Norwegian Mountains, Sogn og Fjordane
Vetla Supphellenipa, 840m
Kvannholtenipa, 1640m
| County/ Municipality: | Sogn og Fjordane county/Sogndal | ||||
| Maps: | 1317-I Fjærland (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000) | ||||
| Primary factor: |
Vetla Supphellenipa: 110m Kvannholtenipa: 181m | ||||
| Hiked: | Oct 2012 | ||||
| See also: |
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| See also : | Other Sogn og Fjordane mountains on westcoastpeaks.com |
Kvannholtenipa
(Click for larger image)
Introduction
The Flatbrehytta hut marks one of the main southern entrances to Jostedalsbreen - the largest glacier in Norway. On your way to Flatbrehytta, you pass Vetla Supphellenipa and it's a fairly short detour if you want more mountain top on your CV. See the route information section below for details.
Kvannholtenipa is located approx. 3km north of Flatbrehytta. There is no marked trail to this top, but provided you follow the easiest route it is a fairly uncomplicated hike. Expect to cross patches of snow all year around, but you do not have to bring crampons in summer. The below route description suggests a round trip hike that includes both these tops.
There are two spelling variations; Kvannholtnipa and Kvannholtenipa. This site uses the latter variant.
Vetla Supphellenipa (the small top)
(Click for larger image)
Primary factor:
Vetla Supphellenipa (Norge 1:50,000: 850m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 840,10m, UTM 32 V 382787 6816503) has a primary factor of 110m towards the higher tops on Jostedalsbreen. The defining saddle (approx. 32 V 383022 6816957) is found just north of Vetla Supphellenipa. Ref. the 1:50,000 map (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 720-740m, interpolated to 730m.
Kvannholtenipa (Norge 1:50,000: 1640m, Økonomisk Kartverk: -, UTM 32 V 382066 6820386) has a primary factor of 181m towards the higher tops on Jostedalsbreen. The defining saddle (approx. 32 V 382388 6820988) is found in the first pass north of the summit. Ref. the 1:50,000 map (20m contours), the saddle is defined through a fixed point - 1459m.
Kvannholtenipa seen from the air
(Click for larger image)
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: Supphelledalen - Vetla Supphellenipa - Kvannholtenipa - Flatbrehytta
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This route description is valid per October 2013
Access
(all distances are approx. distances)
This route description starts at the Supphelledalen exit (signposted) in Fjærland - approx. 1,6km north of the Bremuseet building (glacier museum). From this exit, drive
From this exit, drive:
- Cross the river on a bridge, then turn right.
- Drive 3,1km into the Supphelledalen valley - to the Flatbrehytta trailhead and parking. There is a parking fee.
The route:
The route, as seen in Google Earth
(Click for larger image)
Follow the path into the forest. The path is visible and easy to follow. After approx. 1km, you join the river from Tverrdalen. Enjoy the trail work done by sherpas from Nepal. After 1,6km you reach a trail fork by the National Park border (signposted). Turn right here.
(Note that the National Park signpost is found approx. 100 meters south of the National Park Border).
Cross the river (hopefully there is a portable bridge around) and follow the path up on the east side of the river. Follow it all the way up to the saddle (730m) northeast of Vetla Supphellenipa. From here, follow a very vague path southwest 0,5km to the unmarked summit [N61.46449 E6.80036]. You'll have a GREAT view towards the lower part of the Supphellebreen glacier from here....
Supphellebreen view
(Click for larger image)
Return to the saddle and continue on the path that ascends up to approx. 960m where you follow a distinct moraine in the direction of Flatbrehytta and pass the lower Supphellebreen glacier. Leave the moraine before the hut and head up a narrow, but distinct valley in the direction of Flatbreen.
300 meters before the Flatbreen glacier, the valley sides begin to get steep, so begin your ascent up to the left before it gets too steep. Find your best route upwards, while aiming for the ridge. Meanwhile, enjoy the view towards Flatbreen. Once on the ridge, head north in the direction of the southern cairn on Kvannholtenipa.
Follow a distinct ledge up to the Kvannholtenipa plateau and then north towards the summit. Be careful with cracks in the snow. The summit [N61.49910 E6.78436] is marked by a proper cairn.
The route, as seen in Google Earth
(Click for larger image)
Descend back to the moraine, but now follow the path (there are several, actually) that takes you to Flatbrehytta. From here, make sure you take the new path (first towards the west, then down) opposed to the steep path that descends directly from Flatbrehytta. Follow this path until you join the other path near the National Park border.
Pictures and Trip reports:
- Vetla Supphellenipa & Kvannholtenipa, Oct 12 2013
westcoastpeaks.com
Other Sogn og Fjordane mountains
Other Norwegian mountains