Info About Oksetinden and Kjempetinden
Oksetinden and Kjempetinden are two wide open south facing slopes in the Tverrelvdalen Valley. The summit elevation of Oksetinden is 1,301 meters while Kjempetinden is 1,126. With highway 86 running through there is a bridge crossing the main river before ascending up Dápmotváddjá creek on either the south or north sides.
Why Oksetinden and Kjempetinden
Be Early May we were in the heart of Spring season with a focus on south facing slopes. Looking at the topographic maps I noticed the potential to link up Oksetinden and Kjempetinden. Being that they both had open runs and were in close proximity to each other. Chatting with friends we decided to head up the Tverrelvdalen Valley and link them up heading in a Southerly direction.
A Long Slog up the Valley
Starting the ski tour we chatted about staying on the right or left side of the creek running into the alpine. In the end we chose the right side and battled through dense trees and steep hillsides. After an hour of pain we finally reached the open slopes.
With terrain much easier we started a low angle traverse towards Oksetinden. Being a wide open face we worked with the slopes doing long switchbacks to gain elevation.
Making our way to the lowest point in the ridge the rest of the climb was mellow. With Each step the surround terrain started to open up with. Looking to the West we had a clean view of the Northeast bowl of Blåbærfjellet .
Standing on the summit of Oksetinden we transitioned and waited for a good patch of sunshine. Once we were all ready to drop in our window opened up and it was time to get going.
Our First Ski Run Down Oksetinden
Following our skin track loosely we made it over to the edge of the South facing bowl and looked down. To link up Oksetinden and Kjempetinden we would drop into the valley before climbing the bowl on the left side of the photo below.
Being that I came up with the route everyone agreed that I would test the slopes. Dropping in the snow was a bit firm but edgeable but quickly improved as I rode lower finally stopping in the valley.
Once everyone was in the valley the clouds started to come in. With half the crew being skiers and the other half being snowboarders the skiers had an easy exit via the valley. Not wanting to do a toeside traverse for numerous kilometres us snowboarders decided to continue the route.
Bootpacking up Kjempetinden was easy with crampons on our feet. Doing low angle switchbacks we quickly gained elevation before reaching the summit. Transitioning to riding we decided to wait around in hope that the sun would come out again.
Snowboarding Down Kjempetinden
After 30 minutes of waiting the weather was getting worse so we decided to get moving. Riding down Kjempetinden we had a clean view of the Tamokdalen Valley below us. Conditions were great with smooth fall line turns all the way to the car below.
The Oksetinden and Kjempetinden traverse was a great route for snowboarding. It had made the most out of the terrain but more importantly made it so we didn’t have to deal with a brutal exit.
If you are interested in this ski tour here is the topo route below
