Mannen Sunset - Friday Photo #225

Photo: Summit of Mannen (791m) at sunset, Moskenesøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. April 16, 2017. 20:04

My body still recovering after only half a day of rest from the first 4 days of my Easter adventures in west Lofoten, I found myself back in the parking lot at Å once again, with a new mountain in sight, and luckily, a light backpack this time! We were just going for a day trip…

Leaving around noon, we made good time to the end of Ågvatnet before putting on crampons and pulling out the ice tools for the 500 meter ascent of the couloir to the east of Mannen. Unlike the previous days, the snow was now firm and settled. Front pointing our way up, we made quick progress the the pass. I was confident that we’d be back to the car and I would be home in time for dinner – I was home for dinner, but not at a time I would have imagined!

One on the upper, north side of the mountain, there were many icy passages. We could have traversed out to the right and climbed up a gully towards a lower part of the ridge. But I, in my great wisdom, thought it would be funner just to go up the northern side of the ridge. So out came the ropes and we began to ascend.

Route finding was difficult, and progress was slow. 8 hours after leaving the parking lot I arrived at the summit cairn; the sun glowing orange just above the sea and a cold wind blowing across the high peak.

The sun had set by the time we began our descent, down the steep, sometimes icy gullies that we had originally though about ascending – it sure would have been quicker! There was some amazing light at times, but I was more focused on getting down safely, so my camera was stored in my backpack, out of reach.

It was almost midnight by the time we returned to my van. Utterly excused, but still exhilarated from an amazing day in the mountains. I could hardly get out of bed Monday morning, my body absolutely crushed.

Camera Info:
Nikon D800
Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8
15mm
ISO 160
f 7.1
1/500 second
WB Daylight

Easter Camping - Friday Photo #225

Photo: Room with a view, Ågskaret, Moskenesøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. April 12, 2017. 20:16

Last week was the Easter holidays here in Norway – and in Norway, that means going outside and doing stuff, or sitting in your mountain cabin. Since I don’t yet own a cabin, my tent would have to do. Luckily, the holiday also coincided with near perfect weather on Lofoten – at least sun, the wind would become a menace a few days later.

Wednesday afternoon, we headed around lake Ågvatnet and up the pass towards Stokkvika. Our plans were ambitious, a high mountain on the western edge of Lofoten that would take us 2 1/2 days to reach; all while carrying heavy packs of climbing gear through the deep snow. Trusting the forecast, we didn’t push the pace to fast.

As we arrived at the pass at Ågskaret, we weren’t quite ready to stop, but it was evident that the next place to camp would probably be further than we wanted to go. Luckily, there was a wide enough area on the ridge, that after a bit of digging and levelling, became the perfect spot for a tent.

The weather was fantastic and we got to melt snow and cook dinner in the sun until it finally sank into a layer of clouds. The mountains full of snow but the days are so long. I really love this time of year here in the north – perfect for cold adventures…

Camera Info:
Nikon D800
Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8
14mm
ISO 2100
f 8
1/125 second
WB Daylight

NIght Hiking - Friday Photo #223

Photo: Almost midnight hiking above Vindstad, Moskenesøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. April 7, 2017. 23:41

The Friday evening ferry doesn’t leave Reine until 21:30. And even though it feels like spring and the midnight sun is just around the corner, winter and darkness are still fighting to keep hold over Lofoten. So when you don’t start hiking until nearly 22:00 at night, it is best to bring a headlamp along, even with a mostly full moon!

The snow was deep and route finding difficult, especially as waves of snow passed over us, reducing the already limited visibility. We only had 500 meters to ascend to where we would make camp on the pass, but this took over 2 hours of effort. I don’t think I finally zipped up my sleeping bag until just before 01:00.

Camera Info:
Nikon D800
Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8
14mm
ISO 2000
f 3.2
.3 second
WB Daylight

Matmora Winter - Friday Photo #222

Photo: Winter on Matmora, Austvågøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. March 19, 2017. 10:33

Friday took me east to Solvær, first for a presentation by Tormod Granheim on climbing on 4000m peaks in the Alps, and then, on Saturday, an avalanche course up on Vesterålen. After the course ended in mid afternoon, we caught the ferry back to Lofoten with more adventures in mind: Matmora.

The sun was setting as we left the parking lot and headed up through the deep snow. Eventually, after some hours we cleared the trees and arrived on the flat northern ridge with leads to Matmora. In the darkness we setup camp and waited for what the morning would bring.

I was hoping for some nice pink light, but dawn broke flat and grey. Tired, I didn’t crawl out of my sleeping bag until after 8:00. Soon, we were under way through the deep snow to Delpheia and then up the ever steepening and narrowing ridge.

The weather continued to mostly deteriorate, and whatever clear moments became shorter and shorter before the passing slow flurries and sinking clouds. Had the weather been better, I might have had more motivation to reach the summit. But on this day, it was just step by step, continuing on and on. It wasn’t until the summit cairn appeared like a ghost in the fog that I was confident that we would reach the summit, and even then, I though, ‘what’s the point, I can’t see anything…’

This image is on the descent from Delpheia just before the route begins to climb again. The summit is visible in the distance, hidden in the clouds and still a couple hours away.

Camera Info:
Nikon D800
Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8
14mm
ISO 160
f 8
1/500 seconds
WB Daylight