Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal
Regndalstindane

Råna, 1586m (Nordre Regndalstind)
Midtre Regndalstind, 1540m
Urkedalstinden, 1534m (Søre Regndalstind)

Fylke/Kommune : Møre og Romsdal/Ørsta, Sykkylven
Maps : 1219-IV Sykkylven (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
1219-III Hjørundfjord (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Primary factor : Råna: 776m
Midtre Regndalstind: 150m
Urkedalstinden: 164m
Hiked : July 2008
See also :
Slogen Store Brekketind
Saksa Urfjellet
Blåbretinden Straumshornet
See also : Other Ørsta and Sykkylven mountains

Regndalstindane

Regndalstindane
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

Regndalstindane (Rain Valley Peaks) are three peaks situated on the mountain range that is known as "the peaks east of Hjørundfjorden". The Ørsta/Sykkylven border runs across this range, so all of the tops belong to both municipalities. Although the peaks are easiest reached from the Urke side (west), you can also reach the peaks via the Regndalsbreen glacier (east). Thus, it is inevitable that the mountain tops get different names. On the Urke side, Nordre Regndalstind is called Råna (the name reflects a sail, square or rough, and Råna resembles a sail when viewed from the north) and Søre Regndalstind is called Urkedalstinden. Råna and Urkedalstinden are the common names used these days. Midtre Regndalstind seems to be the united name as odd as it may seem.

Routes

This page will describe the classic summer routes to the three peaks, all starting from Urkedalen. It can be noted that Midtre Regndalstind has two summits, and access to Regndalsbreen is found just south of the south top. This means that one could (from the Urke side) visit Urkedalstinden (via Grøtdalen), enter Regndalsbreen between Urkedalstinden and Grøtdalstinden (St. Kløvheitind), re-enter the mountain ridge south of Midtre Regndalstind's south top, scramble up to Midtre Regndalstind, continue to Råna and descend to Urkedalen via Nordkopen (Vest-Urkedalen). Walking across Regndalsbreen glacier should only be done if you're in a roped party!

Urkedalstinden (Midtre Regndalstind far left)

Urkedalstinden (Midtre Regndalstind far left)
(Click for larger image)

The summer routes to these peaks get more challenging if you have to cross snow. Expect steep pitches of snow on all peaks in July, and crampons and an ice-axe may be necessary. Two ice-axes raise the safety (and comfort) level if you're not experienced on steep snow. Later in the hiking season, Midtre Regndalstind and Råna are considered strenuous, but not difficult tops to reach. Urkedalstinden is the most challenging of these peaks, mostly depending on the snow, or lack of it.

 

Råna and Midtre Regndalstind

Råna and Midtre Regndalstind
(Click for larger image)

Råna's high point

There seems to be some uncertainty regarding Råna's high point. When you arrive on the map point (1586m), you'll see a narrow ridge (towards the east) with three humps. It isn't easy to say if any of these humps are higher than the map point, but some claim the high point is found on one of these humps. Until proven otherwise, Råna's high point is point 1586m. It is a fairly easy scramble (altough exposed) to get to the first two humps. Most people would want the safety of a rope in reaching the third one.

Map notes

Comparing the GPS map and GPS waypoints, Råna's high point is 40m north of the map point. Midtre Regndalstind's high point is 14m north of the map point, while Urkedalstinden's high point is 18m northwest of the map point. The GPS co-ordinates for the summit are probably accurate, as 2D co-ordinates mostly are. Comparing tracks leading to these waypoints support this claim.

Elevations are discussed in the below section, but there is a theoretical possibility that Urkedalstinden could be higher than Midtre Regndalstind. If this should be the case, it won't have any impact on the primary factors. Which is a bit rare. Normally, saddles change when mountains swap elevation rank.

 

Urkedalstinden

Urkedalstinden
(Click for larger image)

 

Primary factor:

Råna (Norge 1:50,000: 1586m, Økonomisk Kartverk (ØK): -, UTM 32 V 374101 6907204) has a primary factor of 776m towards the higher parent mountain Store Smørskredtind (1631m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 381376 6899765) is found near Patchellhytta, between Brekketindane and Smørskredtindane. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 800-820m, interpolated to 810m.

No GPS measurement was done on the summit.

Midtre Regndalstind (Norge 1:50,000: 1540m, Økonomisk Kartverk (ØK): -, UTM 32 V 374467 6906068) has a primary factor of 150m towards the higher parent mountain Råna (1586m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 374253 6906259) is found between these two tops. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 1380-1400m, interpolated to 1390m.

No GPS measurement was done on the summit.

