Hykelneselva to a Lake South of Vaalta
Distance: 35km
The forecast was wrong. Unfortunately. It's raining again when I pack my tent. To be fair, it's more a drizzle, not bothering me too much. Like yesterday, no trail and no markings means I have to plot my own route, using the trail notes as a guidence. While they are extremely helpful, sometimes I have the impression, they don't always guide me along the most plausible way. So for example around Bukvatnet, which I circumnavigate to the west, saving a few kilometers.
The clouds are low this morning, so low in fact, it's actually foggy. I'm honest: whiteout GPS, I would be lost. There simply aren't any references to use. But even without the fog, which eventually clears, navigating remains tricky. Still, I make my progress, not too fast but faster than the day before, thanks to the easier going terrain.
I pass Gressamoen, a private hut as it seems. The only sign of civilization during the whole day.
What follows shortly afterwards, is a beautiful stretch of walking. Firm ground with plenty of flat rocks and amazing views. I thoroughly enjoy myself.
Time is flying when all the navigation needs to be done by myself. It's after 1900 when I finally pitch my tent. This time, as winds are much calmer, I try to find a windy spot to dry try my tent and keep the mosquitoes away. And I'm quite successful.
On a side note, and I hope it remains a side note: on the last couple of kilometers I start feeling my shin again. Those of you, who have been following me since New Zealand, know that my shins are somewhat prone for injury. In fact, my left shin starts aching so much I can barley walk the 10 meters to the lake to source some water. So far away from civilization it is not something I need right now. I put on a bandage, whiteout much hope it will help. Despite I hate doing it, I also take a painkiller. The first one since I started long distance hiking. I hate doing it, but I keep my fingers crossed it might help to fight the inflammation.
Now all I can do is try to get some sleep and see how things develop overnight.
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