Camp at Nissonvaggijohka

This was another great hiking day with amazing weather, actually the sun woke me up at 5am and I had to get out of the sleeping bag to cool down and fall back to sleep.

Next I woke at 6:20, got out of the tent and was met by the unexpected sight of both my hiking companions having breakfast outside.  Normally I’m the early riser in most companies yet the last week before departure I let myself get pretty sleep deprived and I needed that extra hour badly. Still I can feel the need to catch up!

Anyway, really nice to take two that self reliant girls on their first hike up here!

After a slow and lazy morning we got started about quarter to nine and made quite a few stops to fix emerging blisters on toes and drink lots of water. So happy about this weather, sun is shining and the temperature is well over 25C (77F) during the day.

What a welcome contrast to last years cold and rain!

Now, one of the girls had an old knee injury flare up and we decided to make camp right after lunch. Beautiful grass area right next to the Nissonvaggijohka.

After everything was set Ashleigh, the other participant and daughter of good friends in Minnesota, and myself went up to the nearest summit, named Goalkascohkka, to enjoy the view from there and just move around in the fantastic weather.

Quite a climb up there, we first went around the mountain and up the valley towards Guhkesriehppi. After enjoying the view of the glaciers we turned southeast and switchbacked up the slope to the summit. Marvelous view down Rautasjaure and, a little further west, up the valley all the way to Mårma pass.

Descending towards northeast there was a very steep area where everyone must find his own path down. More to the north was an easier route that was just slightly longer.

Everyone of us is rather nackered and we plan on an early bedtime after having dinner already around 6pm!