Another wilderness trip through European Alaska

Today almost exactly 2 years ago I finished another long autumn trip through and around Sarek national park in Swedish Lapland after my trip from 2008 and a ski crossing during the preceding winter. This time I took my packraft with me and tried to follow a route with as much as packrafting sections as possible. Eventually I floated pieces of the rivers Guhkesvakkjåhkå, Sijddoädno, Miellädno, Smajllajåhkkå, Rahpajåhkå and Rahpaädno and crossed several lakes. Sarek is a real packraft paradise and can make you think you’re somewhere wilderness paddling in remote Alaska instead of Europe.

And as the rivers here invite you to inflate your inflatable boat, so do the mountains invite you during the clear weather windows to visit their summit for a wide mountain vista. I even spent three nights on a mountain and saw quite active northern light displays during each.

Just like with my first trip through Sarek I wrote a very long trip report about this trip, however unfortunately it is only available as a trip report in Dutch. But those really willing to read it will definitely find an appropriate online translator to struggle through it. Even though I have almost visited every corner of the park, I’m sure this last visit will not be my very last.

All the gear and food for the trip except from worn clothing.

Backpack ready for a new day hiking.

Searching a route through the many rocks and small lakes on the Gassalahko mountain plateau.

Suottasjjåhkå mountain stream under the glacial tongue of Suottasjjiegna, easy to ford with these low water levels. The mountain above the glacier is Såltatjåhkkå (1928m).

Packrafting Guhkesvakkjåhkå river with often shallow water.

Taking a break on the Sijddoädno river which was difficult to packraft due to many impassable boulder gardens.

View northward from Namadis (818m) with the Sijddoädno river meandering through the valley, the mountain Guravarasj (1050m) on the left.

Looking back towards the saddle (1066m) in the Bastavagge valley under Basstavarasj (1492m).

Morning in the Basstavagge valley after a tarp bivouac on the snow.

The mountains Unna Stuollo (1766m) and Skajdetjåhkkå (1933m) at dusk.

First northern lights seen from the bivouac spot at lake Dielmajavrasj (1175m).

View into the Sarvesvagge valley with at the opposite side the north face of Nåite (1620m) which dominates the whole east half of the valley.

Prints of a wolverine in the snow while climbing Dielmatjåhkkå (1659m).

View over a part of the Jågåsjgaskajiegna glacier with a glacial lake under Axel Hambergs topp (1821m), seen while climbing Kanalberget (1937m).

The wild morainic debris in the Ridanjunjesvagge.

Wet weather while reaching the outlet of the Sarvesvagge valley towards Padjelanta.

The falls of Ahkkajåhkå river and the mountain Guohperskajdde (1644m).

Ahkkatjåhkå (1974m) and the renvaktarstuga cabin under Algganjalmme.

View into Padjelanta and onto Gasskatjåhkkå (1517m) in Norway from the summit of Låvdaktjåhkkå (1445m).

Northern lights above Padjelanta seen from the summit of Låvdaktjåhkkå (1445m).

The mountain Låvdaktjåhkkå (1445m) with its glacier remnants.

Taking a midday break along the Sierggajåhkå mountain stream.

The Ruohtesvagge valley and the mountains of the Sarektjåhkkå mountain massif seen from Gisuris (1664m).

The Ahkka massif from Gisuris (1664m) around sunset.

Lake Vastenjaure (547m) in Padjelanta National Park with the mountains surrounding Sorfjord in Norway at the horizon, seen from Gisuris (1664m) just after sunset.

Making a mountain bivouac under the tarp on Gisuris (1664m).

Aurora Borealis reflecting in lake Allohaure (545m) as seen from Gisuris (1664m).

View over Padjelanta with the Sulitjelma mountains at the horizon seen from Gisuris (1664m).

View to the north from Ahkka Borgtoppen (1963m) with the vast lake Akkajaure (423-453m) deep below.

The lake plateau Gassalahko seen from Ahkka Borgtoppen (1963m).

The mountain massifs of Lavdak, Ruohtes, Lanjek en Alkatj in Sarek seen from Ahkka Borgtoppen (1963m).

Northern lights behind Ahkka Stortoppen (2015m), seen from Borgtoppen (1963m).

Ahkka Stortoppen (2015m) during the late morning.

A tundra vole liked my food cache. All the pecan nuts had disappeared from the desserts.

Bivouac in the Ruohtesvagge valley under mountain Gavelberget (1819m).

View over Mihkajiegna glacier to Sarektjåhkkå Stortoppen (2089m), Sydtoppen (2023m) and Bucht-toppen (2010m) from Mihkatjåhkkå (1735m).

The braided Smajllajåhkå river down the Ruohtesvagge valley.

The falls in the Smajllajåhkå river near Mikkastugan cabin with Sarektjåhkkå Stortoppen (2089m), Sydtoppen (2023m) and Bucht-toppen (2010m) in the background.

The braided Rahpajåhkå river on the valley bottom of upper Rapadalen.

Mouth of the mountain stream Tjågnårisjågåsj in Rahpajåhkå river with mountain Bierikbakte (1789m) in the background.

Braided Rahpajåhkå river in Rapadalen with mountain Låddebakte (1537m) to the left.

Looking back to the Rahpaädno river while hiking through the birch forest.

An old Sami shelter in Rapadalen which can still be used today.

A winding birch.

Rapaselet with Låddebakte (1537m) in the background from a river island.

My home made woodgas stove burning on birch bark.

A moose with young in Rapadalen.

A young male moose in the forest in Rapadalen.

Rapadalen with Nammasj (823m) and Tjahkkelij (1214m) seen from Lulep Spadnek (816m).

Part of the Laitaure delta and Nammasj (823m) seen from Skierffe (1179m).

Packraft ready to float through the Laitaure delta, table mountain Tjahkkelij (1214m) on the background.

View back to Nammasj from within the Laitaure delta.

Morning at lake Sitojaure (630m) along the Kungsleden trail.

A wide view back to lake Sitojaure from the Kungsleden trail.

Last night of the trip in the Autsutjvagge shelter on the Kungsleden trail.

Spot messenger at work.

Continuing over the Kungsleden trail to Saltoluokta.