Presten : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost

Overview

Djupfjorden from Presten summit - Photo Silvia Mazzani

“Deep, placid fjords, jagged rocky peaks, a historic and geologic masterpiece” (National Geographic September 2007).

These are the best words to define Lofoten Islands I’d ever heard! Surely Lofoten are one of most charming climbing area in the world: climbing over these cliffs gives exciting sensations and unspeakable views over a unique landscape. Notwithstanding their moderate altitude – the highest mountain, Higrattinden, is only 1116 mt. high - these peaks are truly extraordinary.
Lofoten archipelago, including five big and five small islands, is lying in Northern Norway, West of Narvik and about 200 km north to the Polar Arctic Circle.

Presten (The Priest) is a majestic granite bulk - surely Lofoten’s the well-known cliff on Lofoten - situated close to Henningsvær, a charming village nicknamed “Lofoten’s Venice” and located in the south-western end of Austvagoy, Lofoten’s largest island (Vågan Municipality). Presten unmistakable outline overlooks with its famous granite “Nose” the coastal road running to Henningsvær, giving unforgettable views when seen from here. Its face has a great number of routes, but the classic one and the original is Vestpillaren (West Pillar).

Getting There

Rorbuer

Henningsvaer

GETTING TO LOFOTEN

There are various possibilities:

- By ferry boat from Bodø to Moskenes, Værøy or Røst (South of Lofoten)
- By ferry boat from Skutvik to Svolvær or Skrova (North of Lofoten)
- By plane from Bodø
- By car from Narvik via Evenes to Svolvær

GETTING TO PRESTEN

It's possible to get to the cliff directly from Svolvær, Lofoten major center, in about 20 km along E10 and also from Kabelvåg, in about 15 km. along E10, turning to left to Henningsvær(Route 816) at E10 and Route 816 forking. Otherwise the shortest way to approach the cliff is from Henningsvær (less then 5 km.), or from Lyngvær (less then 5 km), a good place along E10, about 20 km. west to Svolvær.

Camping

In Norway camping is allowed in every place, if not expressly forbidden. Most frequented free camping place is located in Festing, the area just in front of Gandalf cliff, between Presten and Henningsvaer. However, there are three equipped campings near to the main climbing area: “Lyngvaer Bobilcamping” (campers and tents), 20 km. west from Svolvær, and strictly close to the E10 and R 816 forking, “Sandvika”, between Svolvaer and Henningsvaer, and the nearby Orsvagvær. Rorbuers, typical Norwegian fishermen’cabins, are numerous and available in Svolvær, Henningsvær, Kabelvåg.

History

Climbing in Lofoten started in 1889, when two local fishermen realized Vagakallen’s first ascent.
At the beginning of last century some British alpinists, and mainly William Slingsby, started to climb in the islands. In 1910 a Norwegian party (C.W. Rubenson, A.B. Bryn, F.Schjeldrup ) climb Svolvaer Geita (Svolvaer Goat) – a peak overlooking Svolvaer - in first ascent. Successively, mainly Norwegian and British parties visited Lofoten. In ’60 Nesheim brothers from Tromso and the local Arild Meyer realized some hard first ascents like Vestpillaren on Presten and Great Pillar on Vagakallen, while H.C. Doseth realized Vestpillaren first free climbing. In last years mainly Norwegian and USA climbers, Ed Webster between them, realized several big walls’ first ascents.

Routes overview

Presten seen from Flakstadoy

Presten West Face - Photo Silvia Mazzani

Presten climbing routes from left hand to right hand (Norwegian grades):

"Himmel og Helvete"(Heaven and Hell) 7, 560 mt.

"To krigere" (Two Warriors) 7, A3

"Korstoget" (The Crusade) 7, 385 mt.

"Ypperstepresten" 6, 160 mt

"Biskopen" 6-, A0 220 mt

"The Codfather" 7, 465 mt.

"Sondagskole turen" (Sunday School Outing) 7, 170 mt

"Reisen" (The journey) 7+, 440 mt.

Vestpillaren Direct Start (The West Pillar) 6, 470 mt.

"Vestpillaren Original Start" 5+, 420 mt

"Himmelen kan vente" (Heaven Can Wait) 6+, 310 mt.

"Klokkeren" (The Bell Ringer) 7-, 450 mt.

Hiking

The summit of Presten

Heiavatnet a small lake on the track to Presten

Heiavatnet, a small lake on the trail to Presten and Festvagtinden - Photo Silvia Mazzani

Starting from Festvag, on the coastal road close to Henningsvaer, a good trail rises to the beautiful small lake named Heiavatnet, the ancient Henningsvaer water reservoir. From the lake an easy scramble leads to the summit of Festvagtinden mt. 541, a peak close to Presten (2 hours and a half from Festvag).

When to climb

Midnight sun

Lofoten are famous for their weather conditions, which sometimes can be a bit "a lottery", though sometimes “High Scandinavian” and “Gulf Stream’s” warming effects can give you blu sky and sunshine. However best months for climbing are late May, June, July and August.

Where to stay

Lyngvaer Lofoten Bobilcamping is close to Presten climbing area.
LYNGVAER LOFOTEN BOBILCAMPING

Climate

On Lofoten the weather can change suddenly from clear and blu sky with sunshine or the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) to violent storms with rain or snow. Maximum temperatures go from +30°C in June and July to -15°C in January and February; the average temperatures for these months are from +12°C to -3°C. The period with the minimum rainfall goes from April to June, while we may expect the maximum rainfall or snowfall between October and December.

Midnight sun: from 27 May to 17 July
Polar night: from 6 December to 6 January

The Northern Lights can be seen over Lofoten from September to April.