Kuonjarjoki Hut to Kilpisjarvi
Distance: 20km
Something I forgot to mention yesterday: I passed the 500 kilometers mark. For me the distances I usually get into the thru-hiking rythm. Hike, eat, sleep, repeat... It's also the time to reflect. 500 kilometers in 12 days. Much faster than I anticipated. Much faster than Te Araroa, where I reached Auckland (which I think is 500 kilometers into the hike, isn't it?) after over 20 days.
I wouldn't call it walking like machine, Klaus ;) Rather a combination of loooooooong, endless days, amazing weather and trails, which made for easy progress. And maybe my age. With thru-hiking it's like with men and wine: the older they are the better they become (until a certain age at least ;)
However, the more mountainous terrain I'm currently in is slowing me down as the last two days have shown. My days will probably be shorter from now on. Distance wise at least.
The rain were just a few droplets and by the time I leave the hut, the soil is already dry. On a side note: I am not the first one up today. At 5 am all but one are all packing their stuff. Early birds these Finns.
The trail, well it is a hiking trail. I don't enjoy it. Very rough and worn out. Lots of rocks, which are getting more annoying with every one I have to balance on.
So I don't mind at all when I arrive in Kilpisjarvi, consisting of a few houses scattered all over the place and a food store - a surprisingly good one with a huge selection. Food and none food wise. There's also a sport store right next to it.
As the camping is another 5 kilometers down the road, I do my whole resupply fore the next 6 to 7 days here, on the far end of the parking lot. With bags to be filled scattered all over the place. Organized chaos I would call it.
Fully loaded, I follow the main road to the campground. Busy road, no shoulder. Not too great of a walk but a bit of sweet, flat tarmac after all these rocks and stones feels like heaven for my feet.
Btw: I just realized that Finland is in a different time zone. This explains, why everyone was up so early. Not so early birds after all, the Finns.
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