A Few Kungsleden Trail Photos

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Kungsleden hiking trail sweden

Photo: Kungsleden Trail, Sweden.  September 2012.

I’m back on the Lofoten Islands now after having finished the northern section of the Kungsleden trail in Sweden; starting in Nikkaluokta and finishing in Abisko.  Overall the trip was fantastic.  Some days of bad weather which is to be expected, but also some amazing days as well.  I even found myself hiking in a t-shirt at some points, a far different experience than my last time on the trail in 2009.  I was even happy, and to my great surprise, to meet a few readers of my blog out there.

If you are looking for more info on hiking the Kungsleden trail in autumn, I have a more detailed writeup -HERE-

I’ll make a full writeup of the trip later on when I have a bit more time.  The weather here in Lofoten has been surprisingly good as well this autumn so I’m out and about more than I had planned.  So for now just a few photos…

Kungsleden hiking trail sweden

Photo: Afternoon sun, Kungsleden trail, Sweden.  September 2012

 

Kungsleden hiking trail sweden

Photo: A moment of sun between the rain, Kungsleden Trail, Sweden.  September 2012

 

Kungsleden hiking trail sweden
Photo: Mountain sidewalk, Kungsleden Trail, Sweden. September 2012

 

Kungsleden hiking trail sweden

Photo: Afternoon light, Kungsleden Trail, Sweden.  September 2012

Utakleiv Summer Night

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utakleiv lofoten islands norway

Photo: Driftwood campfire, Utakleiv beach, Lofoten Islands, Norway.  August 2012

utakleiv lofoten islands norway

Photo: Summer twilight, Utakleiv beach, Lofoten islands, Norway.  August 2012

Ryten – Lofoten Islands

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Cliffs of Ryten Lofoten islands Norway

Photo: Steep cliffs of Ryten rise from the sea, Lofoten Islands, Norway.  August 2012

…Continued from my last post…  As we headed higher and higher above the beach, across blueberry covered hillsides and rocky slopes, the views became more and more spectacular with vertical cliffs rising 500 meters straight out of the sea.  About half way up, I noticed some rain showers off in the distance and quickly heading in our direction.  And as I had not actually planned on hiking up a mountain on this afternoon, my rain jacket was back in the tent.  First a few drops, and then a heavy, cold rain hit hard, and with a frigid wind.  I tried as best as I could to take some shelter behind a rock, but by that point I was already fairly wet.  My camera as well from trying to get a few photos of one of the best rainbows I’ve seen.

But soon enough the rain passed and the light of the low hanging sun covered the land.  The wind was still strong and brisk but the light was too good to leave and a warm sleeping bag was only 45 minutes away if I were to start getting too cold…  With the sun about to sink into the sea, we headed back down  in the last light of the day.

Ryten lofoten islands rainbow

Photo: Rainbow rises from the land, Ryten, Lofoten Islands, Norway.  August 2012

 

lofoten islands sunset

Photo: Late summer sun hangs low over the sea, Lofoten Islands, Norway.  August 2012

Kvalvika Beach – Lofoten Islands

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kvalvika beach lofoten islands norway

Photo: Looking down at Kvalvika beach from Ryten, Lofoten Islands, Norway.  August 2012

Near the top of my list for this trip was a night of two camping at Kvalvika beach.  Perhaps one of the most spectacular beaches on all of Lofoten, I was last here in in 2006 where I sat in my tent for 3 days of rain and could hardly even see the mountains rising above me.  This time however, I lucked out with some spectacular (for Lofoten) weather.

It was also the luck of meeting a stranger that I probably got some of the best photos from these last 2 weeks here on the islands.  In the late afternoon I was shooting a few photos on a small path above the beach, looking to get a bit of an overview shot, but also feeling a bit lazy.  There was one other guy camping at the beach, a young German, who came up the path and said he was going to hike up the mountain, Ryten, and asked if I would like to come along.  ‘Sure, why not.’ was my reply, as so we headed up the mountain in the warm afternoon sun.  …To be continued.

kvalvika beach lofoten islands norway

Photo: Evening light over Kvalvika beach, Lofoten Islands, Norway.  August 2012

First Days on Lofoten Islands Norway

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camping at Horseid beach Lofoten Islands Norway

Photo: Campfire at Horseid Beach, Lofoten Islands, Norway.  August 2012

I’ve been back on the Lofoten Islands for almost a week now.  For the first two nights I camped out at Horseid beach.  Had the place pretty much to myself and got lucky with some decent weather on the second night.  The first day hiking in was horrible rain and crossing the pass from Kirkefjord I was in total whiteout, only knowing that I was going in the right direction when I could finally hear the faint sounds of the ocean in the distance.  Then dropping back down below the clouds, I could see the beach in the distance.  I wasn’t planning on starting out this trip with hiking in full rain gear, but that’s how things work up here…

After two nights at Horseid I then hitchiked from Reine to Stamsund where I’ve been the last two nights.  I was told the forecast for Friday was rain, but it turned out to be a pretty good day and I probably should have gone into the mountains for Thursday night.  Today is bad rain however, so I’m glad I have a nice fire to keep me warm and endless cups of hot tea.  The weather should improve in the next days and hopefully I’ll get a bit more time in my tent.

