Wandering the Swedish laplands,Abisko Day 1 2022

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My first ever trip to Northern Sweden was in 2017,i then returned in 2019 doing a route,that took us over into Norway,crossing over invisible border lines......then Covid came along
 Its been a long tough few yrs for many,but finally the dates got closer and my return to the stunning lands off Northern Sweden lands,above the Arctic circle line, arrived again



In the three yrs since my last trip,one of my bothers Jamie,had started to come walking and then backpacking with me.To say hes got the bug would be an under statement !
So after some thought i decided to invite him along,the original plan also involved meeting the allusive Matt Holland...that didnt work out in the end sadly   

 
We arrived,after three flights,at 11.15pm and were soon asleep in the SPIS hostel.The next day we sorted out fuel and some food then had a nice walk out past the school,ending up at the top of the ski slopes.I think its called the " Midnattssolstigen" translates to the ..Midnight night sun rise ...












While shopping i saw these pictures stuck to some of the old shop windows,they are really good i think...there by Benny Ekman (born 1955 in Stockholm, Sweden


The old town of Kiruna,where we were staying is closing now,so if i return i will have to stay in the "New Kiruna " thats been built,the mine is expanding so the old town has to go 













I was excited to start the trip and after a great buffet breakfast at the lodge a final check on packs,we went to the train station and waited for the train.It being a Saturday it was suprisingly full,with nearly everyone having a large rucksack with them.But as we trundled Northwards the skies darkened and it started to rain then lash down.As many folk left the train all went to the start/Finish of the Kungsleden
But luckily i had plotted out a much more interesting and quieter route.....i hoped anyways

9 C and raining,no wind yet 






Luckily the rain soon stopped and then just came on as showers passed above us,we left the carpark and didnt see anyone 😃








After a few miles of flat terrain we started to climb upwards following the river ? Ballinvaggi South east ish                                                                      






The path was more a small game trail but was easy enough to follow and re-appeared soon when we lost it now and then 


Id tried so hard to avoid Covid but sadly caught it,badly,about 5 wks before we left so didnt feel as strong or fit as normal,but it was just so good to be back again

Theres something about traveling through over lands you've not seen before,when your not sure if you can cross that pass/river




Abisko station is just behind the small lake 




The wind was getting strong now we were higher,but the sun made an appearance,my plan had been to be in the high valley between the big peaks (5000 footers) of Pallentjakka and Tjamuhas.But as wind can funnel in valleys we backtracked a little and hunted for a nice spot 




The sun,cloud and blue  skies really helped these ravines with snow banks still in them look wild and free,as the wind shook us around a little as we scouted around for somewhere to pitch








The wind was still strong 20's gusting 40-45 mph and the valley was unknown to me,so i decided to camp up before entering the valley fully





I did consider bring my Duomid or Scarp but decided to settle on my trusty Trailstar again 





The temp was now around 9c but the wind was making it feel a bit cooler than that,as door views go i was happy with tonights 








Shelters set up i was gutted to find my Gsi mug had a huge crack top to bottom,but a piece of Treadlite gears Cuben tape sealed it perfectly for the rest of the trip

We went to find water and on my way back to camp i found some lovely Cloud berries so i tired to collect lots for camp,hindered by too eating many,as i foraged !


The wind whistled past the Trailstar door and the temp lowered down,but  a brew was in my hand,tea was hydrating.It was so good to soak in the views,the mind trying to imagine what we would see as we walked through the next days high valley








As ive taken so many pictures,ive decided to just do a post for each day....then ill try and sort videos out as i took a lot on my Sony camera

Thanks for looking Safe Travels Peter

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