Info on the North Chute of Store Kjostinden
Store Kjostinden is a 1,488 meter peak just north of Lyngsedit in the Lyngen Alps of Norway. Being a prominent Massif it offers potential ski runs on all aspects. The northeast side holds the Rottenvikbreen Glacier which flows almost to the summit. The Eastern ridge holds numerous chutes that were caused by glacial erosion which are great for ski touring. This area is quite popular during the winter and spring season.
Arriving in Lyngsedit
I left Lofoten with 3 bags filled to the brim with ski touring gear. After 3 buses, 2 nights in Tromsø and a ferry I was finally on the shores of the Lyngen Alps. I had met up with a guy named Zach through mutual friends and we were off to Lyngen with me staying for only a few days before flying home.
Arriving at Lyngsedit we met up with his friend David at the Magic Mountain Lodge before heading to his house. I was blown away with the great ski touring options right from there balcony. I had just come from Lofoten and the terrain was completely different.
Ski Touring to the North Chute of Store Kjostinden
We were itching to get out and Zach had mentioned the North Couloir of Store Kjostinden. I had no idea what he was talking about but I was happy just to explore the area.
Skinning up to Rottenvikvatnet Lake the sky around us was dramatic. We could see the faint outline of the mountains but everything was pretty flat light up higher on the slopes.
Bootpacking Straight Up
Making our way up the lower angle glacier we arrived at the base of the North Chute of Store Kjostinden. The terrain looked steep but there was a bunch of new snow on the slope. We would just hike up to where we felt uncomfortable then turn around.
The further up the slope we got the deeper the snow became. Before long we wading though hip deep snow breaking open the snow in front of us before taking the next step. I had been in Norway for 3 weeks and this would be my first powder run.
We passed bootpacking duties back and forth making slow progress up the chute before reaching the high col. The snow was so good that it made the steeps easy to climb.
Finding Powder in the North Chute of Store Kjostinden
It was still flat light but we had the our tracks to follow as every turn kicked up snow. This was the Norway I had been dreaming of and I was very fortunate to be getting these turns in Early May. I only had a few days left before I had to go home but as long as conditions stayed the way they were it was going to be great.
I took this photo of the line while ski touring in the area on my 2015 season.
