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Friday Photo #234 – Gimsøy Summer

Gimsøy Summer - Friday Photo #234

Photo: Hoven reflects in small pond under light of the midnight sun, Gimsøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. June 12, 2017. 00:57

Even thought the midnight sun doest look visually different than a sun low on the horizon at any other time of the day, there is just something magical about being out late into the early morning and it never getting dark. Part of me wishes the whole year could be like this, but then it wouldn’t be special.

Guiding a workshop from Tromsø to Lofoten this June, we had absolutely perfect timing with the weather. A few days before I drove north it had still been snowing here and I was telling everyone to make sure they had good jackets. However as I reached the airport in Tromsø after a night camping on Kvaløya, it’s a long drive from Lofoten, it was t-shirt weather and sunshine! Endless sunshine for days and days.

After some time on Senja we made the journey south to Lofoten. This was the first night when we finally got some nice drama in the sky, the other days being mostly cloudless. So we headed off to Gimsøy to do some exploring.

This was the last stop of the evening as we were on the way back to Henningsvær. I’ve stopped by this small lake dozens of times over the years, but I think this is the best I’ve seen it! The sun was perfect, just below the layer of clouds that had been growing throughout the evening and the rest of the world was still and silent. perfect.

Camera Info:
Nikon D800
Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8
21mm
ISO 80
f 10
1/15 second
WB Daylight

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Friday Photo #233 – Helvetestind Fog

Helvetestind - Friday Photo #233

Photo: Summer fog flowing over Vindstad from Helvetestind, Moskenesøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. June 13, 2017. 23:06

I wasn’t planning to post another photo from Helvetestind, but I also hadn’t planned on making my second trip up the mountain in 2 weeks. I guess these things just happen.

While guiding a small private tour over the last two weeks, decided to take some of the group out to Vindstad and Bunes beach for the evening. After a cold spring, summer had finally arrived and we were now a full week into t-shirt weather and non stop clear skies. As we caught a boat out to Vindstad in the early evening, I noticed some signs of fog out over Bunes. As the minutes passed, the fog increased, until it became a heavy cloud of grey flowing over the pass towards Vindstad.

The original plan had been to shoot the midnight sun from Bunes and some of the nearby view points. However, the beach was now fully concealed beneath a layer of heavy fog, the location of the sun barely distinguishable. ‘Should we go up?’ I asked. And with that I began my 2nd hike in the same number of weeks up Helvetestind.

Arriving at the summit, we were high above the fog, the wind was calm and it was t-shirt weather under the bright sun, now somewhat low in the northern sky. The beach was concealed, but the flowing fog more than made up for that! Just one of those magical nights in the mountains of Lofoten.

We hung around until just after midnight before heading back down again to catch our ride back to Sakrisøy at 02:00.

Camera Info:
Nikon D800
Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8
24mm
ISO 50
f 11
61 seconds
WB Daylight
10 stop B+W ND filter

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Friday Photo #232 – Helvetestind Camping

Helvetestind Camping - Friday Photo #232

Photo: Summit camp on Helvetestind, Moskenesøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. June 4, 2017. 00:42

Continuing from last weeks photo over Bunes beach, here is my camping spot on the summit of Helvetestind. Truthfully, I thought about just sleeping out in the open for the night, though it had been a bit on the windy side. But I didn’t carry my tent all the way up mountain for northing, so I might as well set it up for some photos!

My main goal for a night on the summit was the last light over Bunes beach and Storskiva. But as the night grows late, the sun passes too far north and Bunes loses any direct light. However, high in the mountains, the sun still shines as it travels from peak to peak. It is sort of a guessing game as to what light you will get, where. Experience in the mountains here helps, but I’m still always surprised by something new. Which unfortunately makes it difficult to sleep sometimes, because as soon as you thing the light might be gone, something new happens!

Camera Info:
Nikon D800
Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8
24mm
ISO 100
f 9
1/15 second
WB Daylight

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Friday Photo #231 – Bunes Beach

Bunes Beach - Friday Photo #231

Photo: Midnight sun over Bunes beach from Helvetestind, Moskenesøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. June 3, 2017. 23:56

On my first visit to Helvetestind some years ago I wasn’t sure if it was possible to camp on the summit, so I left my backpack lower down on the mountain before proceeding up, and seeing that the summit was a perfect place for a tent! Next time I said to myself. Well finally, last weekend was the next time.

