TS Day 74

TS Day 74

Via Backtäkten, Ö Sälsätern, Sälen

Tuesday 21 September 2021

During the night, I woke up over and over again, and every time I woke up, it was either windy, raining - or both. I had a slow cold morning but finally got going. When I came to Källfjället, I decided to detour from my original route (and Via Suecia) because it was so foggy and just generally shitty. Going up over 150 m on the mountain didn't seem like a great idea to me and my wet and freezing toes, so I took the path past the old fäbodvallar and rea he'd Backtäkten. From here on, I walked on a dirt road all the way until I was almost in Ö Sälsätern, where the road turned into asphalt and also got a lot more trafficked. It felt odd. On my way to Burger King, I past a recycle station where I threw my recycling. Then I headed to Burger King, hoping for some power outlets so I could charge my Powerbank, since I changed my plans. Originally I was going to have a rest day in Sälen, but now I was just going to stop to charge my Powerbank so I could make it to Mora. While sitting at Burger King charging my Powerbank for 3 hours, I had time to eat two meals, call Lukas, and borrow the Wi-Fi. Everything felt much better after this!

But finally I had to leave, even though I didn't really want to. I ended up staying about an hour longer than I was supposed to, so I had to hurry now.

I walked over to Ica and had a list with what I wanted to buy - and they had everything, so it was super quick. Basically I bought bread, snacks and ice cream... 😄 The food I had would last me to Mora.

So I got going, my pack heavy but my steps light as I was filled with energy from the pause and from talking to Lukas. I was going to make it to Mora before the weekend!

I passed through Sälen by, enjoying the beautiful surroundings as I looked out over the houses and the water. Then, after crossing through the village, I found the road that was likely "the old road" before Route 66 was made. It looked like a forest road, so it was really nice to walk on too. Here I walked and ate my ice cream at the same time.

When I reached the start of Vasaloppsleden, the sun was soon about to set, and I reached the highest point of Vasaloppsleden in the twilight. But I took my headlamp and marched in through the dark forest.

Finally I reached the shelter at Völån. Unfortunately it was another one of those with narrow benches, and this one so narrow that I absolutely couldn't sleep on them. Muttering for myself, I found a flat tent spot close to the shelter - only to find myself pitching my tent in the path again. I ignored it, and hoped no one would walk their dog here in the morning or something.

Today's:

Favourite: The pause at Burger King!

Distance: 27.2 km

Start time: 09:16

End time: 19:18

Ascent: 464 m

Descent: 674 m

Snickers eaten: 1

Ice cream eaten: 1

Totals (from Grövelsjön)

Distance: 199.8 km

Ascent: 3,534 m