 Poster: A snowHead
|
The Lofoten islands haven't had a vintage winter for snow this year (if anything, very much the opposite) but that doesn't mean there isn't fun to be had...
Last year I had spotted some lines on Ristinden, an 850m high peak near Leknes, but ran out of time to go exploring. This year skiing something on this peak was high on my list of priorities as there is basically no information about prior descents, so although the obvious lines have undoubtedly been skied before, there is a real sense of adventure heading off in to 'uncharted' territory.
Ristinden is a stunning peak:
There appear to be 4 good independent steep lines on this peak, the one I was most drawn to this year was the South gully, a direct line from below the summit, with a small ramp leading in from the West shoulder - more obvious from the Leknes area (left-slanting gully line directly below summit...):
For only the second time this year we had to start the day on foot, but soon it was straight into crampons and axe territory to figure out a passage through the lower rock bands guarding the bottom of the face. Guy & Jon on bootpack duties:
A bit of slightly blind weaving took us onto more open slopes, then up into the entrance to the gully:
Once in the gully we started to come under fire from above - a combination of wind and sun sending a lot of debris down from the iced-up rocks that cap the gully. With several larger sluffs also coming down a quick re-think was forced - we found some shelter under an overhanging rock at about 770m and after some debating decided that it was probably a good idea to head down rather than continue on into the bombardment with no obvious shelter ahead and an uncertain exit along (what we hoped was) the ramp below the summit.
A shame not to top out the gully, but we still had a great ski - Guy in action:
Oli:
Out of the gully, still steep, and exposed above small bluffs , but a bit more relaxed out of the firing line!:
With a bit of ingenuity, and some unleashing of the snow radar we managed to ski back to 150m above sea level, leaving a pleasant 20 min wander back down to the car...
All in all a great day out, hindsight says we should have continued on, but better to have the option to go back another time to finish it off...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Noice!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
Fabulous
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Nice work.
The hardest decision can sometimes be the one to turn around short of the goal. It is also the decision that helps ensure you live to ski another day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Sharkymark, will be in touch this week...!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
