trekking between Abisko and Nikkaloukta

[refugjat]

I am planning to trek between Aibisko and Nikkaloukta, this possibly between June 02 and June 08. I plan to camp along the way and plan to trek alone. I have a number of questions please:

a. Is the terrain walkable in this period? (On one of the other posts someone mentioned that the terrain is impassable in the "middle season.")

b. I fly into Skavsta at 14:45, possibly on Sunday, June 01. Which station do i get the overnight train to Aibisko from? Stockholm C?

c. The overnight train arrives in Abisko at 16:00. I intend to get on the trail immediately. Would i be able to get onto terrain i could camp on in say 2 or 3 hours? (I am assuming i would not have a problem with darkness in this period.)

d. Can i find Esbit solid fuel tablets anywhere near Abisko Tourist Station? Perhaps i can get this fuel in Stockholm on a Sunday? (I like having back-up to my alcohol stove - the Tourist Station shop only seems to stock methylated spirit.)

e. Can i plan around night time temperatures of about 6/8C in early June? What sort of wind speeds would be expected in the area this time of year?

f. Am i correct in assuming i can take water from lakes and ponds on every day of the trek?

g. Would I need to report in to anyone before starting the trek and perhaps check in on arrival at Nikkaloukta? Is there any payment i must make to be able to hike along the trails?

h. Are the trails in heavy use this time of year? (I have read one can expect to meet about 5 trekkers per day in this period.)

i. I have read that the trails are well marked so navigation should not be a problem. Is this correct? Is there anywhere i can download good maps from that show the trail? (so far i have used google earth but this only gives a general impression.)

j. This may sound silly but Is wildlife a problem to lone hikers? (I have read that there could be wolves, lynxes and wolverines in the area.)

And finally (I must ask this, being a lone trekker and assuming there would be no network coverage in the area for mobile phones) what would one do if he gets into trouble on the trail?!

Thank you in advance.

 

[salgo601]

Some answers in Green

I am planning to trek between Aibisko and Nikkaloukta, this possibly between June 02 and June 08. I plan to camp along the way and plan to trek alone. I have a number of questions please:

a. Is the terrain walkable in this period? (On one of the other posts someone mentioned that the terrain is impassable in the "middle season.")

Dont know right now you have a lot of snow in Abiskojaure see pics below. Maybe ask later in this FB group I think people reading it working at the STF huts
https://www.facebook.com/kungsleden/posts/725477000805887



b. I fly into Skavsta at 14:45, possibly on Sunday, June 01. Which station do i get the overnight train to Abisko from? Stockholm C?

Use http://www.sj.se/start/startpage/index.form?l=en

Example
Start:
Buss 15:50 Skavsta flygpl - 16:00 Nyköping C
Länstrafiken, Länstrafik, buss 515
Train 16:17 Nyköping C - 17:24 Stockholm C
Train 17:55 Stockholm C - 12:32 Abisko Turistst


c. The overnight train arrives in Abisko at 16:00. I intend to get on the trail immediately. Would i be able to get onto terrain i could camp on in say 2 or 3 hours? (I am assuming i would not have a problem with darkness in this period.)

The daylength is 24 hours ;-) see http://www.juzaphoto.com/destinazioni.php?l=en&d=abisko&view=calendar

I feel it is no problem finding a camping place


d. Can i find Esbit solid fuel tablets anywhere near Abisko Tourist Station? Perhaps i can get this fuel in Stockholm on a Sunday? (I like having back-up to my alcohol stove - the Tourist Station shop only seems to stock methylated spirit.)

Dont know


e. Can i plan around night time temperatures of about 6/8C in early June? What sort of wind speeds would be expected in the area this time of year?

Dont know. I used a tent in July and got winds about 20m/s so you never know. but there are STF huts to use see http://www.svenskaturistforeningen....ties/Lappland/kingstrail/Abisko--Nikkaluokta/

Abiskojaure, Alesjaure, Tjäktja, Sälka , Kebnekaise


f. Am i correct in assuming i can take water from lakes and ponds on every day of the trek?

