I am going to Lapland! July 16, 2014
Posted by Jenny in bushwhacking, camping, hiking, travel.Tags: Lapland, Sarek National Park, Sweden
trackback
In a week I depart for Sweden. I fly Asheville-Chicago-Stockholm—I was amazed I could do it with just one connection. I spend a day in Stockholm and take an overnight train, an 18-hour ride, to a place called Ritsem on the border of Sarek National Park. I backpack with a group for nine days, going through valleys and making side trips to climb a few peaks. There are no trails in Sarek. Now you know why I was interested!
This expedition is organized by a British company called Nature Travels that specializes in adventurous trips in Sweden and Norway. They say the groups going to Sarek typically include quite a few Scandinavians. It is difficult even for Swedes to navigate through the park unassisted.
I ‘ll have one more good hike before I go, leading a Smoky Mountains Hiking Club outing up No Name Ridge, and I depart next week. I return early August—spending another day in Stockholm before flying home.
The park has many glaciers—you see in the photo a typical braided river, tinted blue from glacial silt, flowing through a U-shaped valley. Stream crossings are a major challenge. I hope to see reindeer and bears. We will have about 22 hours a day of sunlight. The whole thing is nearly impossible for me to imagine.
But I am sure of one thing—it will be amazing.
Wow! I’m really jealous!
Sounds incredible! I am so jealous. Enjoy your trip!
Wow, quite a beautiful and unique landscape! Have a safe flight, and a great adventure. I look forward to hearing about it upon your return. : )
Good for you, Jenny. Take lots of pictures and keep us updated here. Have a great time.
dito to all the above!!!
Have a great trip and I look forward to seeing your pics and hearing what you have to say about it.
“dito”
Sarek, remote, lovely…most rugged in all of EUROPE.
Thanks, everyone, for your good wishes!
Hope you have a great time .. sounds like you will.
Gary
Have a great trip, Jennifer. And thanks for hosting a lovely lunch for us — we very much enjoyed seeing your “treehouse” home in such a beautiful setting.
— Stephanie
I am oozing jealousy. Have fun.
You are a world traveler, Clyde, so your jealousy really counts for something!
I’m looking forward to swapping stories when you return. I’m just back from 14 straight days of backpacking and hiking in Greater Yellowstone.