 Poster: A snowHead
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Having waved goodbye to Arno, Flounderymark, Hewey and Nick M last Sunday (see various fish-related TRs elsewhere on here), I promptly picked up Will who was arriving on the inbound flight and we headed back out to Lofoten, picking up Chipie en route, who had made his way by boat from Tromso to a tiny port on the coast that day.
With a finite weather window, greatly stabilised snowpack and a few hours of daylight to spare we immediately set about one of our objectives for the trip, the Presten couloir.
Presten couloir - centre of picture - the buttress on the right is over 400m high and a rock-climbers mecca in summer:
The Presten is one of the classic steeper lines of Lofoten and epitomises easy access - you park in a layby, put your skins on your skis and immediately start up the couloir!
The first part of the couloir is skinnable, but soon the angle kicks up and skis go on the pack:
Will putting in the bootpack below the narrows:
Looking back from below the narrows:
Some years/weeks this section is blue ice & rock - there was definitely blue ice underneath the snow, but no problem on the way up or down:
Above the narrows the couloir keeps on kicking up and gave an interesting finale of thin snow over frozen grass and reindeer moss. Not too bad with crampons, but potentially stimulating on the way down!
A chilly breeze was blowing at 500m at the top of the couloir so we didn't hang about too long and got straight into the descent.
Will contemplating the frozen grass section:
A pair of sea eagles were keeping an eye on Chipie's turns in the top section - maybe hoping for an easy meal?:
Chipie again:
Will letting rip through the narrows:
Less exposed from here, time to enjoy the skiing & the backdrop:
Great ambiance in the couloir:
Evening light... nice... :
Chipie - 'air to beach':
A classic line, and we made it to Henningsvaer just in time for a plate of cod stew and a pint of eye-wateringly expensive Nordlands beer...
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| offpisteskiing wrote: |
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$$$
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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?
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I'm packing my crampons and axe next year!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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life jacket with ABS needed!!!
amazing though! Lofoten now top of my hitlist 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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+1 : one for next year's Snowheads calendar
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Mon 15-04-13 17:24; edited 1 time in total
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Very nice!
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Stunning. Glad your trip turning out so good.
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Sweet 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Arno wrote: |
| I'm packing my crampons and axe next year! |
Ahhhh, more shiny things for Christmas for me then 
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| offpisteskiing wrote: |
Will contemplating the frozen grass section:
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Good times in Lofoten. What we all would give to be half as good as Will or ski half of what he has skied.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Wow, that looks exciting. Not sure I'd be fit enough to climb up now, though - assuming I've got the bottle for the down - which looks quite exposed in places 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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snowball, it's amazing what a difference climbing at sea level makes. the up is like a moderately energetic walk in the Lake District and then you have a nice ski down
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God, that looks beautiful. Would that I were 40 years younger, 400% fitter, and could actually ski competently enough for it.
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You know it makes sense.
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Fabulous. Thanks.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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dropping into that thing, I would want all leg energy available...
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Poster: A snowHead
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We need a snowHeads Lofoten touring bash!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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So: On Wednesday, I turn my calendar over at work to reveal a picture of Lofoten. Yesterday Flouncymark messages me with news that offpisteskiing is thinking about plans for next season. And today this thread gets bumped. It's a conspiracy, I tell you.... 
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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?
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| davidof wrote: |
| What we all would give to be half as good as Will or ski half of what he has skied. |
davidof he will be sorely missed by a lot of people...
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I recently bought a painting of Lyngen - I'd not heard of this amazing place, though.
Arno, yes, I can see that would make it easier. I have walked up 1,000 metres a couple of times at Alpine heights but I didn't enjoy it.
I bought crampons for my ski-boots last season - perhaps time I bought an ice-axe.....
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I stayed around the corner in the apartments above the private bar (blown down in astorm). Stunning place.
Brother in laws boss owned the place
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FAQ
