[13-3] Three days or a weekend over Hornet and Storsalen [13-4]
[13-5 |] Winter route from Oppdal to Innerdalen [13-6]
[13-7] This is a tour suitable in late winter for those who like strenuous tours over ridges and peaks. [13-8] It can be arranged as a weekend tour over ridges between Oppdal and Storlidalen and onward over Storsalen with overnighting at Bårdsgarden. [13-9] With an overnighting at Renndølseter or Innerdalshytta it can be extended by a day so that the magnificent tour up on Dronningkrona in Vinnufjell can be done. [13-10] The tour is so demanding that it's unsuitable for children. [13-11]
[13-12] You can get to Festa easily by train, bus or car. [13-13] There are early trains and busses that enable you to start reasonably early. [13-14] From Festa, take the ski track up at Bree Gård just west of Festa bridge. [13-15] A little ways up the hillside, it crosses Breesbekken. [13-16] Thereafter, head for the hollow east of the summit. [13-17] The ski track to Hornet is staked for greater parts of the winter. [13-18] From the summit down to Sprengtverråtjønna, there's a fine incline to follow down west of elevation 1419. [13-19] From there, the tour goes over Nonsfjellet and in on the trail that goes to Storlidalen. [13-20] You can follow almost the same route as in summer. [13-21] A swing past Høgsnydda on Okla affords one of the most open and broadest vistas in this part of Trollheimen, even though the summit isn't among the highest. [13-22] The tour to Bårdsgarden, self-service, TT, private, takes about 7 hours. [13-23]
[13-24] From Bårdsgarden the ski track is staked most of the winter, along the marshes south of the face of Storli, up along Kjela and to Tovatna. [13-25] From there, there's often a ski track on the south side of Tovatna up to Meskardet. [13-26] From there, go south and around the hollow south and southeast of Meskardvatnet so that you come to the north side of Østre Sommerungsnebba southeast of elevation 1210. [13-27] Turn southwards again and go up from the base so that you come up to the saddle northeast of Østre Sommerungsnebba, elevation about 1370. [13-28] From there, towards the north-northwest up along the ridge to the summit that is called Pyramiden (elevation about 1680). [13-29] Most of this ridge must be traversed on foot. [13-30] Up on Pyramiden the tour continues on foot, directly westwards and then to the summit; the route is obvious. [13-31] An alternative route that also is steep but can be skied, is to maintain elevation at about 1400 meters from the saddle, under Østre Sommerungsnebba and then about 800 meters towards the west-southwest to below the summit. [13-32] From in beneath the summit there's an incline up to the ridge west of Pyramiden. [13-33] You must judge snow conditions for both these routes, and they should not be skied in avalanche risk periods. [13-34] You should also be aware that hard snow and ice can make particularly the last few meters to the summit difficult. [13-35] Besides, the last part of this tour is slightly exposed and steep. [13-36]
[13-37] Stortoppen is at 1798 m. [13-38] From here, all of Trollheimen and Dovre/Skrymtheimen can be seen. [13-39] Farther south, when the view is clear, you can see the Galdhøpigg massif, Storjuvtinden and Skardstind in Jotunheimen. [13-40] To the northwest, you can see Tustnastabbene and the ocean. [13-41] As a vantage point, however, Storsalen's north summit (1720) is in a class by itself. [13-42] The view from here down to Innerdalen surpasses most. [13-43] The north face of Storsalen is imposing with an impressive, nearly vertical fall of about 1000 m down to Innerdalen. [13-44] Down from the summit, you go first towards the north summit to the depression at 1593, then down in Tverrådalen and northwards again don to Innerdalen to where Falesetra was located. [13-45] This hillside faces northwest and can be hard and icy and therefore a little difficult. [13-46] It's best to ski between the two streams. [13-47] It's least steep here. [13-48] Down on the valley floor, it's easy skiing down Innerdalen and onward to Nerdal to finish the tour. [13-49] The tour takes about 8 - 9 hours. [13-50]
[13-51] From Nerdal to Ålvundeid it's barely 10 km. [13-52] From here, there's frequent bus service to Kristiansund, Molde, and Oppdal / Trondheim. [13-53] After the second day, you can also overnight in Innerdalen to take in Dronningkrona in Vinnnufjell on the third day. [13-54] There is lodging at Innerdalen Turisthytte, private, staffed, booked stays out of season, and at Renndølseter, self-serve in winter, private. [13-55] Go down the valley towards Dalsbøen, a good 4 km past Nerdal. [13-56] On the east side of Kvernåa there's a trail. [13-57] With climbing skins on your skis, you can follow it up through the woods to Sandvikdalen. [13-58] Then, you just head toward the saddle a few hundred meters south of Sandvikhaugen. [13-59] Along the ridge you go on top of the world (! [13-60] ) onward to Dronningkrona. [13-61] The elevation gain from the valley up to Dronning-krona is respectable, from 200 up to 1800 meters! [13-62] So the view is incredible, to Eikesdalsfjellene, Innerdalsfjellene, the mountains south of Sunndalen, down to the fjords and out towards the coast! [13-63] Descend again the same way. [13-64] For those who like steep downhill runs, it can be thrilling! [13-65] The tour takes about 8 hours. [13-66]
[13-67] Maps: [13-68] 1:50,000 Oppdal, Romfo, and Sunndalsøra. [13-69] Hiking and skiing map 1:75,000 Trollheimen doesn't cover the tour to Vinnufjell. [13-70] Old hiking and skiing maps, 1:100,000 are hard to read for this type of summit tour and don't cover the area towards Dronningkrona. [13-71]
[13-72] Reidar Dahl