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Urkedalstind S couloir

A rare +800m sustained steep line in the heart of Sunnmøre

Ski Touring Extreme

Distance
8.7 km
Ascent
1.5 km
Descent
1.5 km
Low Point
78 m
High Point
1.5 km
Gradient
58˚
Urkedalstind S couloir Map

Biggest bootpack you'll do this winter. Steep (+50°) in many places. Some short ice pitches over the several cruxes. Make sure the sun heats the snow enough to be skiable, but don't wait too long and the mountain will start crumble on you.

Description

Wisest choice is to climb the couloir in the morning, and start skiing just as the sun heats the top part enough to be edgable. Crampons + two ice axes are needed for the short icefalls, they aren't very difficult but steep (60-70°), and none are good places to slip. These cruxes can be skied by a confident freerider and have good openings below to dump speed after the drops. Not really a place where you'd like to set up a rappel while the couloir is quickly heating up and snow is deteriorating.

Skiing it onsight could (probably) be done, either by rappelling into the starting col from the summit ridge (30m rope should be enough), or by sideclimbing into it from the lines lookers right, where there are some places you could either rappel or ski (very steep and likely icy), into the couloir around 30 vertical meters from the top.

Make sure to check conditions and size of the chokes with binoculars from below. Also note that this was skied during an exceptionally deep winter and is likely not in condition very often at all!

Difficulty

Extreme

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

Medium Exposure (E2)

2 out of 4

As well as the slope itself, there are some obstacles (such as rock outcrops) which could aggravate injury.

Remoteness

1 out of 4

Close to help in case of emergency.

Best time to visit

between January and March

Features

  • Face
  • Alpine
  • Couloir
  • Ski Mountaineering

Equipment required

  • Skins
  • Ice axe
  • Crampons

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area