Norwegian Mountains, Sogn og Fjordane
Bjørnabreen, 1464m
Keipen, 1417m
| Fylke/Kommune : | Sogn og Fjordane county/Balestrand municipality | ||
| Maps : | 1317-III Balestrand (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000) | ||
| Primary factor : |
Bjørnabreen: 746m Keipen: 17m |
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| Hiked : | Jul 27 2014 | ||
| See also : |
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| See also : | Other Sogn og Fjordane mountains on westcoastpeaks.com |
Bjørnabreen
(Click for larger image)
Bjørnabreen ...
is the highest peak in the vast mountain region south of Gaularfjellet, west of Fjærlandsfjorden and north of Sognefjorden. This region is over 40km long from west to east and 25km from south to north. This region covers the municipalities of Balestrand, Høyanger and Gaular.
The mountain is easiest reached from Esebotn by Esefjorden, just northwest of Balestrand and this is the route described further down on this page. The "breen" part of the mountain name implies that this is a glacier, but you don't need to be part of a roped team in order to reach the top. But parts of the route runs across a couple of boulder areas so experience from off-trail hiking is recommended.
Keipen ...
is a cool viewpoint 0,9km east of Bjørnabreen summit and it is easy to visit Keipen on your trip to Bjørnabreen. Keipen marks the western part of a rugged ridge that continues to the east and ends in a steep drop into Esebotn.
Keipen (left)
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Primary factor:
Bjørnabreen (1,50:000: 1464m, Økonomisk Kartverk.: -, UTM 32 V 361731 6793261) has a primary factor of 746m towards the higher parent mountain Jostefonn (1615m). The defining saddle (approx. 32 V 367180 6804303) is found east of Nystølsvatnet by RV13 (Gaularfjellet). Ref. the Økonomisk Kartverk map (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 715-720m, interpolated to 718m.
Esefjorden
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Google map
Google's interactive map. You can zoom, pan and click on the markers.
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Route descriptions
| This disclaimer is regarding all of the literature and instructional guides posted on the westcoastpeaks.com website. These instructions are guidelines only, and should not be used in lieu of common sense or judgment when attempting any of the actions involved or instructed. Westcoastpeaks nor myself will not be liable nor will it indemnify any form of compensation to anyone who has injured, harmed or even killed themselves or others while following any of the instructions written within the website. It should be noted by any persons willing to undertake any of the instructions provided that mountains offer varying levels of risk, regardless of size or incline. Risks to be considered are as follows but not limited to: wild animals, weather, the terrain, bad judgment, inappropriate or insufficient equipment, improper training or experience and of course, bad luck... |
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Route 1: Esebotn - Bjørnabreen (& Keipen) - summer/autumn
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This route description is valid per July 2014
Access
(all distances are approx. distances)
The starting point for this route description is Esebotn by Esefjorden. You can get there via RV55 (west), ferry from Hella (east, via Dragsvik), ferry from Vangsnes (south, via Dragsvik) and RV13 - Gaularfjellet (north). At Esebotn, you will see the trailhead and information about the route.
Esebotn trailhead
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The route
The path is well marked and visible - at least below the tree line. After 1,5km you arrive at Dalen - a beautiful place with waterfalls and steep mountain sides. On a hot day, a dip into the creek can be tempting...
The path switchbacks up to the ridge by Gulleplet. As you rise above the forest, you will have to look harder for the path, cairns and T's painted in red.
The next leg runs straight up to - and across point 1251m before you take on the final hillside via a very distinct diagonal "ramp". After a while you reach the glacier / snow fields and can set a direct course to the summit - marked by a small cairn.
Keipen
Keipen is located 0,9km east of Bjørnabreen summit and the route runs across slab and boulder sections. The route is not marked but unless there is fog, you should have no problems finding a good route to the viewpoint - marked by a trigonometric point. Keipen is not marked with text on current maps, but is found on Økonomisk Kartverk (Gamle Norgesglasset interactive map on the web).
If you plan to follow the descent route described below, it might be a good idea to visit Keipen before you visit Bjørnabreen summit.
The route
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Alternative Descent Route
An alternative to your ascent route is Dalsdalen. From Bjørnabreen summit, descend northwest to 1340m, then aim for lake 1225 and pass this lake on the west side. Continue northeast to the drain from lake 1062. Locate a mountain cabin. The T-marked path descends southeast from this cabin and crosses slab sections. Be careful!
At 620m the route turns north and takes you to the Påfunn cabins (what a name!) The path continues down to the Dalsdalen valley and you will pass a huge rock. There might be a ladder leading to the top...
Eventually you reach the gravel road and 3,3km later you're down by RV13 at Dale. If you've left your car at Esebotn, a 12km walk is perhaps not what you need at this point of the day. In that case, hitch-hiking or calling Balestrand taxi are two options...
Dalsdalen
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Pictures and Trip reports:
- Keipen, Aug 20 2017
w/Sogndal Turlag - Bjørnabreen & Keipen, July 27 2014
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Other Sogn og Fjordane mountains
Other Norwegian mountains