Store Austabotntind

The hot summer days led us to Hurrungane, the most alpine part of Jotunheimen.

Starting from Berdalsbandet (free parking) at 10 o'clock with perfect weather, we first follow the path to the south, turning east/north-east after about 200 height meters. Then, mostly without a path, over a huge scree field to the ridge of Vestre Austabotntind with orientation along the "varden". To the south we see the southridge with Søre Austabotntind, a part of the Austabotntindtraversen, which we will do at another day (difficulty up to grade III and one rapell).

After passing Vestre Austabotntind and an impressive ice couloir (see picture), easy scrambling (I) leads us to Midtre Austabotntind (2 hours) in 15 minutes.

Now things get a little bit more exiting and from here on you can wear climbing gear. We climb down first (II) and then put our gear on. More to get some practice, we secure us on the nice ridge up to Store Austabotntind (no bolts but good placements available, II) and pass one short exposed part that can be avoided by keeping west of the ridge. After a nice ropelength (medium placements, II) another 50 height meters lead us up to the pre-peak of Store Austabotntind. Then we follow the ridge to the main peak with some very exposed last few meters.

Same way back to Midtre Austabotntind (5 hours). With lots of breaks and a swim in one of the lakes we get back to Berdalsbandet after roughly 8 hours.

For experienced hikr's this nice and popular hike should be no problem without a rope, of course depending on the conditions. Orientation in the climbing parts is easy.