So,
The winter is stubborn, it is taking it's time to arrive. However I am unable to wait! I know, it is autumn, I should go ice skating, hike in the forrest and so on, but I am in need of some activity so I deicdied today to see how the skiing capabilities are holding up!
After a long and lovely breakfast I got my essentials, Ski's, skins, shovel etc. I made a couple of sandwitches and warm lingonberry "saft" (juice) and together with my aditional gear I stuffed in to the backpack and headed out.
Arriving at the Ullådalen parking there ar efamilies playing and I meet some aqcuaintances from Skistar, we greet eachother and ar eequally happy about the lovely weather!
I get my skins under the ski's and the 2nd hike of the year is on!
It is a great feeling, when it is minus 5 degrees and you head up a steep slope how warm it gets (not in shape!!!) Thank god I am dressed in layers and after 15 mins the first layer is off and i keep going. In the lowlands I meet some otehr people hiking with snow shoes and have dogs with them, I see traces of other people that have hiked here and i get a bit jealous, I see they had good snow!
After about an hour and a bit it is time for fika (cofee with cookie break,) yeah!!!!
Looking over the Åre valley, there is hardly any wind and the sun shines in my face, I am in heaven!
After feeling a bit cold it is the starting sign to do the 2nd lag, on with the ski's and off we go!
There are some reindeer poo (don't know the nice word for "avföring"...) and their tracks as well, nice..Even in civilization there is a bit of wilderness :)
Passing the top station I know there is just 15-20 minutes to the top, when I get there I meet this other couple in the "topstuga". They are from Östersund and have made a day trip as well. We all feel nice sitting at the hightest top here at 1420m (modest hight) and have our sandwiches and juices looking out over Åre, Kall, towards Järpen and in the far distance I see snashögarna, I will be there soon :)
We all get dry clothes on, and prepare for descent, should take 20 minutes if we dont make so many fotobreaks on the way down again :)
Time for sauna, shower and cappuccino, life is beautifull!!!!!
Well, a long winter of activities awaits and I hope to update them here.
Josef
