Tuesday 19/2

Since it was rather cold I wore double layers underneath, and the chilly draft through the valley justified this as I skied on my own aiming straight for the Tjäktja Pass. I observed a 4-dog sled going in the other direction above the trail, and I assumed that this was the German from before returning to Abisko. I held a leisurely tempo, but still passed the German woman before reaching the pass, where everyone else was pausing and admiring the view – although the actual view over Čeakčavággi requires a short descent further. I exchanged a few words with the others and then set off on just such a descent.

Leaving

The sun appearing

Possible way back

Ážik behind me

Lone one

Congregation in the Pass

A look north

Geargeoaivi

I glided out towards the west in very nice snow to attain said view – and a grand one it is – and then maintained as much altitude as the terrain allowed as I passed into Geargevággi. Here I entered the shadow of Geargeoaivi, and it was immediately colder, with high contrast from the glittering snow all around. I continued to ski somewhat high, slowly gaining altitude as I proceeded into the valley, keeping my distance to the central stream. I passed a fine slope to my right, which would have been absolutely perfect for telemark, and then, at what felt like long last, reemerged into sunlight. I continued over to a little rock, but decided to climb a bit further to another one in order to ensure full sunlight, and then stopped for lunch just after noon.

Panorama over Čeakčavággi

Parts of Čeakčačohkka

Going into Geargevággi

Čeakčačohkka behind

Angles

In the penumbra

This turned out to be a good idea, since the terminator moved just below me as I sat there looking at Čeakčačohkka between the sides of the valley. When I got going again I climbed up onto a somewhat marked outrunner just above what looked like a small snow-covered tarn (confirmed by the map), from where the views widened. I was now close to the western end of Geargevággi, but rather than going all the way I continued upwards, coming into an elongated hollow between Geargevákkičohkka and peak 1462.

At its end I had a clear view through Muorahisvággi, which was a possible return route (rounding Lulip Muorahisčohkka), but standing there I decided to go for the other alternative and ascend 1462 instead. I followed a somewhat indirect route up, and once at the top I was wowed by the perspective on the complex topography of the Čeakčačohkka massif – and the view west was very, very wide. Just spectacular – and not a bad way to spend one's 30^th birthday...

My route

The end of Geargevággi

Wide view

North through Muorahisvággi

Should I go up there?

Of course I should

Panorama over Čeakčačohkka

Panorama centered on Alip Muorahisčohkka

Bossosčohkka et al

Southwest

Alisvággi

Norway

After a while I turned my skis northeastwards and descended to the edge of the steeper slopes there, but upon finding that I was still too far south to hit the passage I had seen from the other side – and that trying to go down here would be close to impossible, not to mention acutely dangerous – I climbed over a small hill and then came into the hollow cutting through the edge. It was actually easier than expected inclination-wise, but recent winds had produced shifting snow conditions not visible in the shade, so it was still not a complete cakewalk. I kept a high course around the cliffs beneath 1413, and then aimed straight for the cottages. I saw two skiers with sleds going up the valley just at the edge of light, and a couple more people coming up from Alisvággi. As expected there were fresh snowmobile tracks closer by, and there was one man standing outside the main cottage as I pulled up some time before 15, with two more just arriving.

Starting the descent

In the passage

Almost home

Shadow-huggers

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