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Rostafjellet West Couloir

Lyngen

A stunning Couloir just outside of the Tamokdalen Valley

Ski Touring Severe

Distance
4.6 km
Ascent
1.1 km
Descent
1.1 km
Duration
3-4 hrs
Low Point
90 m
High Point
1.2 km
Gradient
55˚
Rostafjellet West Couloir Map

From the moment I saw the west facing couloir off of Rostafjellet I put it on my list of potential ski tours. Being over 3,000 feet from top to bottom it is an incredibly aesthetic line as well as a unique feature within the Tamok backcountry. Being on the Western side of the range and beyond the pass this area gets less snow and a better chance of sunshine if a storm is raging in the Tamokdalen Valley. We were filling okay with the snowpack as there had been a bit of fresh snow but the snow under it was solid. With favourable conditions we decided it was time to go check it out. It is a steep chute so must be accessed with caution.

Description

Driving among the East shores of Rostavatn make your way to Skredbekken creek where you can park within a few feet of your ascent route. At first follow the creek skinning right up the gut. Before long you will reach an impassible waterfall where we decided to head lookers left into the dense trees and claw our way up. Once near the top and just below a the massive rock headwall you can easily traverse back into the gully right at the moment it starts turning into a chute.

Once in the chute it comes up to a Y where you need to make your way up the lookers right side. From here on out proceed with caution going from protected spot to the next. When we climbed it one would hide in a safe spot while the other person made it to the next spot before the second person followed their tracks. The line is long and seems like it will never end but before long you are up at the col and excited about what you are about to ride.

Dropping in make sure to space out and ride from safe spot to safe spot. Unlike our ascent route we decided to ride the gully all the way to just above the waterfall. Once on the flats just above we went skiers left and found a route to ride down through the dense trees before heading back into the gully. Near the bottom there is an open spot where we decided to traverse a bit skiers right and ride on the edge of a farm all the way to the car.

This is a great line but should only be done if the snowpack is stable and you are confident in your climbing abilities.

For more photos and information on the route check out this link https://www.whereiskylemiller.com/tamokdalen/rostafjellet-west/

Difficulty

Severe

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

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

3 out of 4

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

Best time to visit

between February and May

Features

  • Alpine
  • Couloir
  • Single Descent
  • Ski Mountaineering

Equipment required

  • Skins
  • Ice axe
  • Crampons

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area