25-Aug-2004 -- Only one day remained during my trip to northern Scandinavia, to approach CP 69°N 20°E. In the evening of the 24th a rain front hit the mountains of northern Norway and it was raining the whole night through. The following morning diffident openings among the clouds caused some sunny spots and signalised a general betterment. So I drove my car as far as possible into the Rostadalen up to Tverrelvmo and started my trip at 9:00.

From the last farmhouse a path is leading to the plateau south-west of the Isdalsfjella, where the CP is situated. I decided to follow the banks of the Rostaelva upstream for 3 km, then to turn north-east and to ascend toward the Mikkelifjellet (for the better view). The decision had some fairly exhausting effects, but after a walk of 5 hours I reached the northern edge of the Mikkelifjellet, and from an altitude of 900m I could enjoy a wide view on the surrounding mountains (a reward for the climbing).

The mountain Dolpen (1444m) with its snow-covered top was just in front of me, 3.8 km to go in north-eastern direction. Referring to the map (topographical map 1 : 100 000), the CP should be situated just west of the top on 1400m, close to a 400m precipice.

I descended to the plateau, comprising a few small lakes and ponds, forming the source of the Trollelva. Here a vast area is hedged as Rengärde for collecting the herds of reindeer every autumn, and a few refuges of the herder provide shelter from the cold winds. End of August the area is abandoned, only one lonely reindeer was visible in great distance, keeping an eye on my activities. I went to one of the small lakes on an altitude of 760m. From here it is still 2.8 km to go and to climb up to 1400m to reach the CP. Because of the advanced time of day, it was 15:00 already, I decided not to go further.

It should be possible to climb the Dolpen over the western ridge, but the whole venture should require at least another 3 hours – and a better equipment (I had not even gloves, and it was hard enough to take some photos on the wind-chilled plateau).

So to reach the CP should be an aim for a next, better equipped undertaking (like Henrik Sunden and Christer Rosell accomplished a few days later). For my way back to Tverrelvmo I followed the pass of the reindeer-ranchers, leading close to the lonely farmhouse where my car was waiting. The weather improved in the late afternoon, and at 19:00 I left the Rostadalen in direction north, looking for a place for my tent at the shore of the Lyngenfjorden.