Friday 23/2 – Wednesday 28/2
It starts!
Friday 23/2
The schedule I had just gotten said that I had the day off, but there was still some general info to be had and final cleaning to be done; the station was slated to officially open for the winter season at 14:00. I only participated until lunch, however – after that I really did get the rest of the day off. The weather had shifted during the day, but then it was mostly clear in the general northern direction, and the sun was veiled.
I went straight up Personalbacken, using the left groove. This time I put on the climbing skins, and seeing as how they were brand new I was eager to give them a proper trial (there had been no time or opportunity to do it back home). They did their job just fine, and even though the snow was very hard and wind-polished ascending went well. Closer to Storsten, a single erratic high up in the slope, things started becoming more difficult, and the snow grew more uneven in larger scales. I continued a bit higher, in increasing wind, but it wasn't too long before it was clear that going on would be foolhardy, especially since I had to go down the same way, too...
I stopped on a narrow wind-formed ledge of snow and took off the skins, looking upon newly arrived clouds in the south which obscured the sun fully. Going down was hard at first, where the slant was steep and snow conditions bad, but then it got better; it was still troublesome, though. I chose the right groove, and a bit down I caught up with another lone skier with telemark equipment. About halfway down the wind had created an overhanging snowdrift extending a good deal downwards, which made the skiable area much narrower, so when I reached that point I changed back to the left groove, where large sections were surprisingly good.
The peaks of Siŋŋičohkka and Duolbagorni
Westernmost Láddjuvággi
Looking down on the station
Eastern Láddjuvággi
Ex-reindeer
Storsten
I proceeded to ascend Kaipak, leaving the skis behind for the upper half, and stood on its flat summit looking over Láddjuvággi. It was getting more and more overcast, but full visibility persisted. I then left my rucksack at Skarta and went off again, this time along the Nikkaluokta trail. After a short distance I turned south, ending up at Láddjujohka. There it was entirely windless, and I had a good view of the peaks of Giebmegáisi. I followed the stream to the east for a bit, and then I went straight up.
Panorama over Láddjuvággi from the top of Kaipak, with the length of Skárttoaivi in the middle
The station as seen from Kaipak
The South Peak towering above the station
Guodekvárri to the east
Duolbagorni, Vierranvárri and Giebmegáisi
The South and North Peak
Peculiar snow structure
Back at the station I quickly found out that it had taken less than half an hour after the official opening for both a water leak to erupt and a false fire alarm to go off. Good start, eh?
Saturday 24/2
The first more or less regular day for me was spent as an introduction to the cleaning department with Sofia. It felt a bit burdensome, as it was very fair outside, and those who had this day off quickly scampered off on various tours, of course. Oh well.
Another beautiful morning
Raja the Station Dog
Duolbagorni all bright
After dinner I got to help out with the projector equipment used for the (supposedly) daily slide show in the common room, since Tobbe was to show pictures from his recent trip to Nepal that evening and the gadgets weren't cooperating. I then spoke with Marita, the other manager, and Maria about cleaning procedures on the one hand, and my schedule on the other; I had discovered some peculiarities with both. This resulted in some changes to them, the most notable that I was more or less ordered to take the whole coming Monday off, even though the schedule had me down for a full day of cleaning.
Sunday 25/2
This day saw me cleaning all by myself, starting at 06:00. Things progressed pretty well, but once again the excellent outside conditions seemed to mock me. There were quite a few things to take care of, and with my being alone I was just finished by 15:00, which was the scheduled end time.
Since it was still clear and nice outside, I immediately readied myself for an afternoon tour. This time around I went north of Kaipak, chasing the climbing terminator; it was already halfway up to Storsten. I made good speed across the hard snow, spotting a fox a bit below and ahead of me, and when I got to Jökelbäcken I was hit by the rays of the setting sun, which seemed wedged in the narrow crack seemingly formed by Liddubákti and Siŋŋičohkka. From there I went down to Lillberget, where a surprisingly strong wind was blowing. I proceeded a bit westwards and upwards to get a good view of The Peak through Kitteldalen, and then I zigzagged my way down between the hills making up the rise. I followed Giebmejohka first, and then the marked trail, before turning off towards Elsa's bridge from where I continued alongside Láddjujohka. After getting another nice summit view I turned due north, ending up on the trail which led me back west to the station.
Pretty light over Liddubákti...
...and upon Guodekvárri above Kaipak
Vulpine visitor
Panorama over the western peaks in the waning afternoon
A series of shots of the last sightings of the sun...
...neatly positioned...
...between Liddubákti and Siŋŋičohkka
Tinted Jökelbäcken ravine
Duolbagorni up close
The valley in shadow
Looking up Kitteldalen...
...towards Giebmegáisi
The eastern mouth of Siŋŋivággi
Last light in Personalbacken
Guodekvárri still colored
The bridge over Giebmejohka
The station with The Peaks above
Dusk settling
Tosse returned at about the same time, and minutes later Anna A also came back. She, Sofia, Malin and Johanna W had been to Tarfala, which purportedly had been incredible. I did not doubt it, and hoped dearly that conditions would be as favorable the following day, so that I could use my newfound free time to make the visit myself. The evening was once again full of stars, which were now also joined by the moon, and it was both still and cold. I finished off the day with TV and a movie, the latter of which is a grand experience due to recent home theater investments in the room in Skarta called Videovagge, paid for by tip money accumulated over the years.
Monday 26/2
To my great joy, I awoke to find the sky clear save for a few thin stripes, and there was no wind either. It was quite cold, but the sun was warming, and everything was very beautiful. I had breakfast, packed lightly, and then set off towards Tarfala at 09:15.
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After unpacking and winding down I went to the sauna, where I was the only user. Another evening of stars and moon followed,
combined with tranquil time in Skarta.
Tuesday 27/2
Low clouds and snow – and work. Nice timing on the Tarfala tour! Since one of the schedule changes involved an early end the following day, and since I was to start again on Saturday evening, I had begun to ponder a longer tour. I eventually came to some sort of conclusion, and packed most of my touring stuff in the evening.
Wednesday 28/2
The morning came with a broken cloud cover and full visibility, even though it seemed to be entirely white around Nikkaluokta. While I went through work procedures during the forenoon the clouds descended, however, and even though there was no wind one could not see very far when things were at their worst. But, as lunchtime grew closer it started to clear again, primarily to the northwest, and a weak sun appeared. The clouds kept shifting, but eventually they were nice enough to lift somewhat to the west, where I was going. It was still calm and rather mild in the air when I put down the last items in the rucksack and left for Singi.
Snowy Raja at her usual place
Welcome light
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