#2: [01-Dec-07]

#1: [05-Jun-01]

07-Sep-2014 -- This is the third out of 5 reports reaching confluence points in Central Finland. The story starts from 65°N 26°E. The previous report is 65°N 27°E.

With the first daylight in the early morning at 5:30 AM I started cycling from the town Pudasjärvi which is 85 km beeline from this confluence point. The road (highway number 78) goes straight through the forest without intersections or other features (other than trees and moors).

At 10 AM I reached Ranua, the only town on my way, expecting to be able to buy groceries. But I was wrong: the supermarket was closed and I had nothing else but my empty stomach. But a kiosk saved me: I got some dry crispbread such that I could at least get the necessary amount of calories.

I continued on road 924 towards Simo. After cycling about 20 km, I followed a signpost to the housing called Mauru. From the signpost it was another 4.4 km to go. Keeping to the right leads directly to the confluence point. Only the last 100 m need to be traversed on foot through a birch and spruce forest. The confluence is again in the forest with a deep moss cover, mushrooms and some horsetails.

After returning to my bicycle, I continued westwards. I wasn’t sure whether I should risk visiting another confluence point or call it quits. I had to take the plane back to Switzerland the next day and I was still 140 km away from the airport.

CP Visit Details:

• Distance to a road: 100 m
• Distance to a track: 100 m
• Distance of bicycle parking: 100 m
• Time to reach the CP from bicycle parking: 5 min
• Time at the CP: 1:30 PM
• Measured height: 131 m
• Minimal distance according to GPS: 0 m
• Position accuracy: 7 m
• Topography: flat
• Vegetation: moss, grass, mushrooms, mixed spruce and birch forest.
• Weather: partly cloudy, 18° C (felt temperature)
• Given Name: The Horse-Tail Confluence

The story continues at 66°N 25°E.