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A Peak in Norway and Antarctica Have the Same Name, One Just Got a New Route

Senja Island in Norway has several esthetic alpine lines that have yet to be climbed

Simon Richardson and Mark Robson made the first ascent of the North Ridge of Ulvetanna on Senja Island, Norway, on April 23. Ulvetanna translates to the wolf’s tooth in Norwegian.

While few climbers have heard of the Ulvetanna in Norway, many are familiar with the striking Ulvetanna in Queen Maud Land, Antarctica. First climbed in 1994, it was originally known as the Matterhorn of Antarctica because of its resemblance to the famous Swiss peak.

Richardson has established new alpine routes around the world, including in Canada. With Ian Welsted in 2019, they made a first ascent on Mount Waddington in B.C. Richardson is also known as the face behind Scottish Winter.

Ulvetanna in Antarctica has first ascents from ace alpinists such as Thomas Huber, Alex Huber, Stephan Siegrist, Leo Houlding and Andy Kirkpatrick. While the Ulvetanna in Norway had only one likely previous ascent via the east ridge a few years ago.

Senja Island is a popular ice climbing and skiing location, but several of the obvious alpine objectives are yet to be climbed. Richardson and Robson struggled with avalanches and bad conditions until every aligned on one of their last days in the area. They graded the North Ridge at Scottish VI,6.

Ulvetanna in Antarctica

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