With the controversy over whether Reinebringen is closed, can be closed, should be avoided, etc. going on at the moment. I often wonder why there is so much attention paid to one or two specific mountains on Lofoten. I knew Helvetestind to be one of the best views on Lofoten, and yet it has taken me years to get back there. Why? Because there are many other, equally fantastic views across these islands which have also kept me busy over the years. And it will probably be several more years before I return again. There are simply too many mountains here!

This summer has been off to a bit of a slow, cold start. I’ve been waiting until the landscape turns a bit more green before beginning with my mountain projects for the summer – most of which will focus on Vestvågøy this year. But for some reason, I had the strings pulling me back to Helvetestind for my first midnight sun summit of the season. And so, with a promising weather forecast over the weekend, I decided to go for it.

The light had been more dramatic over the previous days, but it was also far too windy for summit camping. And while I would have liked a bit more drama in the sky, it was a fairly calm and peaceful summer night. Although, it is rare that one can ever truly escape the wind here on Lofoten, my tent was a bit noisy as I went to bed around 02:00

Camera Info:
Nikon D800
Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8
14mm
ISO 100
f 9
1/20 second
WB Daylight

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Friday Photo #230 – Myrland Spring

Myrland Spring - Friday Photo #230

Photo: Spring snow over Myrland, Flakstadøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. May 30, 2017. 23:34

A cold north wind has been blowing across Lofoten during the last week. And while the summer sun has arrived on the islands, summer temperatures seem far away! Fresh snow has fallen across the mountains on several days, and while somewhat normal, it has been a colder than average May here in the north. And I just read that some areas of 3x the amount of snow than normal right now. Perhaps I should pull out the skis and head back to the mountains!

Often I watch the nice light and dramatic clouds outside my window during the evening, thinking to myself that I should head out to the mountains, until I remember the work I still need to do, and continue typing away on the computer. But the other day, I finally succumbed to the temptation and went for a quick sprint up Hornet.

Unfortunately, I waited a little too long, and a lay of clouds ate the sun before I reached the summit. I did manage a coupe images of the soft light shining over the valley, but nothing much compared to what I would have seen if I left an hour earlier. But with this my new backyard, I think I will have plenty of chances for something special in the next years.

Camera Info:
Nikon D800
Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8
14mm
ISO 100
f 9
1/15 second
WB Daylight

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Friday Photo #229 – Ytresand Midnight Sun

Ytresand Midnight - Friday Photo #229

Photo: Moltind and Stortind reflect on Ytresand beach under the spring midnight sun, Flakstadøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. May 29, 2016. 23:48

In a few more days the midnight sun will arrive on Lofoten. And by midnight sun, I mean that the sun will not sink below the horizon. Which isn’t really at midnight either, but closer to 01:00, due to daylight savings time. But I guess midnight sun sounds more romantic than one-o’clock-in-the-morning-sun.

I always find spring to be a bit of a strange time of year for the senses. Or more specifically, the days and light are what I associate with summer, but the temperatures, especially this May on Lofoten, are closer to what I think of as winter. So I just need to make sure to brink my big jacket if I plan on sitting around the mountains all night long.

This evening had a layer of light clouds over the northern sky. Something that I normally hate during the day, as it causes a flat, boring light. But with the sun low on the horizon, it was just strong enough to for some nice, warm light to shine across the mountains.

At low tide, Ytresand beach has the potential for some nice reflections, and being just down the road from my house in Skjelfjord at the time, it was an easy location to get to for a quick photo or two. The mountains of Stortind (right) and Moltind (center-ish) form the dramatic ridgeline on central Flakstadøy.

Camera Info:
Nikon D800
Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8
50mm
ISO 100
f 11
1/15 second
WB Daylight

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Friday Photo #228 – Stornappstind Sunset

Stornappstind Sunset - Friday Photo #228

Photo: Last light over Stornappstind from Slettind, Flakstadøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. May 13, 2017. 22:24

The midnight sun is little more than a week away now, but I have already begun the transition to ‘night’ hiking. Though on off days, it feels a bit weird to stay up until 03:00 and wake up just before noon or so. Makes me feel like I’ve been out partying all night and then am waisting half the day, but I think I’m adjusting better than last year.

