#1: [02-Aug-02]

06-Sep-2014 -- This is the second out of 5 reports reaching confluence points in Central Finland. The story starts from 65°N 26°E.

At 65°N latitude, the integer longitudes are only 45 km from each other. Therefore it didn’t take long until I reached the village Juorkuna 5 km south of this confluence point. Then I turned northwards and after crossing a big bridge, I turned off the main road into a dead-end track that leads to the lake Vähä-Ruohonen.

Shortly before reaching the lake, I turned left, passing by a single house called “Salo”. A track continued further towards the confluence, but it was in a too bad condition to cycle on it. At 950 m, I abandoned my bicycle and continued a wet wade through the swamps. But understand me right: it was a wonderful hike though the colourful autumn forest. I followed a river that connects the two lakes Vähä-Ruohonen and Kivijärvi.

The confluence is almost at the river. I wasn’t sure whether I had picked the correct approach. If the confluence would have been on the northern shore, I would not have been able to reach the exact location. And swimming across the cold water with my camera and GPS receiver (as probably the first visitor did) was out of question. Well, I was lucky and found the point about 15 m south of the river. It is located in a birch forest. Again, the area was covered with beautiful mushrooms.

After returning to my bicycle, I continued northwards. The road became extremely bad for cycling: the surface consisted in big rocks. Nevertheless I made it to the town Pudasjärvi before nightfall and spent the night in the hotel there.

CP Visit Details:

• Distance to a road: 1.3 km
• Distance to a foot path: 20 m
• Distance of bicycle parking: 950 m
• Time to reach the CP from bicycle parking: 25 min
• Time at the CP: 3:30 PM
• Measured height: 122 m
• Minimal distance according to GPS: 0 m
• Position accuracy: 3 m
• Topography: flat
• Vegetation: moss, grass, mushrooms, birch forest.
• Weather: sunny, 18° C (felt temperature)
• Given Name: The Again All-Over Mushroom Confluence

The story continues at 66°N 26°E.