The Northern Section of the Lyngen Alps Ski Traverse
The Northern Section of the Lyngen Alps was the area I knew the best. Over the past 3 years I had been ski touring in the area and I was looking forward to checking out some new areas. Unlike the Southern Section this had some high cols that we would have to go over. Though the weather had been bad the prior week we were optimistic that conditions would soon improve. We were off to the Northern Section of the Lyngen Alps Traverse
Hanging out outside of Lyngseidet we picked up our food caches. Swapping out the fuel canisters and filling our packs with dehydrated food. Finding a camping spot next to a cemetery we laughed off the horrible weather we had experienced.
Day 1 of The Northern Section
Hanging out in the lowlands we had internet service and checked the forecast.While the weather was going to be bad for the next 24 hours it was calling to be clear for a few days. Leaving town we skinned up the East shoulder of Store Kjostinden.
After around 7 miles we made it to a hut and decided it was best to stay here instead of possibly getting stuck in a tent in the high alpine. By now the weather had improved but we wanted to rest as the next day was calling for clear skies.
First Powder Turns of the Trip
Ilkka and Jamie rested in the hut while Wiggles and I decided to go out for a lap. There was another guy staying there who was keen to get out and we wanted to finally do some snowboarding in the new powder that had fallen overnight. in the local scenery with another person who was staying at the hut.Leaving the hut we spotted Skáidevárri and decided there looked like soon good north facing slopes to ride on.
Making it over to the base of the Northeast ridge we skinned until bootpacking was more efficient. The snow was deep and covering the whole slope. We broke trail breaking into sections as we passed off trail breaking.
Looking back down the valley we had a clear view of the hut in the distance. For the past week we had been in storms day after day and finally we were in blue sky powder conditions.
Once on the top of the Northeast ridge of Skáidevárri we dropped into the steep slopes. It was bottomless snow as we kicked up powder clouds with every turn. While I expected it to be good this was much better then I had expected.
After arriving back in the valley we decided to climb the mountain right next to the hut. There was another north facing slope where we could ride all the way back compared to the flats of the valley.
Once again we dropped into awesome conditions descending towards the valley. By now the clouds had lifted off of the peaks and we could see deeper into the Lyngen Alps.
Day 2 Heading up and Over Tvillingstinden
Waking up we got out of the hut and started skinning up the long valley. Breaking trail was slow with a foot of fresh snow but it would be made worth it during the descents.
Heading up the Russedalen valley we cut onto the glacier just below Tvillingstinden. Staying on the far right we were able to stay away from the ice bulges finding a smooth route to the upper slopes.
Taking a Side Trip up Tvillingstinden
Once on the upper glacier we dropped off our camping gear and starting heading towards the north face of Tvillingstinden. This was a line that I had rode two times prior but not in powder and that was what was up there.
We skinned until the slopes got to steep and switched over to bootpacking. The upper face was in the sun and the snow crystals glistened in the light.
Wading through the snow we made it to the summit and took in the views around us. We still needed to pass through the col to the north and drop back into the lowlands before the day was over.
Jamie dropped in first and immediately the snow looked so good. With every turn he would disappear and reappear again. One after another we laid our tracks down the face before reuniting at its base.
Throwing our gear back in the packs it was time to keep moving North. We still had one more descent for the day before setting up camp. Heading up to the low col I couldn’t help but to look back towards our tracks.
Snowboarding Down the Lenangsbreen Glacier
On the upper col we switched over to snowboarding in the shade as we saw the sun light up the slopes below. It was late in the afternoon by now making the light even more dramatic.
The Lenangsbreen Glacier was one of the longest runs being over 1,000 meters. At first the slope was mellow but it ramped up the lower we got.
Near the bottom we had to traverse around the cliff band following the skiers right side. Making it past the crux we were skinning across a frozen lake and looking for a good camping spot.
