|
Snøtinden (Snow Peak) is the highest peak west of E39 between Fannefjorden og Batnfjorden. This region comprises Eide, and parts of Molde and Gjemnes kommuner. One may, logically, add Averøya and Husøya (Frei) to this region, and the area "dominated" by Snøtinden becomes quite large. Snøtinden is, after Skåla (1128m) also the 2nd highest mountain on the peninsula defined by the Nesset - Eidsøra pass (highway RV62). This peninsula comprises ALL of Gjemnes, Eide and Molde, and even parts of Nesset kommune.
The mountain thrones on top of a long mountain range between Malmefjorden and Batnfjorden, where the Eide/Gjemnes kommune border runs across the central part of the range. Snøtinden is actually the highest point both in Eide and Gjemnes kommuner. Only two other mountains in Møre and Romsdal is the highest point in two kommuner: Puttegga (Rauma/Norddal) and Sollia (Herøy/Sande).
Snøtinden is the highest point on a twin-top mountain, where Sørtussen (1025.5m, and only marginally lower than Snøtinden) is found on the west side. An interesting ridge connects the two tops, and it would be a pleasure to describe this ridge on this web-site one day. As the trip report only offer pictures from a foggy hike, sunny panoramas from Stortussen will hopefully come the summer of 2007.
The common trailheads for Snøtinden are Åndal and Ugelstad, located on each side of the mountain range. The summer routes run up the north and south ridges, but the winter route described on this page runs from Åndal via the neighbour top Gongrøra. If all you want from this particular area is a good ski-trip, then Gongrøra is an excellent target, offering approx. 750m vertical meters of fine downhill skiing, with minimal obstacles.
Snøtinden is well described in the book Turbok for Molde og Omegn (Olsen/Pedersen)
Snøtinden (Norge 1:50,000: 1027m, Økonomisk Kartverk: 1026,57m, UTM 32 V 424266 6971415) has a primary factor of 874m, towards the higher parent Skåla (1128m). The saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 447726 6971079) is found just east of Litlvatnet by Fosterlågen. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 150-155m, interpolated to 153m.
Gongrøra (Norge 1:50,000: 835m, Økonomisk Kartverk: -, UTM 32 V 425327 6971988) has a primary factor of 107m, towards the higher parent Snøtinden (1027m). The saddle (approx. UTM 32 V 424887 6971783) is found between the two tops, near Kaka. Ref. Økonomisk Kartverk (5m contours), the saddle is within the range 725-730m, interpolated to 728m.
Google's interactive map. You can zoom, pan and click on the markers.
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.
|
Åndal - Gongrøra - Snøtinden (winter, on skis)
|
|
Access
From the city of Molde, follow highway E39 eastbound (Kristiansund/Åndalsnes). As the road begins to descend towards Batnfjordsøra, prepare to turn left at the Åndal junction. There are actually two junctions, 2Km apart.
From either junction, drive parallel to E39 and make a west turn towards the river, which you cross on a bridge. Turn left in the next junction and drive approx. 700m. You have a large farm to your right, and a tractor road to your left. You can fit one car here, without blocking for tractor traffic. This trailhead is between Åndal and Haugan.
The route
Gongrøra
Walk past the farm, to the northeast. Locate the forest road behind the farm buildings. Follow the forest/tractor road up to 200m elevation, where you meet Kvernelva river. Head up along Kvernelva, northwest direction, cross the tip of Skardrøra's south ridge, and then find a place to cross the river. Proceed up the long and gentle slope, cross the Hjulnebba - Snøfjellet ridge, descend slightly before you ascend Gongrøra. The summit is marked by a cairn.
Snøtinden
From Gongrøra, proceed westbound towards Kaka - a small hump - but gradually turn southwest in order to avoid a cliffband on Kaka. A cairn marks the Gongrøra - Snøtinden saddle. Proceed westbound until you meet Snøtinden's north ridge. Find a gentle entry point, gain the ridge and proceed up to the summit, which is marked by a proper cairn.
Descend your ascent route. In good snow conditions, the ski-descent from Gongrøra might become memorable.
No Javascript:
westcoastpeaks.com
Other Møre & Romsdal mountains
Other Norwegian mountains
