Gullbotn to Espeland via Gullfjelltoppen (24.04.2021)

Written by hbar (Harald Barsnes) GSM

Start point Gullbotn (245m)
Endpoint Espeland (75m)
Characteristic Backcountry skiing
Duration 6h 10min
Distance 20.4km
Vertical meters 1,146m
GPS
Ascents Austefjellet (808m) 24.04.2021
Gullfjellet (914m) 24.04.2021
Gullfjelltoppen (987m) 24.04.2021
Hausdalsgullbotntoppen (755m) 24.04.2021
Visits of other PBEs Espeland fangeleir (130m) 24.04.2021
Gullbotn p-plass (245m) 24.04.2021
Osavatnet p-plass (kr) (310m) 24.04.2021
Redningshytten, Gullfjellet (600m) 24.04.2021

Gullbotn to Espeland via Gullfjelltoppen

Lysløypen at Gullbotn
Lysløypen at Gullbotn
Approaching Gullbotn
Approaching Gullbotn
Skis coming on at Gullbotn
Skis coming on at Gullbotn
Approaching Gullfjelltoppen
Approaching Gullfjelltoppen
East from northeast of the summit
East from northeast of the summit
Gullfjelltoppen
Gullfjelltoppen

I was dropped off at the parking lot at Gullbotn, from where I carried the skis up to the actual Gullbotn where I could finally put them on. The conditions for skiing were not the best though, with at times more ice than snow, and along the ridge southeast of the summit of Gullfjelltoppen there were also short stretches without any snow at all.

My initial plan had been to descend north via Gullfjellhalsen, Vossavardane and Hotten, but given the limited amount of snow covering the mentioned peaks, combined with a strong cold northerly wind, I instead turned south and followed the normal descent route to Redningshytten, only making a short detour to Hausdalsgullbotntoppen on the way.

Note that Korketrekkeren already had several areas without any snow at all. I could however still keep the skis on until getting to Redningshytten. Here I decided to take a detour via Austefjellet, mainly as I was told by a fellow skier that if choosing that route it should be possible to ski almost all the way down to the parking lot at Osavatnet.

The summit of Austefjellet was easily reached and the final descent could begin. The conditions were far from perfect though, more ice than snow, and within not too long, and much earlier than I had hoped for, I reached the end of the snow, and the skies had to be carried. In my view there was still a fair distance to the parking lot. Hence, I cannot really agree with the tip I was given. Upon finally reaching Osavatnet, the trip was concluded by walking along the roads down to Espeland for the bus(es) back home.

In summary, I think it's fair to say that the skiing season at Gullfjellet is quickly coming to an end. And while the skiing conditions included more ice than snow, and the sunny weather forecast did not really kick in, it was still an enjoyable trip. Would probably have been much nicer only a couple of weeks earlier though.


Gullfjelltoppen with Sørfjorden in the background
Gullfjelltoppen with Sørfjorden in the background
Sørfjorden from Gullfjelltoppen
Sørfjorden from Gullfjelltoppen
Svartavatnet from Gullfjelltoppen
Svartavatnet from Gullfjelltoppen
Between Gullfjelltoppen and Gullfjellet
Between Gullfjelltoppen and Gullfjellet
The cairn at Gullfjellet
The cairn at Gullfjellet
Approaching Hausdalsgullbotntoppen
Approaching Hausdalsgullbotntoppen
Southwest from Hausdalsgullbotntoppen with Hausdalshorga to the right
Southwest from Hausdalsgullbotntoppen with Hausdalshorga to the right
Austefjellet from Hausdalsgullbotntoppen
Austefjellet from Hausdalsgullbotntoppen
Redningshytten
Redningshytten
Towards Folgefonna from the ascent to Austefjellet
Towards Folgefonna from the ascent to Austefjellet
Approaching the summit of Austefjellet
Approaching the summit of Austefjellet
South from Austefjellet
South from Austefjellet
Towards Vidden from Austefjellet
Towards Vidden from Austefjellet
Descending towards Osavatnet
Descending towards Osavatnet
"You can ski almost down to the parking lot..."
"You can ski almost down to the parking lot..."
Looking back from the parking lot at Osavatnet
Looking back from the parking lot at Osavatnet

Start date 24.04.2021 09:35
(UTC+01:00 DST)
End date 24.04.2021 15:46
(UTC+01:00 DST)
Total Time 6h 10min
Moving Time 5h 05min
Stopped Time 1h 05min
Overall Average 3.3km/h
Moving Average 4.0km/h
Distance 20.4km
Vertical meters 1,145m

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