Photo: View over Henningsvær from the summit of Festvågtind, Austvågøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. June 11, 2015. 18:53

This image is a result of the necessity for flexibility in your plans when traveling to Lofoten – winter or summer. My goal for the day had originally been for Matmora, but as had been the trend for most of my days on Lofoten thus far, the summit remained hidden in a layer of clouds. Luckily, Festvågtind (see hiking guide HERE), near Henningsvær was clouds free – or at least when I decided to start hiking.

I initially arrived at the summit at the same time as a passing snow storm. But unlike the higher surrounding mountains, the clouds would quickly pass revealing what looked like a fantastic summer day if you were to ignore the near freezing temperatures on the summit.

Camera Info:
Nikon D810
Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8
14mm
ISO 125
f 10
1/250 second
WB Daylight

Photo: Summer snow flurries on Festvågtind, Austvågøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. June 11, 2015. 18:27

In early summer it’s important to be prepared for sometimes winter-like conditions if heading out into the mountains. In the typical changeable nature of the weather on Lofoten, we had started the hike under a nice sunny blue sky. By the time we reached the summit, we had to sit on the leeward side of the large summit boulders to wait out the first of many snow flurries passing the mountains.

Even as one band of snow passed, the next would already be lined up on the horizon, approaching from Stamsund to the west. But as quickly as the snow would arrive, it would leave again and the sun would be shining brightly.

Camera Info:
Nikon D810
Nikon 70-200mm f/4
135mm
ISO 200
f 5.6
1/160 second
WB Daylight