Introduction
Although I tried to visit as many locations as possible in the Kebnekaise region during the previous tour, the sheer size of it provides as many excuses for revisitation as one could possibly ask for. Consequently, almost immediately afterwards I made plans to return before the season was ended.
I set out with the following intentions/wishes:
- to walk through the southeastern part of Visttasvággi in autumn colors
- to walk through Unna Reaiddávággi
- to revisit the Nallo cottage before it was to close for the winter, as I had more or less promised the warden to do so when I was there last time
- to walk through Gaskkasvággi
- to mount the South Peak of Giebmegáisi in clear weather this time.
I made a rough plan of which ways to take, including stops and overnight resting places, by way of both tent, cottages and tourist station. That covered eight full days, with one extra day (and an alternative route) as backup, so I brought food for nine. As will be told, it didn't quite work out that way.
My packing list was as follows:
Object(s) | Brand/type | Weight |
---|---|---|
To wear | ||
underpants | boxer shorts | 80g |
socks | polyester/cotton mix | 50g |
thermal underwear | – | 410g |
wind trousers | Craft | 200g |
wind jacket | Craft | 290g |
hiking boots | Meindl Performance | 1890g |
hat | Haglöfs felt hat | 175g |
knife | personally handmade + belt | 200g |
3295g | ||
To carry | ||
rucksack | McKinley Crestone 70 + rain cover | 2725g |
shirt | large, warm cotton shirt | 540g |
sweater | fleece sweater | 390g |
cap and gloves | thin skiing cap and gloves | 150g |
rain clothes | Swedish Postal Service issue | 550g |
spare underpants | (see above) | 170g |
spare socks | (see above) + wool | 190g |
leisure clothes | Touch9 micro fleece suit + T-shirt | 575g |
sleeping t-shirt | – | 190g |
light shoes | sandals | 670g |
Food related | ||
thermos | ˝ liter | 325g |
drinking vessel, tableware | camping set, water flask | 175g |
camping stove, fuel | Trangia standard + ˝ l ethanol | 1460g |
food and drink |
5 DryTech REAL freeze-dried packages 1 Blĺ Band Outdoor Meals freeze-dried package 1 Spaghetteria freeze-dried package 1 l oatmeal 16 Varma Koppen/Cup-a-Soup instant soup packages 8 Ögonblink instant chocolate packages 10 tea bags 1 package of hard bread 2.5 packages of various soft breads 1 can of butter 20 cheese slices ~30 ham slices 1 large tube of cream cheese 1 package of biscuits 2 large chocolate bars 1 slab of dried reindeer meat |
5670g |
Camping related | ||
tent | Fjällräven Skule R/S 2 | 2650g |
sleeping bag | Ajungilak Kompakt L synthetic filling | 1700g |
sleep mat | – | 350g |
Other required stuff | ||
towel | light medium-sized towel | 350g |
flashlight | LED headband | 90g |
medical stuff | bandage, anti-chafe adhesive | 115g |
hygiene stuff | toothbrush, toothpaste, mini-shampoo, toilet paper | 240g |
"Survival" | ||
map | fjeld map (BD6: Abisko-Kebnekaise-Narvik) | 120g |
compass | – | 50g |
mosquito repellant | US622 stick | 20g |
sunglasses | – | 25g |
payment, recording | cards, bills, paper, pencil | 20g |
Miscellaneous | ||
book | Nemesis (Isaac Asimov) | 200g |
deck of cards | – | 80g |
home key | – | 15g |
Electronics | ||
camera | Canon PowerShot A75, batteries, memory cards | 455g |
mobile phone | Ericsson T65 | 110g |
20370g |
I also brought a walking stick (650g) I made out of a piece of birch I found lying around in the vicinity of my home. Since I would have to ford numerous streams of various sizes, I thought a prop would be a good idea. I left Östersund by train on Thursday the 8th of September, headed for Kiruna and later Nikkaluokta.
Here, then, is the full account of what transpired during the subsequent seven days. Each section has a header consisting of a short overview of the stage in question, complete with a map showing the route travelled. A ring marks the starting point, a square the food break locations (if any), and a star the destination. Vertical distances have been calculated from the map and have an accuracy of 20 m. Unless otherwise defined, all breakfasts consisted of oatmeal porridge, tea and a sandwich, and all lunches of two cups of instant soup, a sandwich and water.