Day 70: Squeezing In Some Extra Kilometers

Södra Garberg to Brasjön

Distance: 50km
Friday the 13th... Bad luck? Well, the day starts reasonably okay. Firstly, I didn't get eaten by the ants. In fact they behaved good and didn't disturb me at all. Secondly, I'm positively surprised by the long drop toilet. Clean, plenty of toilet paper and one of the few toilets, which isn't close to overflowing.
Anyway, let's not talk about shit. 
Yesterday left a lot of room for improvement. And an improvement is definitely here. The trail is so much smoother than yesterday, walking a pleasure dispite feeling rather stiffly. 
Taking it slow, I take an early break, where I am approached by a Swedish marathon runner. We have a great chat and it's actually my first longer conversation with a Swedish person since arriving in Sweden. Hope you ran a good race should you read this) 
I pass many small settlements (called fäbodar I think). They were used as summer grazing sites for cows. Similar to the Alp in Switzerland. 
Walking past one of these fäbodar, I meet 4 girls from Stockholm, who are on 4 day hike along Siljansleden. For a couple of kilometers, I join this funny bunch. If I remember correctly it's the first time since Nordkapp that I'm not hiking by myself. It feels good, even though it's just for half an hour. 

 

They turn left towards Siljan lake to spend there, I turn left to Kollsjön to spend mine there. Well, that was the plan at least. There's a shelter, a so called vindskydd, but the lake itself is not accessible. And in general, it all does not look too welcoming. So what now? The next vindskydd and suitable place to spend the night is 7.5km away. Should I go there? No, too far. Or isn't it? After a second thought I give it a go. I trust my instinct that the Brasjön vindskydd will be much more pleasant to spend the night. Slowly but surely starting to run on fumes, I'm heading towards my definite final destination for today. I'm motivating myself with a shorter day tomorrow and a porridge for breakfast. Just before 19:00 and a couple of minutes before the forecasted rain starts I reach the shelter. And oh boy... It was worth every extra step I've done today. Lovely location with unobstructed views and access to the lake. While dinner is in the making, I have a quick dip in the lake. A pleasure after sweating like a bull throughout the day. 
A common view today
A common view today
Another nice ride
Another nice ride
Stepping in the only mud hole on the whole trail today...
Stepping in the only mud hole on the whole trail today...
Off to Utah anyone?
Off to Utah anyone?
Old cow grazing site
Old cow grazing site
Hello there
Hello there
A lake!
A lake!
Some neat little holiday homes
Some neat little holiday homes
My sleeping place: Brasjön vindskydd
My sleeping place: Brasjön vindskydd
My stove going crazy for the photo
My stove going crazy for the photo

Write a comment

Comments: 2
  • #1

    George Mills (Sunday, 15 August 2021 00:01)

    Is that bear for real?

  • #2

    Fredy Koster (Tuesday, 17 August 2021 07:56)

    Hi George
    I asked this myself . It would be a very close encounter, huh.

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