Nordic ski touring around Krossbu
The area around Krossbu has more than 20 peaks over 2000 m. and the glacier, Smørstadbreen, is within walking distance.This is an area with several possibilities. Here you can find challenging peaks, phantastic downhill skiing or longer tours on the glacier. There is a guided glacier route between the cabins Krossbu and Leirvassbu. For most of the tours you need experience with similar conditions and glacier gear.
We were in Krossbu middle of May and we had fresh powdersnow every day and it was still 6-7 meter snow!
Geography
Krossbu is situated along the road, Sognefjellsveien (route nr. 55), western part of Jotunheimen Nationalpark.
How to get there
By public transport: From Oslo take Nordfjordekspressen to Otta and Lom. The Sognefjellsexpressbus takes you from Lom up to Sognefjellsveien and stops front of the cabin. This road is only open during the easter and summermonths.
By car: The fastest way from Oslo is to drive E6 to Otta (an other spectacular route is to drive E16 to Fagernes-Beitostølen-Valdresflya-Lom). Continue to Lom and take route 55 for about 45 km to Krossbu. This road will be closed a part during the winter.
Cabins
Krossbu – 1236 m.a.s.
Map
Jotunheimen West (Turkart, 1:50'000)
Duration/Time
3 days, Mai 2005
Tour description
Veslebreatinden, 2092 m.a.s. (~3 h. + break)
This is an easy peak to climb, which is an good alternative when the weather is not the best. There is no glacier to cross and no steep parts. About 4-5 km one way. The downhill possibilities were ok, quite heavy snow at the end.
Dyrhaugryggen, ca. 2000 m.a.s. (~5-6 h. + break)
This tour is better to start from Turtagrø, further south at Sognefjellsveien. We parked the car in front of the cabin. The route is about 5 km one way.
Dyrhaugsryggen is situated in Hurrungane, a spectacular climbing area. Follow up the valley, Skardstølsbotn. Take direction to the small lake, Øv Dyrhaug. Follow the ridge on the south part of the small glacier up to the top. The last part is quite narrow and steep, but without any problems with skies. If the weather is good and you are not afraid for high altitudes, it is possible to continue to St. Dyrhaugstindane. Here it is necessary with ice axe and it is recommended to climb with an guide for the first time. This route has the most beautiful view in Hurrungane with glance over to Store Skagastølstind and Ringstindane. The downhill skiing was perfect with fresh powder snow and almost alone on the mountain!
For other backcountry skiing tips around Turtagrø, see: www.turtagro.no
Loftet, 2170 m.a.s. (~4 h. + break)
This tour is better to start close to Jotunheimen Fjellstue, further north at Sognefjellsveien. We parked the car at the road beside the lake, Halsatjønnen. The route is about 5 km one way.
We crossed the lake mentioned above and followed up Langranden to Vesleloftet. It is an quite easy climb to the top. No glacier to cross and no steep parts. The peak is quite different from other places, because the top is a big and flat area. From here you see many of the spectacular peaks over 2000 m around the glacier, Smørstadbreen. The downhill skiing was superb with fresh powder snow and large hills.
