Tverrbakktind
1,391 m
Norway
Also known as TverrbakktindenAlso known as
Tverrbakktinden
- Elevation
- 1,391 m
- Prominence
- 1,042 m
- Difficulty
- 5/10
- Easy alpine
- Best Season
- Apr–May
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: YDS class 4 (two short rock steps on the upper south ridge) (prominent-mountains.no) · Ski ascent: 35–40° to about 1,200 m, final 50–55° gully on foot (kugo.no (May 2014))
The highest peak of Nord-Lenangen, climbed from sea level: a 4.5 km shoreline walk along Nordlenangsbotn, a steepening slope by Tverrbakkelva to a 931 m saddle, then the south ridge, broad at first and finishing with two short class-4 rock steps and a narrow crest onto the summit. About 5½ hours up in summer.
About 100% of this line is approximate (no mapped trail; drawn from the terrain). Check it against a map before relying on it.
Why? 7 check notes
- ascent 2194 m is 1.6× the net gain 1390 m: the line probably detours down and back up (not a traverse)
- 100% approximate geometry
- DIN time up 9.94 h vs published 5.5 h (+81%)
- low confidence 0.4
- Fjelldal → Saddle south of Tverrbakktinden: dem (snap_failed, 7.2 km)
- Saddle south of Tverrbakktinden → Tverrbakktinden: dem (snap_failed, 0.9 km)
- unresolved waypoints: Tverrbakkelva, South ridge rock steps, Nordlenangsbotn (OSM match off-route)
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 8.1 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +2,194 m
- −804 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 1,391 m
- Time Up
- 9h 56m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 8h 05m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Park at Fjelldal, a few hundred metres south of the bridge over Lenangsstraumen in Nord-Lenangen (about 38 km by road from the Svensby ferry quay; a few spaces). Follow the shore of Nordlenangsbotn south for about 4.5 km, staying on or near the beach; in winter most of it can be skied, with two or three short carries where scree reaches the water. Pass a few cabins near the head of the fjord. Start climbing before the main creek, Tverrbakkelva. The slope steepens to about 35° between 300 and 450 m, then eases in a more distinct valley. Continue to the 931 m saddle just south of Tverrbakktinden. Turn left (north) up the south ridge, broad and easy at first. At the first steep rock step either climb directly or traverse right along a narrow ledge to easier, more sheltered rock (class 4). A second step higher up is the technical crux (class 4); approach carefully as the snow ridge below it can be corniced on the right. A last smaller block leads across a narrow crest onto the summit. In spring on ski, a gully from about 900 m leads directly towards the summit, but a 2014 party found the snow doubtful and used the south ridge instead (35–40° to about 1,200 m, skis on the pack above), finishing up a 50–55° gully on the west side of the ridge with an ice axe. Descend the same way. A June 2008 party took 4 h from the shore to the saddle and 5½ h to the summit.
Start
Fjelldal1 m
- No verified public transport to Nord-Lenangen.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fjelldal → Tverrbakktinden | 8.1 | 2,194 | 804 | 9h 56m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Fjelldal1 m
Approximate; position of the 2008 beach camp just south of the road end
- Col: Saddle south of Tverrbakktinden919 m
- Summit: Tverrbakktinden1,391 m
Key Passages
- Shoreline walk along Nordlenangsbotn
- 35° slope by Tverrbakkelva (300–450 m)
- Saddle at 931 m
- Lower rock step (direct or ledge traverse right)
- Upper rock step (crux) with corniced snow ridge
- Narrow summit crest
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 40%Overview
The highest peak of Nord-Lenangen (1,391 m) at the northern end of the Lyngen peninsula, rising straight from the fjord Nordlenangsbotn. A long sea-level approach, a 931 m saddle and a south ridge ending in short rock steps and a narrow crest; also a fine spring ski mountain.
Tverrbakktinden stands in the wild northern part of the Lyngen Alps, south-east of the fjord Nordlenangsbotn and across the valley from Store Lenangstind. It is the highest summit of Nord-Lenangen and one of Norway's roughly 85 peaks with more than 1,000 m of prominence, yet it sees few ascents compared with the peaks around Lyngseidet.
The usual route starts at sea level at Fjelldal near the Lenangsstraumen bridge, follows the shoreline for 4.5 km to the head of the fjord and climbs beside the creek Tverrbakkelva to a saddle at 931 m. The south ridge above is broad at first, then steepens into two short rock steps of easy climbing before a narrow crest leads onto the summit. The view takes in the jagged peaks of Lyngen in every direction.
In winter and spring the mountain is a ski tour, with steep slopes of 35–40° and a final short, very steep gully on foot. Coastal fog is common and both published trip reports describe climbing through cloud.
Climbing Notes
Allow a long day: about 5½ hours up in summer from the road, with nearly 1,400 m of ascent and 9 km of return walking along the shore. The upper ridge needs confidence on class-4 rock without a rope, or a short rope and slings for protection; in early summer expect snow and possible cornices, and carry an ice axe and crampons. Ski ascents in spring need avalanche equipment and judgement: check the Varsom forecast for Lyngen. Navigation skills matter in fog. There are no huts or services at the trailhead; camping on the beach near Fjelldal has been used.
Season
Best Apr–May- January: Not advisable
- February: Possible
- March: Good
- April: Best (best window)
- May: Best (best window)
- June: Good
- July: Best
- August: Best
- September: Good
- October: Not advisable
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Polar night until mid-January
- Feb
- Short days; winter ski conditions
- Mar
- Ski touring; steep slopes, check avalanche forecast
- Apr
- Prime ski season
- May
- Ski season; midnight sun from late May
- Jun
- Snow and possible cornices on the upper ridge
- Jul
- Best for the summer scramble
- Aug
- Best for the summer scramble
- Sep
- Shorter days; first snow possible late in the month
- Oct
- Early winter
- Nov
- Very short days; polar night from late November
- Dec
- Polar night
Access & Permits
- Fees
- Ferry fare for Breivikeidet–Svensby if coming from Tromsø
- Getting There
Lyngseidet
Tromsø Airport (TOS)
- Car from Tromsø: E8 to Fagernes, Rv91 to Breivikeidet, ferry to Svensby, then north past Jægervatnet to Nord-Lenangen (about 38 km from Svensby); cross the Lenangsstraumen bridge and park at Fjelldal
- Public transport to Nord-Lenangen not verified
Hazards
- Avalanche
- Cornices
- Exposure
- Weather
- Remoteness