Northern diaries - 2
Day 3
27 km, Luovdigammen hut
Ráisjavri hut is closed (as it supposed to be), but lots of useful supplies are stocked at the entrance.
Open (???) private hut just East from it and a modern portable kota next to Ráisjávri hut.
'Boggiest bog' just west from the hut is all paved with solid wooden ATV path.
Fewer river crossings (half dozen ?) and no serious bogs today.
Herd of reindeer before sunset.
Luodvigammen hut is easily locatable and occupied.
Lots of cloudberries.
Warm and no wind all day.
Day 4
18 km, before Siemma
Trail descends to Reisa valley. Vegetation changes abruptly to pines, blueberries, 'tall' birches and small ferns at river banks, reminding about Kamchatka.
Fewer (but still more than I can cook) familiar mushrooms, raspberry and red currant (!!!) all around.
From Siemma, I take the 'high' trail (40m above and 100m away from the river) for 5km to the gravel road. It is easier (?) and drier than 'proper' trail following ghe river bank.
Still warm and sunny. Sky becomes overcast and some drizzle starts after 5PM.
Day 5
19 km, mid-ascent from Saraelv
Morning is sunny.
Some wind in the valley, gets stronger with elevation, dies off after 9PM.
500m ascent from Saraelv to highlands is quick (~2 hrs) and easy. Evening is surprisingly warm.
27 km, Luovdigammen hut
Ráisjavri hut is closed (as it supposed to be), but lots of useful supplies are stocked at the entrance.
Open (???) private hut just East from it and a modern portable kota next to Ráisjávri hut.
'Boggiest bog' just west from the hut is all paved with solid wooden ATV path.
Fewer river crossings (half dozen ?) and no serious bogs today.
Herd of reindeer before sunset.
Luodvigammen hut is easily locatable and occupied.
Lots of cloudberries.
Warm and no wind all day.
Day 4
18 km, before Siemma
Trail descends to Reisa valley. Vegetation changes abruptly to pines, blueberries, 'tall' birches and small ferns at river banks, reminding about Kamchatka.
Fewer (but still more than I can cook) familiar mushrooms, raspberry and red currant (!!!) all around.
From Siemma, I take the 'high' trail (40m above and 100m away from the river) for 5km to the gravel road. It is easier (?) and drier than 'proper' trail following ghe river bank.
Still warm and sunny. Sky becomes overcast and some drizzle starts after 5PM.
Day 5
19 km, mid-ascent from Saraelv
Morning is sunny.
Some wind in the valley, gets stronger with elevation, dies off after 9PM.
500m ascent from Saraelv to highlands is quick (~2 hrs) and easy. Evening is surprisingly warm.