Arne Randers Heen

Personal life Heen was born in Hen Municipality, and worked as a tailor in the nearby town of Åndalsnes. He was a half brother of Gunnar Randers junior and uncle of Jørgen Randers. Heen was largely autodidact in mountaineering, and an unconventional outsider to a sport defined by Norsk Tindeklub in Oslo's western suburbs. He did not have a single accident during his life in the mountains. In 1926 he climbed solo (alone) the south wall of Romsdalshorn, at the time a groundbreaking achievement. Heen had several times attempted Trollryggen, a 2 kilometer long pillar at the edge of Trollveggen. One attempt was in the summer of 1940 with Arne Næss. In 1958 he finally succeeded together with Ralph Høibakk, their only equipment was rope, 10 pitons, 6 carabiners and a hammer each. Ten years later, with improved equipment, the two climbed the route in only 10 hours.

During the Second World War he worked for the resistance movement and the allied intelligence. Heen helped XU-agent Sven Sømme escape through a difficult mountain pass between Isfjorden and Eikesdalen. He also helped escaped Russian prisoners climb through the mountains to Valldal where locals protected the Russians until the end of the war.

Awards 1939: Medal for Heroic Deeds 1963: Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters' medal 1973: King's Medal of Merit Honorary member of Norsk Tindeklubb