Day 42 - Pieskhaure To Vierttjamoalke - Nordkalotleden

A long day as I follow the Nordkalottleden north. I'm feeling the pressure of getting to Abisko and decide to quicken the pace a little. Consequently I cover the same ground in one day that I took two to meander down in 2012. I've a sense of purpose though and now well over a month of walking fitness to call on.

The trails an easy one to follow. Well marked with posts in most places marked with the Nordkalottleden trail blazes. The tri-country trail that extends even further north beyond my finish at Treriksroset. It's a classic long distance route that will take the hiker through some of the best of Northern Scandinavia (Nielsen Brown Outdoors is worth a look, Roger Brown has section hiked the entire route).

There's folk around certainly. Within 45 minutes I stop and chat with a couple perched by the trail and drinking from a thermos. I enjoy our chat, we discuss long distance routes and the sheer possibilities that a few weeks in northern Sweden can bring. After ten minutes and some photos I move on, Sulitjelma's glacier to my left as I head north.

During the course of the day I pass a number of other groups of hikers, quite a contrast to the many weeks of solitary trails that I've enjoyed. By six I've decided it's enough. In wind and a little rain I pitch by Staddajavrejahkka. I'm pleased with my progress though anxious to keep the pace up tomorrow.

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