Svolvaergeita, additionally known as “The Goat,” is a pinnacle of rock that may be a in style mountain climbing spot within the Lofoten Islands. It’s named The Goat due to the 2 horns of rock that sit atop the rock. These with a way of journey can climb to the highest of Svolvaergeita and people who are just a bit bit loopy can leap from one horn to the opposite.
After I first noticed pictures of Svolvaergeita, I assumed it regarded like a loopy factor to do. Which is precisely why it received added to our Lofoten itinerary. Rock climb to the highest of this pillar, take ourselves outdoors of our consolation zones, and have probably the greatest views over Svolvaer…in fact we wished to do that!
Climbing Svolvaergeita was our greatest mountain climbing expertise, ever, and perhaps even our high expertise within the Lofoten Islands.
Northern Alpine Guides
We used Northern Alpine Guides to climb Svolvaergeita. All of us have prior mountain climbing expertise, however I nonetheless contemplate us inexperienced persons, so it was essential for us to climb with a information. Plus, Northern Alpine Guides gives mountain climbing gear of their payment, so we didn’t need to journey with harnesses and mountain climbing gear, a pleasant bonus!
Climbing Svolvaergeita
Assembly Charlie
We met Charlie, our information for the climb, on the Northern Alpine Guides workplace in Kabelvåg. He match us with helmets, harnesses, and climbing footwear. Then we adopted him in our automobile 20 minutes up the street to Svolvaer.
Mountaineering to Svolvaergeita
Earlier than you possibly can climb Svolvaergeita it’s a must to hike to it.
The parking zone for the climb up Svolvaergeita is similar parking zone for the hike up Svolvaer Fløya. Parking is positioned close to the Svolvaer cemetery. Sure, it’s a must to park on the cemetery earlier than you climb Svolvaergeita. A bit creepy, don’t you assume?
We discovered parking on Blåtindveien, just some steps from the trailhead. The GPS coordinates for the trailhead are 68°14’40” N 14°34’41” E.
Our information, Charlie, on the trailhead to Svolvaergeita and Svolvaer Fløya.
It takes 45 minutes to hike the 1 kilometer to the bottom of Svolvaergeita. The mountaineering path is steep and slippery at instances. There are brief sections of rock scrambling and locations the place you will have to make use of a series to drag your self up. This hike is difficult, so be ready to expend some vitality even earlier than the mountain climbing begins.
On the day we climbed Svolvaergeita, the climate was attractive. It was unusually heat with a excessive temperature of 21°C (70°F) with shiny blue skies. The hike to Svolvaer Fløya was very busy at this time and there have been extra folks climbing Svolvaergeita than we anticipated.
Overview of Svolvaergeita
On the base of Svolvaergeita is a flat space the place you possibly can change your footwear and stash your luggage when you climb.
There may be solely area for 3 to 4 folks on the very high of Svolvaergeita, so if there are a bunch of climbers, be ready to attend your flip. There may be additionally a “flattish” shelf of rock ¾ of the best way up the pillar the place a number of folks can sit and wait their flip earlier than making the ultimate climb to the height.
This can be a climb that inexperienced persons can do. There are many handholds and footholds and the climb is just about 50 meters, so it isn’t too lengthy. Nevertheless, I feel it’s an enormous bonus to have some climbing expertise earlier than you do that, although Northern Alpine Guides advertises that they’ll take newbies up this rock.
It takes about one hour spherical journey to climb to the highest of Svolvaergeita and rappel again down. It took us longer due to the site visitors jam on the day we did this.
Rock Climbing Svolvaergeita
Charlie divided us into teams of two. Tim and Tyler climbed first adopted by Kara and me.
Tim and Tyler climbed to what Charlie known as the “midway level,” the shelf of rock that serves as a ready level earlier than the ultimate climb. Kara and I adopted up behind, assembly Tim and Tyler right here on the shelf. There have been additionally two different climbers and a information right here, so it was actually getting crowded.
Then, Tim and Tyler climbed the ultimate portion to the height and rappelled down from this level. As soon as they had been on strong floor, Kara and I climbed to the highest of Svolvaergeita.
Kara and I are sitting on high of the appropriate horn. Charlie, our information, is perched between the 2 horns. Behind me (you possibly can simply see his head) is a second information who’s main one other group up Svolvaergeita. In case you look decrease, you possibly can see a number of folks within the “ready space.”
So, what’s it wish to climb Svolvaergeita? Difficult, exhilarating, and a tad bit tiring. There may be quite a lot of publicity on this climb, so in case you have a worry of heights, you could wish to cross on Svolvaergeita.
It’s a little bit of a difficult climb to get onto the bottom of the horn. Then, it’s a must to “stroll” across the outdoors of the horn on a really slim ledge of rock. As you edge round to the opposite facet, you’re greeted with superior views of Svolvaer. It’s at this level that you just actually get an thought of simply how excessive you’re, and that may be freaky or exhilarating, relying upon your mindset at this level. Personally, I discovered this to be an enormous thrill.
Kara climbing up the horn.
Lastly, you climb up on high of the appropriate horn. There will not be many locations to carry onto, and mixed with the elevation, this may be very freaky. Regardless that I used to be roped in, at instances it felt like I may slide proper off of Svolvaergeita.
The view from the highest of Svolvaergeita is unbelievable. What we had been now sitting on was a slanted floor about 1 meter broad and 1.5 meters lengthy. It feels loopy! Benefit from the view!!
