These reports of mine span several years by now, but something else which has been an ongoing process is my admission – or lack thereof – into STF's workforce. Quite a few applications there have been, but suddenly the dam gave way: in November I was offered a position at Kebnekaise fjeld station the coming winter season, comprising a two-way split between working in the restaurant and cleaning, and a few weeks later I learnt that I would also be allowed to attend the cottage warden course which finished but a week before I was to embark on the northward journey.

Now, the Kebnekaise station had recently seen a change in management, with the newly married couple Hans and Marita Norén – both stepping up from perennial jobs at Abisko tourist station – having taken over, so perhaps that was the deciding factor. In any case, I was gladdened by the announcement, and definitely looked forward to it all. I was also pleased that it was Kebnekaise that had provided a positive answer – the station lies 19 km from the nearest road and is surrounded by high mountains, among which is Giebmegáisi, the highest within the borders of Sweden (and whence the station derives its name), which makes for a proper feel. Also fitting was the fact that the oldest stone structure at the site is from 1907, so I came aboard just in time for the 100^th anniversary.

And thus it was, that during a period of properly cold and snowy winter (there had been preciously little of that sort so far) I packed as creatively and smartly as I could, being confined by both weight and space, and left Östersund, taking the overnight train to Kiruna – and beyond!

Here, then, follows an abridged account of the events during the eleven weeks I spent in the wilderness, with all its ups and down – and lots of pictures. Day tours and longer trips have been placed in their own reports, which are linked to from the relevant pages.