Monday 23/9

It was fairly cold on the Kårsavagge trail in the forest, with a bit of clouded sun. There wasn't as much water as expected in the lowers parts of Rihtonjira, so getting across was no problem at all. I then followed the path up along the southern side, where the presence of autumn was strong. As I got higher things got warmer, both because of the (light) effort and the fact that the sun was coming out more and more – plus a distinct lack of wind most of the time. I paused to drink at a flat place between some of the falls in the steep stream, and looking down at a passing ore train I finally spotted the famed "golden wagon" – the 1000^th ore wagon made by LKAB was painted yellow to commemorate the occasion, and spotting it has become somewhat of a sport.

Remnants from the construction days

Grassy

Going up there

Snow-capped

Falls

The Golden Wagon

Lapporten

Close by

A look down

Panorama eastwards from the slope

Higher up the wind returned, and I chose to stay on the southern side when the main path crossed the stream. Here there was also a path – which I had seen many a time from below, as it cut across a dry rise. I came up to the topmost fall, and went down to the water just beneath it to get a few in-the-midst-of-it shots, seen below. Very cool place, and I was pleased to have delayed the visit to such a time that there was ample water in the fall to do it justice.

A look up

Nissonvággi

Uppermost fall

More snowy caps

I zigzagged my way up from there, and now Abiskoalperna were mostly in the clear, even though the sun had disappeared instead, so it was chillier. I easily passed the stream above the crest, taking the opportunity to have another drink, and came up to Aurora Sky Station just at 16:00 – and promptly remembered that it closes at that time. There were some people inside, however, among them Anna, Siri and the latter's father, and I jumped into an ongoing card game with them, managing not to end up last despite the disadvantage.

Climbing

Aurora Sky Station

Cold

That which lies below

The place was closing up, though, so Anna and I caught one of the last carriages down, with only Anna-Lena behind. It was now quite cold, and I was happy that I had chosen the woolen thermal underwear. The cableway ran very slowly, which didn't exactly help the chill, but picked up speed later on. Down at the base station I helped Aril and, soon, A-L a bit with closing procedures, inspecting their lair at the same time – and then Anna and I caught a lift with Aril, with me holding my walking stick out the window...

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