Skip flashlight when in Kebnekaise mountains from end of June till early July?

[Speedgoat]

Thanks @granbom, @Speedgoat , @undvall and @smux for the advice and info.

Hiking up there is very intimidating and new. After this exchange, I am thinking I should go for a simple hike along Kungsleden in just the two main valleys, exiting in Nikkaluokta. Then, with a bit of experience and first-hand knowledge, I can go back and go to some of the other points of interest. Of all of them though, I think that Skierfe seems to be the most compelling. Lots to think about here. 🤔

Thanks again!

As long as you keep to the Kungsleden and the Hammarsjöld route to Kebnekaise and Nikkaloukta trail during season, you will meet other people and find staffed huts along your way. A common rule is to go there between midsummer 21th june untill mid-september unless you are experienced and used to harsher enviroment. The biggest challenge is always the wheather which swiftly can change between full summer to strong winds, cold temperatures and even snow. But if you are prepared with the rigth kind of clothes and mindset for thoose conditions and stick to the trail you will be alrigth.
Don´t be afraid, but be prepared

 

[spencer205]

Thanks, @Speedgoat , for the encouragement and extra info. I have a good amount of experience hiking in (shallow) snow and some experience hiking in the mountains but none in the Arctic. That invisible boundary line makes this trek very intimidating. Do you have any comments on the clothing choices I mentioned above? Will that suffice, do you think?

 

[Speedgoat]

Thanks, @Speedgoat , for the encouragement and extra info. I have a good amount of experience hiking in (shallow) snow and some experience hiking in the mountains but none in the Arctic. That invisible boundary line makes this trek very intimidating. Do you have any comments on the clothing choices I mentioned above? Will that suffice, do you think?

Since you already have experience, and looking through your list of clothing the only thing I would like to add is a lightweigth, packable synthetic/downjacket.
If you don´t mind having wet feet, a low trailshoe is sufficient, as long as you have dry and warm socks for the camp. Back in the days a lot of hikers used rubberboots while hiking in Sweden but today materials and hikingshoes are better.
Prepare your packing for quick change of clothes and easy access to tent and camp setup, both because of weather changes but also crazy swarms of mosquitos. Repellent and net/innertent is a must-have. Remember that you can get away from mosquitos on higher altitude in the terrain, but then it gets colder and more wind instead.

 

[smux]

You wrote that you intended to use your Ice Bugs, however please note that the terrain and trails are normally quite rocky in summertime and studded shoes can become slippery on hard stones or rocks, so I would recommend good stable hiking shoes with good grip rubber soles as the best footwear. Myself I use Meindl Island boots with a good wax preparation to better withstand wet conditions, but that is personal as I do most of my hiking off trails. I would not wear low trail shoes as I hate walking a week with wet and cold feet, but that's also personal, and if you are following a trail the conditions are better and there are huts you in worst case can stay the night in if you need to dry up your gear etc.

For clothing, use the layer principle to be able to easily adopt to the weather, temperature and wind which can change rapidly in these areas. Also good rain gear is a must.

From a seasonal aspect, best hiking and warmest season is from mid July to mid August in these areas. Also August is much better from a mosquito aspect, in particular after the first frost night in august it would be almost clean from mosquitos.

 

[vbot]

Agree with the above on both bringing a lightweight down jacket -- it can get chilly especially with the wind. Also spiked shoes are not necessary, but good grip is. So if you want trail shoes, go for good rubber grip.

One thing I don't see you mentioning in terms of packing is mosquito repellent. That you are very likely to need the time you are going to hike. Mosquitos hatch almost all at once when it's warm enough, so the mosquito season is intense, though fairly short (if you hike in mid-August they're usually mostly gone). Above the tree-line it's not usually so bad, but in the forest it can be a bit of a nightmare. Repellent is a must, a mosquito net for your head can also be more relaxing than mosquitoes in your ears.

From what I've read above, I think you'll do absolutely fine. You seem to have a decent respect for the challenge, which is a good starting point and will help you get prepared. But it is a good idea to leave your expected hiking route with someone before you go, as I'm sure you normally do anyway. But along the way, if you pass by the mountain cabins, sign your name and expected route in the guest book. If you were to get delayed and someone contacts the police/mountain rescue, the first thing they check is if the mountain cabins have heard of you or seen you. Gives you that additional safety net.

 

[spencer205]

Thank you so much, @vbot , @smux , and @Speedgoat for your inputs. Your encouragement certainly helps, and I've more-or-less decided to go for it now, despite the obvious challenges that I'll face.

The Arcus 2 Icebugs I'll take don't have spikes but do have a very rubbery, grippy sole. They're incredibly awesome, and I've used them a lot to traverse boggy areas in Västergötland and the mountains around Lake Siljan. With them, I can step in snow and puddles and they barely get damp inside. Despite this, I'll see about waxing them to make them for even more resistant. I'll also pack one pair of lightweight socks that I never wear outside of my tent, so my feat get a chance to dry out at night.

Before walking around Siljan, I got a GPSMAP 67i which has a live tracking feature that shows my friends and family where I am on a map that they can access with their phones. It also has an SOS function in case the worst happens. The battery lasts about a week. I just need to figure out how to load the Lantmateriet maps onto it; using the info on nolang.se, it seems doable. This gives me a bit of confidence, but I'll certainly sign the guestbooks in cabins I pass because that's just cool in any case. Despite this, I'll also carry Tyvek maps from Calazo.