I’m waving from the highest of Svolvergeita and Kara is sitting beside me.
Tim and Tyler on high of Svolvaergeita.
Leaping the Horns
It’s a 1.5 meter leap from one horn to the opposite. It seems simple to do if you end up gazing Svolvaergeita in pictures. It’s fairly one other factor to rise up the nerve to do it if you end up sitting on high of The Goat.
It’s a harmful leap. Sure, you’re roped in, so in case you miss, you’ll not go plummeting down into the cemetery under. Nevertheless, in case you miss, you’ll swing proper again into the horn you jumped from, slamming your self into the rock.
We didn’t take the leap. We didn’t give Tyler and Kara the choice, since they’re nonetheless children, and Tim and I didn’t really feel comfy doing it.
Notice: One in every of our readers wrote in to inform us that Northern Alpine Guides not permits climbers to leap the horns as a result of security causes.
Ending the Climb
The journey up Svolveargeita ends with a last rappel to the bottom of the pillar. As thrilling as it’s to climb to the highest of Svolvaergeita, it is usually a thrill, and a little bit of a reduction, when your toes hit strong floor.
Since Tim and Tyler hit strong floor first, they had been capable of fly our drone, capturing among the coolest pictures ever (all the pictures of Kara and I on Svolvaergeita had been taken with our drone).
However we weren’t completed but. We nonetheless had a mountain to hike! After our climb up Svolvaergeita, we hiked to the highest of Svolvaer Fløya, one other phenomenal hike within the Lofoten Islands. We made it again to our automobile at 10 pm…good factor the solar by no means units in the course of the summer time months right here!
Right here is the view from the highest of Svolvaer Fløya, if you’re wanting so as to add one other journey to your day.
The view from Svolvaer Fløya. Can you discover Svolvaergeita within the decrease portion of the photograph?
READ MORE: Mountaineering Svolvaer Fløya within the Lofoten Islands
Wish to see extra? Take a look at our video about climbing Svolvaergeita, which is a mixture of Go Professional and drone footage.
Necessary Issues to Learn about Svolvaergeita
We used Northern Alpine Guides to climb Svolvaergeita. They had been unbelievable! Their guides have a number of expertise not solely in Norway however at mountain climbing areas all over the world. Included in your payment is use of their gear, so the one issues you might want to convey are snacks, water, a backpack to hold the gear, your personal transportation, and a very good sense of journey.
- Value: 4000 NOK for one individual, 2000 NOK per individual for two – 4 folks. You probably have greater than 4 folks in your group, contact them for pricing.
- When: June 1 to October 1
- Web site: www.alpineguides.no
How A lot Expertise Do You Want?
Northern Alpine Guides claims that they’ll take newbie rock climbers up Svolvaergeita. I’d classify us as inexperienced persons with expertise. We climbed in Krabi, Thailand and Mendoza, Argentina. For us, this climb was the proper stage of “difficult.” There are many handholds and footholds, so it’s simple by mountain climbing requirements, however there may be additionally quite a lot of publicity.
If you’re model new to mountain climbing, I’d not suggest making this your first outside climb.
If you’re touring with children, contact Northern Alpine Guides for his or her suggestion. Tyler was 15 and Kara was 13 after we did this. Plus, Kara has one 12 months of expertise on a mountain climbing staff in our dwelling city, and she or he made Svolvaergeita look simple.
The place We Stayed
We stayed at Nyvågar Rorbuhotel in Kabelvåg, a 15 minute drive south of Svolvaer. A rorbuer is a basic fisherman’s cottage that has been transformed right into a resort room, that often comes geared up with a kitchen, front room, and personal bed room. We had a two bed room cabin with the bedrooms on the second ground and the kitchen and residing space on the decrease ground. Whereas visiting the Lofoten Islands, it’s value staying in a rorbuer a minimum of one time. Nyvågar Rorbuhotel additionally has an onsite restaurant and breakfast was included throughout our keep.
Does this seem like one thing you wish to do? Remark under in case you have any questions or wish to supply recommendation to our readers.
Extra Info for Your Journey to Norway:
ADVENTURES IN NORWAY: Trolltunga and Kjeragbolten are two of the most effective hikes to do in Norway. For an extended listing of hikes to do in Norway, together with a number of spectacular hikes within the Lofoten Islands, learn our Norway Mountaineering Information. Touring to Svalbard within the arctic circle is an journey in itself, however you too can go glacier kayaking or hike to one of many tallest peaks on Spitsbergen.
BEST OF THE LOFOTEN ISLANDS: For an outline of the most effective issues to do, learn our Lofoten Islands High Ten Record. Nice hikes within the Lofoten Islands embody Ryten, Reinebringen, Festvagtind, and Svolvaer Floya. For a giant journey, climb Svolvaergeita for one of the vital distinctive experiences within the Lofoten Islands.
NORTHERN NORWAY ITINERARY: On this 10 day Norway itinerary, street journey by Senja and the Vesteralen Islands, two stunning off the overwhelmed path locations, and go to the Lofoten Islands.
NORWAY TRAVEL INSPIRATION: Norway is among the most stunning international locations now we have visited. Don’t miss our article Northern Norway in Pictures to see some attractive photographs of Norway. For an inventory of the most effective locations to go to in Norway, take a look at our Norway Bucket Record.
Planning a visit to Norway? Learn all of our articles on Norway on our Norway Journey Information.
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