From there we set up camp and soaked in the last few rays of sun before the temperature dropped. The last bit of alpenglow painted the surrounding mountains and we enjoyed every second of sunshine before it went behind the Northern Mountains.
Day 4 Climbing over some Steep Cols
The next morning we woke up to Flat light but it was much better than we had previously experienced. Heading East up the valley we were able to skin all the way to a high col which would give us access tot he next valley.
We needed to drop a few hundred meters into the bowl before climbing a small ridge to the east. Though we wished the line was longer there was a spot in the next valley that Ilkka had camped in before and wanted to go there.
Throwing our crampons back on we made quick work of the few hundred meter.
Arriving on the summit we chatted about a few options for gullies to get to the valley below before agreeing on one. The top turns were steep but it mellowed out dramatically. Before long we rode to a junction point between to valleys.
Setting up camp we stared at the surround peaks. Though I had been in the Northern Lyngen area before this was a completely new place.
Day 5 and the Crux of the Trip
Waking up we threw our gear in our packs and started heading for the crux of the Northern Route. Looking at the maps we needed to climb a steep face before arriving at a high col.
Traversing to the base of our climb we switched to crampons and made our way up a step at a time. I was a bit nervous as I wasn’t 100% sure that the route would go on the other side.
Standing on the col my fears fell away. Below us was a wide open bowl just begging for snowboard tracks. Though it looked like a good angle up high it seemed like we would have to skin through the valley below.
We were actually able to ride all the way to the lower valley and spotted a hut in the distance. The area was remote and we were surprised to spot it. Getting a closer look we found out that it was a wilderness camping hut and decided to stay the night there as it was almost dusk. We needed to get some rest as the next day was going to be long.
Day 6 Wrapping around Storgalten
The 5th morning we woke up excited. It was sunny, we were close to the end and as far as we knew the conditions were still good. Heading down the valley on the eastern side of the creek we planned on climbing up the Southwest side of Storgalten.
Making our way up higher it was a much warmer day then before. While we had rode powder before the conditions weren’t nearly as good.
Wrapping around the East side of Strurgalten we were able to easily head north. There were a few small north facing bowls that would hopefully be holding powder.
Dropping down the northeast bowl of Storgalten the snow was much better then we had just experienced.
There was still one last hill to climb before reaching our camping spot. While the west side of the slopes was a popular area there was no one to be seen.
Standing on the top of our final peak of the day we had an open view of the sea in the distance. We were only a peak away from finishing the Lyngen Traverse. We stood around for 30 minutes before riding to the north.
Dropping in we road towards the sea before finding a suitable camping spot.
Being our last night in the Lyngen Alps Traverse we enjoyed the sunset. We had planned on meeting up with my friend David the next day so we needed to get up early.
Day 7 Finishing the Lyngen Alps Traverse
Our final morning we rode down to the road and walked along it to meet up with David. He had arrived the night before at the base of Russelvfjellet waiting for us to show up.
Once we were a crew again it was time to make our final climb of the Lyngen Alps Traverse. This time we would wrap around the Northwest side of Russelvfjellet.
Skinning up we were surrounded by the ocean on 3 sides. Off in the distance there were mountains sticking out of the sea. This was a unique landscape and so different then what we had been seeing the last two weeks.
Our final summit was a thing of beauty. We were all excited and happy that everything worked well in the end. The smiles were quite contagious as we switched over to riding mode to make our final turns back down to the sea.
From than it will as down hill for one final run all the way to the beachfront.
We were able to ride all the way to the shore with smiles on our faces. The first week had been a challenge with bad weather but the second week was everything we had hoped for.
Heading out to the North Shore
Ditching our boards we hiked out to the Northern point of Lyngen. We had already gone that far it seemed like a shame to stop there
It was a wild traverse but all had gone smooth in the end. I had dreamed of this trip for years now and I could finally take it off the tick list. I felt very fortunate having such a great group to ski tour with. Everyone brought there own skills and it was great having such solid company.
