Way up in the Arctic

A climbing trip to the island of Senja

Norway In mid-February 2018 LOWA PRO Team athlete Ines Papert, photographer Thomas Senf and athlete Anna Pfaff set off to go climbing on the island of Senja (Norway) and explore what it had to offer. However, they were mostly unable to complete the tours they had planned.

“Sometimes you just have to accept things as they are.”

— Ines Papert | LOWA PRO Team

This time fortune did not favour the athletes. Anna Pfaff had to give up after just one day because of frostbite and departed early, while Thomas Senf caught influenza, so that his trip did not go according to plan either.

“No sooner had our trip got off to a successful start, it ended abruptly for Anna, because of her frostbite. That was a real pity, because the conditions were perfect and all the new climbing routes were actually just waiting for us to come and tackle them.”

— Ines Papert | LOWA PRO Team

Boundless vastness

After Anna returned home, Ines joined forces with her long-time friend, Rahel Schelb from Switzerland. They ascended the classic “Finnkona” WI 6 and, one day after Rahel’s grandmother passed away, opened up a new route immediately behind Senja Lodge, where they were staying, in her memory.

The first length of rope seemed very difficult to secure, but as soon as the opportunity presented itself, Ines took advantage of it. Given that she knows the best way of climbing on such thin ice, she moved forward as slowly and safely as possible. Every extra metre promised thicker and better ice. After seven pitches the two of them reached

the summit of the Fjølhaugen ridge, 765 metres above Melfjörd-vaer.

“We named the route ‘Rosalinde’ after Rahel’s grandmother.”

— Ines Papert | LOWA PRO Team

It is 350 metres long in total and is located on the north-east face of Fjølhaugen (WI 7, M6). Host Bent Eilertsen had discovered that only one rope team had previously attempted it, and had been forced to give up after just a few metres. So now there is a new route on this fantastic island. For Ines Papert it was unfortunately the last route on her trip, as she was slowly running out of climbing buddies. She hopes to be able to do more climbing with Anna the next time and is grateful to Rahel for “stepping in” so quickly.

The shoe

“Fit and insulation are the most important requirements here. Wearing light, snug shoes turns any route, no matter how tough, into an enjoyable experience.”

ALPINE ICE GTX: Climbers who are determined to reach the very top have to be able to rely on their technical gear. For Alpine mountaineering boots in particular, there are a wide range of requirements, depending on the terrain and weather conditions. The ALPINE ICE GTX is a boot that was developed jointly by the LOWA PRO Team and active Alpinists. The completely crampon-compatible boot is designed for both icy and rocky passages, with GORE-TEX Duratherm lining and a cushioning element integrated into the shank.

Model for Women and Men

The facts

Duration:: 4 weeks

Climate:: Polar

Way up in the Arctic

A climbing trip to the island of Senja

“Sometimes you just have to accept things as they are.”

“No sooner had our trip got off to a successful start, it ended abruptly for Anna, because of her frostbite. That was a real pity, because the conditions were perfect and all the new climbing routes were actually just waiting for us to come and tackle them.”

“We named the route ‘Ros­alinde’ after Rahel’s grand­mother.”

The shoe

“Fit and insu­lation are the most important requirements here. Wearing light, snug shoes turns any route, no matter how tough, into an enjoyable experience.”

The facts

“We named the route ‘Rosalinde’ after Rahel’s grandmother.”

“Fit and insulation are the most important requirements here. Wearing light, snug shoes turns any route, no matter how tough, into an enjoyable experience.”