Kungsleden 10/07/26

Day 10. Kvikkjokk to Goabddábákte 

It was a calm overcast morning and I walked down after an excellent breakfast at the Fjällstation to get a boat across the lake.

Morning reflections 

The boatman was a very interesting character who had lived in the area all his life and told us all about the changes he had seen in the rivers and lakes.

Bjorn the boatman

There has been a more growth recently and nearly all the sand banks are now green with interesting channels winding between them.

Path up through the trees 

Another fairly hot climb up through many kilometres of forest before it thinned out to allow a slight breeze through.

One of many little lakes

The walking became very pleasant through a scrubby area with stunted birch trees which allowed long views of the hills around.

Long bridge over the river

The open birch areas are much less humid than the pine forest with consequentially less insects, much better.

I wasn't the only one there

The path then descended to a bridge over the Tsielejkåhkå river where there is an emergency shelter and phone.

There were plenty of boardwalks

I thought I could have lunch in the shelter but like the surrounding area it was infested with mosquitoes so I carried on for a short distance up the other side and found a nice rock in a breezy place for my lunch.

And little bridges

I continued a gentle climb up by a stream into the hills before a steeper section took me out onto a fairly level section of hillside which I followed to reach a little river.

The plateau 

Just beyond the metal bridge there was an ideal camp spot. A nice breeze to keep the insects under control, water nearby and a flat piece of dry ground.

Perfect campsite 

I sat for a while looking a the views and the huge glacial moraine nearby deciding whether to stay or go on a bit further as it wasn't very late.

Wooly Willow 

I decided to go a bit further and chance finding somewhere decent but when I stood up and put my pack on I changed my mind and put the tent up instead.

A lovely spot and a tasty walnut pasta for dinner. Best camp so far by a long way.

17k walked

780m ascent