Winter 19/20: The longest season
Up here in the long dark of Arctic Norway we experienced extraordinary snowfall throughout the 2019/20 winter season. I have finally decided to pack away my splitboard for the year - although it is still possible to ride some decent slush – as I feel satisfied with the amount I’ve achieved…plus, you know, climbing.
The season opener on 10th October 2019 was a wonderful trip to Store Kjostinden in Lyngen (pictured), and an unexpected 900 m of fresh powder! A slushy approach and descent from Styrmannstind on the way to and from climbing a fantastic route on Zapfetoppen marked the last splitboard trip of the year for me.
Over 31,000 m of vertical elevation have been climbed and ridden in between these trips, over an 8 month period and totalling 42 trips into the mountains around Kvaløya, Lyngen, Malangen, and Lavangen.
I was fortunate enough to tick off a lot of mountains on my wish list this year (some video edits are up on YouTube), despite spending a good deal of time working as an ice climbing guide over in Lyngen in January through to March.
Starting a bootpack ascent of the first 600 m of Store Kjostinden. Little did we know that 900 m of prime powder was waiting for us around the corner! Photo: Pavel Serov.
This year I tried to keep a healthy level of enthusiasm for winter trips and respected my need for occasional days off. By writing down my achievements and trying to tell myself that I do enough, I (somewhat) avoided the feelings of underachieving or general frantic feeling to make the most of every good weather day. There is always next week/month/year!
Some trips were cold, tiring, and sometimes scary, while others were social, easy, and relaxed - one thing that is constant between trips is that magical simplicity of being in mountainous terrain, and being fully focused on and present in your surroundings.
I am especially thankful though for the time I get to spend in the spectacular mountains of northern Norway with fellow ski-touring/mountaineering/splitboarding enthusiasts who can make pleasant memories out of even the toughest, coldest, and longest of days. This has been especially important during the social distancing and lockdown measures as a result of the Covid-19 global pandemic.
My recipe for a successful winter season is thus: good company; maintaining a healthy balance; and as always a respect and understanding of the dangers of the mountains. The winter of 2019/20 will be remembered. Now that my winter gear is packed away I have a renewed excitement for the summer months of trail running and climbing. Now there is just the small matter of preparing for the Lofoten Skyrace, which takes place one week from now…
Some intense days and steep mountains - winter 2020 was a success! Photo: Pavel Serov.
The Lyngen Alps offer some fine touring options. Photo: Calvin Shackleton.
Thank you for reading my short write-up of what has been an incredible winter here in Tromsø. I hope you enjoyed this and please feel free to ask questions or offer tales from your own experiences with the great winter 2019/20 season in the comments below!
Head over to my gear review and tech tips page for a more technical take on mountaineering activities. Most recently, I reviewed my layering system for backcountry winter adventures.
- Calvin -