Day 2, August 5, 15 km

The next day is cloudy and I have breakfast, break camp and set off around 8:30. A couple of hours later I run into Markus and Hans from Switzerland. They are making coffee enjoying the view of the vast valley below and I join them for a break.

It starts to drizzle and I put on my rain gear, balancing on planks across wet lands. I reach Kisuris Lodge around lunch. It is still raining and I go in to one of the empty cottages to make lunch and rest. My body, unaccustomed to carrying a backpack, aches. I consult my map and my guidebook and decide to walk another hour and quit early. I want to give my body a chance to adjust and avoid injury.

The sun comes out and I find a beautiful camp site by a stream. After pitching my tent, I jump in the rushing cold water and wash off.  I have a quiet evening and go to sleep early.

Walking solo

This is my first time hiking alone and I learn the advantages and disadvantages of walking solo. I like keeping my own pace and council but evenings can be long and lonely. The Pajelanta trail is well marked and, and it is reassuring to run in to a few people every day. There are primitive lodges every 15-20 kilometer along the trail, a good resource for social and safety reasons.