Sunday 9 November 2014

Arctic Trail Trip Report Part 2

Part 1 covered the Nordkalottleden section of my Arctic hike and this covers the remaining 412km to Trofors. The original plan was for me to continue along the Nordkalottleden Trail to it’s Swedish finish point at Kvikkjokk. There I would resupply at the STF hostel and pickup the Kungsleden Trail south to its terminus at Hemavan. From Hemavan I would make my own way to Trofors in Norway where I would catch a train south to Oslo. A week or 2 before setting off Mark Waring contacted me and suggested a different route that he had taken previously that would be much quieter and also easier logistically. The Kungsleden south from Kvikkjokk isn't hiked as much as the more popular northern section and has a number of lakes that need to crossed by boats. There are motor boats available to do this but it can mean waiting until one arrives and Mark warned that much time could be wasted like this. His alternative route only had one boat crossing and as I’m heading south you walk right through Mavas, where then boat is based, so it should be less hassle. Mark also said that I would be unlikely to see another hiker on his 10 day section, he was right!