2015-08 Sweden & Norway
After months of planning we finally set off for Sweden,
we wanted to spend eight days touring through the Fulufjället National Park.
So first it was the ferry to Gothenburg, off to the Sweden Quay 
The crossing passed in a flash; was that because of the consistently good mood?
After all, there was a bouncy castle, for a maximum of six children up to twelve years old, so also suitable for a person under 72.
More than a bit of that logic made much more sense the day before.
It didn't take long on the miserable, long drive for the beauty of Swedish nature to become apparent.
It was exciting to see how nature changed the further north we went.
Even for the short breaks we chose beautiful spots in the best weather,
because anything else would be wasted time: if you can spend time in one place, but would rather be somewhere else,
then maybe you should just go somewhere else!
The first mountains became visible and the feeling of finally being back in my homeland welled up inside me.
It's simply indescribable how at home I feel in Sweden; next year I'm definitely going back to my homeland, that much is already certain!
On the drive I also spotted a sign that reminded me of my tour from last year.
From Falun via Hofors and the Gästrikeleden to Gävle.
The next break was also taken at a beautiful spot,
it's always astonishing how breathtaking nature is!
After a small detour we had to cross a little bridge that creaked eerily while we drove over it.
But it held! That's all that mattered!
Moments later we could already inspect the edge of the Fulufjället. But what is that white thing over there?!
Zoomed in a bit closer, it looks like snow?! Okay, that's the north side, but it was supposed to be 15°C during the day and 2-5°C at night... That's no temperature for snow anymore. Maybe it's just limestone. Snow in the middle of August - don't make me laugh, that's just not possible in this region!
Quickly photographed the map once more, in case the info centre had already closed and we couldn't buy a map anymore.
Arriving at the parking lot, the packs were unpacked with 12-18kg of luggage each.
After all, the provisions for the next eight days had to be lugged along too
Since it was already relatively late, we decided to quickly climb the 300m and set up the first campsite.
Since we were near the “white substance”, one of the guys and I decided to inspect it, and who would have thought it - it really was snow!
The view from here invited us to gaze into the distance. It was simply magnificent!
And the trees were slowly but surely disappearing; at that point I hadn't yet thought that I might somehow miss the trees.
But the weather and the mood were brilliant instead!
The first boulder fields also had to be crossed. It was incredible with what ease some people hopped from rock to rock...
Hilleberg spotted!
There are also huts in the national park that you can rent, but who wants that.
For the future I should remember: every time I see the bog grass, my trail runners will be wet for the next 1-2km
A helicopter kept circling to this lake and unloaded something, maybe to check the pH level?
The first stone cairns also made an appearance!
And the play of sun and clouds was simply brilliant!
Quickly set up the tarps once more. Well, since the bivy crew didn't want to sleep under the tarp after all,
I claimed it for myself and didn't set up mine after all.
My noodle cup also kept being used for the rest of the trip and even survived the journey back to Germany.
Cheers!
With a sunset like that, the day can end perfectly.
Up on the plateau there were also many streams and rivers!
And every now and then a few trees that defied wind and weather.
So much water; it might have been wise to refill our water supplies here once more before continuing uphill!
Through the swamp and up into the heights!
Through the ever-growing boulder fields!
And at the rune altar I inevitably had to think of my beloved, who unfortunately couldn't be there.
A few birds accompanied us while our water was slowly but surely running out.
The question arose: turn around and head back to the last water source, or keep climbing and hope to find something. After a short deliberation we set down our packs to climb the next metres of elevation, hoping to spot water.
The reconnaissance was successful; on the other side of the summit there was plenty of water, alongside a proper storm and few mosquitoes!
At this lake we settled down and set up camp for the night.
Some were a bit overwhelmed by the climb; who can blame them?
After my Cuben Tarp almost blew away in the wind, I chose my rain poncho, since it presents a much smaller surface area.
And enjoyed yet another breathtaking sunset!
A quick glance at the GPS revealed that Norway was already about five km away as the crow flies in that direction. The spontaneous decision was quickly made - off to Norway! And hike at least one or two km in Norway.
This single tree was one of the landmarks for navigation.
The way to Norway was also strewn with boulder fields. But the way was supposed to be worth it
The tree line is visible!!!!
So the plan was: descend into the valley, follow the river course to get around the visible mountain. On the other side there should be a river and a road next to a watercourse. We wanted to hike those back into Sweden.
In hindsight we were really lucky not to bag the summit as well; that would not only have made the descent harder, but virtually impossible without a belay device!
Instead we descended here, and yes - on our side too there were the first dwarf birch trees <3!
The border is visible!
Down we go.
Not a hundred metres further, the landscape was already completely different again.
And the boggy area began. One moment of inattention and you're already up to one leg completely sunk into the swamp.
But with a view like that, it's quickly forgotten.
The river could be crossed via a bridge; we hoped to finally find a path and not have to keep going cross-country, but luck wasn't on our side.
Oooooooor not, found one! Finally faster than two km/h again!
Norway can be very beautiful too.
