Saturday 10/3 – part one

I slept very well and awoke rested. The sky was partially covered in high and light clouds, visibility was at 100%, and there was a bit of wind. I went out for a quick morning walk in the chilly air, during which I observed an elk running across the frozen lake to the east. I packed up some stuff before having breakfast, and afterwards the clouds had shifted so that it was now rather good to the south, but thick to the west and southeast. The sun made a veiled appearance while one of the wardens came in for a short talk; the other one was on his way out on the lake for fishing purposes. When I was done packing the western clouds had come much closer, and as I was preparing to leave at the usual time 09:30 it started to snow.

Elk of the Morn

Southeast along the lake

Northwest along the lake

Gáppetjåhkkå across the lake

Mini-panorama of Guolbbantjåhkkå, also across the lake

Closeup of Guobirčohkka

The woods through which Kungsleden continues

Growing light

Small cottages

Look! The sun!

The larger cottage with the slope behind

Pretty light

I walked up the slope with the climbing skins, which was easy enough. The snowfall grew in intensity, but it was calm and warm so it was actually pretty nice. I saw what must have been the very same hare at the very same place, and at the top of the slope Guolbbantjåhkkå could be seen. I skied out on the same outlook hill as on the way down as the clouds lifted somewhat, and then I continued with the skins until I was on flat ground. By then I could see farther both to the north and south, and the snow had stopped. I skied just west of the summer cairns, which were mostly visible, but when the land started slanting downhill I returned to the trail. The descent was almost recklessly swift, and conditions in the valley were also good. I skied beside the trail to the cottages, being welcomed by Maj-Lis a second time just before noon.

Snowfall

Re-hare

Sun-in-veil

Guolbbantjåhkkå visible through the snow...

...like the lake

More sun-hints

Frosty tree

Urttičohkka

Muorki ahead...

...and behind

Liddubákti between Stuor-Jiertá and Leaibečeabetčohkka

More of Urttičohkka

Going down

Cloud atop Sáŋarčohkka

Cloudy...

...but somewhat sunny

An old hut

Leaibečeabetčohkka

Urttičohkka from another angle

Leaibečeabetčohkka and Čoalmmečohkka

Čoalmmebákti across Bajip Gáidumjávri

Mini-panorama over the valley

At once I was invited in for some homemade fruit soup, tea and sandwiches, and I also ate my own food. We spoke together about this and that, and outside a blue hole had appeared in the cloud cover directly overhead, but to the north Stuor Avrrik and Unna Avrrik were still hitting the ceiling. I had then decided to stay for the night, and I had an idea what to do with the afternoon.