Hiking in the Dolomites

At my wife´s work once a year they organize a long-weekend hiking trip somewhere where its possible to get in 'couple' of hours (first year we moved over to UK they came over and we hiked in Peak District). Well, Why do I mention this? I get to tag along :))

This time it was 15 of us in the group ready to hike for 4 days the awesome Dolomites.

It was the second week in September and it still pretty warm considering that most of our time was spent between 2000 - 3200 m. The nights were cold with temperature just below zero, and at higher grounds even some snow. It didn't actually effect us as we were staying at the cabins.
Day One started with an 6 o'clock flight from Stockholm to Innsbruck. Finally in St.Ulrich a cable lift took us up to the mountain range and what a breathtaking views were waiting for us up there.
Unknowingly we had a 6-7 hour of hiking in front of us and at this altitude everything get a bit tougher, although the weather and the amazing scenery kept the spirits up (might have been the sweets and the energy bars too :) ).
Once we arrived, starving and a bit chilled, the amazing Italian dinner was served with a side of crisp beer. It didn't take many minutes before most of us crawled to the bed in order to rest the sore legs and recharge for the days to come.
The following days the hike just got tougher with steep climbs and sections of Via Ferrata, and on top of that the even higher altitudes. Even if this could easily broken anybodies spirit, the company and the weather kept us going with amazing attitudes and lots of encouragement to each-other.
The food and drinks, a mix of Italian, German and Austrian, just added to the energy needed for the rigours awaiting :))
What an amazing Adventure!
                                                                                               

                                                                                           

Tatra mountain hike, Zakopane, Polen

Almost straight from Sarek we were off to Zakopane in Polen. Of course for more hiking.
As you might remember we have been in Zakopane earlier, a wedding around a year back. As we at that time didnt have time for hiking it was decided to that we were just had to come back. The mountain range there is called Tatra and is quite similar to the Alps. The highest peak in Polen is Rysy with 2499m although in the whole range the highest is Gerlach in Slovakia with its 2655m.
We spent 4 days hiking. As its a National park wild camping is not allowed so we only did day trips setting of from Zakopane. It is of course possible to stay in the park but then in huts.
We climbed few high peaks, but also did some hiking in the valleys and woodlands. In some of the valleys it was possible to go through caves which is lots of fun and gives that extra adrenalin kick :)
I must admit that Tatras delivered! They were impressive and the hikes can be made rather tough as the range is rather steep. One thing I didn't like was the crowds of people. Didn't really feel that we were in the wild. Some of the peaks are so popular that you have to stand in line for hours just to get to the top.
Anyhow, after a whole day of hiking we would choose a restaurant in Zakopane and spend the evening resting and refuelling. The food and drinks (beer) were just amazing. The list can be made long; Golonka, lamb, mutton, fish, sausage, cheese and many many more :) 
Just tasty and really cheep (especially for Swedes :) )

Thanks Krystian and Kasia for the company ;)

More adventures to come ...
                                                                                               

           

Björnlandet Nationalpark and Lappstaden in Arvidsjaur

While driving back from Sarek we passed Arvidsjaur and stopped quickly at Lappstaden.
A Lappstad is a 'village' containing houses/tents (kåtor) near a church where the Sami people spent the night while visiting. A lappstad can also be referred to as 'Church town'. This one is the biggest and best kept in the world with its 80 houses/tents built in the late 1700s.
From here we drove even further south to a small national park called Björnlandet just outside of Frederika. We spent the night there camping after some shorter hikes, one being to the highest top in that area with an view point over the entire park.
It's a nice little park with very old forest. Some of the trees being over 450 years old. The terrain has lots of high cliffs which makes it rather inaccessible outside the paths. Something else interesting was the clear scars of several large fires in many of the old tree trunks.

Next blog -> Tatra mountain in Polen!
                                                                                                

Sapmi art

Lappstaden in Arvidsjaur

Storehouse, Lappstaden

Lappstaden

Björnlandet NP, A lot of tree lichen

Trace of wood fire

A very big larva, cossus cossus 80-100mm

Björnlandet NP

Evening light at Björnlandet NP

Sarek, europe`s last wilderness.

Hi All
I'm rather behind with the blogging but I'm oddly enough prioritizing adventures :) Although its a 'break' in the travelling for a while so I'm hoping to catch up.
This one actually goes back more then a month to our trip to Sarek, which is also refered to as 'the last wilderness of Europe' and is one of the oldest National Parks in Europe (1910). It is adjacent to two national parks, the 'Stora Sjöfallet' and the 'Padjelanta'. The park includes a total of 8 peaks over 2 000 m. Due to the long trek, the mountains in the district are seldom climbed. It's a very popular area for hikers and mountaineers although beginners are advised to accompany a guide since there are no marked trails or accommodations and only two bridges aside from those in the vicinity of its borders. The area is among those that receives the heaviest rainfall in Sweden, making hiking dependent on weather conditions. It is also intersected by turbulent streams that are hazardous to cross without proper training. Many of them originating from one of approximately 100 glaciers that are in the area.
Our original plan was to do the 'Sarek Express', 100km across the park through its valleys in 4 to 5 days.
Unfortunately we were forced to change the plan as the snow lingering from the spring was still melting causing  high water flows everywhere. So instead we walked from Saltoloukta mountain station -> Rapa Valley, still a hike of almost 80km that took us 3 days. This route follows the border of the Sarek NP and is a part of Kungsleden that eventually leads to Kvikkjokk. The goal was to see the Rapaselet from Skierfe, and wow what a view! Rather intimidating as its a 700m steep cliff.
Another high light was the 4km early morning row across Sitojaure with one of the boats maintained by STF. I was lucky, the lake was calm :) and I was warmed up and ready for the hike.

                                                                                                         

Rapadalen

Rapadalen

Last pics from New York

Here comes the final pics from our trip to New York. Most of them taken during the boat cruise around Manhattan. 3½h well spent! To see this city from another perspective and also get a grip of how its connected to the main land with these awesome bridges, worth every minute.
Another site well worth a visit is of course Times Square. Crowded but has to be seen in both day and night time :))
But the best of all was the Empire State Building. Which we visited early one evening in order to, as on Times Square, see the views and the skylines in different lights. It is worth buying the ticket in advance online! You avoid the long time consuming queues :))

Just back from a week of holiday in Poland and Tatra mountains. Cannot believe how fast the time has passed. The trip was awesome, those pics to come :))

Until next time, See you later aligator

                                                                                       

The view from 230fifth (rooftopbar)

View from Empire state building to south Manhattan, Brooklyn

View from Empire state building to the north Manhattan

View from Empire state building to east Manhattan, Long Island

View from Empire state building to west Manhattan, hudson river and New Jersey and also Madison square garden

North Manhattan Times square in the left corner