It’s only a week away from September now and the days have been quite cold, below 10˚ C most days, but the days are still amazingly long.  Even at the darkest period of the night, 1 am, there is still a glow on the horizon in the north.  But as each week passes, the days become 45 minutes shorter, so when I return in a month the nights will be long.

Summer night Stamsund, Lofoten Islands, Norway

Photo: 1 am twilight in late summer, Stamsund, Lofoten Islands, Norway.  August 2012

Mount Dana – Yosemite National Park

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Mount Dana, Yosemite national park, California

Photo: Summit of Mt. Dana, Yosemite national park, California.  July 2012

Trying to avoid being too lazy while spending a few days in the Yosemite high country, we decided to head up Mt. Dana, the 2nd highest peak in Yosemite national park.  The forecast was for mostly clear skies, but things began to cloud up as we headed up in mid afternoon.  I had initially though of staying up there for sunset, but conditions looked a bit risky.  Heading up we even had a few minutes of snow/hail as some clouds passed over.  Once back off the mountain, thunder rumbled though the sky.

For some reason I’ve never been up Mt. Dana before.  I once had plans of climbing Dana coular, but those fell though.  In reality though, I don’t spend that much time in Yosemite as I mostly stay further south in the Sierra.  There were some nice views from the top, so I’m glad I finally made it…

View over Mono lake from Mt. Dana, Yosemite, California

Photo: View over Mono lake from summit of Mt. Dana, Yosemite national park, California.  July 2012

 

Hiking mount dana yosemite california

Photo: Descending the loose talus slopes of Mt. Dana, Yosemite national park, California.  July 2012

Tuolumne Meadows

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deer and mist, tuolumne meadows yosemite

Photo: Lone deer in fog, Tuolumne meadows, Yosemite national park, California.  July 2012

After leaving Colorado we figured a few days in Yosemite would be a good way to finish off the roadtrip.  It was a long, hot drive across Utah and Nevada.  It is really amazing how many miles of emptiness this country still has.  Quite a contrast to driving in Europe (where I’ll be in a few more weeks) where one passes through town after town every few miles.  Although much of the land is probably empty for good reason, I sure as hel wouldn’t want to live out there.

For the most part we stayed in the high country of Tuolumne.  I cruised the meadows for 3 consecutive sunrises, but my willpower was not enough to defeat the fog.  Sunset on one day provided a bit more light, but still nothing too much.  On the last night we took a walk along the Tuolumne river under the full moon, was quite warm as well and the perfect end to two weeks on the road…

Tuolumne meadows yosemite

Photo: Summer sunset, Tuolumne meadows, Yosemite national park, California.  July 2012

 

Tuolumne meadows yosemite

Photo: Summer sunset, Tuolumne meadows, Yosemite national park, California.  July 2012

 

Tuolumne river night yosemite

Photo: Moonlight over Tuolumne river, Yosemite national park, California.  July 2012

Ice Lake Basin – Colorado

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Ice Lake Basin, San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Photo: Ice Lake, San Juan Mountains, Colorado.  June 2012

After hiking Mt. Sneffels on the previous day, we headed up for a night at Ice Lake Basin, near where we had begun the trip at Clear Lake a week before.  All the pictures I had seen of the basin were spectacular, and one of the reasons why I wanted to head to Colorado in the first place.  I guess I saved the best for last.

Once again, rain decided to join us on the hike up.  And this wasn’t any wussy California rain.  Colorado rain drops are so big they almost hurt as they hit you in the head.  From time to time we’d have to hide under trees for a few minutes as the heavier showers passed but luckily enough the sky began to clear as we reached to tree line and headed out into the open.

I hiked into sight of Ice lake and just stood there, taking it all in.  Probably one of the most beautiful mountain landscapes I’ve ever seen.

