Norwegian Mountains, Møre og RomsdalLiadalsnipa, 924m
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| Fylke/Kommune : | Møre og Romsdal/Ørsta | ||||||||||
| Maps : | 1119-II Volda (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000) | ||||||||||
| Primary factor : |
Liadalsnipa: 131m Bjørnastighornet: 90m Eggja: 72m |
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| Hiked : | July 2008 | ||||||||||
| See also : |
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| See also : | Other Ørsta mountains |
Liadalsnipa roundtrip
(Click for larger image)
Liadalsnipa is famous for its sugar loaf appearance, rising more than 900m above the place Liadal and Ørstafjorden. The peak is also renowned for the scenic and airy Liadalsruta route (normal route) and the even more airy east ridge. You may see Ørsta locals run up and down along the ridge, while you scratch your eyes..
The east ridge can be ascended from the normal route (you just pass Liadalsnipa and head up to Lake Nykkjavatnet) or via a couloir (to the west) that divides Liadalsnipa and Blåfjellet. This web page will describe ascent via Liadalsruta and descent via the east ridge.
Bjørnastighornet is tucked away behind Liadalsnipa and does not receive a lot of visitors. This top can also be reached from Skorgedalen.
Langeheida (Eggja on the 1:50,000 map) is the southern part of the ridge that also spans the two Hyningane peaks. On the 1:50,000 map, Stabben is misplaced. Point 1018m is the highest of the two Hyningane peaks. The map name is Hyrningane, but apparently, the 'r' does not belong in there. Point 982m is the only official height on Langeheida, and a more precise measurement may reveal that it is even higher. Another point on Eggja - 600m to the east/northeast should also be measured closely.
Liadalsnipa (Norge 1:50,000: 924m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 923,92m, UTM 32 V 345445 6903361) has a primary factor of 131m towards the higher parent mountain Bjørnastighornet (940m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 346235 6903041) is found on the ridge, south of Nykkjavatnet. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 790-795m, interpolated to 793m.
Bjørnastighornet (Norge 1:50,000: 940m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 940m, UTM 32 V 346878 6903221) has a primary factor of 90m towards the higher parent mountain Eggja (982m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 346677 6903378) is found between the two tops. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 840-860, interpolated to 850m (The GPS track log supports that this is a fair interpolation).
Eggja (Norge 1:50,000: 982m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 982m, UTM 32 V 346951 6904146) has a primary factor of 72m towards the higher parent mountain Hyningane (1018m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 347517 6904470) is found between the two tops. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 900-920, interpolated to 910m.
GPS reading on Eggja, point 982m read 989m as average over a 5-minute period, with 1,5m error margin. For reference; Liadalsnipa measured 928m (on top of the small summit cairn) and Bjørnastighornet measured 950m (on top of the 1m cairn). Either the GPS reported too high elevations throughout, or these tops are higher than the map states. Liadalsnipa's official height (924m) may be from the viewpoint cairn. The summit is 3-4m higher and has only a small cairn.
Google's interactive map. You can zoom, pan and click on the markers.
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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.
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Route 1: Halse - Liadalsnipa traverse (summer/autumn)
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Access
(all distances are approx. distances)
Ålesund is the nearest larger city. From Ålesund, follow highway E39 towards Bergen/Volda to the ferry at Solavågen. Take the ferry over to Festøya. Turn right in the direction of Ørsta/Volda and follow highway E39 28,3Km, to the "Halse 1,2" road just after Liadal (this is 8,3km from the main roundabout in Ørsta).
Turn left towards Halse (signposted). Follow this road 1,2Km until you have a farm on your left-hand side and the road turns east. Ask for permission to park, or park considerately away from the farm, and without blocking for other traffic.
The route
Part of the route
(Click for larger image)
Liadalsnipa via Liadalsruta:
From the farm at Halsa, follow a
tractor road upwards. Continue along a fence and pass through
a gate on the far side. Follow the
forest path up to an intersecting
forest road. Follow this road
a few meters, then continue on the forest path (marked by red paint on a rock).
Follow the forest path up to
Lake Nakkevatnet, where the path joins
Liadalsnipa's north ridge from
the east.
Along Liadalsnipa's north ridge, you'll soon run into parts where
scrambling is required. The most
awkward sections may earn an YDS class 3 rating (the
use of hands is essential for forward progess..). The path presents itself.
In some places, you have options. Passing 800m elevation, the route turns to the
southeast and then runs northwest back onto the ridge through
a steep gully. The gully is
exposed, but as long as you remain
on the path, you're fine. Proceed on
easy terrain to the summit. The
viewpoint marker is not the highest point. The true summit is marked by
a small cairn, 20m (or so) east of
the viewpoint marker.
The ridge traverse
Proceed eastbound along the
ridge, which gets gradually more narrow. The first
exposed section is passed on the
left-hand side. After a little while, you'll be on top of 5m drop on the ridge.
Lower yourself down (face in and
use your feet!) to the ledge below
by the use of a fixed chain.
Getting from the ledge below
to the next ledge is possibly the most
exposed point on the route.
Climb down face in, and locate the few handholds there are. The
final section before the lowest
point on the ridge is ascended by passing a rock on the left-hand side, then a
small drop on the ridge before you climb along the ridge (not down to
your right) down to the gap.
From the gap, climb directly up a steep cliff. The "crux" of this route may earn an YDS 4 rating. Once you're above the crux point, the climbing gets easier and moves on to scrambling. Those who ascend Liadalsnipa on this route, may choose to rappel down this cliff. There is a good rock for slings just above the climbing section. The rest of the route to Blåfjellet is easy scrambling terrain.
Descent
Descend to Lake Nykkjavatnet and then down to Lake Nakkevatnet. There may be
a path. If you want to extend
your hike, aim for Bjørnastighornet and follow a faint path up along the ridge.
Consider stopping by Eggja upon your return. It'll only cost you 130 additional
vertical meters. There is no pronounced path down from Eggja. Head off-trail in
the direction of Nakkevatnet, and then along and above (hopefully on a path) the
lake until it's time to join the Liadalsnipa path.
westcoastpeaks.com
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