsula is found between Tresfjorden and Isfjorden/Innfjorden. The Sandfjellet - Storbua - Trollvasstinden - Litlevasstinden - Nonstinden - Middagstinden range form the "backbone" of this pensinsula, and Nonstinden is the highest mountain on this range. To the south, a valley connects to (no roads) the Åndalsnes region to Øverøye and Stordal.

The peak names are -probably- derived from the (old) Norwegian word "Nons". "Dugurds", "Middags" and "Nons" were the times of the day when the farmers returned to the farm for a meal. When the sun stood above mountains such as Nonstinden, Nonsfjellet, etc., the farmers knew that there was a meal awaiting. In many parts of Norway, this was around 15:00PM, based on the Catholic 9th hour (hora).

Both peaks, but Nonstinden in particular, are a nice skiing mountains, offering nice slopes for ascent and descent. The summer routes to Nonstinden and Middagstinden are on this site graded class 2 (YDS), which indicates that you hike off-trail, and that no scrambling is needed. Of course, you will use your hands for support in some of the boulder sections.

While Nonstinden has a quite gentle approach towards the summit, Middagstinden is steeper. Still, few would feel uncomfortable on Middagstinden. The boulder is huge, and you can't fall anywhere (unless you jump off in the wrong direction!). This page describes the normal summer routes from Bøstølen.

This area is excellent for day-hikes from a tent. 3 mountain ranges connect to the Innfjorden - Stordal valley, and a vast number of the surrounding peaks are easily accessible. It is rare to find mountains with such high primary factor (on the county and country scale), located adjacent to each other.

 

Middagstinden

Middagstinden
(Click for larger image)

 

Primary factor:

Nonstinden (Norge 1:50,000: 1573m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 1572,41m, UTM 32 V 417174 6926070) has a primary factor of 983m towards the higher parent mountain Taskedalstinden (1609m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 414811 6924065) is found just E of Lake Litlevatnet. Ref. Norge 1,50:000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 580-600m, interpolated to 590m.

Based on the ØK height - 1572,41m - Nonstinden's height should have been 1572m. Newer maps operate with 1573m, which (on this site) has been chosen as the official height. Personal GPS measurement (on top of cairn, 2,5-3m high) read 1576m.

Middagstinden (Norge 1:50,000: 1569m, Økonomisk Kartverk: -m, UTM 32 V 419583 6926423) has a primary factor of 719m towards the higher parent mountain Nonshornet (1573m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 418167 6925123) is found between points 989m and 943m. Ref. Norge 1,50:000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 840-860m, interpolated to 850m.

GPS measurement on top of the summit cairn read 1572m. Error margin not recorded.

Google map

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

 

Google maps
Google maps
(Click on image)

 

Trail descriptions

Notes: Class ratings are in reference to YDS. Click here for more information.

The trails described below are not necessarily the *easiest* trails to this mountain.

Route 1: Bøstølen - Nonstinden (summer/autumn)

Difficulty : Class 2
Exposure : No
Distance : Approx. 3,9Km to the top
Time : Approx. 2,5-3 hours to the top
Starting Elev.: Approx. 460m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 1110m
Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

Locate the place Innfjorden, approx. 10Km SW of Åndalsnes. Then locate the road to Bøstølen/Berild (signed) heading southwest. This is approx. 49Km from the E39/E136 junction south of Vestnes. Drive approx. 7Km and turn right towards Bøstølen/Berild (toll road, unmanned booth). Drive approx. 5,1Km and turn right towards Bøstølen (signed, then across a bridge). Drive 1,3Km up to the Bøstølen parking area. If you turn right here, you can drive additionally 200m up to a smaller parking area, on a slightly rougher road.

Per Sep. 2007, the toll-fee for the road to Bøstølen was NOK 50,- for passenger cars. You can pick up an invoice and pay on the internet (Excellent service!!)

The route

The peaks, seen from the air

The peaks, seen from the air
(Click for larger image)

From the upper trailhead (the smaller parking area), follow the signed trail towards Øverøye and then half-way to Lake Litlevatnet. Cross the river at a convenient place and find a good route up the meadows, in the direction of Nonstinden's southwest ridge. The meadows can become VERY wet after rain. The ridge is at its steepest around 900m, and gets gradually more level towards the top. The summit is marked by a large cairn.

Extra credit to those who stand up on a very exposed, distinct rock (above 1200m elev.) that you pass on your way up the southwest ridge. Do be careful, and don't attempt it if you think there is a chance that you might get dizzy.


Route 2: Middagstinden from Bøstølen (summer/autumn)

Difficulty : Class 2
Exposure : No
Distance : Approx. 4Km to the top  (2D distance)
Time : Approx. 2,5-3 hours to the top
Starting Elev.: Approx. 390m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 1220m (total)
Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)

Access

Same as for Route 1 above, but instead of driving 1,3Km after crossing the bridge near Bøstølen, park just after the bridge.

The route

Middagstinden

Middagstinden
(Click for larger image)

Next to the bridge, you'll see the Tindevatnet trailsign. The marked path (red paint) follows the river for 500m before it turns northbound. Cross a few meadows (the path is marked by sticks with red paint) before entering the forest. After rain, wear salmon-river trousers, or you'll get wet up to your waist. 

Follow the path up to the ridge between Nonstinden and Middagstinden. The marked path ends here, now that you have Lake Tindevatnet just ahead of you. Turn right and follow a distinct ramp/ledge on the east side of point 943m. Descend slightly before you begin the approach towards Middagstinden. Either hike the southwest ridge up to your left or stay between the southwest and south ridges. Passing 1000m elevation, you run into boulder, and you'll walk on boulder to the very summit.

You direction doesn't matter any longer, as long as it's up. One recommendation is to gradually turn east and gain the south ridge. This way, you'll get an astounding view towards Middagstinden's south face. The upper part is steeper than the rest. If you have hikers below you, don't cause rocks to fly down the mountain. The summit is marked by a proper cairn.

There are a number of very cool pinnacles near Middgstinden's summit, allowing you to do some exposed rock-climbing.


Pictures and Trip reports:


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