I got up a couple of the times during night to see if I could see the northern lights, but was surprised to find that it never quite got fully dark enough to even see any stars! By morning a full snow storm was in progress, but the roads were still passable, with our studded tyres.

As we’d hoped, the forecast correctly predicted that things would be looking a bit more promising by the time we reached the start of our climb at the shores of Nordfjorden, which was less than a 20 minute drive from the house.

Once again, it was skis on at the car and we literally did start from sea level.

A short distance along the road, the track led up into the woods. Unfortunately we took a slightly early variation which was much steeper and denser than need be. (Stay closer to the stream and open slopes next time, just 100m further west!).

After battling through to the top of the tree line, the weather looked like it could go either way. Up ahead, we could see the fresh snow on the peak of Kinnbeinet, but a sagging snow bridge nearly thwarted any further upward progress. It was a little frustrating, as the way ahead was not obvious, and we didn’t want to return through the trees, or get stuck on the wrong side of the river! But we did see a couple of huge eagles circling nearby.

After a bit of indecision, we crossed the stream without drama, on the snow bridge and a little further uphill, stopped for lunch by a frozen lake called Løvdalsvatnet. We’d not seen another soul and the surrounding terrain felt quite remote now up and away from the road and valley below. Fresh snow covered any tracks, so the way ahead was up to us.

We pondered our options as we munched on some boiled eggs. While we ate, another couple came past at a terrific pace also en route to the Col. For once, it was actually quite reassuring seeing another human, although we did choose not to follow them, opting for a safer looking track instead.

Skinning up to the Col was a delight. We were surrounded by magnificent terrain and all traces of menacing cloud had evaporated along with all but the slightest breeze.

The anticipation of the downhill was only overshadowed by the anticipation of what views lay over the Col!

Suddenly, when we could climb no more, a breath taking panorama unfolded below us, we far reaching views to unknown peaks and islands off the coast.

It was quite a place. We just stood a stared for ages…

I took about a hundred photos in all different directions as I worked out the various peaks. From the coast, there’s not much in the way between here and the pole, or perhaps the top of Greenland. Although I was pretty keen to try out my new crampons, we both decided to not go for the summit of the peak and instead enjoy the ride down.

We tighten out boots and packs and whooped off!

A magical feeling to have miles of perfect fresh snow and to be able to ski wherever we liked.

It just kept coming and coming, turn after turn. We couldn’t believe the weather and felt so lucky!

Thankfully, the snow bridge across the stream remained intact and by no a couple of other teams were on their way up, so we had a much better track to follow down to the road that avoided the thicker sections of trees.

With the Fjord back in view, we decided to have a final picnic before the final descent.

A few more turns got us back to the road, as the first clouds began to arrive at the coast.

The skies clouded over rapidly as we drove back over the mountains towards our pad.

And by the time we reached Ersfjordbotn to see the classic view, it was clear some dark skies were approaching fast.

We decided to give the swim a miss and return back to base for coffee and cake.

Followed by a celebratory ’Arctic Beer’ as the views disappeared and it started snowing heavily! Unbelievable weather, but a dream of a day

Stats:

Distance: 8.4km

Ascent: 551m