Flipping the tent around from the previous evening turned out to be a stroke of genius. The wind gusts no longer battered the tent, and the night passed surprisingly peacefully.
Morning Fog, Frost, and Treacherous Boardwalks
At 1 AM, I had to make a dash for the toilet. Outside, it was already twilight, like just before dawn. The sun really doesn’t set here. I realized I’d only used my sleep mask the first night.
I definitively got up at 06:30 because my stomach was rumbling. This morning was noticeably colder than the previous days. While boiling water for breakfast, thick fog rolled in from the mountains, and steam started rising from my mouth.
After breakfast, I packed up my gear in a light drizzle. I pulled a hat over my baseball cap, put on my Pertex hoodie and gloves. Although there was a strong wind at first, I warmed up with the walk. Gradually, I took off the hat and gloves again.
The trail was very muddy due to the constant rain. Wooden boardwalks stretched for several hundred meters and required extreme caution. Some of the planks were completely rotten and full of holes. While recording my voice diary, my boot slipped off a stone, and I landed a muddy splash all over myself. Mud and water splattered my boots, pants, backpack, jacket, glasses, and face. I even got mud in my eyes, but at least it was funny.
Rocky Descent, Busy Trail, and Checkpoint Kieron
After that, I crossed a ridge and started a steep descent. I enjoyed the challenging rocky terrain because constantly hopping from stone to stone kept my mind occupied.
The weather suddenly changed. The wind died down completely, the rain stopped, and a pleasant, warm stillness settled in. The trail also got busier. I encountered a lot of people in both directions, making me feel like I was on the Camino.
Around 1 PM, I arrived at Checkpoint Kieron. I pondered whether to stay or continue, as a guy told me there were about five more hours of easy walking to the finish. I had some tea, pancakes, and set off. On the way, I wondered if there would be internet at the finish and if the campsite was a separate charge.
Triumphant Arrival in Abisko, Reindeer Kebab, and a Lucky Raffle Draw
It rained steadily all the way to the finish. I crossed the finish line in Abisko at 5:45 PM, having covered 36.13 km for the day. My right knee clicked a total of thirty-two times during the journey. At the finish, I received my last stamp, patch, and commemorative badge.
For dinner, I treated myself to an excellent reindeer kebab with bulgur and vegetables. Besides that, I made a souvenir keychain and picked up my left-behind bag. I took a shuttle to STF campsite, paid 600 SEK for two nights, and set up my tent on stones where the pegs wouldn’t go in. So, I had to weigh the tent down with boulders.
After 8 PM, I returned to the finish tent for the raffle. My number was drawn second to last, and I won a top-notch backpack: the Fjällräven Abisko Trek 65l! I was in complete shock from the win.
Back in the tent, it was utter chaos. Having both my bag and the new 65-liter backpack in such a small space created a proper camping mess in the heavy rain. When I went for a shower, I also realized I’d forgotten my towel. However, it wasn’t raining outside anyway, so it didn’t really matter. I got dressed in my sleep clothes without drying off. The trek was successfully completed!
What are your most curious experiences from the finish line of long-distance trails? Have you ever managed a trek shower without a towel, and how do you deal with sore knees on long descents?
Daily Summary
- Kilometers Today: 36.13 km
- Total Distance on Fjällräven Classic Sweden: 118.00 km / 110 km
- Highlight of the Day: Finishing the trek in Abisko and winning the Fjällräven Abisko Trek 65l backpack in the raffle
- Weather: Morning fog and cold, changeable stillness, and a final heavy downpour
- Interesting Encounters: Volunteers at the Abisko finish area
- Food Supplies: Reindeer kebab with bulgur and vegetables at the finish
