Higravtindan

Park beside the E10 at Higrav (Eide), on the east side of Austvågøy, by a larger grey building with outdoor tables (about 15 m). Walk up the old tractor road, cross a low barrier, then fork right over a boulder area and pick up a path that climbs a small moraine and turns left towards trees, marked by a cairn. The path climbs the steep hillside left of a stream, traverses right across it at a step (take water here) and follows a fairly well-defined ridge, mostly on its left side. Some parties go right of the waterfall and around cliffs at about 300 m instead. At about 680 m the path reaches the foot of the main snow couloir, which normally holds snow through much of July. Its angle steepens to 30–35°, or 40–45° at the very top by Bjørstad's estimate; use an ice axe and crampons. When it is free of snow the slabs in the couloir have caused experienced hikers problems. From the top of the snow (about 1,040 m) cross to a higher col slightly left, either over another snow slope or by a short ridge on the left, then turn left up loose sand and soil through a notch onto the broad summit ridge. Note where you came up: it is easy to descend the wrong way on either side. The first, small cairn is about 2 m lower than the true summit, which stands across a steep gap. Shortly before the first cairn, descend right into the deep gully to the base of the summit block, traverse round to the right staying as high as possible (a small cairn marks this), round an exposed corner and enter a narrow, steep gully. A boulder jammed in it is the first obstacle (a sling has been left there); bridging between the walls helps. Higher up keep left (straight on) where the gully forks, pass a very narrow section and climb easier rock to the summit. The climbing is hard class 4 but not very exposed. Descend the same way. Allow about 3 hours up and 2 hours down.