Suz wrote:Hey Nick,
I am thinking about heading into Sarek from Aktse and across to Staloluokta. What route did you take in Sarek and what cautions and recommendations do you have?
Thx,
Suz
Hi Suz, What time of the year are you going and what route are you thinking of? If you go direct from Aktse - Saltoluokta (along the Kungsleden) you don't actually go into Sarek.
The route that I took (6 nights/7 days on track):
Start: flew into Gallivare, bus to Kebnats, ferry to STF Saltoluokta.
- Saltoluokta - Aktse - along the Kungsleden - easy, mostly flat and well tracked walking. You will need to catch the ferry at Sitojaure, which is operated several times a day by a local bloke. He also has fresh flat-bread and smoked salmon and reindeer. You will need cash for this.
- Aktse - Skårkistugan - up the Rapadalen. Flat walking, but quite scrubby and mostly poor track quality and marking. I lost it a few times. This bit felt most like Tassie

- Skårkistugan - Snávvájávvre, then around the Skårki massif to Rinim (Sámi settlement), via the Basstavágge. This bit has a faint pad to follow. It's mostly above the tree-line and open, easy walking.
From Rinim you can catch a ferry back to the Kungsleden at Sitojaure, or continue on foot to Pietsaure, which is near Saltoluokta. The latter option was what I did. It's entirely off track for a day and a bit, and involves two significant river-crossings (chest deep in glacial melt) and a few small ones.
In all honesty there's a dozen similar itineraries you could do if you have the experience and time.
Some general tips:
- All the servo's in Gallivare carry butane canisters.
- Don't worry too much about bears in the Rapadalen, they just aren't an issue. Do worry about mosquitoes, I avoided camping in the valley due to these. Camp above the tree-line and you should be fine.
- Take an eye-mask, especially if you go mid-summer. It's very difficult to sleep in a tent when it never gets dark.
- Depending on the time of year, birch 'dust' will get in
everything in the Rapadalen. Make sure it can't get in your camera.
- Carry cash, the locals won't accept cards.
- Prepare for the weather much like you would going to the Tasmanian mountains - it might be great, it might be terrible. It's very likely to be wet, but probably not as cold as you expect from the Arctic (assuming you're not going in winter).
- Make sure you go up the Skierffe (near Aktse) at sunset. Camp up there if you can. It is honestly one of the best views in Europe.
- Make sure your travel insurance covers medical evacs. Sarek is mostly remote wilderness and if something goes wrong it's going to be costly.
- Carry an EPIRB.
Here's my gallery from the trip if you're interested:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nicktheta ... 7245570265
Yellow birch dust.

The Laitaurdelta below Skierffe

Tent porn