Thanks for joining me on this adventure as I recount my experience from the 2023 Fjällräven Classic Sweden. It’s taken a while to write out my stories and organize my photos since we took so many!
Tip: Document your travels sooner rather than later so you can focus on planning your future trips. It’s already been a year since we traveled to Sweden and we’re planning for our next Classic in Germany, 2024. Maybe I’ll take my advice and get that blog out faster. Alright, back to Day 3 of the Fjällräven Classic Sweden!
The day started out misty and cloudy.
AUGUST 14 – SINGI TO SALKA AND BEYOND 18 KM
The next morning I decided to wear my ankle brace. I had a previous knee injury from falling off my bike a few months earlier and my knee was aggravated. The knee brace helped a lot but then my ankle started hurting too. I began wearing both a knee brace on my left leg and one on my right ankle. I hoped I wasn’t starting to fall a part! Paul was holding up pretty good but his feet were starting to bother him. Something was up with his boots. Oh no!
Sarah ready for the wind and rain.
It was a cloudy and misty morning. We were in for rain and we made sure our rain covers were always on our packs to keep our gear dry. I started feeling the wind in my ears so I opted for a headband that covered my ears and kept my hair out of my face. Overall, we were in pretty good spirits and ready for whatever the day had in store for us.
Having lunch right in the middle of the trail.
We crossed a few more bridges and came across some shelters and toilets. Lunch was enjoyed upon a boulder in the middle of the trail because that’s just where our feet led us. A lot of people would find a nice spot off the path and enjoy a peaceful rest but today we didn’t have it in us to scout out for the perfect view. Paul made me a pot of instant noodles for lunch and it was the best thing I’d tasted in forever. The hot broth was amazing after walking through rain all morning. It reenergized us until we got to the next checkpoint, Salka.
Made it to the Salka checkpoint.
Guess who we met there?! David and his new friend Jack from the UK. We got our passports stamped and joined them for a rest and happy conversation. We discussed our plans for the rest of the day and agreed to continue on to make camp just before the Tjäktja pass.
Setting out with our new trekking companions. Go UK, Germany, Canada!
Paul was having a great time chatting that we naturally set off together and expanded our group. David and Jack walked at a faster pace than I could and kindly slowed down so I could keep up. We got to know Jack as we carried on and learned about some of the items he carried with him. Such as his Game Boy and tea kettle. Hey, whatever makes the journey most enjoyable! My essential item was definitely my camera.
Paul’s wish was fulfilled!
We made a pit stop and I dropped my pack to the ground to give my shoulders a rest. Paul wandered off high up out of sight again. He returned a while later with the biggest smile on his face and a huge reindeer antler in his hand! He had talked about how amazing it would be to find one on the trip as a souvenir. I took photos and started wondering how we would take this home (which we didn’t). It was pretty large and pointy. Paul couldn’t part with it and attached it to his pack even though it added more weight, he was determined it was joining him all the way to the finish line.
We loved this stretch along the river and Tjäktja pass in the distance.
There was a little bit of sun as we hiked along a winding river that led us to our campsite for the night. It was a popular spot and seemed many others had the same plan as us. We could see Tjäktja pass in the distance and knew exactly what we were in for the next day. Paul was pretty worn out and actually sprawled out on the ground for a good while groaning from exhaustion and the thought of the work involved pitching the tent. This time we all pitched our tents in a circle and created a little village. I didn’t get a photo but we had fun all cooking and laughing together.
There goes Magnus headed for Tjäktja pass.
A delightful surprise was seeing Magnus pass through our camp with plans to make it over the Tjäktja pass before nightfall. We had a nice chat and wished him well if we didn’t see him again. It was probably around 10pm when we turned in for the night. I don’t remember my head even hitting the pillow.
Our camping spot for the night with Jack and David.
Day 3 we covered over 18 km, caught up with David and met Jack from the UK, Paul found a reindeer antler, we saw Magnus again and camped with our new friends.
Do you think my ankle and knee will get better or worse? Will Paul’s boots make it to the end? Will we see Magnus once again?! Find out in the next blog all about Day 4.