Slettind is now one of my ‘backyard’ mountains. Though there is no trail, a relatively easy grassy slope leads you up to the ridge at around 480 meters. Then some sheep trails and a few rock steps continue the way up to the 569 meter high summit. I have a feeling this will be a place I visit quite frequently, as the views are incredible.

Under the long hours of sunlight the snow is quickly melting out and the islands are beginning to turn green, though this year seems a bit on the late side, as temperatures have remained on the cooler side for much of May. However, in the mountains, it can still be full winter, and if you are planning on hiking anything inland or at elevation during the next few weeks, then you need to be prepared for winter hiking, not casual trail walking.

You can see the coastal side of Stornappstind is mostly melted out, while the high valley on the right side is still carrying a lot of snow. And the remaining snow is likely deeper area, while the shallow stuff covering rocks will be what has melted out first.

And another warning about rockfall. This is a dangerous time of year on Lofoten. Each time I drive the road to Leknes, there are new stones, and some of them quite large, which have fallen from the mountains above.

Camera Info:
Nikon D800
Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8
15mm
ISO 100
f 10
1/15 second
WB Daylight

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Friday Photo #227 – Spring Snow

Ryten Spring Snow - Friday Photo #227

Photo: Spring snow flurries over Ramberg from Ryten, Moskenesøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. May 19, 2016. 22:35

While the midnight sun is just around the corner and the nights are no longer dark, the last few days have seen the weather turn cold with snow flurries passing over the islands. Spring on Lofoten has a slightly different meaning than spring further south.

This image from last year in mid May, in similar type weather. These passing snow flurries, with the snow only really sticking on the higher elevations, if at all, combined with the low, late evening sun can provide some wonderful light as the long shadows fall across the mountains.

Though this is also a time of year I consider a little hard to photograph, as for the last weeks the grass is mostly brown and lifeless looking after the long winter. This gives most locations in lower elevations a bit of a ‘dead’ look in my opinion. Thus, even with fantastic light, I haven’t been out shooting much unless I can get to the mountain, which unfortunately, hasn’t been much, with the busyness of life getting in the way. But perhaps I need to head up Hornet soon and watch sunset over my new house.

Soon though, the fields will be green, then the first leaves on the trees, and then the mountains themselves. And then, summer! I’m excited to see where my feet will take me this year.

Camera Info:
Nikon D800
Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8
70mm
ISO 250
f 10
1/160 second
WB Daylight

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Friday Photo #226 – Østhimmeltind

Østhimmeltind - Friday Photo #226

Photo: Twilight on the summit ridge of Østhimmeltind (883m), Vestvågøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. April 26, 2017. 20:49

Last week I headed up Østhimmel wind for an attempted winter/spring ascent. With the long days from late April onwards, it is possible to begin hikes in mid to late afternoon without too much of a worry about darkness – especially if you know where you’re going. And so we hit the trail around 16:00.

Leaving the road and entering deeper into Mørkdalen the snow got deep and progress became slow as I regularly sank up to my thighs. Though we were in the shadow by now, it was still a relatively warm day. Out route took us up a safe passage, away from any high cliffs over us, as on a regular basis, moderate sized avalanches would come flowing down the steep faces of Himmeltind or Ristind.

Spring is the time of rock and snow fall on Lofoten, so be careful in which routes you choose in the next weeks.

Finally reaching the summit ridge, where the fun part begins, we traded trekking poles for ice axes and crampons. Progress was initially good, almost easier than hiking the route in Autumn, as I had done previously. That is until we ran into a steep section of rotten snow and ice. We searched for a way around, which led to a steep snow gully exiting with a couple of moves on icy rocks. It would have been possible to get up, but getting down could be problematic. And so after hours of effort, we turned around about 30 meters below the summit – where there was absolutely fantastic evening light.

To this point on the hike, I hadn’t even taken a single photo, as we had been in the shade the entire time, too much contrast to the bright blue sky. But as we descended back down to the ridge, the sun low and casting golden light across Ristind and the higher peaks of Lofoten, I saw an interesting composition: A lone figure against the sky.

Camera Info:
Nikon D800
Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8
14mm
ISO 250
f 8
1/400 second
WB Daylight

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Friday Photo #225 – Mannen

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

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