Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal

Hundatinden, July 30 2008


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My friends Anna & Matt (from the UK) had arrived at Hundeidvika for their annual vacation in Norway. As Skopphornet and Hundatinden "rise" out of Hundeidvika, these two tops were on their "must do" list. As for Hundatinden, I wanted to join in. My former trip to Hundatinden back in July '07 didn't result in any particular views, so I looked forwards to get a 360 deg. panorama this time.

The rough Megardsdalen road didn't allow us to get to the upper parking, but we got close enough. Bumping along on the rough road, Anna tried to understand the policy on Norwegian mountain roads; "So, we are paying to drive here?. The weather was a bit odd, as in; we didn't know if we could expect a sunny or rainy afternoon. Distant thunder suggested the latter..

Matt chose to to bring his climbing gear, including a rope. I made a mental note about reviewing my Hundatinden route description on my website. Matt's impression from my website was that this was a very serious mountain. And he had noted my remark about "climbing shoes being a good idea". I tried to clarify; "The scramble is easy, but the exposure can be overwhelming for some". Not that I suspected Anna or Matt being scared of heights. On the contrary!

As we reached the cairn at 860m, the broad ridge towards the top made Anna wonder where the exposure was. It was a fair question. The two gaps cutting into the ridge can't be seen from below. I told her to wait and see. When we arrived on the ridge between the main summit and point 1222m, Anna and Matt were still confused. "Can't we just walk up here?", Anna asked, still not seeing the smaller gap that forces you to scramble on the side of the mountain.

And the confusion continued. Matt was now heading towards point 1222m to get an overview of the route. I told him that I'd "run up" so he could see where the route went. Anna wasn't quite sure what was going on, so she sat down and waited. After having been to the top, I came back down. Matt was still on 1222m, taking pictures. Anna didn't want to sit around waiting any longer, and we both went up to the top. Adding my two ascents of the summit block from the last trip, my Hundatinden summit tally was now 4.

Anna passing the overhang

Anna passing the overhang
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I really enjoy the scramble on this mountain. I was in the process of regretting the classification of one point as YDS 4, but decided to stick with it. Ascending this corner may be YDS 3, but coming back down is slightly harder. At least for those who are not used to rock climb. In any case, it seemed that Anna enjoyed the scramble too. And even more so being on top, taking the local region into view.

Once back down on the ridge, Matt returned from his photo session and wanted to go up. I decided to go with him, and my tally now read 5. The exposed slab ledge (the reason for my climbing shoes remark) didn't bother him much, even if he was wearing big hiking boots. Compared to the crags he's used to climbing, this ledge must have seen like a highway in comparison. I couldn't help feeling guilty about Matt having brought full climbing gear, but he told me not to worry about it. He got a nice peak in return for his efforts.

Upon descending Hundatinden, we passed a crag that Matt wanted to "take a look at". The meaning, of course, being "Hey .. what a super crag. Wait for me while I climb it". With an open mouth, I watched him swiftly climb up the crag. I could never do such a thing, just on-sight. I wouldn't have have the guts for it (or the experience needed). Back down in Megardsdalen, we watched a beautiful sunset before returning to the car, 9:45pm, after a nice 5-hour hike.

Matt climbs a crag on Hundatinden

Matt climbs a crag on Hundatinden
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Pictures

The pictures were taken with a Canon EOS 300D + Canon EF-S 17-85mm IS USM F 4-5.6

 
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To Baklidalen

0. Trip tracks 1. On the way to Hundatinden 2. Ljøsabrepiggen on Ljøsabreen 3. Passing Skopphornet 4. Up to the ridge 5. Pause by the 860m cairn 6. Matt leaving the 860m cairn 7. On the ridge to Hundatinden 8. Molladalstindane 9. High on the Hundatinden ridge 10. Passing the big gap

Hundatinden w/Anna

11. The lower scrambling route 12. Anna on the way up the corners 13. Anna almost on top 14. Matt on 1222m 15. Anna and Matt on two summits 16. Wide-angle view from Hundatinden 17. Skopphornet 18. Anna takes in the views 19. View down to Hundeidvika 20. Anna passing the overhang 21. Anna is passing the crack 22. Anna descending the second corner

Hundatinden w/Matt + descent

23. The lower scramble route, different angle 24. Matt and I, descending 25. Matt climbs a crag 26. Back down in Megardsdalen 27. Vessel on Storfjorden 28. Sunset 29. Red sky 30. Red sky above Magerholm 31. Red sky above Uksenøya 32. Spider at work

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