Description

In a strong field, this is one of the best and most scenic tours in the Lyngen Alps.

It is quite far north on the Lyngen Peninsula and a long drive from any of the bigger towns in the region so it feels very wild and out-there. The ascent starts with a flat track alongside a lake, which makes for a gentle warm up.

After about 20 minutes of skinning you reach a couple of buildings, at which point you turn south-east and begin skinning up through gentle trees to reach the beginning of the huge, long valley that makes up most of this route. Pass to the north of a small lake and follow the left hand side of the valley as it climbs higher and higher.

Once you get into the upper section of the bowl drift left as the valley naturally winds north-east, directly towards Store Jaegervasstinden, and comes to the foot of a wide couloir. Skin up the couloir to reach the summit ridge of the peak.

Follow the ridge to the West summit of Store Jaegervasstinden.

Most people turn around here but if you really want to tag the main summit of Store Jaegervasstinden you can climb the ridge to the east but it is technical and exposed.

If you decide to go to the "real" summit then bring a rope and some basic climbing hardware.

The line here only goes to the West summit and for this, you won't need a rope. Ski back down the ascent route, which has a bit of everything on the way down; there's the couloir at the top, some fast open pitches in the bowl and then some brilliant, open tree skiing low down.

When skiing the trees it's a good idea to keep pushing out right so as to minimise the flat section back to the car. When you do finally make it back to the road you've still got a bit of a drive to reach a bar, but the delay in getting your hands on a drink will just make it taste all the sweeter when you finally do!