Training Log Archive: X8A7

At the Folkeparken parking lot there were more orienteering maps at the information board. This is why Scandinavia is great. Just go to a park and there's orienteering maps there for you. The permanent course was yellow level too and going in numerical order created terrible dog-legs, so I just ran to the next interesting looking control location. Not all controls were there, but still great fun. Start to tire at end.

At the cabin I found "Stolpejakten" (post hunt) orienteering maps. It looks like each year a bunch of posts, serving as orienteering controls, are put out across the city and it is possible to "vinn fine premier" (win nice prizes). There were 70 controls total ranging from white level urban orienteering to maybe a few orange level controls in parks. I looked at the sponsor list and found a chocolate shop, after the hike we got iced cream there and as suspected, there was a whole stack of more maps free for the taking. We chose the Folkeparken (people's park) map. Did the yellow level 10 controls in the park, all posts were in the right place, pretty easy all around but great fun.

Went up Fiskåa west of Harstad, following the "Ti på Topp" (ten on top) trail, apparently each year new temporary trails are put in to 10 peaks in the area. Great views at the top, we only went to the saddle on the SW side of the cirque.

Kebnekaise Fjällstation to Nikka. Took the boat out too.

Up to Tarfala Valley to near Sydöstra Kaskasatjåkkaglaciären. Had coffee at the research station. Photoed all the glaciers. I was stunned by the retreat since 2011. The glaciers are sick and dying. Wore the trail runners and was able to move quickly, felt amazingly good given the hiking of the previous two days.

Up Kitteldalen, "quick" look at the rocks along the way, made it part-way up the new stairs to the saddle before a thunderstorm rolled in, booked it back to the Fjällstation, slowing after the storm passed. Watch died, even after some charging at lunch, also didn't record the best data, so estimated time/distance. Much steeper up the stream and I had anticipated.

Nikka to Kebne Fjällstation. Took the boat, which was a good idea to make sure you don't die. Pack was about 40 pounds, heavier than I wanted, but I managed.