After setting up camp for the night we just wandered around for a bit.  Rain still threatened but held off for the most part.  The sun came and went in a dance of shadows across the land and the day slowly turned to night; my last night in Colorado and I probably couldn’t have chosen a much better place.  The next day would begin the long drive across Utah, Nevada and back to California…

Ice Lake Basin, San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Photo: ‘Hurry up and take a damn photo, my feet are cold!’ Ice Lake, Colorado.  June 2012

 

Hiking Ice Lake Basin, San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Photo: Glad the sun is on us! Ice lake Basin, San Juan Mountains, Colorado.  June 2012

 

Backpacking along Colorado summer wildflowers

Photo: Walking among summer wildflowers, Ice Lake Basin, Colorado.  June 2012

 

Hiking Ice Lake Basin, San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Photo: Watching the rain, Ice Lake Basin, Colorado.  June 2012

 

Ice Lake Basin, San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Photo: Mountain Reflection, Ice Lake Basin, Colorado.  June 2012

 

Camping at Ice Lake Basin, San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Photo:  Night descends on camp, Ice Lake Basin, Colorado.  June 2012

 

Flowing river, Ice Lake Basin, Colorado

Photo: River at dawn, Ice Lake Basin, Colorado.  June 2012

Ophir Pass Colorado

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Ophir Pass, San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Photo: Stormy skies over San Juan Mountains from near Ophir Pass, Colorado.  June 2012

After getting down from Mt. Sneffels we headed south, looking for a place to camp for the night.  We ended finding a nice little place on Ophir pass with some decent views only a short while away so my tired knees didn’t have to put in much effort, just letting nature do the work.

Next up: Ice Lake Basin.

Ophir Pass, San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Photo: Ophir Pass, San Juan Mountains, Colorado.  June 2012

 

Ophir Pass, San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Photo: Mountain views from Ophir Pass, San Juan Mountains, Colorado.  June 2012

 

Ophir Pass, San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Photo: Last light, Ophir Pass, San Juan Mountains, Colorado.  June 2012

 

Ophir Pass, San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Photo: Ophir Pass, San Juan Mountains, Colorado.  June 2012

Mount Sneffels – Colorado

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Panoramic view from summit of mt. Sneffels, Colorado

Photo: Panoramic view from summit of Mt. Sneffels, San Juan Mountains, Colorado.  June 2012

After Mt. Elbert we headed to Aspen to check things out and grab some lunch.  We had the rough idea or heading into the Maroon Bells area for maybe a two or three night trip out in the wilderness.  That plan more or less ended when we saw that you had to park at some hotel and take a bus.  So with that, and not being overly impressed with aspen – too many fake boobs and stretched faces wandering around for my tastes, we began the long drive back towards Ouray with our sights on a new mountain: Mt. Sneffels.

By this time the heatwave that had been baking most of Colorado had sort of broken and a bit of weather out of the west was rolling through the San Juans.  We spent an afternoon in Ouray doing our best to hide from the rain.  And Ouray is a cool little town, glad I got the chance to spend a bit of time there.  In late afternoon we headed up towards the trailhead at Yankee Boy Basin.

As night came I closed by eyes to the sound of distant thunder and the light patter of rain on the roof of my truck.  When my 5am alarm woke me in the darkness of the morning, the rain was still there.  Back to sleep I guess.  A few hours later the sky seemed to be thinking about clearing up, so we headed along the road and towards the mountain.  It was going to be a low milage day anyhow, so if the weather turned us back, so be it.

The sky held off until we were halfway up the loose scree/talus slopes of the south face of the mountain and we were wet again.  Nearing the summit the sun returned, making me glad I hadn’t turned around.  But I knew the weather wasn’t going to hold off for long so I didn’t want to waste much time hanging around the summit, especially since we got a fairly late start.  Once off the summit and heading back down, thunder rumbled the sky I we picked up the pace a bit.  Several late parties were slowly heading up, but smartly decided to turn around at that point.

Mt. Sneffels was probably my favorite mountain of the whole trip.  The views are simply spectacular and the weather was perfect for mountain photography.

Climbing mt sneffels colorado 14er

Photo: Endless scree and talus on the south slope of Mt. Sneffels, Colorado.  June 2012

 

Summer storm San Juan Mountain Colorado

Photo: The storm has passed, for now.  View from the slopes of Mt. Sneffels, Colorado.  June 2012

 

Climbing mt sneffels colorado 14er

Photo: Slopes steepen as the summit grows closer, Mt. Sneffels, Colorado.  June 2012

 

Summit of mt sneffels

Photo: Finally at the top, Mt. Sneffels, Colorado.  June 2012

 

Colorado mountain landscape san juan mountains

Photo: Dark skies over the San Juans, Colorado.  June 2012

 

Mt sneffels colorado view

Photo: View down the rocky slopes of Mt. Sneffels, San Juan Mountains, Colorado.  June 2012