Norwegian Mountains, Møre og Romsdal
Ski-trip from Moltustranda to Tjørvåg, via Selsteinen & Slettheia, Mar 13 2011
To the main Sollia/Selsteinen page (maps, route descriptions, other trip reports, etc.)
Part of our route
(Click for larger image)
The day after skiing Veten directly from Moltustranda, Anne and me returned to ski to Tjørvåg via Selsteinen (598m) and Slettheia (552m). Slettheia was the only top on Gurskøya that I hadn't been to, so it was high time. The big question was if there was enough snow for skiing across the mountain plateau. Until proven otherwise, we were optimistic.
We could have driven all the way to the public parking in Moltudalen, but decided to start much lower. As long as we could ski, we didn't mind the extra vertical meters. The weather was OK; overcast but no wind. It seemed that we would get a nice day on the mountain.
On the way to Selsteinen
(Click for larger image)
We followed ski-tracks up to the pass between Storehanen and Selsteinen. There was little snow left, but enough to get by. Selsteinen is a bit steep on the north side, so skiing directly up turned out to be difficult because of some very icy sections. We ended up with scrambling up a steep section of rock, carrying our skis.
On foot to Selsteinen
(Click for larger image)
We reached the top of Selsteinen 1:23pm - 1h:08m after heading out from Moltustranda. Right there and then, I was tempted to continue across Hestefjellet, Sollia, Rjåhornet and Huldrehornet and return home to Myrvåg. But as my car was parked at Tjørvåg, we would have a slight problem with the logistics. We agreed to stick to the plan and continue towards Tjørvåg.
I was happy to present a new region of the Gurskøya back-country to Anne, and it wasn't difficult to tell that she enjoyed being up here. She had brought binoculars (not the cheap kind, either) and it was fun to see the mighty Sunnmørsalpane zoomed in to an extent I've never seen before. And before moving on, it was time to show off - in good Norwegian style...
On Selsteinen
(Click for larger image)
The descent from Selsteinen towards Slettheia was incredibly fun. The snow was just perfect, and it was a pity that skiing didn't last longer. We hoped that we could get more of the same after passing Slettheia. Time would show.
Perfect snow on Selsteinen
(Click for larger image)
We passed Slettheia 1:43pm and moved on after a short stay. The plan was to look for a pair of swans on Øyravatnet, but the lake was frozen and the swans were guaranteed not there. The day after, I saw the swans on Aspvikvatnet near Tjørvåg.
The snow remained good all the way to Øyrahornet, where it seemed almost impossible to continue skiing. But I know this mountain well - also where the snow is "hidden". After a series of switchbacks, we got onto Øyrahornet's east ridge. Anne was somewhat familiar with this route, having skied Øyrahornet on Christmas Eve 2010. The (partly steep) descent towards Tjørvåg is quite spectacular...
Descending Øyrahornet
(Click for larger image)
The snow changed dramatically as we reached the forest, as there was more of it, and with an icy crust. Skiing was more difficult and we took it nice and easy, We reached Tjørvåg 2:36pm - 3h:20m after leaving Moltustranda. All in all, a very memorable trip!
