Refusing to go out in the middle of the night because of the rain, resulted in me waking up every hour. Should have known better so eventually I got up at 6:30 even though the boat appointment is at 8. Packing up went fast although my tent was soaked. Decided it would be best on the outside. Walking to the Fjällstuga I realised I haven’t visited the river. So I went down and found a swollen river and a tent right on the edge. Wouldn’t have been my choice. Bit worried I went into the Fjällstuga an employee was already busy, so I asked her what her experience with a flooded river was. She agreed it was a stupid choice but there is no immediate danger (yet). Inside I did get my last bits and pieces and weighed my pack on their scale. Could be lighter but could also be a lot worse.
Together with Marit and Markus e walked towards the boat. Marit wasn’t a fan of my 8 o’clock reservation so she decided this would be the only time. The boat ride was super enjoyable with the woman(Helena) telling us a few things about the Delta. Interestingly enough was the merge of the two rivers where it became very clear that it rained much more in the Sälek region because the water was much browner. Even better we saw a rainbow indicating also that there was some sunlight. Once we got off the boat. Helena warned us about a very slippery chatty, but luckily it all went okay. Two steps on the trail however showed that my efforts to dry, my shoes and clean my socks were absolutely pointless. The trail was very muddy, very flooded, and very wet. And during the first few hours, the rain came down as well. I had some near falls because it was so slippery. The worst thing that happened, though, was me sliding away while stepping on a rock with my right foot, because of the slide I hit the rock with my left foot’s toes. Needed a few curse words to recover.
I decided to have lunch in the emergency shelter and I couldn’t get there quick enough, as it was actually quite dry and then suddenly Moore came. I expected to be alone in the emergency shelter, as I was a little bit quicker than Marit and Markus, but there were already people there. Which was unfortunate because it was too crowded to dry my tent out, but luckily I could snack on some chips and as soon as I was happily snacking away, Marit entered. I expected Markus as well, but apparently they walked separately. She was also surprised to see the other people sitting in the hut. The other people were packing up to leave, so we would have the shelter to ourselves. Before they could leave, Markus entered. He had made a nasty fall and hurt his ribcage, so he wasn’t in the best of mood, but luckily the coffee and food helps. After the other people left I tried to dry my tent. But it was no use.
After an hour break, I became restless. So, despite the rain, I decided to continue. Markus and Marit thought I was very brave, but I had the idea that the rain was stuck in this valley and so by continuing, I would leave the rain behind. I think I did make the right decision, I had some rain when I left, but not too long after it became dry. On the plateau the view was amazing and I was enjoying myself so much.
Put the best head still to come so on the way up to the emergency shelter, I saw a lot of droppings by reindeer, but I didn’t see any reindeer. But on the plateau suddenly they were there. There was nothing that could happen that would destroy my day. It was so amazing to see them, and I think they’re even the wild reindeer because it was only a small group of like eight. The girl that had left the shelter was walking five minutes ahead of me so she scared the reindeer a little bit away but then they were up on the mountain behind a little ridge and I could constantly see the antlers moving. It was the best.
In the distance, I could see new rain clouds coming, so I put on again my rain gear, but it was only a very short shower. The trailer is Nice and easy-going, so I decided to go a little bit further than I anticipated to go. I found a camp spot near a lake. Two others just had lunch there. Which is quite late as it was 5:15.
We had a small chat, but then I decided to look for the best spot to put my Tent. Was quite content with myself after two tries. I let the still wet Tent dry. I took a river bath and noticed that no one else was likely to come. So all by myself (besides the blood sucking insects). Did my evening routine and now time for bed.
Zilla-in-the-wild 