Last weekend I was guiding at Vålådalen, Jämtland. It was an interesting start, where the trail had been temporarily rerouted. The reason – a beaver has built a dam. Well, the weather was fine and the temperature was perfect for a hike. Slowly we made our way upwards towards the open mountain terrain. The trail initially runs through forests of the lower mountain slopes and across brooks and streams. At a fine spot we took off the backpack and ate lunch. The rest of the hike towards the mountain cabin was nice, even if everyone was longing for the sight of the cabin. But suddenly, behind the crest of a hill, there it was—and very close, too. The cabin host provided exemplary service, and we got our room. We quickly set about preparing dinner: vol-au-vents with a chanterelle ragout for the starter, and reindeer fillet and potatoes with morel sauce and fresh vegetables for the main course. When the guide then brought out some red wine, the joy was absolute 🙂

After a good night’s sleep, it was time for breakfast.  As an experienced guide, you know it’s important to be on time in the communal kitchen. There are a lot of people wanting to steam their breakfast :-). So, first in place and first away…Ok, so what I forgot to tell was that one of the participants has got problem with one of his boots. The sole has come to lose. But with some tape, we had solved the issue temporarily.

This day was fabulous, a crisp morning with frost on the ground and smoke rising from bogs and waterways, as the early autumn sun began to rise. Fantastic…after the first kilometer, so we arrived at the bridge over Vålån. The trail follows the foot of the Trondfjällen mountains and undulates across the river bluffs. We passed the bridge over Lunddörrsån,

and now we started to get trouble…The sole of the boot has got lose again, and the sole on the other boot has stared to lose as well. Anti-chafing tape was the solution now. A couple of turns around the boot, and some other tape was the salvation for the issue. It was time to start thinking a few steps ahead. The solution was to pick up the pace and reach the next cabin—Lunndörrsstugan—to find out what repair facilities were available there. The cabin host wasn’t in place, so I must think about another solution. Repacking my backpack, I prepared for speed hiking towards our end place of the hike to pick up reserve shoes for the client. Said and done – that was the solution.

With totally 30km in my leg I arrived at Vålådalens Mountain Station and get the shoes. But now the time was late, and the darkness began to set in. So, I had to stay for the night. Early next morning I started to meet the clients, speed hike and after an hour I met them and it all ended happy, and with one experience more…

The upcoming week will be interesting with holding a lecture about International Mountain Leader training för Campus Åre. So that together with skills for a Mountain Leader will be content of next weeks blog.

Workout, a lot of running lately. But now it is time to build core-strength. 500m run-40 burpees, 500m run 40 push-ups, 500m run 40 sit-ups, 500m run 40 air squats, 500m run 40 mountain climbers go for 40min…

WILD HORSES – When I Was Younger (Official Music Video)

See ya soon