Store-SkagastølstindScandinavian Mountains over 2000 metres - James Baxter
Areas › Sjødalen › Stornubben › Alternative Routes
Stornubben is best climbed from Hindseter, and as this is both a summer and winter route it is the route I have described it below in detail as the main route.
During the summer, when the road to Glitterheim lodge is snow free, there is a shorter route to consider. About 17 km from Randsverk up the Glitterheim road there is a small construction road to the south for a km to Storkroken. Here the river Veo river disappears into a tunnel and it is usually easy to cross the remains of the Veo river below the tunnel entrance. Park considerately and cross the river remains to the south side. Follow its south bank up for a short distance until you get to the Nautgardselve river. Then follow the east bank up the Nautgardselve for 400 metres until you reach a sharp corner in the river course. Leave the river here and force your way south through the scrub for a km until you get to the foot of the north ridge of Austre Stornubben. Start to ascend this ridge across mixed vegetation and boulders for a good ½ hour going straight up the slope in a south east direction until the slope eases and terrain become that of more stable scree. Continue south west up the pleasant gradient for two km until you reach the top of the peak Austnubben, 2049m. From Austnubben head south past a small tarn to a saddle with Veslenubben. Ascend Veslenubben via its short sharp east ridge. From Veslenubben head south west to another small saddle then begin the final climb up across the boulders on the north ridge to reach the summit of Stornubben. Return by same route or descend to Hindseter as described below. The return trip from Storkroken is 5-6 hours.
It is also very feasible to do Nautgardstind and Stornubben and all their associated peaks in one long day from this starting place at Storkroken. Allow 12 hours to do this in the summer. Cross the Veo as described above then follow the Nautgardselve river up its east side for four km until it is easy to wade its cold slow waters to the west side. Once over the river head the 1½ km west up to the saddle between Veslekjølen and Nautgardsoksle. The last section is steep, but manageable. It is easier keep to the northern half of the saddle on the ascent. From the saddle continue south up the ridge to Nautgardsoksle. From here continue round to Nautgardstind and Austre Nautgardstind as described on the Nautgardstind page. Continue north west from Austre Nautgardstind gently descending across stable scree to a saddle fringed by huge cliffs on the east side. From the saddle climb a short scree slope up to a shoulder. After the shoulder cross a flat scree covered area the south of the summit cone. Ascend the boulders up the south ridge on the final section to reach the summit. From the summit reverse the ascent route given in the preceding paragraph to reach Storkroken again.
In very wet weather the tunnel cannot take all the flow and much continues down the old river course. Do not do this route if heavy rain is forecast as the Veo is not a river to be trifled with. If you are in the unfortunate situation where you are stranded on the south side then walk the 12m downstream to Hindseter, keeping well above the canyon halfway down.
