Day 25: Of Rivers And Hills

Sargga to Ravddajavvre

Distance: 35km

Mosquitoes or rain? What's worse? If you asked me this question two weeks weeks ago it would have been the mosquitoes - hands down. Now... After not seeing a mozzy in three days but spending these days hiking through driving rain, it's the rain - without a doubt.

On a serious note: rain and with all its consequences like high rivers, hypothermia etc. has a much bigger impact on the trail life than some mosquitoes, which are basically just a nuisance.

Anyway, after a cold, windy night I can't wait to hit the trail. My day starts with a few kilometers off trail walking. This time not as easy to navigate as yesterday, when I all I had to do was basically following a river. 

Eventually, I rejoin the trail. Undulating terrain for most of the morning as the trail leads south and perpendicular to the rivers, which are flowing west to east. It's a constant up and down with four big rivers crossings. Tough work, slow going. Still, time is passing quickly and just past noon I approach Valldajahka. The last big river crossing today, probably the last one for the coming days as the most rivers should be bridged from now until Sulitjelma. Should...

I cross Valldajahka way further downstream than depicted on the map. Easy crossing. Saves me a 5 kilometer detour.

On the other side, plenty of ripe Cloud Berries are awaiting me. Well needed vitamin C after these rainy, cold and windy days. Eating all these delicious orange berries is slowing me down considerably. I'm like "I should really start walking again". 20 steps later: "Oh, look, Cloud Berries!" These berries really make me happy. I hope there are many more to eat.

Hard to believe, but I eventually make it to my today's overnight place. A tiny hut. A long day. At least the weather was quite friendly throughout the day. 

I meet another hiker, who intended to walk the opposite direction but took an involuntary dip in one of the rivers yesterday and returned to the hut. Sleeping bag, clothes all wet. Feet full of blisters due to wet shoes and socks. I ask her if I can do anything for her. She just shakes her head. All she needs is rest. Poor girl. It happened to me before. Falling in a river. No fun, glad she's okay.