I will add an ultralight, packable synthetic jacket to my supply list. Even with a wool mid-layer, this sounds useful in camp if nothing else.

I talked to a friend a couple weeks ago, and he said he went to Abisko NP once and would never go back because the mosquitos were so bad. This horror story caused me to research non-toxic mosquito repellents, and I plan to take some containing lemongrass and peppermint oils. I'm still trying to figure out how much I'll need per day and if I can restock along the way to avoid carrying too much. I also plan to get a Cocoon Mosquito Head Net Ultralight (or similar), so, as you say, @vbot , the bugs stay out of my ears 🙃

I have looked into the logistics of the southern exit point more. I really just want to go to Skierffe and teleport home. Unfortunatly, Star Treking it home isn't doable and SJ isn't selling tickets to southern Sweden in early July right now due to track work that isn't yet scheduled. So, my plan is this:

• Stay in Aktse for 2 or 3 days to give myself a better chance of being able to visit Skierffe with good weather. If I have to wait, there's fun things to do around there like going to Nammåsj, Tjahkelij, and resting in the cabin.
• As soon as I've been to Skieffe, I'll get up early and walk around Lájtávree's north side to the bike trail. (Anne-Sophie's boat leaves too late in the morning and only takes me 6 km, so that's not an option.)
• I'll walk the 10 km along the bike trail to the Sitoälvsbron.
• Then, the sucky part, I will walk the remaining 26 km along the gravel road to the bus stop in Tjåmotis.
• From Tjåmotis, I'll catch the 16:25 bus to Jokkmokk where I'll transfer to Luleå.
• In Luleå, I'll stay at a hotel and get cleaned up before taking a flight out early the next morning.

With this plan, I have to walk 36 km from Aktse, but I have all day to do it and (except for the first 6 km by the lake), it's very easy walking. Thoughts?

 

[smux]

If I were in your clothes I would continue down to Kvikkjokk instead of walking to Tåmotis from Aktse. In particular if you any way have taken the boatride to cross Laitaure to visit Tjahkelij, you are on the south side of the lake and can continue to Kvikkjokk. The tour down to Kvikkjokk passes through som old forest areas which can be interesting as such. Of course you will be eaten alive by mosquitos that time of the year, but this applies anywhere in lower altitudes😉
If you are lucky you may be able to get a lift down to Tjåmotis, but walking that distance don’t attract me personally. Also in Kvikkjokk you able to easy pitch your tent, get a bed in a room or take a shower before continuing home. The same possibilities don’t exist in Tjåmotis.

 

[spencer205]

That's the thing, @smux , I don't have to take a boat with my plan; I'll walk along the lake's north side rather than crossing it in a boat. Using a boat restricts me to the schedules of the boats. Those don't seem to work well with the bus, so an exit to southern Sweden is a 3 day journey whereas I can get out in 2 if I walk from Aktse to Tjåmotis. I won't stay in Tjåmotis longer than I have to in order to catch the bus to Luleå via Jokkmokk. Does this make sense or am I diluding myself?

 

[smux]

Then you need to eliminate Tjahkelij from your list, as you need to cross the lake Laitaure to get near that mountain.

 

[Speedgoat]

Just for your information, so you can make a good choice.
The road from Sitoälvsbron to Tjåmotis is a long and boring gravelroad that leads to a busstop in the middle of nowhere. You can, if you are lucky be able to get a ride from Sitoälvsbron since its a popular parking place and theres is a high chance you can talk to other hikers there. The first part walking from Aktse to Sitoälvsbron will give you a very nice panorama of Skierfe an Sarek thou. And the first part between Aktse and Cykelvägen (Bike road) is a nice forrest-hike.
The road South via Kungsleden wiil give you a nice hike through some beautiful old forrest and you will end up in Kvikkjokk, which is a popular mountain station with all service you need. The bus between Kvikkjokk and the civilization is the same as the one that passes Tjåmotis but Kvikkjokk is a better place to wait for a longer time.
Most people only choose Sitoälvsbron if they come by car.
Both choices are fully possible hikes.

 

[spencer205]

Ah, I see what you mean, @smux . I only plan to go to Tjahkelij as a day trip if the weather isn't great and I'm waiting for nicer weather before going to Skierffe. In such a case, I'll cross Lake Laitaure, go to Tjahkelij, and cross back over the lake (the same day) and stay somewhere closer to Skierffe so I can quickly get to it when the weather is nice. (Honestly, not sure if Tjahkelij can be done in a day like this.) If the weather doesn't look like it will get better though, I'll stay on the south side of the lake and exit from Kvikkjokk as you suggest. On the day before exiting if I'm still on the north side of Laitaure, I'll stay at Aktse or on the northeast side of the lake to save some walking the next day. Sensible?

 

[smux]

Laitaure is a pretty big lake to cross, and in any form of wind I would advice you from even trying to cross the lake in the rowing boats but take use of the scheduled tours which are twice a day. Also note for the rowing’s boats which are totally three, you need always to ensure there is one left on each shore, so in case you take the only one on the north shore you need to turn around and tow one back before you can exit on the south shore. Rowing Laitaure three turns will keep you busy that day.