Tysfjorden
Tysfjorden is one of the major fjord counties. It virtually splits the country into two, and the only ways to cross it are by boat, foot, or air. There is no road that crosses Tysfjorden. It is also home to some of the most stunning mountains, including Norway's national mountain. This is a picture record of a day-trip through the country.
Tysfjorden from Drag. From left to right; Grytfjellet (341 metres), Valletind (835 metres), Breiskartinden (883 metres), Eidetind (847 metres), Huglhornet (981 metres), Kobbenestind (1003 metres), Lifjellet (849 metres), Elveran (991 metres), Stetinden (1392 metres), Hulløya (676 metres), Segltinden (1108 metres), Bjørntoppen (1520 metres), Fagernesaksla (471 metres), Bjørnfjellet (1052 metres), Reinfjellet (1051 metres), Saltvopfjellet (882 metres), Kjelomifjellet (999 metres), Vetefjellet (389 metres). Bjørntoppen sits on the edge of the Giccecokka glacier, on the border with Sweden. Drag was named because it is the shortest distance between two fjords, so they used to drag boats across the lowlands there.
On the ferry over the deep point of Tysfjorden, 897 metres.
Kjøpsvik with the stunning Stetinden range in the background.
To the southeast of Kjøpsvik are the multiple peaks of Nesfjellet (1113 metres), Segelfjellet (1108 metres), and Segeltinden (812 metres). The splayed peaks on this mountain range look completely alien, like something a child would draw.
The Stetinden range overlooking Tysfjorden; Elveran (991 metres), Ytre Rusviktinden (940 metres), Stetinden (1392 metres), Prestinden (1345 metres), Kopptind (1277 metres), Saltelvtinden (1212 metres), Gammelovfjellet (1234 metres), Straumtinden (1274 metres) and Hundhovud (1304 metres).
Elveran - note the landslide protection, designed to channel landslides into the fjord.
The beautifully sculpted sharkfin peak on Elveran.
Looking from Elveran across Tømmeråsfjorden. It was here that we were introduced to the wasp-like biting flies; they hurt, by the way, and they can bite you through two layers of clothing.
Quite literally; watching the sunset on Elveran.
Elveran and Mulbukttinden (758 metres), looking like something out of Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Looking across Stefjorden towards Huglhornet (981 metres), Kobbenes (1003 metres), Stefjordnestinden (864 metres), and the unmistakable peaks of Stetinden (1392 metres) and Prestinden (1345 metres). I just love the way the clouds sit above Stetinden, like the smoke from a steam engine - I can almost imagine it roaming the countryside.
Stefjordnestinden, Stetinden (1392 metres) and Prestinden (1345 metres).
Stetinden, Norway's national mountain. The main face is an impressive single slope, climbing for over 1300 metres from sea level in the fjord.
The waters of Stefjorden.
The sign says "Prohibition on use of mountaineering bolts and other permanent installations in connection with climbing on Stetind" - but it seems that building tunnels through it is not considered permanent damage.
For climbing grade information, see SummitPost
Tysfjorden from Drag. From left to right; Grytfjellet (341 metres), Valletind (835 metres), Breiskartinden (883 metres), Eidetind (847 metres), Huglhornet (981 metres), Kobbenestind (1003 metres), Lifjellet (849 metres), Elveran (991 metres), Stetinden (1392 metres), Hulløya (676 metres), Segltinden (1108 metres), Bjørntoppen (1520 metres), Fagernesaksla (471 metres), Bjørnfjellet (1052 metres), Reinfjellet (1051 metres), Saltvopfjellet (882 metres), Kjelomifjellet (999 metres), Vetefjellet (389 metres). Bjørntoppen sits on the edge of the Giccecokka glacier, on the border with Sweden. Drag was named because it is the shortest distance between two fjords, so they used to drag boats across the lowlands there.
On the ferry over the deep point of Tysfjorden, 897 metres.
Kjøpsvik with the stunning Stetinden range in the background.
To the southeast of Kjøpsvik are the multiple peaks of Nesfjellet (1113 metres), Segelfjellet (1108 metres), and Segeltinden (812 metres). The splayed peaks on this mountain range look completely alien, like something a child would draw.
The Stetinden range overlooking Tysfjorden; Elveran (991 metres), Ytre Rusviktinden (940 metres), Stetinden (1392 metres), Prestinden (1345 metres), Kopptind (1277 metres), Saltelvtinden (1212 metres), Gammelovfjellet (1234 metres), Straumtinden (1274 metres) and Hundhovud (1304 metres).
Elveran - note the landslide protection, designed to channel landslides into the fjord.
The beautifully sculpted sharkfin peak on Elveran.
Looking from Elveran across Tømmeråsfjorden. It was here that we were introduced to the wasp-like biting flies; they hurt, by the way, and they can bite you through two layers of clothing.
Quite literally; watching the sunset on Elveran.
Elveran and Mulbukttinden (758 metres), looking like something out of Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Looking across Stefjorden towards Huglhornet (981 metres), Kobbenes (1003 metres), Stefjordnestinden (864 metres), and the unmistakable peaks of Stetinden (1392 metres) and Prestinden (1345 metres). I just love the way the clouds sit above Stetinden, like the smoke from a steam engine - I can almost imagine it roaming the countryside.
Stefjordnestinden, Stetinden (1392 metres) and Prestinden (1345 metres).
Stetinden, Norway's national mountain. The main face is an impressive single slope, climbing for over 1300 metres from sea level in the fjord.
The waters of Stefjorden.
The sign says "Prohibition on use of mountaineering bolts and other permanent installations in connection with climbing on Stetind" - but it seems that building tunnels through it is not considered permanent damage.
The multiple faces of Stetind. It doesn't look quite so menacing from this angle.
Looking across Efjorden towards Stornesaksla (730 metres), Karifjellet (752 metres), and Langstrandkollen (663 metres).
Kobbenestind (1003 metres) and Huglhornet (981 metres).
Huglhornet may be a little less than 1000 metres high, but it looks tremendous from this angle.
Looking from Sætran towards Eidetind (847 metres), Breiskartinden (883 metres), and Valletind (835 metres). This is the furthest north I have ever been; 68° 17', 195 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle.
Yeah, we saw them. Honest. They are frequently seen here though.
Eidetind - noticeable because of the turret on the right ridge. Looks almost man made.
Valletind and Breiskartinden, overlooking Skrovkjosen.
The surface version of the Nautilus. This one snatches unsuspecting vehicles from bridges.
Late evening sun over Vesterålen and Vestfjorden.
Bjørnkjeften (The Bear's Jaw - although I could think of far more appropriate names) 682 metres over Skogvoll - lit by the evening sun.