Yes its the best water to drink maybe be careful that it is no dead animals upstream but I always drink


g. Would I need to report in to anyone before starting the trek and perhaps check in on arrival at Nikkaloukta? Is there any payment i must make to be able to hike along the trails?

No it is free but you have books in the STF huts where you can write your name and date and where you are going


h. Are the trails in heavy use this time of year? (I have read one can expect to meet about 5 trekkers per day in this period.)

Dont know but dont think so


i. I have read that the trails are well marked so navigation should not be a problem. Is this correct? Is there anywhere i can download good maps from that show the trail? (so far i have used google earth but this only gives a general impression.)


I preffer using maps and that is good for planning and makes th trip more fun
Maps
Simple map http://www.svenskaturistforeningen..../Lappland/kingstrail/Abisko--Nikkaluokta/Map/
Good map Calazo http://www.calazo.se/kartor/fjallkartor/kungsleden

GPX track http://www.wandermap.net/en/route/651749-kungsleden-abisko-nikkaluokta-sommer/#gsc.tab=0


j. This may sound silly but Is wildlife a problem to lone hikers? (I have read that there could be wolves, lynxes and wolverines in the area.)

No

And finally (I must ask this, being a lone trekker and assuming there would be no network coverage in the area for mobile phones) what would one do if he gets into trouble on the trail?!

Mobile works at some places but no guarantee. If it works call 112. You have the STF huts where they have emergency phones. I myself use a Spot device see my last trip with the track ==> I have a button and if there is satellite phone connections it will send an alarm. http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=2728480

Thank you in advance.

My track from the same trip
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=712477

Google translated without map http://translate.google.com/transla...w.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=712477

Youtube video from the track day 1 and 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYRnm8h9Nag

 

[smux]

Hi, some short answers:

a) this early in the season can be a challenge, and you would expect remaining snow on high altitudes and a lot of water in the streams and wet trails. I would advice you to plan your trip later if possible.
b) You will take the train from Stockholm C, and can communte with train or bus from Nyköping (Skavsta) to Stockholm. As you wrote Skavsta I assume you are planning to arrive with Ryanair? In such case one alternative would be to fly to Gothenburg City Airport if you have that alternative, as the airport bus will take you direct to the train station from where an overnight train to Abisko depart each day at approx 17.00 (train takes 23 hrs to reach Abisko). Another option is to fly via Stockholm Arlanda direct to Kiruna.
c) there is no darkness that time of the year to consider, however you are not allowed to pitch your tent except two places in Abisko NP. The first place is along the trail 4km from start which I recommend for your first night (see map down the linked page):
http://www.swedishepa.se/Enjoying-nature/Protected-areas/National-Parks/Abisko/
d)Fuel spririt is no problem, but call or email the Absiko Turist station to check the availability of Esbit's:
http://www.svenskaturistforeningen....d/Fjallstationer/STF-Mountain-station-Abisko/
e) expect night temperatures below 0C that time of season, so a good pad and a warm sleeping bag is recommended. I have experienced snow storms above 800m level in the end of July in the area, and weather changes rapidly due to the close distance to the north Atlantic. Above the tree limit (were you will be most of your trip) storm force winds can occur.
f) Yes
g) No fees or check in is required. However, leaving a message in the huts that you pass is a good safety recommendation.
h) This trail is busy in summertime (July-August), but in the beginning of June there will not be that many trekkers out.
i) Buy "Fjällkartan BD6" through an online bookstore, this will cover the entire trail you are planning in scale 1:100000. Always bring a map and compass (or GPS) to navigate, the trail is normally easy to follow but fog or snow may make navigation more difficult.
j) Expect no wildlife that you may consider a threat. Reindeers are however common...and mosquitos.

There is no network coverage (except a few km in the beginning and end of the trail, and around Kebnekaise mountainhut), so mobile phones will not work along the trail. There is also no possibilities to charge electrical devices, so bring extra batteries to the camera, GPS etc if needed. The huts that you pass along the trail are equipped with emergency VHF phones connected directly to the Police.

