Fifty-Five Kilometers

7:09 AM

Sunday the 2nd, morning. It took a while before I fell asleep again. You can feel there are more people in the cabin, even with earplugs in. Get dressed quickly, have breakfast, and get out. A super long hike is waiting, and I don’t know if I’m fit enough for it.

9:18 AM

I continue on and immediately run into rivers. Aaah, here we go again. At the first one I jump onto a big rock but slip back. Just managed to turn around in time and jump back. Now with a run-up… pffff, that barely worked. At the next river the current is so strong that I almost fall forward at the end. I just manage to grab a few branches and pull myself onto the bank. Damn—now I’m soaked and have to keep moving to dry off. To top it all off, I still had to cross a snowfield, where I sank through in the middle. It’s time for a new swear-word dictionary so you can vent your frustration properly.

Europe/Oslo

12:54 PM

One moment everything is beautifully green with flowers in bloom; the next you’re walking through a completely dead forest.

3:09 PM

Completely wrecked, I pass that beautiful waterfall again. Still great to look at. The whole ground thunders and makes a deafening noise.

5:24 PM

Pfff, that was 30 km. We’re back at the first cabin of the Kungsleden trail. But now everything is full. All hikers with mega-heavy backpacks. It’s actually funny to watch. Then I show up with my 10 kg backpack—and they ask if I’ve had a nice day hike. If only they knew!!!

7:06 PM

Sunday the 2nd, end of day. Better eat something now, otherwise it’ll suddenly be 10:00 PM again. Standing here alone, I’m also on the local mosquitoes’ menu. Then I just need to find a hanging spot near Abisko, and tomorrow I can calmly get everything back in order.

At 10:30 PM I reach the first hanging spot near Abisko. Honestly, I feel blessed. Record distance walked, and still managed to set up the hammock before collapsing. 55 km including mountains!!!!