With the discovery of a small Norwegian village, our cross-country route came to an end.
And down the “road” we went.
At the end of the road we found a beautiful hut by an idyllic lake,
moved in for that night right away and feasted to our hearts' content.
After more than a year, my wash bag had torn open at the side and needed a professional repair.
The gaiters also bore traces of the boulder fields.
That everything looks like new afterwards goes without saying, right? Leave no trace!
The road got wider and we moved through Norway at an unusually fast pace.
The river was quickly reached as well.
Down we go.
Not a hundred metres further, the landscape was already completely different again.
And the boggy area began. One moment of inattention and you're already up to one leg completely sunk into the swamp.
But with a view like that, it's quickly forgotten.
The river could be crossed via a bridge; we hoped to finally find a path and not have to keep going cross-country, but luck wasn't on our side.
Oooooooor not, found one! Finally faster than two km/h again!
Norway can be very beautiful too.
With the discovery of a small Norwegian village, our cross-country route came to an end.
And down the “road” we went.
At the end of the road we found a beautiful hut by an idyllic lake,
moved in for that night right away and feasted to our hearts' content.
After more than a year, my wash bag had torn open at the side and needed a professional repair.
The gaiters also bore traces of the boulder fields.
That everything looks like new afterwards goes without saying, right? Leave no trace!
The road got wider and we moved through Norway at an unusually fast pace.
The river was quickly reached as well.
And offered a beautiful view of unspoiled nature
Time for a snack with cheese from a tube was of course always on!
There was also information about the park on the Norwegian side.
As well as a section map.
Soon we reached the Swedish border again
And the path still led along the riverbed
The daily dose of snacks wasn't allowed to be missing on this day either.
Just as little as a proper meal.
That night I once again camped with my poncho tarp along the southern Kungsleden,
which we hiked back into the national park the next day.
Right at the start there were again all those metres of elevation over a few kilometres of trail. But compared to the cross-country hiking, this was a piece of cake!
We quickly left the tree line behind us again and were back on the plateau.
Past familiar boulder fields.
Streams
And lakes
Time for a snack with cheese from a tube was of course always on!
There was also information about the park on the Norwegian side.
As well as a section map.
Soon we reached the Swedish border again
And the path still led along the riverbed
The daily dose of snacks wasn't allowed to be missing on this day either.
Just as little as a proper meal.
That night I once again camped with my poncho tarp along the southern Kungsleden,
which we hiked back into the national park the next day.
Right at the start there were again all those metres of elevation over a few kilometres of trail. But compared to the cross-country hiking, this was a piece of cake!
We quickly left the tree line behind us again and were back on the plateau.
Past familiar boulder fields.
Streams
And lakes
Here you can do some proper cooking again!
And season it with delicious bushcraft-style Tabasco.
That night I set up my Cuben Tarp on a small jetty. My thought was: if anyone ever finds a Cuben Tarp with a jetty, a hut and two boats, it's mine. The jetty was perfect: enough wind that there were no mosquitoes, but not so much wind that it got cold under the tarp.
My MYOG lid also suffered a bit; UHU Endfest3000 + fire = broken... Oh well, nothing that can't be fixed again
My camp was quickly ready and the cosy part of the evening could begin.
The others had also found a nice spot.
Now the twilight and the associated swarms of mosquitoes could come.
For the last day we still wanted to see Sweden's highest waterfall, so let's go!
First through boggy terrain again.
Once again a few boulder fields, every now and then something new!
And soon the waterfall was visible; now we just had to get a little closer!
Already pretty good
Perfect!
And season it with delicious bushcraft-style Tabasco.
That night I set up my Cuben Tarp on a small jetty. My thought was: if anyone ever finds a Cuben Tarp with a jetty, a hut and two boats, it's mine. The jetty was perfect: enough wind that there were no mosquitoes, but not so much wind that it got cold under the tarp.
My MYOG lid also suffered a bit; UHU Endfest3000 + fire = broken... Oh well, nothing that can't be fixed again
My camp was quickly ready and the cosy part of the evening could begin.
The others had also found a nice spot.
Now the twilight and the associated swarms of mosquitoes could come.
For the last day we still wanted to see Sweden's highest waterfall, so let's go!
First through boggy terrain again.
Once again a few boulder fields, every now and then something new!
And soon the waterfall was visible; now we just had to get a little closer!
Already pretty good
Perfect!
The next morning we left the park and headed back to the car. The entrance area is also very appealing.
On the way to the swimming pool we quickly stopped at ICA again: cheese from a tube, bread, and Swedish meatballs, the same things that had already supplied us with enough energy on the way there.
The next break was again spent at a beautiful parking lot.
And the next sleeping spot was also quickly found.
All in all a beautiful tour with my favourite crazies!
On the way to the swimming pool we quickly stopped at ICA again: cheese from a tube, bread, and Swedish meatballs, the same things that had already supplied us with enough energy on the way there.
The next break was again spent at a beautiful parking lot.
And the next sleeping spot was also quickly found.
All in all a beautiful tour with my favourite crazies!
By the way, the packing list for this tour is here
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