 

[refugjat]

thank you so very much Salgo601 and Smux.
I will go through your recommendations and suggestions carefully but it does look like I have been planning around the wrong dates!
Thanks again

 

[smux]

thank you so very much Salgo601 and Smux.
I will go through your recommendations and suggestions carefully but it does look like I have been planning around the wrong dates!
Thanks again

Be aware that the STF mountain huts along the trail are not open for service that early in June. This year they open for the summer season on June 14. Below is a link to a overview map with distances and huts+more info:
http://www.svenskaturistforeningen..../Lappland/kingstrail/Abisko--Nikkaluokta/Map/

 

[salgo601]

Be aware that the STF mountain huts along the trail are not open for service that early in June. This year they open for the summer season on June 14. Below is a link to a overview map with distances and huts+more info:
http://www.svenskaturistforeningen..../Lappland/kingstrail/Abisko--Nikkaluokta/Map/

Missed the opening FYI Robert you have a opening part "saftyrooms" of the STF huts that you can access and stay in but you have pay the service fee
http://www.svenskaturistforeningen....Mountain-hut-Abiskojaure/General-information/

Safety rooms between seasons
STF’s mountain huts are closed between seasons, but a safety room is open year-round. Staying overnight is accepted, but the gas is closed and access to kitchen equipment and firewood is limited. There is an emergency telephone to contact mountain rescue in the safety room.

Opening Dates 2014
Abiskojaure
http://www.svenskaturistforeningen....gor/STF-Mountain-hut-Abiskojaure/?intro=false
14/2-14 - 1/5-14
5/6-14 - 21/9-14

Alisjaure
http://www.svenskaturistforeningen....pland/Fjallstugor/STF-Mountain-hut-Alesjaure/
14/2-14 - 1/5-14
13/6-14 - 21/9-14

Tjäkta
http://www.svenskaturistforeningen....appland/Fjallstugor/STF-Mountain-hut-Tjaktja/
14/2-14 - 1/5-14
13/6-14 - 21/9-14

Sälka
http://www.svenskaturistforeningen..../Lappland/Fjallstugor/STF-Mountain-hut-Salka/
14/2-14 - 1/5-14
13/6-14 - 21/9-14

Kebnekaise
http://www.svenskaturistforeningen....allstationer/STF-Mountain-station-Kebnekaise/
21/2-14 - 4/5-14
13/6-14 - 21/9-14

 

[thoand]

I agree with most which is mentioned above and will add the following:

Here you can find the mountainmap/fjällkartan (also for printing in small sections)

http://kso2.lantmateriet.se/?lang=en#

Please also note there will be no bus connection from Nikkaluokta back to Kiruna until June 15th

http://www.ltnbd.se/tidtabeller/31/0/

This one is also a good map (printed on Tyvek, much more resistant than paper)

http://www.calazo.se/kartor/fjallkartor/kungsleden

 

[refugjat]

thanks Thor

 

[Henning K]

You got already quite some answers, but I will try to add some as well
a) Who knows by now? Check by the time and be ready for some changes in case. If Tjäkta pass has too much snow, you might go through Vistasvagge, it might be wet, but I guess it should be possible. If you ask in STF Abisko, they might be on the secure side with their answers, so maybe it is even possible to pass if they say it is still too much snow. Just give it a try.
b) The train is from Stockholm C From Skavsta you can even take a bus to Stockholm http://www.flygbussarna.se/en this is probably cheaper and easier than bus and train
c) No problem. But keep in mind that it is not allowed to pitch your tent in Abisko Nationalpark except on specific places (Abisko Turiststation campsite, after the bridge over Nissonjohka (about 1 hour from the train station) and next to Abiskojaure hut). Once you left the national park you can camp whereever you want.
d) I must say, I never saw them anywhere in Sweden, but I did not search for them.
Maybe you can check with Naturkompaniet or Alewalds they have shops on Kungsgatan in Stockholm, quite close to the railwaystation, that are open on sunday.

For the rest I cannot add much...

