Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Reaching the top of Skuleberget at High Coast Hike

Der er simpelthen ikke noget bedre, end når man flere gange under en tur fyldes med ekstase over, hvor super fedt alting er. Vi ramte virkelig jackpot med High Coast Hike! Som tidligere sagt så har Michelle og jeg aldrig rigtig dyrket friluftslivet og det er på trods af, at vi begge elsker at være aktive og at være udendørs. Hvorfor vi aldrig har givet os i kast med denne form for ferie skyldes nok en blanding af mangel på udstyr og mangel på fælles interesse fra vores omgangskreds. På et eller andet niveau havde vi slet ikke overvejet mulighederne ved sådan en type ferie; og det er jo netop derfor vi er i gang med "The Nordic Journey" - for at udvide vores egen horisont inden for rejseformer og udforske mulighederne i de nordiske lande, men også for at inspirere andre. Vores deltagelse i High Coast Hike åbnede virkelig vores øjne for aktiv ferie og vi kunne ikke have været mere glade for at have delt denne oplevelse med en stor gruppe andre friluftsenthusiaster.
We really hit the nail with High Coast Hike! This was the first time we truely embraced the outdoor life which seems quite odd considering we both like to be active and stay outdoors. Our lack of previous engagement in the outdoor lifestyle is a mixture of several things. For one the lack of proper equipment but also the lack of shared interest with our friends. On some level we have never really considered the possibilities of this type of travel; but that is exactly the reason why we are doing The Nordic Journey - to expand our way of travelling, to explore the opportunities and destinations in the Nordic countries and to inspire others a long our journey. Our time at High Coast Hike really opened our eyes for active travel and it was such a bundle of joy to share the experience with a huge group of passionated outdoor people.
Campsite on the little semi-island Tärnättholmarna where 150 hikers were camping on the first night of High Coast Hike
The sandy path leading the way to Tärnättholmarna.
Day 2: Setting off into the deep Skuleskogen.
Vi forlod den smukke lille halvø Tärnättholmarna tidligt om morgenen, selvom vi yndede at blive længere for at nyde lejren og de fine omgivelser. Men af sted måtte vi - for vi ønskede ikke at ende som bagpartiet endnu en gang og ligeledes komme slaskende i mål sent hen på eftermiddagen. Dagens kompanion var Ruud, som hurtigt overbeviste os om, at vi skulle følges med ham på dagens lettere rute langs stranden. Michelle havde voldsomt ondt i fodsålerne og det gjaldt derfor om at spare så mange skridt som muligt, så tredje dagen ikke skulle gå hen og blive et helvede. Ømme fodflader og udsigten til middagsregn satte tempoet på dag to af High Coast Hike.
Early in the morning, we left the little charming semi-island Tärnättholmarna behind us. We wanted to stay longer but several reasons had us leaving the camp quite early. First off we did not want to re-experience a late arrival at the coming camp site and second of all rain was announced to come join us later during the day. Due to insanely sore feet we joined forces with Ruud and opt for the shorter route in order to save our energy and spare Michelles feet from bursting into flames.
Our hiking companion Ruud on the second day
Father and son enjoying a quiet moment at the shore on the sandy beach
Turen gik langs kysten til Bottenhavet, hvor der var rig mulighed for at finde sig sin egen private strand. Vi passerede blandt andet Näske Fäbodar med sine fine røde hytter, der i gamle dage blev brugt som opholdssted for folk, der arbejdede i skoven eller havde deres kreaturer til at græsse i området i løbet af sommeren. Vi gjorde også et hurtigt stop på områdets største sandstrand, Kälsviken, hvor dagens checkpoint var at finde. Man kan campere på begge pladser, hvorfra der er rig mulighed for at nyde det stille vand samt de høje træer i Skuleskogen. Hvis man er lidt mere hardcore, så kan man give sig i kast med den stejle vandretur over Slåttdalsberget.
The trail went a long the shore of Bottenhavet where there are plenty of opportunities to find your own private beach area. We passed Näske Fäbodar with its red tree houses, where people in old days used to live during the summer when they worked in the woods or had cattles grassing in the area. We also made a quick stop at Kälsviken, the biggest sandbeach a long the trail and the first check point of the day. Both places serve as camping grounds from where you can enjoy the quiet waters and the tall trees in the deep Skuleskogen or fight the steep trails over Slåttdalsberget, if you are one of them hardcore types.
First check point of the day on Kälsviken where some people stopped to eat their breakfast
Fra Kälsviken fortsatte vi ind i Skuleskogen og satte kursen mod Dal, hvor vi skulle overnatte. Den berygtede regn begyndte så småt at indhente os, men heldigvis nåede vi i mål og fik sat teltet op, inden at det lidt større regnskyl satte sig i værk. Vores tidlige ankomst til lejren betød, at Michelle og jeg kunne tage os et velfortjent hvil og det var der sandelig brug for. Da vi vågnede op fra tornerose-søvnen, var pladsen ved at være godt plastret i farverige telte og der var en vældig leben omkring os. Det var denne stemning af højt humør og fællesskab, som vi virkelig ærgede os over at være gået glip af dagen før - så det var bare super hyggeligt at kunne slappe af og mingle med folk, deltage i aftenens seminarer og ikke mindst nyde en hjemmelavet burger fra Skuleskogens Pensionat.
