Day 2, Viterskalet to Syterstuga, 12 k
I left this a.m. with a fresh perspective. The lady warden was outside looking up at the mountains and morning sky. I thought she wanted to pray for me. No, instead she had a recorder in her hand and asked if she could play for me an old Swedish tune, something about either the happy hiker or the tired hiker. It was very sweet and made me feel special.
I started at 8 a.m. about. Early for only 8 miles, but I thought I might take longer breaks. Always the km doesn't seem excessive–until the end and I'm only too happy to stop and be done. I started out walking next to the river that dissects the valley. Slowly I am walking upward to a kind of saddle. I saw in the distance the silhouette of a rock, flat like a table. I told myself when I got there I'd sit and have a break. A French hiker came from the east and said, I saw you from a distance. We chatted and I asked him to take my picture.
I took lunch at the top of the saddle around 12 noon, a bit before, where there was an emergency hut, not for staying in except if caught in extreme weather.
The weather has been perfect. Both Day 1 and 2. The wardens have commented that I am here at a good time. The 2 weeks before there was nothing but rain and wind and cold. Temps rise in the afternoon to the low 60s, abundant sunshine, light until 9.
After my lunch break, I continued a bit of a climb in order to access the adjacent valley. I had a feeling that the next hut would be in that valley. The rocky climb afforded great views, but I was a bit sad to leave the peaceful valley. I was on top next to the mountain called Syter. Pronounced "cider."
The plateau was very rocky and the trail was marked with high crosses so that in the winter folks can find their way. Slowly, I started going down. At one point far off I glimpsed a building and figured it was Syterstruga. I continued and had to lengthen my poles to accommodate the step decline. Even though it was downhill, I had to step carefully. It took awhile. I arrived at 2:30 pm.
I started at 8 a.m. about. Early for only 8 miles, but I thought I might take longer breaks. Always the km doesn't seem excessive–until the end and I'm only too happy to stop and be done. I started out walking next to the river that dissects the valley. Slowly I am walking upward to a kind of saddle. I saw in the distance the silhouette of a rock, flat like a table. I told myself when I got there I'd sit and have a break. A French hiker came from the east and said, I saw you from a distance. We chatted and I asked him to take my picture.
I took lunch at the top of the saddle around 12 noon, a bit before, where there was an emergency hut, not for staying in except if caught in extreme weather.
The weather has been perfect. Both Day 1 and 2. The wardens have commented that I am here at a good time. The 2 weeks before there was nothing but rain and wind and cold. Temps rise in the afternoon to the low 60s, abundant sunshine, light until 9.
After my lunch break, I continued a bit of a climb in order to access the adjacent valley. I had a feeling that the next hut would be in that valley. The rocky climb afforded great views, but I was a bit sad to leave the peaceful valley. I was on top next to the mountain called Syter. Pronounced "cider."
The plateau was very rocky and the trail was marked with high crosses so that in the winter folks can find their way. Slowly, I started going down. At one point far off I glimpsed a building and figured it was Syterstruga. I continued and had to lengthen my poles to accommodate the step decline. Even though it was downhill, I had to step carefully. It took awhile. I arrived at 2:30 pm.
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| in the far distance can spot the hut! |
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