Have fun
Henning

 

[undvall]

Some considerations

Hello,

Now it seems like you´re thinking about changing dates and start your trek later, which is wise. But since I have been up in that area in the begining of June a couple of times I can meantion a few things that are worth thinking about, should you after all end up on the Kings Trail at that time of the year.

1: First of all. At any time of the year you should be prepared for sub-zero temperature. I have experienced snow in the middle of July! So for your own comfort do not bring your +8 degrees C ultralight sleepingbag. In the beginning of June I would aim for at least -5 degrees C in comfort temperature.

2: There are two major problems hiking in the beginning of June:

A: There is a lot of snow and there is a quite common that it is "rotten". I do not know the exact english expression for this condition, but then melting snow has a transition period then going from relativly speaking dry "winter" snow to the compact "summer" snow. During this transition period the snow gets waterbooged and VERY soft. I actually encountered this then hiking towards the Alesjaure huts (second hut coming south from Abisko) around 5th of June some 20 years ago. The last 4-5 km of hiking we were sinking down to our thighs in each and every step, which gave as a result that these few km´s took us some 2-3 hours of hard walking and we were of course extremely wet once we came to the huts.

B: The second problem is of course that this is in the middle of the spring flood period. This gives that anyone hiking that early in the season must be prepared to do long detours then passing any little creek. One of the more "exciting" possibillities is that the creek actually runs on top of the snow! This happens then the stream bed is filled with snow which forces the water up on top. And the only way to pass one of these creeks is to walk upstream until a snowbridge is found....which can take a long time.

But regardless of all, beginning of June is a very exicting time of the year in northen Lappland. The reindeer calfs are just born, there is a lot of migrating birds arriving and the nature is teeming with life. And from my point of view best of all, your almost there by yourself

/ Stefan

 

[smux]

If you plan to change your dates for the trip, try to avoid August 8-15 as this is the dates when the Fjallraven Classic is arranged this summer. This is a major event with around 2000 trekkers going from Nikkaloukta to Abisko, so not a good time for your trip unless you appreciate the metting the crowd

Another tip is that some of the hut's you will pass on the trail do have some stock of food and fuel spririt for sale which can be convenient for you to consider. These huts are Alesjaure, Sälka and Kebnekaise fjällstation. You can only pay cash in the huts.
You can also leave your litter at the manned huts for free, which is good to know.

 

[salgo601]

Another tip is that some of the hut's you will pass on the trail do have some stock of food and fuel spririt for sale which can be convenient for you to consider. These huts are Alesjaure, Sälka and Kebnekaise fjällstation. You can only pay cash in the huts.
You can also leave your litter at the manned huts for free, which is good to know.

What they sell in english http://www.svenskaturistforeningen.se/PageFiles/17800/Butikspriser_2013_eng.pdf

As smux say bring money some places take cards but what I understand it is on test (you have no or bad mobile connection at most places) so bring some cash

In Swedish some menu hints from STF on what you can buy ;-)
http://www.svenskaturistforeningen.se/PageFiles/17800/Dagens middagstips_20130826.pdf

In Kebnekaise they have a restaurang Giebme (Kebnekaise is called in sami language Giebmegáisi) so there you can have a good dinner
http://www.svenskaturistforeningen....se/About-the-mountain-station/The-restaurant/

Some Kebnekaise and related links
http://www.scandinavianmountains.com/areas/20-kebnekaise/detailed-info.htm
http://europeanhighchallenge.com/news/post/kebnekaise-sweden-10-july-0845-hours/
Trip description http://slowlife.se/eng/destinations/kingstrail/arrival.php
Nice pics from Kebnekaise and Tarfala which is also worth visiting when you are in the area. The start of valley to Tarfala you can see on the pic above http://lij.advisor.travel/poi/Kebnekaise-897

Facebook (swedish)
STF
https://www.facebook.com/SvenskaTuristforeningen
STF Abisko
https://www.facebook.com/stfabisko?fref=ts
STF Kebnekaise
https://www.facebook.com/kebnekaise?fref=ts
Kungsleden (Kings trail)
https://www.facebook.com/kungsleden?fref=ts