Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal

Høgenipa, 1097m
Litlenipa, 1097m
Vikesandhornet, 749m (Samfjellet)
 

Fylke/Kommune : Møre og Romsdal/Vanylven, Volda    
Maps : 1119-II Volda (Statens Kartverk, Norge 1:50 000)
Turkart Vanylven
Primary factor : Høgenipa: 126m
Vikesandfjellet: 100m
Hiked : Feb 2010
See also :
Storebøra Sandfjellet
Syvdsalpane Snøhornet
Skoratinden Taksetnakken
Kyrfjellet Svartetua/Blåfelden
Storetuva Syltehornet
Velsvikskåla Koppefjellet
See also : Other Vanylven & Volda mountains

Høgenipa

Høgenipa
(Click for larger image)

Introduction

The twin-topped Høgenipa rises steep up from the west side of Dalsfjorden and the Vanylven/Volda (municipalities) border runs across its west top. Both tops have 1097m as the map height, but the west top is most likely slightly higher than the east top (Litlenipa). The summit cairn is found on the west top. Seen from the east, Høgenipa is not a particularly characteristic mountain, but seen from the west, Høgenipa stands out with its pyramid-shaped peak.

Høgenipa can be reached on several established routes; Gamlestøylen (Dalsfjorden, toll road) - Trollholeegga, Reitane (Dalsfjorden) - Fossestøylen, Aksneset (Dalsfjorden) - Molegga, Norddalen (Syvden) - Stordalsvatnet, Norddalen (Syvden) - Botnane to name some of the most popular ones. This page will describe a winter route from Norddalen via Botnane. The map "Turkart Vanylven" is highly recommended, where all the above routes are described.

 

Høgenipa in beautiful colors

Høgenipa in beautiful colors
(Click for larger image)

Vardehornet (1107m, Volda) is found only 1km northeast of Høgenipa. Consider planning for a round trip across these two tops. But if your only target is Høgenipa, take the time to visit the east top, providing a better view towards the mountains surrounding Dalsfjorden. And to the east - the rugged peaks of the Sunnmørsalpane mountain range rise up in all shapes and forms.

 

Høgenipa and Vardehornet

Høgenipa and Vardehornet
(Click for larger image)

 

Vikesandfjellet is a top that is easily reached from the Norddalen - Høgenipa route. You pass this mountain on the south side on your way to Høgenipa.  

 

Vikesandfjellet

Vikesandfjellet
(Click for larger image)

 

Primary factor:

Høgenipa (Norge 1:50,000: 1097m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 1096,69m, UTM 32 V 336302 6888612) has a primary factor of 126m towards the higher parent Vardehornet (1107m). The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 336851 6888873) is found between Litlenipa and Vardehornet. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is defined through a fixed point - 970,5m ~ 971m.

Litlenipa (Norge 1:50,000: 1097m, Økonomisk Kartverk: highest contour is 1095m, UTM 32 V 336906 6888538) has a primary factor of 19m towards the Høgenipa west top. The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 336696 6888491) is found between the two tops. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 1075-1080m, interpolated to 1078m.

Based on GPS readings, it is assumed that Høgenipa is slightly higher than Litlenipa.

Vikesandfjellet (Norge 1:50,000: 748m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 748,5 ~ 749m, UTM 32 V 333348 6890300) has a primary factor of 100m towards Høgenipa. The defining saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 334505 6890069) is found by Tryggesteinsvatnet. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is defined through a fixed point - 649m. On the 1:50,000 map, the saddle point is 652m, and if this is the correct height, then Vikesandfjellet will no longer be among the Vanylven PF 100m tops.

 

Høgenipa and Vardehornet

Høgenipa and Vardehornet
(Click for larger image)

 

Google map

Google's interactive map. You can zoom, pan and click on the markers.
 

 

Google maps
Google maps
(Click on image)

 

Trail descriptions

Route 1: Landsverk (Norddalen) - Høgenipa (winter)

Difficulty : YDS Class 2
Exposure : Some > 900m
Distance : Approx. 6,5km to the top (2D distance)
Time : Approx. 3-4 hours to the top
Starting Elev.: Approx. 90m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 1000m
Map of the area
Map of the area
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Detailed map
Detailed map
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This route description is valid per Feb 2010

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The nearest larger city is Ålesund. From Ålesund, follow highway E39 towards Bergen, and then RV61 towards Hareid. Take the Sulesund - Hareid ferry, and from Hareid, follow RV61 (roughly) 42Km to Årvika, 5,1km from Larsnes.

Take the Årvika - Koparneset ferry, and follow RV61 6,6km to a junction at Eidså. Turn left onto highway RV652 and drive 5,8km to Syvden. Turn right towards Norddalen (signposted). Drive 2,2km and turn left towards Landsverk (not signposted). There is no public parking (at least in winter), so find a place to park without interfering with other traffic.

The route

Skiing route from Landsverk

Skiing route from Landsverk
(Click for larger image)

From the Norddalen road, head 50m in the direction of Landsverk, then turn left onto a road which leads up to a house (200m). Turn right and continue up the forest road which runs to the east 300m before it changes direction to the northwest. At 360m (elev.), the road forks. Turn right. The road ends 200m later on. Here you will see a Høgenipa signpost.

Aim for the pass between point 1029m and Høgenipa. You will need to consider avalanche danger in the hillside above Botnane. If you find this route unsafe, consider skiing via Trollholegga (this decision should be made long before you get to Botnane). The final climb up to Høgenipa is exposed if the snow is hard as ice. Under such conditions, only ice-axe and crampons will do. Høgenipa's west top is marked by a proper cairn.

Take the time to head over to Litlenipa (650m distance) for better views towards the Dalsfjorden region. Litlenipa has no cairn. The ridge route has a couple of narrow sections, and make sure you stay away from the cornices facing north.


Vikesandfjellet is just a short detour from the normal route to Høgenipa. See the map above.


Pictures and Trip reports:


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