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Sætretind - Third Couloir

This long couloir ensures an alpine steep skiing adventure you definitely will remember!

Ski Touring Extreme

Distance
6.2 km
Ascent
992 m
Descent
992 m
Duration
4-5 hrs
Low Point
373 m
High Point
1.3 km
Gradient
50˚
Sætretind - Third Couloir Map

This couloir is truly epic, both in terms of good skiing and spectacular surroundings! In this route description the ascent is done up the couloir itself.

Description

Park your car at the big parking lot along the main road. Follow the road to the north, passing the cabins until it ends. Make a traverse slightly to the right so you can enter Kvanndalen above the waterfalls.

At the first flat section in Kvanndalen, looking up to the right you will see the narrow entrance of the couloir. Boot up this section, then the couloir opens up and it is possible to skin until it gets steep again in the top section.

To go all the way to the summit of Nordre Sætretind you have to keep to the left in the top section of the couloir. Put the skis on your backpack and scramble up this steep last section, it will lead you to the col right before the summit.

Leave the skis behind at the col, go to the left around a corner. Be aware that there might be an overhanging cornice here, so be careful! Around the corner climb a little hill of 50 meters and you will reach the summit.

If you don't want to ski the steep top section of the couloir, it is also the possible to enter the couloir even further to the south, which will include an abseil. This alternative brings you more directly into the main couloir, eliminating a gnarly entrance.

This is a steep and exposed couloir with several narrow sections. The couloir is avalanche prone with a narrow steep section in the exit, which requires skiing with absolute control in the upper sections. If an avalanche goes in the uppers sections this will lead to fatal consequences due to the funnel formations in the bottom.

Be careful, pick your day wisely and get ready for a big adventure!

Difficulty

Extreme

Extreme skiing terrain above 45 degrees. These routes are reserved for experienced experts.

High Exposure (E3)

3 out of 4

In case of a fall, death is highly likely.

Remoteness

3 out of 4

Little chance of being seen or helped in case of an accident.

Best time to visit

between December and April

Features

  • Alpine
  • Couloir
  • Single Descent

Equipment required

  • Skins
  • Ice axe
  • Crampons

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area