Toward the Kungsleden

9:33 AM

Thursday the 6th, morning. I started on a different trail that runs diagonally toward the Kungsleden. It was pleasantly quiet. Every now and then a bench, some grass, a bit of sunshine…..

9:57 AM

A small stream, wet foot, a short rest…. It just keeps going and the kilometers fly by.

2:48 PM

Then you reach the high plateaus. People come back into view. Sighing, puffing, laughing, swearing. I sit down and watch.

3:49 PM

Warming up in the sun for a bit. I think I’ve done 33 km now and still have 25 to go to get back below the tree line. So far the body is still willing. It creaks and squeaks a little, but it’s definitely craving a hammock—one hanging between trees, not on the ground.

4:28 PM

Thursday the 6th, end of day. I’m taking a cabin. I can’t find trees easily and I really don’t feel like sleeping on the ground.

The price is a bit odd though. 420 kroner—that’s just over €45—for a sleeping place in a room shared with 10 people. Won’t be doing that again. I’ll look for huts with a key instead. There are three buildings with five rooms each, and each room has 10 beds. I’m in building 2, room 5. The kitchen is busy—everyone cooking with the pots that belong to the kitchenette. Then there’s me, showing up with my little pot of garden-herb bouillon with reindeer sausage and quinoa. Oh well, at least there’s plenty to watch. At 11:00 PM four more people arrived. This hut was full. So much stomping, chatter, and huge backpacks.