Day 62 – to Hemavan, Sweden

Mist eventually gave way to a fine morning. Entire days of rain are never welcome when in the van, but as autumn takes a grip they are likely to be more common, and tougher to handle when they in succession.

I had parked up at the ski area not only because it was practically deserted, but also because it is located on the hill that dominates the town of Mo I Rana, Storhaugen, at just over 350 metres.

As we set off, just after 10:30 am, the mist still hadn’t cleared, but it wasn’t that much climbing until we were above it. Rather than a cabin at the top of the mountain there is a shelter, decorated appropriately with a troll, and of course, the customary visitor’s book in its little metal box.

Later I visited the sauna at the leisure complex. They’re a bit more expensive here in Norway, double the price of Sweden or Finland, but still very much worth it. I met a docker in his mid-forties who seemed very content with his lot. He says despite any downturn in the economy he is still getting at least 20 hours overtime a week, and had just come off a 16 hour shift. He was an outdoor adventure enthusiast, and every so often took off into the mountains to hike or cross country ski. His overtime, he said, will have to take a backseat for a while, as he has a new girl friend.

Then I headed east, the 40 kilometre or so into the mountains and the Swedish border. I expect I’ll be in Sweden this time for about a week. It’s 34 days since I was last there, seems a lot less though. I really should be in Sweden for half my time now, as I am travelling on their extension visa..

Hemavan is an outdoor adventure town, between seasons at the moment. It has lots of smart new apartments, some downhill skiing from a gondola, but mainly in the winter it is known for cross country skiing, though the gondola still comes in handy, as from 450 metres at town level, you can be on the trails at 850 metres in just minutes. It’s also the southernmost, the start or the end, of the King’s Trail, the Kungsleden, Sweden’s renowned long distance hiking route. More about all that tomorrow.