Description

From the top of Istinden you have the best view of the Lyngen Alps, and with a steep descent this is a true classic of the region. The Lyngen Alps are perhaps Norway's roughest peak hiking area, full of high alpine peaks plunging into the sea.

If you book accommodation at the unattended Jægervasshytta, which is on the north-west side of the Lyngen Peninsula, you can reach both Istinden and several of the other peaks in the Lyngen Alps during a long weekend (LOCAL TIP!). Ascent: Start from "Ura" down by the fjord "Kjosen".

You start the day by following a "halfpipe-shape" up to the moraine (which was constructed to control the direction of possible avalanches).

Follow this and take a course toward the lowest point on the ridge you see at approximately 550m.

Then continue along the left side of the moraine ridge and continue up the face which lies east of Urdkjerringa.

Continue up the glacier in a northeastern direction.

At about 1200 meters, turn west and up onto a small ridge.

Continue a hundred meters to the start of a couloir.

This one brings you to the top.

In the upper part, the couloir becomes so narrow and steep that you have to take the skis on your backpack.

Be aware of the risk of avalanches here! Descent: The descent follows the same route as the ascent. Alternative descents: There are some very steep couloirs to the north and northwest.

These end up in "Tyttebærdalen".

The steepness of these is more than 40 degrees.

If you plan to ski down here, you should go up the line you are going to ski down.