Last night, when I lay awake because of the wind rushing through the trees around me, I felt so deeply grateful and happy to be here.
That fascinates me during outdoor trips. When I sleep in a tent, no matter how interrupted and rough my sleep is, I feel so much more refreshed in the morning compared to any night in bed in a house or apartment.
It is 06:00 am. I basically slept in.
Arriving at Kebnekaise Fjällstation yesterday felt a bit like suddenly being in Disneyland. People, cute cabins, and merchandise. A full mountain lodge. I didn’t know how much of a hype there is. I found a nice spot for the tent, sheltered under birches. I missed trees after 3 days without.
The weather doesn’t look like trying for the summit. Yesterday, I asked at the reception for a recommendation and their polite answer was „Look out for the guided tour. If they are going then there is a chance to get to the top.“
I grab my prepared backpack, close the tent and head out. No sign of the tour being cancelled, so I give it a go.
Half way to the top was my return point. By then I was soaked and pretty cold. I have never experienced such a wind blasting through the uphill valley, literally taking me off my feet twice. The mountain told everyone ‚no‘. Yet, everyone, including myself, was weirdly cheerful, although being washed out, blown out, and having to turn around. People respected Kebnekaise and the adventure of trying seemed enough.
I came back, treated myself with the service fee to the facilities, and got my clothes and boots in the drying room. I took a shower. The hot shower felt absolutely luxurious.
My cabin fever sets in around 14:00. I jot down notes, observe people come and go, and talk to the guides. There was actually no planned tour today, so there was also no cancelation. I walk through the lodge‘s shop to see if there’s anything I can eat. Being on a specific diet narrows down the options. Here to basically nothing.
I grab a small bag of potato chips and suddenly remember that next to the dehydrated chili for tonight I still have a bit of trail mix with chocolate and fruit leather.
That makes me so happy.
