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Kungsleden 2011 - Day 2

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From: Kiruna
To: Abiskojaure

After a good night's sleep, I got up at 7 am, my shoulders sore from carrying my backpack yesterday all the way from the airport to the camp. Hm. This was nothing, compared to what lies ahead of me. But I knew before, I would feel my body in different ways :)

I had a delicious breakfast at the restaurant. The rain had stopped, but it was rather cool. I put on my T-Shirt, fleece and rain jacket before I took off, to buy a gas cartridge, which you cannot travel with on an airplane. Fortunately, to get the proper equipment is no problem at all in Kiruna. I have a small coleman stove, where Primus cartridges fit in. I bought a 100 gram cartridge, which did last half of the tour. Fortunately, I ran out of gas when I camped beside a hut, so I could go and buy another one.

At the train station, I met my fellow hikers. The train ride was spectacular, about 100 km and took a little more than 1 hour. And then I finally arrived at the starting point of Kungsleden.


The trail starts in Abisko national park, where you are not allowed to put your tent anywhere, but have to stay at a designated camping area. This is not a problem, Abiskojaure Fjellstation is 14 km away. It is noon, when I start and I reached the station at 6 pm. 
There are some more hikers underway, but not many. It is and of August, already getting colder and the main season is over. The good thing is, that it has been cold enough to eliminate most of the midges and I don't need my midge repellent at all.
But I met other animals:





I had a picknick at the river (there is always a river nearby).

And right when I thought I couldn't take any more step, I saw the fjellstation across the river. This is happiness! I crossed the bridge and set up my tent for the first night. I had dinner: couscous and chicken (dried camping food), hot broth and chocolate :) 

The place was rather crowded, since it was one of the two camping sites in the area. Also, the hut being closest to the entrance, tourists are coming here for just one night, then going back. But I'm tired enough to fall asleep despite of people talking and running around. 


Day 3


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