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 View of Vassdalselva that flows through the valley, and the mountain of Storebalak | |
 Interactive map of the valley | |
| Geology | |
| Type | River valley |
| Geography | |
| Location | Narvik,Nordland,Norway |
| Coordinates | 68°33′28″N17°43′20″E / 68.5579°N 17.7222°E /68.5579; 17.7222 |
Vassdalen (Norwegian) orÁravuopmi (Northern Sami)[1] is a valley and rural village area inNarvik Municipality inNordland county,Norway. The river Vassdalselva flows through Vassdalen into the lake ofHartvikvatnet. The river from Hartvikvatnet is calledElvegårdselva, flowing westwards and emptying into theHerjangsfjorden at the village ofBjerkvik.[2]
Anavalanche in Vassdalen on 5 March 1986 struck 31 soldiers from theNorth Norway Brigade who took part in theNATO winter exerciseAnchor Express. Sixteen soldiers were killed in the accident. The avalanche came down the 766-metre (2,513 ft) tall mountain Storebalak. The avalanche hit the valley about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) above the lake Hartvikvatnet.[2][3][4]
