Tverrfjellet (10.07.2012)  4

Written by hmsv1 (Hannah Vickers) GSM

Start point Kattfjordeidet brua
Characteristic Hillwalk
Duration 4h 00min
Map
Ascents Tverrfjellet (675m) 10.07.2012

This trip was initiated rather spontaneously during the lunch time at Nordlysobservatoriet with my friend Stine. Since it was such a nice sunny day, I was feeling extremely compelled to be outdoors and in the mountains again - but not on my own. I thought I would try my luck to interest some people to join me for an after-work trip and make a suggestion while people were in the foyer eating lunch. I wasn't all that hopeful, but to my amazement, my friend Stine actually agreed to come with me, which was extremely pleasing! So all of a sudden we had a plan to do another of the Ti på Topp trips, and I made the suggestion to go to Tverrfjellet since it was nestled right amongst the impressive string of peaks on the northern side of Kattfjord - Blåskredtinden, Middagstind, Skitntind and Storsteinnestind. Perfect. I drove to her house at 5pm and we took the short 1/2 hour drive to the big parking place at the foot of Tverrfjellet, and also just below Durmålsfjellet. Stine was a little apprehensive, I could tell, because she wasn't all that familiar with hiking in mountains, and her highest top so far had been less than half the height of Tverrfjellet (675m). The Ti på Topp book suggested 2-4 hours for the return trip, so we estimated we would probably use the 4 hours..... but I was keen just for Stine to really enjoy the trip from start to finish and it took a lot of convincing to make her realise that if we went at the right pace for her there would be no need for her to feel exhausted afterwards.

Stine taking a break. Nordfjord in the background
Stine taking a break. Nordfjord in the background
Stine, somewhere on the way up to Tverrfjellet, the ridge of Nordfjordtinden behind
Stine, somewhere on the way up to Tverrfjellet, the ridge of Nordfjordtinden behind

It didn't take long before the views became better and better, and by the time we reached the first top at about 525m, we had a whole kingdom of peaks to gaze at; the Nordfjordtinden-Blåskredtinden ridge to the western side of Kråkskaret, and the mighty alpine-like peaks of Middagstind and Skitntind dropping down into view right in front of us.

On the first top, Tverrfjellet the next 'bump' along the ridge.
On the first top, Tverrfjellet the next 'bump' along the ridge.
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Tverrfjellvatnet was still heavily iced up, except at its edges, and we even saw a huge herd of reindeer on the opposite side of the water. Stine counted more than 40 of them - and was very impressed! I think already the scenery had far exceeded her expectations; the first time I tried to take a photo of her about 15 minutes into the hike, she really didn't like the idea - but now she was more than keen to have her photo taken to remember what a fantastic place she was in! That was very encouraging. I was keeping my fingers crossed that the trip would have her being excited about getting into the mountains more often after this.
There was a small descent from the first top, and then the last slope of about 100 m climb to get to the top of Tverrfjellet. It was hot work. It had only been about 10 degrees when we left the car, but with uninterrupted sunshine on us all the way up, it felt at least twice as warm. We took many short breaks to have something to drink and for Stine to catch a quick breath. And I enjoyed taking the photos as usual. Both of us were vowing to bring more drink and wear shorts on the next trip though! We eventually reached the top just before 8pm, with the company of about 6 other hikers. In the distance, across Ersfjord it was possible to see Skamtind peaking through the 'window' formed by the steep ridges of Blåskredtinden and Trehørningen at both sides of Skarvatnet. After posing for a few pictures and signing the turdagsbok, we enjoyed a very peaceful and sunny view while eating something light - and wishing we would never have to leave.

Me, doing some rather bad star jumps on Tverrfjellet. Skamtind in the far distance, Skarvatnet to the left of me
Me, doing some rather bad star jumps on Tverrfjellet. Skamtind in the far distance, Skarvatnet to the left of me
Gorgeous views down Kråkskaret on the way back to the car
Gorgeous views down Kråkskaret on the way back to the car

It was quite cool to see also a thin blanket of cloud rolling in from Ersfjord, and progressively obscuring our view of Skamtind altogether. I think it was about 10pm by the time we got back to the car again, and even though Stine was feeling a bit tired in her leg muscles by now we both had had a thoroughly good time. Next time we would have to go further to the top of Middagstind, just to see the views down the other side!

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