From Kälsviken we continued into Skuleskogen and headed in the direction of Dal, where we would settle for the night. The infamous rain catched up on us - luckily, we managed to reach the camp site and put up the tent before the real shower turned its ugly face on us. During the rainy hours Michelle and I had a well-deserved nap and boy, did we need one! Waking up we were met by a stunning view of colorful tens plastered all over the ground and the atmosphere was buzzing high of energy. It was wonderful to have an afternoon where we could relax, mingle with the other hikers, attend the evening seminars and not to forget, enjoy a homemade burger from Skuleskogens Pensionat.
Day 3: Reaching the top of Skuleberget
Akkurat som dagen før var vi hurtigt ude af fjerene. Skuleberget var High Coast Hike's sidste udfordring og den 12 km lange rute til Toppstugan på toppen af bjerget skulle være den hårdeste indtil nu. Skuleberget er kendt for at have verdens højeste kystlinje på 286 meter over havet og kommer man kørende ad havsiden, vil man bemærke, at bjerget stopper næsten lodret med en vældig dramatisk effekt. Grundet de famøse brændende fodflader valgte vi igen at tage den lidt lettere men længere bjergrute op til toppen. Målet var at nå til tops inden middag, så vi kunne nyde vandreturens sidste måltid med udsigten over det nærliggende hav. Ruten startede fladt ud langs grusveje og gennem mudret skovstier, inden vi drejede af ad den lettere bjergrute. Det tog os ikke længe at bestige bjerget - og set i bakspejlet, så var ruten måske alligevel en anelse for let - men ja, til tops kom vi og kunne nyde frokosten i ro og mag.
As the previous days we managed to hit the road in the early morning hours. High Coast Hike's final challenge was Skuleberget and the 12 km long rute to Toppstugan on the top of the mountain would be the toughest climb so far. Skuleberget is known as the worlds tallest coastline with a whopping 286 meter above sea level and a dramatic vertical drop, that is bound to catch your attention. Due to the infamous burning feet we decided yet again to take the easier route up the mountain. I must admit that this route might have been a little to easy for us, so next time for sure we are conquering Skuleberget the right way.
Continue forward or take the "Easier Route" to the right? We went right but next time we will definitely continue straight ahead!
Almost there! Only 0.9km to the finish line at the top of Skuleberget!
Reached the top of Skuleberget right in time for lunch :)
Incredible panoramic view of Höga Kusten and its deep forests, which we had been traversing
Vejret var formidabelt, udsigten var overdådig og endelig kunne vi få et godt overblik over Höga Kusten og dens dybe skove, som vi havde vandret igennem. På toppen smed vi støvlerne og det var en vældig befrielse. Selvom vi ikke følte os fuldstændig smadret, så havde de tre dage i friluftslivetstegn sat deres fysiske spor og vi var rede til at vende tilbage til civilisation. Når det er sagt, så var det her alligevel en dag, vi håbede aldrig ville tage nogen ende. Vi begge levede højt på adrenalin og ren glæde. Det var simpelthen så fedt at se, hvordan folk bakkede hinanden op og at det hele kulminerede i én stor folkefest. Folk kom trætte men lykkelige op ad bjergskråningen og der var højlydte klapsalver til alle, og knus fra Jerry til dem der trængte. Selvom alle ikke kendte hinanden, så var der alligevel en form for team spirit i blandt os. Som eftermiddagen skred frem blev vi genforenet med vores hiking buddies og kunne sammen med dem fejre, at vi var nået i mål.
The weather was incredible, the panoramic view was worth every blister and finally we could get a full overview of Höga Kusten and its deep forests, which we had been traversing. The boots were kicked off as we reached the top and it was such a relief! Living this outdoor life for a full three days had certainly left its physical marks eventhough we were not completely drained for energy, but yes we were ready to get back to civilisation. When this is said, this was for sure one of those days, you wish would never end. Both of us were living high on adrenalin and pure joy. It was amazing to see how people supported each other and how the whole trek turned into one big folk festival. People arrived completely exhausted but was filled with happiness as they reached the top of the mountain slope; there was a collective round of applaus and a hug from Jerry for those in need. The air was thick of team spirit eventhough most people did not know each other. As the afternoon progressed we were reunited with our hiking buddies and could all together celebrate that we reached the top and made it to the finish line.
Jerry, a very inspirational man, and the founder of Friluftsbyen and High Coast Hike
Jai, Anna and Alex - our hiking buddies from the first day - are having themselves a well-deserved beer after 40 km leg exercise.
We are on the top of the world!!! Reaching the top of Skuleberget on such a wonderful day can only bring a big big smile on your face
Dette var virkelig en perfekt afslutning på en eminent og uforglemmelig oplevelse. Det er soleklart, at Michelle og jeg vender tilbage til High Coast Hike og vi kan kun opfodre folk til at besøge Friluftsbyen og deltage i de tilknyttet aktiviteter. Til sidst bliver vi simpelthen nødt til at tage hatten af for Jerry, grundlæggeren af Friluftsbyen og High Coast Hike, for hans umættelige engagement og passion - you rock!
This was truly a perfect ending on a fabulous and an unforgettable experience. It is crystal clear, that Michelle and I will return to High Coast Hike and we can only urge people to visit Friluftsbyen and join the assigned activites. As a concluding remark we simply have to give a shout out to Jerry, the founder of Friluftsbyen and High Coast Hike, for his insatiable commitment and passion - you rock!
Intro | Day 1 | Day 2+3