Day 54 – 20 Aug, Near Bridge over Storelva River to Krutvasshytta Hut

(31km, total 1360.5km, 9h, 0820 to 1720)

I had a very restless sleep and my legs were letting me know they were not happy with the distance covered yesterday. Also it took a long time for my sleeping bag to warm up and I had to keep my head covered as it was cold.

It had stopped raining when I woke up and after a slower than normal morning routine I packed up, wiped the water off my tent and was on my way. Thankfully today it was not the heavy rain of yesterday, it was mainly dry with occasional showers however it was cold, even without the wind which just made it colder.

There was a clear track and good markings. The track climbed up through the trees, starting gently and then becoming
quite steep.

Just before emerging out of the trees I stopped to pick my blueberries for breakfast. I didn’t do that yesterday and missed not having fresh blueberries for breakfast this morning.
Once out of the trees the track continued climbing to a saddle then dropped down the other side, back into the trees. Now it was following a river before climbing above the trees again, quite steeply.

From the top the trail dropped past some lakes, through swamps and a lovely patch of dry trail before dropping into the treeline for a steep drop to a road.

Blueberry picking hands

From the map I though this would be a sealed road but was happy it was a dirt road as this would be easier on my feet. While most people assume it must be nice to walk on a road for a thru hiker we cringe when we know there is a road walk. The road is very hard on your feet an because you are on a flat surface you are not alternating your muscles like you do on a rough track so they get more tired.

I kept an easy pace and the 6km went quite quickly, broken up by the excitement of seeing my first Norwegian Sheep.

Once back on a trail again I was looking for a place to sit and there was a hut with steps which the sun was making a rare appearance and shining on. I sat down and had the last of my lunch supplies. I could hear bells and as I left three cows appeared. Once walked up to me and started licking my hand.

Now there was a clear track but the trail marking were quite light. I was worried the first couple of km across the flat would be swampy and while they were it seemed to go quickly. I was only going to do another 12 km and would be stopping at a hut so that was motivation to move quicky, and have less stops to eat blueberries and cloudberries.

After the flat the trail climbed upthrough the trees and this climb went much quicker than I expected. It continued in the open and I reached the top to look down on a large lake.

Now it was a series of climb over a little hill, drop down to a swamp then climb up a hill. I wasn’t counting how many times I did this but I would estimate around 10. The hills were not too big but it was draining with nearly 3km like this. It was mainly clear with short periods of around 10 minutes of rain but it was cold and the wind was making it even colder. I walked with the hood of my raincoat up for warmth. In one of the swamp areas there was a large patch of cloudberries and I decided to pick some for desert tonight. I did not have a plastic bag handy so I used the empty Snickers wrapper which worked well.

Finally the ups and downs reduced and it was a steady uphill and then the lake came into view. Now it was downhill to the lake, passing a three sided shelter with seats on each side and a firepit in the middle.

Now I was at the main lake I knew it was only 1.5km to go. The track was in better condition with a few more dry parts and I was motivated to get to the hut. I arrived at a hut and it was all locked up so I was concerned I had my information wrong. Luckily the next hut had a sign with a picture of a hut and an arrow and then a sign at the door explaining that this was a free shelter provided by Statskog vi gir deg naturen. The sign said most of the huts were simple rooms but this one had a kitchen with gas, fire place table and chairs and 2 rooms with a bunk in each with duvet and pillows, very similar to a DNT hut, just missing the couch.

I dumped my pack and walked back to the last stream to fill up with water and to wash the mud out of my shoes and socks. Back in the hut I lit the fire, having more trouble than last time. Then had dinner and enjoyed the cloudberries I had picked for desert.

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