I’m finally going to do it. I’m going to hike in Sarek National Park in Northern Sweden.

Why are you so excited about Sarek?

It’s one of the biggest and remotest wilderness areas in the Nordics. It looks wonderful in the pictures. People who have been there say that the rest of the Finnish Lapland doesn’t feel like anything.

What’s in it for me personally? I’m looking forward for the austere fell landscape, the birds (ptarmigans! golden plovers! eurasian dotterels!?), choosing my own route, and embarking on a challenging hike.

What are you worried about?

This:

It’s going to rain a lot. That is to be expected in a place like Sarek, but I still hope it is not raining literally all my walking hours.

Rain on hikes is fine if you get some sun, too, but rain for day after day ruins the mood. There are no wilderness huts that would allow you to dry your clothes. The damp clothes cause skin problems for me. It’s not dangerous, but it makes the mood even worse.

The other thing I’m concerned about is that it’s a commiting route.

I’m going to cross the park from Ritsem to Kvikkjokk. The distance is about 100 km and 20 km is realistic mileage per day, depending on your route choices.

If I run into trouble in the middle of the park, it’s going to take 50 km out of there.

Have you got a lot of new gear?

Of course, a new tent and a new pair of shoes. Who goes on a challenging hike with a trusty tent and an old pair of shoes?

Yesterday I inspected my rain jacket. “Hey, I found a spot where the seam tape is not broken yet!” After some last-minute shopping, I’ve now got a new rain jacket too.

How do you get there?

That’s the problem with remote places, isn’t it?

I’m going to fly to Gällivare and take a bus, and then take a helicopter across a lake, and then I get to walk.

Did you know, by the way, that it’s forbidden to take surströmming on the flight? Here are populAir’s rules:

Fermented herring in cans is prohibited both as carry-on and checked baggage on airplanes due to its strong odor and the risk of the cans exploding due to pressure changes. The smell can be very unpleasant for other passengers, and an explosion can create safety issues.

There goes my meal plan.

In conclusion

I’m excited! I hope it goes well! I hope I get some good photos!