FATMAP by Strava

Rostakulen

Lyngen

Possibly the best sunset run within all of the Tamokdalen Backcountry

Ski Touring Difficult

Distance
7.1 km
Ascent
1.1 km
Descent
1.1 km
Duration
4-5 hrs
Low Point
190 m
High Point
1.3 km
Gradient
52˚
Rostakulen Map

The North Face of Rostakulen is a gem within the Tamokdalen Valley combining an easy approach with great north facing turns on both steep and mellow slopes. Being on the Western edge of the range it offers excellent views as well as some of the best sunset turns around as the evening alpenglow lights up the slopes.

Description

Leaving the Lyngen area drive up the Tamokdalen road past the Tamokhuset then turn off left towards a small area named Engvoll. When the road branches with a Y this is the area to park at and start the ski tour as it is just wide enough for a handful of cars without blocking the road to locals.

Starting the ski tour follow the cross country ski track for a few hundred meters before starting to ascend through the dense trees. You need to make sure that you’re just east of the massive lower cliff band before reaching the middle open alpine slopes. Once above tree line the route is pretty straightforward with the main headwall in view the entire time you are climbing towards it.

The moment you hit the base of the upper face it is time to switch from skinning to cramponing with the best climbing route being on the side of the gullies and not in the gut. Once on top I recommend digging into the slope and making a wind protected shelter awaiting the late afternoon alpenglow before descending back down the route you had climbed.

While descending make sure not to get too excited and ride the entire mid slope fall line as there is an impassible cliff. The best way to deal with this is to follow your skin track until reaching the end of the cliff band and descending into the trees. Once in the trees it is worth doing a slow traverse skiers left as when done correctly you can snowboard all the way back to the car. If you just ride the entire lower slope fall line you will end up in flats and be forced to skin back to the car.

Once again this is an area prone to potential avalanches and needs to be climbed cautiously. This run is great in corn but really shines when it is powder conditions.

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

Difficulty

Difficult

Serious gradient of 30-38 degrees where a real risk of slipping exists.

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

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

between February and May

Features

  • Bowl
  • Face
  • Alpine
  • Cliffs
  • Single Descent
  • Ski Mountaineering

Equipment required

  • Skins
  • Crampons

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area