Somajauri, Pitsusjärvi

Rained all night on and off. Still a lot of fog. My sleeping bag looks a lot better but again got lots of condensation by the foot end and so it’s wet there again. Another *popp* in the morning told me I’ll not make it to Kilpisjärvi with this strategy sleeping pad wise. What am I gonna do?

Walking the plateau towards Somajauri was a blast. Stunning sceneries and so easy walking. Felt like flying. After Kopmajoki in Finland things got more real again. Steep climbs and tons of rocks and gravel. Finland is one hour ahead. I crossed a time zone! Also the trail is better marked. Went all the way to Pitsusjärvi just to learn it’s a very popular and busy area.

Talked to several people on trail, they were all very curious about my tiny backpack. They just can’t believe it, since they all have these super overpacked monsters on their back. A bit different to Sweden. In Sweden most people have heard about Ultralight already and filed it as „reckless, soon a case for SAR“ and then look the other way. Just as they do with all problems in society.

Was not easy to find a place to pitch my tent. Needed some scouting but ended up with a spot that I was quite happy with.

I assume people come here to climb and admire Halti, Finland’s tallest mountain. Had plans to climb it too but my legs say no and the broken sleeping pad doesn’t boost my confidence either. Tried to sleep without, just on my Thinlite as the true minimalists do, but couldn’t get a good sleep. Too hard. There is no soft ground anywhere. Ended up inflating the broken one just to hear another *popp* and somehow managed to sleep anyway one way or the other.Read more