A great choice both for the ski quality and the outstanding summit views!

Statistics

3 - 4

hrs

851

m

851

m

33

max°

Difficulty

FATMAP difficulty grade

Difficult

Description

A highlight among the numerous Senja ski touring mountains, Keipen offers not only extraordinary summit views, but often holds good snow as much of its terrain is protected from the north westerly hard winds coming from the sea.

The top bowl is big and open with an angle perfect for big charging turns! The final part leading up towards the summit follows the south ridge and depending on conditions it's often needed to take off the skis and boot up the last meters.

From the summit you have some of the very best views that Senja has to offer with a 360° panorama over the beautiful and spectacular Senja mountains and the big north Sea! This skitour has some mandatory passages in terrain 30-35° of angle.

Make it your goal to read the micro terrain well and lay the uphill track in the weaknesses of the slope, finding the lowest angle ascent route. Start out by following the river on its westerly side.

At about 360m you follow the ridge west with a few shorter sections at <35°.

The main face up towards the top ridge offers a variety of steepness great for skiing for most levels of back country skiers.

On the ascent you can stay sub 30° here if you read the terrain well until you climb a steeper section 30-35° to gain the top ridge.

The ridge gets gradually steeper towards the summit and reach <35° before topping out. The normal descent follows the ascent line. Be aware of avalanche paths, micro terrain/gullies and the possible cornice at the top - keep a good distance to the edge! As always, the indicated route is an approximate estimation of the best ascent line.

Adjust locally to optimize your choice of route to the current conditions and your preference! Alternative variation: It is possible to ski steeper terrain from the top ridge and into the main face.

Scout it out on the way up and if you decide to drop in, be sure to have the safe snow conditions as the slope under the top ridge sometimes can be loaded with lurking wind slabs!