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Ellendaltinden West Couloir

Lyngen

A truly brilliant line with perfect pedal-to-the-metal terrain.

Ski Touring Severe

Distance
12 km
Ascent
1.3 km
Descent
1.3 km
Duration
6-7 hrs
Low Point
49 m
High Point
1.3 km
Gradient
52˚
Ellendaltinden West Couloir Map

This is a real Lyngen classic and a much sought after line. The approach is quite long but your efforts are extremely well rewarded with a truly fantastic ski descent.

Description

Start by following a clear ploughed track as it climbs gently to the the east. Eventually the track ends but you just carry on climbing in the same direction up mellow terrain into the wide valley beneath Ellendaltinden.

At this stage the couloir is clearly visible ahead and to the right and is just begging to be skied! Head straight towards it and zig zag up to the bottom.

Once in the couloir itself you will need to bootpack, and in poor conditions you might be glad of crampons. That said, if conditions are bad enough that crampons are vital, consider whether you want to be skiing the line!

The bootpack is consistent enough and only steepens just before the top. It finishes at a col where there is plenty of space to transition to skis and prepare yourself for the epic ski that is coming your way!

Ski the couloir as fast as you dare (it's one of those lines that feels better as you go faster) and savour every amazing turn. At the bottom of the couloir push out left and follow the ascent route all the way back to the road. This involves a bit of poling/sidestepping but is more or less downhill all the way.

The parking area is in a peaceful spot so take some time to savour your success and enjoy the ambience before heading back to civilisation.

Difficulty

Severe

Steep skiing at 38-45 degrees. This requires very good technique and the risk of falling has serious consequences.

Low Exposure (E1)

1 out of 4

Exposure is limited to that of the slope itself. Getting hurt is still likely if the slope is steep and/or the snow is hard.

Remoteness

3 out of 4

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

Best time to visit

between December and May

Features

  • Couloir
  • Single Descent
  • Ski Mountaineering

Equipment required

  • Skins
  • Ice axe
  • Crampons

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area