Gåsen, old friend! Never disappoints, and seeing it even more snow-covered than usual – which is saying something – was just gleeful. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

First of all, it was not just Gåsen which sported a hefty snow cover – the whole area was in full winter mode, and all routes remained open, with no or very few spring-induced obstacles. I was put in the mind of my previous Gåsen-centered tour, which was even more noteworthy in that department due to its later date. Good stuff.

The journey from Storulvån to Stensdalen, though born out of practical needs with regard to public transportation, was pleasant, and I did not at all get as tired as I did last time I attempted this long stage – but then again I carried a much heavier load then. Another difference was that I travelled through Stor-Stensdalen rather than Lill-Stensdalen this time around, which I last did nine years ago. Speaking of Stensdalen, this was also the first time in (not quite as many) years that I got to visit a fjeld sauna due to that thing, which was also awfully nice.

The alternative route to Gåsen was also a pleasant experience, with angles thitherto unseen. And, now: there was something about those buried buildings that just felt great, even though they entailed some practical difficulties (and an hour of labor). The trademark vistas from the site were in full display this time as well, and that sunset the second night was nothing short of spectacular. That's the way (a-ha, a-ha)!

It was a bit of a bummer that the Stora Härjångsstöten ascent didn't work out as planned – bad timing on the clouds' part, especially considering how temporary that state of affairs turned out to be – but said sunset more than made up for it, and I sure didn't regret remaining at Gåsen for another night. Besides, I have been to that summit before, so all is well.

As usual, I couldn't well go home without having summited Gåasa itself, and this time the natural opportunity to do so was on the last day, reversing my most common method. No disappointments here either, although the hard snow during the descent was tricky. Said snow also finally did the skis in, or so I expect; with two damaged edges (on separate skis) they have probably reached their end now. Still, they've hung on for no less than six years since the first break, which is very far from shabby. Good mileage, certainly.

That last day felt otherwise calm and unhurried – at least until I reached Storulvån and read the bus sign. I didn't see many people out in the white that day before I neared the station, and in fact there were less people about on the whole than one could have expected. All the better, really, pandemic or not.

Now summer is rapidly approaching and it won't be bringing another wardenship for me, so I'll just have to see what I can get up to on my own now that things are (hopefully!) mostly back to normal...