The journey north of the Arctic Circle kicked off exactly as a proper adventure should – with a dash of chaos and a healthy dose of adrenaline. Before even leaving home, I managed to crack the screen protector on my phone. While putting the kids to bed, I accidentally knocked my phone against the dresser as I stood up. Naturally, a new screen protector hadn’t arrived by my flight time.
The night before flying was a bust. I went to bed way too late, staring at my screen, and then my son showed up in the middle of the night. On top of that, the drastic weather shift was making me a bit anxious. I was flying from Czech summer temps in the high twenties Celsius straight into Nordic fifteen degrees, which would feel even colder with the rain and wind. Regardless, Fjällräven Classic Sweden Day 0 officially began, and my mission was to get to Kiruna.
Heart-Stopping Start at Prague Airport
At nine in the morning, I hopped on the metro, and that familiar nervous knot tightened in my stomach. New surroundings, a different language, the unknown – it all takes its toll. I tried to mentally paint ideal scenarios, even though I know reality has a knack for catching me off guard. But I quickly reminded myself that I’d tackled routes in the Czech Republic, Portugal, Spain, and the USA, so why should Sweden be any different?
At Prague Airport, I calmly checked my big backpack for the hold at the self-service counter. But the moment my bag disappeared down the conveyor belt into the airport’s belly, sheer horror washed over me. I realized I’d left my new, small wallet with my documents inside it! My friend Honza had lent it to me for testing; it was so light and compact, I hadn’t even felt it in my pocket.
I immediately ran to an airport employee. With a smile, he told me it was bad news and sent me to the Ticket Office. The woman at the counter made a few calls and insisted I could get through without my ID. However, the layover in Stockholm was making me seriously uneasy. In the end, I headed to the Menzies Aviation desk, where they promised to retrieve my backpack. After about forty minutes of pure adrenaline, I finally had my backpack in my hands, my wallet safe, and I made it to my flight boarding at 11:39 AM.
Layover in Stockholm and a Flight in a Radiant Rainbow
The landing in Stockholm was accompanied by some serious turbulence. At the airport, I grabbed a bar from my own stash because I was starving. I also noticed other trekkers. Most people around me were wearing sturdy ankle boots, while I’d arrived in my trusty Altra trail runners.
The flight to Kiruna was delayed by 25 minutes. Boarding, I got a chuckle from a flight attendant who had to personally rearrange someone’s unfolded trekking poles in the overhead compartment. After takeoff at 4:15 PM, I pulled out my Kindle and started reading a book about a plane crash. Yep, that’s just the kind of topic that fits the mood. But a little miracle happened just below the clouds – looking out the window, I saw the shadow of our plane outlined by a circular rainbow.
Arrival in Kiruna and Final Repack for the Trek
We successfully landed in Kiruna at 5:33 PM. I grabbed my backpack, and at 6:30 PM, the bus carrying participants finally headed from the airport towards registration. Hungry as a wolf, I sorted out all the formalities and collected the necessary gear from the organizers.
Around nine in the evening, I finally made it to my accommodation. I had a solid dinner, picked up a few last-minute bits, and plugged in all my electronics to charge. I’m absolutely wiped, but mostly repacked for tomorrow’s start. Today brought a ton of experiences, and tomorrow is the real D-Day!
Has this ever happened to you – checking in your documents or wallet with your checked luggage? How do you handle airport stress, and what kind of shoes do you prefer for Nordic treks?
Daily Summary
- Miles covered today: 10 km
- Highlight of the day: Rescued wallet from checked luggage and a beautiful flight in a circular rainbow
- Weather: September Nordic chill, turbulence on the plane
