The previous season I had bailed on Háhttagáisi South Chute because we were too late in the day. I knew I wanted to go back but just needed the right weather window. The typical Spring weather of cloudy days and clear night showed up again in the Forecast and I had to come up with a plan. The weather forecast called for the weather to heat up and it was about to destroy all the powder on the mountains.
I decided to head up and spend the night near the summit before making the most out of the day.
Sunset Trip to Háhttagáisi
Just the trip to Háhttagáisi was a trip within a trip as I walked 5 kms on the road in the Gum Boots before starting skinning. I had spotted a small road on the map that would get me close to the West Col. Once on the road I was greeted with 20cms of wet and heavy snow battling to gain elevation.
The first hour of being in the alpine was a blur traversing to the low col in white out conditions. Occasionally I would get a small break in the clouds and kept pushing higher until I arrived at the ridge and the clouds cleared up.
After dropping a 100 meters I was in the West valley of Háhttagáisi with the late afternoon sun setting. Fortunately as I gained elevation and changed aspects the snow conditions improved.
Dropping to the bottom of the valley it meant that I would have to climb up a small cirque. Little did I know that this would be the crux of my ascent route. Being on a wide open slope I kept my switchbacks in what seemed like the safest zone.
After that I was in the Northwest Bowl of Háhttagáisi. From my vantage point it seemed like I could see the summit basking in the late afternoon sun.
I raced up the bowl laying out some low angle switchbacks finally making it back into the light on the upper slopes.
By now we were within two weeks of Midnight sun so although it drops below the horizon it only stays there for a few hours and it is still light out.
Setting up Base Camp
The forecast I had read was calling for potential high winds so once I got to a flat bench 100 feet below the summit I dug out a shelter. I had taken Down Pants, a stove and a sleeping pad so I wanted to have a nice spot to rest. This would be a good basecamp and leave me with close access to Hahttagaisi south chute.
I stuck around in the shelter for an hour melting snow and eating food before I decided to get moving. I had checked the forecast and it said it was -17c outside so the best option was to move to stay warm.
Climbing up to the summit of Háhttagáisi I took a small traverse to get some better views of the Valley. By now the sun had set and this was as dark as it was going to get.
It was a beautiful night to be out as clear skies had been quite rare for the past few weeks. It was early May and we will still riding great powder.
Taking a break before going to Háhttagáisi South Chute
Back at camp I took another break and made some warm drinks while coming up with a plan. I wasn’t feeling tires and with the weather looking good I decided to pack all my gear and head back to the summit. I was interested in Hahttagaisi South Chute but I also had doubts about stability and had come to terms about not riding it.
Hiking back up to the summit the sun had just started rising again and the winds picked up dramatically.
Instead of heading to the main summit I walked over to Hahttagaisi South Chute to check it out. The first thing I noticed was the massive overhanging cornice at its entrance. Out of pure interest I took out my shovel and started breaking off chunks of the cornice. Pieces of snow bigger then me hit the slopes bellow and while it tumbled down there was no sluffs or slabs. I was convinced that the chute itself was stable.
Snowboarding Down Hahttagaisi South Chute
When I dropped in it was more ski cutting then snowboarding as I was solo in a place you didn’t want to go for a ride in. A turn at a time I made it down to the choke and before long I was out of it and sheltered in a safe spot behind a rock.
One of the reasons I decided to leave so early was that I didn’t want the face I was riding to be in the sun. It was South facing and was going to get cooked fast. I had turned back for that reason the year before and I didn’t want to make the same mistake.
Below me the terrain was much more open but also one of the biggest slide paths in Norway. The only thing that I was sure of was that once I dropped in I had to commit.
It was steep bottomless turns as I slowly moved riders right in case I had caused any sluffs. It was in even better conditions then I had expected.
The problem was that I got a bit too excited snowboarding down Háhttagáisi South Chute and I forgot about the cliff halfway down as I started noticing rocks and quickly realized my mistake. Taking my board off I hiked back up about 50 steps before getting back on the board and traversing around the cliffs.
Once past the Cliff band I it was a mellow cruiser all the way to the valley bellow. What was powder up high turned to ice as I hit the tree level but it was still firm in the morning sun.
The Long Walk Back to Tamokhuset
Once back at the road the real adventure started hiking a kilometer the opposite way to get to my Gum Boots at the starting point. It was around 5 in the morning and t was a stunning morning.
Switching from snowboard boots over to Gum Boots I started hiking towards my snowboard and backpack that I had stashed further up the road. Once back at my gear I sat there for a while and waited for the sun to start lighting up the face. I could see my tracks on the lower face but it seemed the upper tracks had been buried in sluff.
Then it was time to walk 4 kms back to where I was staying. Walking along the road I took in the views of the mountains and watched as the weather slowly deteriorated. I was fortunate that everything had gone smooth and worked as well as it did.
What to say about the South Chute of Háhttagáisi….. Well it should only be ridden when it is stabile but you really arent going to know until you are there. The chute is small and the crux has a rock in the middle of it. As I looked up the mountain I noticed you can easily access the face on the West under the cliff bands and it is almost just as good of a run with a few hour less approach. Am I happy that I did the line….yes Would I do it again…..maybe?
Thanks For Reading this and here is a link if you want to check out more
Ski Tours in the Tamokdalen area
Options for Other Ski Tours Tours Abroad
Snowboarding in the Cascade Mountains
Exploring the Khibney Mountains of Russia
Lyngen and Lofoten in Northern Norway
Huge Thanks to Jarkko, Christel and Aadne for having me help take care of the Tamokhuset.
Thanks For Reading this and here is a link if you want to check out the area
Ski Tours in the Tamokdalen area
Options for Other Ski Tours Tours Abroad
Snowboarding in the Cascade Mountains
Exploring the Khibney Mountains of Russia
Lyngen and Lofoten in Northern Norway
Huge Thanks to Jarkko, Christel and Aadne for having me help take care of the Tamokhuset.