We (Autti, Hagström, Siivonen, Autio, Lahtinen, Kärppä and Ollilla) had pretty good idea of the snow conditions in the valley and a solid plan what to do next. Jonas Hagström, professional Swedish snowboarder came in few days before and brought the Swedish luck with him. I was happy to ride with him again!
Jonas at our camp pointing at the next line
We had decided to set our camp on a plateau in about 1000 meters with great access to all kinds of riding above and below us. It was a hike and a half to get up there with 30 kg backpacks but the spot paid off and backache disappeared in the surrounding views. We were in a big bowl between Postdalsfjellet and Sorjfjelltinden area. From our tent, we could see lines around 270 degrees and the rest dedicate to a fjord view. You could not ask for a better spot! We spent the next days hiking up straight from the tent, riding lines back and forth. The remaining time we spent admiring the sunset and amazing views. It was just perfect. Me and Jonas ended up staying one more night since the weather seemed to be on our side this time. We could have stayed even longer but had run out of food, even when the others had given us all the remaining food before they left. It felt amazing to be all alone in the mountains but in the same time we had to remember that when riding – help was not close either if something happened.
On the way up to the plateau in Stordalen
Hike up or drop down straight from the tent
Sunset
When the sun comes out this time of the year it’s obvious that it will warm up the snow pretty fast too. At this latitude it rises up early already in April and sets late which gives you a lot of time to shred during the days but effects the faces longer. The high pressure that we had during the camping mission heated up the mountains and we had to turn to northerly aspects and sheltered couloirs to find the best snow. We did find some awesome couloirs in Lyngen and Tamok valleys. Sometimes the snow was still amazing powder and sometimes we had to turn back or ride more challenging conditions. My legs and body started to feel the stress of the previous non-stop month too. The weather was warming up even more so it was time to take a little break. I dropped Jonas off in Tromsö airport and drove home admiring the mountains along the way. It was time to visit friends and traditional season ender events and parties but I was planning to come back as soon as the conditions would settle again…
Riding the cauliflower face. Pic: Jonas Hagström
Screen cap mid line
Ode Siivonen ripping the pink sunset
Cauliflower camp lines from Miikka Hast on Vimeo.