Urkedalstinden (Norge 1:50,000: 1534m, Økonomisk Kartverk (ØK): 1534m, UTM 32 V 375509 6905026) has a primary factor of 164m towards the higher parent mountain M. Regndalstind (1540m). The defining saddle is found either; a) (approx. UTM 32 V 375138 6905246) between Urkedalstinden and point 1438m, or b) (approx. UTM 32 V 374677 6905721) between point 1438m and M. Regndalstind. Ref. Norge 1:50,000 (20m contours), the saddle is within the range 1360-1380m, interpolated to 1370m.

Urkedalstinden was measured (GPS) to 1542m as average over a 10-minute period, on top of the summit cairn (1m high or less). The error margin was 1,5m. In the same period, the track log averaged to 1543m, with 1544m as the high point. Which gives a reasonable doubt regarding the 1534m map height.

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: Råna/M. Regndalstind from Urkedalen (summer)

Difficulty : Class 2+ (YDS) Class 3 on snow.
Exposure : No
Distance : Approx. 6Km from  (2D distance) to Råna via Midtre Regndalstind
Time : Approx. 4-5 hours to Råna (incl. M. Regndalstind)
Starting Elev.: Approx. 220m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 1500m (both tops)
Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
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Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

Ålesund is the nearest larger city. From Ålesund, follow highway E39 towards Bergen, and then highway RV60 (Stranda) to the Magerholm - Ørsneset ferry. This ferry runs quite often; every 20 minutes in the busy hours of the day.

From Ørsneset, drive RV60 to Stranda (35Km). Turn southbound (right) and continue on RV60 to the Norangsdal junction (30,8Km). Make sure you turn right towards Stryn when you pass Hellesylt. Drive Norangdalen to the grocery store in Urke (23,5Km). Turn right onto the Urkedalen road (no toll). Pass a gate (close it afterwards!!) and drive up to Haukåssætra (2,7Km from Urke). Park here.

The route

The route to the Råna plateau

The route to the Råna plateau
(Click for larger image)

150m before Haukåssætra, locate the "Patchellhytta/Råna" sign. The path begins here, and runs alongside the river until you reach the river from Grøtdalen. In July, there is (probably) still snow, so crossing the Grøtdalen river should be easy. The path continues through a bush section before it joins the river a bit higher up. If you lose the path, pick any ascent route (ref. picture above) before the waterfalls to gain the basin below Midtre Regndalstind.

In the basin, aim for two distinct rock features on the ridge and enter the ridge left of the leftmost rock. If there is snow in the hillside, crampons/axe may be needed in the steepest section. Be aware of "crevasses" caused by snowmelt.

Once on the M. Regndalstind's west ridge, head northeast to the ridge between Råna and M. Regndalstind. Ascend anywhere you see fit. If you need to cross snow below the summit, crampons/axe should be used, as it can get steep. Without snow, it's an easy walk up to the summit of Midtre Regndalstind, marked by a medium-sized cairn.

Follow the ridge towards Råna (obvious) and head up to point 1586m, which is marked by a proper cairn. Consider visiting the humps on the eastern ridge. The first two involve easy (but airy) scrambling. 

As an alternative to the route up to M. Regndalstind's west ridge, consider following the path into Nordkopen, up to the Elsandtindane - Regndalstindane pass and enter the west ridge from there. This passage has an exposed point, which is said to not be very difficult. 


Route 2: Urkedalstinden from Urkedalen (summer)

Difficulty : Class 2+ (YDS) Class 3 on snow.
Exposure : Some, on the summit ridge
Distance : Approx. 4,5Km to the top  (2D distance)
Time : Approx. 4 hours to the top
Starting Elev.: Approx. 220m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 1315m
Map of the area
Map of the area
(No Javascript)
Detailed map
Detailed map
(No Javascript)

Access

Same as for Route 1 above.

The route

Upper route to Urkedalstinden

Upper route to Urkedalstinden
(Click for larger image)

150m before Haukåssætra, locate the "Patchellhytta/Råna" sign. The path begins here, and runs alongside the river until you reach the river from Grøtdalen. In July, there is (probably) still snow, so crossing the Grøtdalen river should be easy. Follow the Grøtdalen river on the north side. Staying close to the river will save you from the worst birch jungle, but you're also exposed to slipping on wet grass and fall into the river. Pick a safe route. There are no paths here.

Continue up the valley until you see the large bowl below Urkedalstinden. When the snow has gone (if it ever does), this bowl offers agonising scree. Traverse the bowl and enter the ridge left of a pointy cliff. Ascent to the ridge is fairly easy, but you need to be careful upon descent.

Once on the ridge, you may face a steep, snowy slope. Crampons/axe may be needed here. On top of the snow, you can either climb onto the summit ridge, or traverse below the summit ridge until you find a passage just before you reach the south ridge. The overall terrain isn't difficult, but depending on the amount of snow, routefinding can easily become slightly complicated. At least in comparison to the other Regndalstindane tops. The summit is marked by a medium-sized cairn.


Pictures and Trip reports:


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