30-Dec-2001 -- I started at 8:00 a.m. from Boliden and drove to Radnejaur, turned left to Hällbacka and drove 2 km along a snow-cleared road. The snowplough had stopped about 4.5 km from the confluence point. Since snow depth on the road was 50 cm, it would be a tough job to ski along the road. It would pass 500 m east of the confluence point.

Instead I drove to Kurrokveik 3.2 km west of the confluence point, where access is across lake Kakel, which has much thinner snow cover (15 cm) due to the wind blowing away the snow. Arrived at Kurrokveik at 11:00 am (just after sunrise) and took off along the lake. Two dippers were seeking something to eat in the open water under the bridge. It was bitterly cold. The glasses became covered with ice, so I could not see much.

After 1.2 km I passed between two islands and discovered that there was water on the ice under the snow, and even a hole in the ice. The ice broke easily around the hole when I pushed on it with the ski pole. I turned around and went to safe ground on the island. Had to de-ice the skis.

Continued across the rest of the lake and up hill on the eastern shore. Quite large rocks under the snow, and a very laborious uphill 1.4 km. Found the logging road and went west again the 500 m to the confluence point. Arrived there at 1:10 p.m. (approximately at sunset).

The place is in a pristine boreal forest quite close to a small bog in the southeast direction. Took a series of shots with the digital camera. The picture of the GPS, however, was very blurry, the autofocus did not work in the dim light.

Went back along a more southerly route, since it was much less hilly. Found my access track on the lake and took a picture of the lake, the rising moon and the two ski-tracks.

Got back to the car at 2:20 and drove to Arjeplog. Warmed my feet in the supermarket. The thermometer at the Hydro gas station showed -23 C. A moose was chewing pine needles from a pine tree close to the road just east of Arjeplog. Arrived home at 5:05 p.m.

After this cold experience I booked a trip to Tenerife!