Lappland in early May

[der_thomas3]

Hi,

(sorry I only speak english)

I have the chance to go to Norrbottens Län in early May. The question is not whether to go in May or later, the question is whether to go or not Will it be possible to do any hiking or will I be tight to the roads? I would not mind to do some shorter trips instead of a big one. What regions are preferable, if so?

Early May should be in the middle of the snow melting, right?

Thanks,

Thomas

 

[perlowdin]

Early May should be in the middle of the snow melting, right?

Yes, expect to trudge in heavy soggy snow, difficult fords due to lots of water in the brooks, and most cabins to be shut or at least without staff. We scaled Kebnekaise at midsummer, traversed the ridge from Tarfalla, and it was excruciating due to the snow. Long sections of the ridge we had to kick up step in one metre deep snow.

However, if you bring your skis they are supposed to have som splendid skiing around Riksgränsen in May.

 

[der_thomas3]

Thanks for the info.

However, if you bring your skis they are supposed to have som splendid skiing around Riksgränsen in May.

Hmmm well, sorry. Downhill skiing is none of the things I think about when it comes to a few days off.

 

[Polarnatt]

Thanks for the info.
Hmmm well, sorry. Downhill skiing is none of the things I think about when it comes to a few days off.

Well, do you cross-country ski? It will be snow up there in early May. I wouldn't recommend you to hike the Lapplandish mountain with trekking boots.

I would recommend you to hire skis (if you don't have any yourself) and make easier day tours.

Mvh /Joel

 

[KLAGER]

You can get a good picture of how it looks in the mountain areas of the most northern parts of Sweden in May from this episode of a program by the Norwegian outdoor professional Lars Monsen:

http://www1.nrk.no/nett-tv/klipp/317106

 

[der_thomas3]

Thanks for the video. I will bring my shoes and pick up some cross-country ski there.

 

[crisscross]

Norrbottens län is a big area. you will have snow in most mountains but as you come down in altitude the spring will have advanced further. In the taiga the snow can be gone as early as May 1st some years. By the coast all snow is almost always gone in the first or second week of May.
If you want to follow the snow coverage you can check this map:
http://www.smhi.se/cmp/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=5505&l=en
It updates tuesdays and thursdays.

 

[thureb]

The skiing in

the Kebnekaise area could be fantastic in the beginning of may. But the STF Cabins are officially closed by that time so you should bring all food yourself. There is always one unlocked space at each cabin site when the cabins are officially closed.

How many days do you plan to be out?

There is always possible to stay at a "base-camp" and do daytours.

Thure

http://www.svenskaturistforeningen.se/templates/MapSearch.aspx?id=5095&epslanguage=

http://www.svenskaturistforeningen.se/templates/hostel.aspx?id=3112

http://www.bjorkliden.com/bjorkis/skidakning/index.htm

 

[der_thomas3]

We may stay for about 11 days (plus some days for travelling up there) which is of course too few to make a larger trip. We have to go to Stockholm afterwards to see some friends there.

I already have the Fjällkarta BD06-BD14 plus two hiking guides and the usual tourist guides. I am not expecting too much because of the temperatures. Maybe we might try to go up to Skierffe, that would be absolutely fantastic, but if it's not possible we will find something else.