Arctic Lines Episode 4: First Traverse of Project

Episode 4 is here and it’s time for the first traverse of the project!

Pallas-Ylläs is the third largest and most popular national park in Finland. Funny enough, I’ve never visited the backcountry over there during the winter. Still, for a long time I’ve wanted to experience the first sun rays of the winter there while traversing over the four fells in the southern part of the national park. Finally with this project it was time to attempt the traverse together with local skier and all around outdoors man Antte Lauhamaa. The light was amazing, fingers were cold and some struggles were faced! Enjoy!

ABOUT
KELLOSTAPULI - KUKAS TRAVERSE

This traverse is amazing way to experience the southern part of Pallas-Ylläs national park. Especially during January when the light is amazing. Riding isn’t difficult but you must have stable conditions because there is some areas that will get a lot wind loading at times.

Distance for the traverse is in between 20 to 25km depending of the route choice.
Fells you will get to visit are: Kellostapuli, Kesänki, Lainio and Kukas

Kellostapuli
Start from Äkäslompolo ski area parking lot T1. From there you will move towards first fell of Kellostapuli. North face has potential for good steeper descents but you need very stable conditions. Safe way down is to choose the gully a bit lower from the top. This gully collects snow and you can have some nice turns there even if the snow conditions would be low tide. Once in the treeline, continue to bottom until you catch cross-country skiing track. Stay on the track until you reach the bottom of Kesänki south face.

Kesänki
Head up towards the gully called Pirunkuru. This is rather easy way to reach the treeline. continue moving over the fell. Once on the top, you can change to riding or skiing mode and start the descent towards the north. Make sure snow is stable. This face will get a lot wind loading and has a change to avalanche big if conditions are difficult. If conditions are safe, enjoy! This is a really fun run!

Lainio
At the bottom of Kesänki Northside change back to touring mode and start moving towards Lainio. This is the biggest fell of the traverse. In January the light is very nice in the south face and it’s highly recommended to do a run here before continuing to the top of Lainio. It's a little extra work but worth it! Reaching the top of Lainio feels endless. This Fell has a tiny peak on top that at first feels like very far away but you will get to it. Once on the top you get to see amazing sceneries towards the north. You will realize that reaching the Northside of Lainio is rather far away for this reason there is another way down through Lumikuru (snow gully) which is located at the west face of Lainio. If conditions are safe, you can work your way down on the steeper but rather short side of Lumikuru, Otherwise go around it and you will be fine. Once at the bottom start touring towards Kotamajat from where you can find a route to Kukas fell.

Kukas
Kukas is the last fell of the traverse. It is the shortest descent of the traverse but has rather good feeling for some turns. Ride down until you reach the cross-country ski trail and start making your way to Cafe called Karilan Navettagalleria. This is where the traverse ends. You can catch a ski bus back to town.

I highly recommend this traverse for anyone wanting to really experience the feeling of Finland’s high fell areas!