Monday 15/8

The night was not particularly cold, and there was no longer any wind. There was a shared breakfast (strengthened with fresh cloudberries) around the fireplace around 8, and now the sky was almost completely clear, but there were still clouds attached to the peaks. Before the first lesson was to commence I took the opportunity to wash some clothes; a bit of wind had picked up, and drying conditions were near perfect. As someone had jokingly suggested the day before, Håkan did indeed inaugurate the course with a flute tune from the hut's tower, and then we all gathered in Lesson Hall 1 – that is, around the fireplace in the middle of the tent camp.

It was fair and warm (which, meteorologically speaking, is no weather), but the wind was on the increase, and more clouds were forming. We were given lectures on the history of meteorology and manual weather observations, and since I was facing the sun I eventually had to get my sunglasses – which was the first time during the tour that I had felt that need. After a short break we gathered around the thermometer cage to conduct the 11 o'clock observation, and then it was time for lunch.

Inaugural fluter

Formal observation...

...using classic instruments

Scrying?

When lessons resumed it was cloudier still, and after performing the 14 o'clock observation we returned to the Hall for temperature-related pursuits. The wind was now a a chilling factor to be reckoned with, and I saw fit to put on the shirt. During the next break I had some afternoon tea, noting that the gas canister I had used since leaving Ritsem was still holding, and then it was time for winds and the (by some) dreaded Coriolis force. There was still a bit of wind on and off, but there was also a fair bit of sun again. An older couple peeked in on the proceedings, and then continued on upwards, aiming for Bårddetjåhkkå and the observatory (eventually). Following another pause the 17 o'clock observation was executed, by which time it was cloudier anew, and a larger system of clouds seemed to be approaching from the southwest.

Håkan lecturing...

...in Lesson Hall 1

Hamberg's old meteorograph

There was another general dinner around the fireplace, and the beef with noodles and mushrooms I had was much better than rumor would have it. Later in the evening we all filed into the hut, where it was warm indeed, and crammed ourself into the unoccupied chamber. Håkan proceeded to talk about Axel Hamberg, the great Sarek explorer and designer/builder of the hut, and his doings at the start of the previous century. At 20 it was time for another observation, during which we noted that the clouds were sinking, and then we went back into the hut to look at some of the things left from the olden days. The evening was rounded off with a snack at the tent camp, and then it was off to bed at 22:45.