Day 66 (8): Rock Overload

Randsverk to Spiterstulen

Distance: 40km

I wake up to a spectacular morning sky. What a treat to start my day. My morning mood gets even better, when I notice my tent is completely dry. For the first time on this trip.

After a couple of kilometers, clouds are pushing in from the north, getting thicker with every minute. In Glitterheimen, at the end of an never-ending gravel road that I walked yesterday and this morning, I plan to grab a coffee. The hut is busy however, the line at the reception long. So I pass and shortly after leave the warm hut.

Back on the trail, going gets harder. As I climb Velsglupen, with 1650 meters one of the highest points on this trip, the trail gets rocky. Very rocky. Going is slow and with my not-so-fresh-anymore sandals, I feel every one of these rocks.

When the wind and the rain set in, I initially feel a bit down, but recover surprisingly quickly. I think to myself, I mastered much worse tracks and weather conditions on Nordkalottleden back in 2020. So this is actually a piece of cake.

And around 5 hours after leaving Glitterheimen without my coffee, I arrive in Spiterstulen. Another massive hut complex. Incredibly busy as well. Despite the adverse weather conditions. Should I stay or should I continue? Just booking a bed is tempting but somehow I feel like camping tonight. No idea why. Generally, I prefer a bed over a tent, especially when it rains.

So I continue. Back out into the rain, which is getting heavier. A bit more than a kilometer from the hut I have enough, pitch my tent in the pouring rain. Despite being incredibly quick, the inside is still getting wet. Still, I don't mind too much. Mainly, I am just happy to be out of the rain, after a surprisingly challenging day out in the mountains.