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the Degree Confluence Project
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Sweden

12.2 km (7.6 miles) NE of Ivarstenskåtan, Norrbotten, Sweden
Approx. altitude: 981 m (3218 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 68°S 162°W

Accuracy: 5 m (16 ft)
Quality: good

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: View of confluence point. My backpack on the point. #3: View north from the confluence point. #4: View south. #5: View west. #6: The GPS. #7: The STF cabin in Hukejaure

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  68°N 18°E (visit #2)  

#1: View from the confluence point, looking east.

(visited by Magnus Berglund)

07-Sep-2002 -- 68Nx18E is located in the north-west part of Sweden (Lappland), very close to the Norwegian border. The point is in the Scandinavian mountain chain Skanderna. The northern part of Skanderna is a very popular hiking area, containing up to 5500 km of footpaths. There are lots of nature reserve areas, and few roads here. STF, The Swedish touring club (www.stfturist.se) runs small cabins along the footpaths here. Everyone can stay in these cabins for a small fee (provided there is room). The confluence point is about 30 km from the nearest road, making this a 3-4 day hiking trip

This is my trip to this confluence point:

Day 1, Sep 5 -- Left work at about 5 p.m. and drove from Luleå up to Ritsem, approximately 400 km. The later part of the road is very beautiful, as the road follows the lakes Langas and Suorvajaure, part of Luleå river. The road passes by the Sourva dam, the largest dam in Sweden. Unfortunately, it had become quite dark by the time I got here so I couldn't enjoy the view. I arrived in Ritsem at 9 p.m. and got a room at STF.

Day 2, Sep 6 -- Got up at about 8 a.m. Had a look at the weather. Rain. Took my car and drove up to Sitasjaure. The road up there is 20 km of very small bumpy gravel road. I left my car at the end of the road in Sitasjaure, and started walking along a 20 km long footpath leading up to Hukejaure. In Hukejaure there is a STF cabin, but that cabin is normally closed for the season at this time of year. I planned to put up my tent someplace near the cabin. The rain kept falling all day, so by the time I reach the cabin I was quite wet.

I reached Hukejaure at 5 p.m., and was happy to find out that the couple that work here as cabin-keepers had decided to stay in the cabin two extra weeks. So instead of sleeping in a tent, I got to sleep inside a warm cabin, and was able to dry my clothes.

Day 3, Sep 7 -- During the night it started to blow. In the morning, it was blowing 10 to 15 m/s (i.e. gale force winds). Still raining. I decided to stay indoors and see if the weather would become better. At lunchtime, the wind subsided somewhat and the rain almost stopped. I left the cabin and started my 10 km walk towards the confluence point. I planned to go up to the dcp, then turn around and walk the same way back.

Therefore, during my walk up to the point a tried to find a good spot to put up my tent on the way back. The ground is really rocky up here, and it had been raining during the last week. All the soft spots I was able to find was therefore really wet and not suitable for a tent.

I reached the dcp at about 5 p.m. and took some pictures. More on the confluence point below. Just 50 meters from the dcp I found a very nice soft and dry tent spot! I thought that tenting at the confluence point must be the ultimate way to really get to know it! So I decided to turn in early and put up my tent here.

Day 4, Sep 8 -- The raining ceased during the night. In the morning you could almost see the sun through the clouds. I got up, packed my stuff, and took some more pictures of the confluence point. The GPS indicated the point to be on almost the exact spot as it was yesterday. I started to walk back towards Sitasjaure. I wanted to walk as far as possible today so that I could drive home tomorrow during daylight. The weather was rather nice this day, and I had some sun from time to time. I walked until it got really dark, and had to stop at about 10 p.m. At that time I had reached a rivulet that was too rapid-flowing to pass in the dark. I put up my tent, had some food, and got to bed.

Day 5, Sep 9 -- Rain again. Luckily, I had only about 7 km to the Sitasjaure and the car. Reached the car at 11 a.m. and started the ride home. Stopped in Vakkotavare to take some pictures of a mountain near the road. On top of that mountain is a degree confluence point for the Swedish grid RT90. If I had more time and the weather would have been better I would have tried to reach that point. The point is about 900 meters up from the road on top of a very steep mountain (not very steep on the back side). The view must be absolutely beautiful from up there on a sunny day. Drove on home.

The confluence point. The dcp is located about 500 meters south of the lake Gearbijavri. The ground slopes from a mountain top in the north down to the lake. The lake is on the altitude of 938 meters (according to the map). The GPS says the elevation is 975 meters at the point. Looking west you can see some mountain tops in Norway. In the east there are a lot of higher mountains tops on about 1500 meters.


 All pictures
#1: View from the confluence point, looking east.
#2: View of confluence point. My backpack on the point.
#3: View north from the confluence point.
#4: View south.
#5: View west.
#6: The GPS.
#7: The STF cabin in Hukejaure
ALL: All pictures on one page