Since the two rest days in Kilpisjärvi, summer has really arrived. Shorts, sunscreen, mosquito repellent and headgear now come into daily use. With the heat, nature is exploding. Where previously individual plants could be observed in a specific environment, now everything is blooming at the same time. Accordingly, the diversity of insect species has also increased. Whereas a week ago I could only observe a few bumblebees, which fought their way from flower to flower without crashing in the strong wind, I now like to hide behind the mosquito net. Besides the mosquitoes, there are also swarms of flying ants buzzing around your head. The horseflies are persistent. As soon as you stop, they attack. The dragonflies are now also numerous to observe.
In the meantime I am on more frequently used paths. These are therefore mostly better passable and recognizable. The hut network of the DNT (Den Norske Turistforening) is now dense and there are very inviting alternatives to the tent. On the way you will also meet other hikers from time to time. The theme in each conversation is the snow and the wading places. This information is very helpful. However, the situation changes so quickly that reports about the situation 2-3 days ago should be taken with a grain of salt. Traces on the snowfields are no longer visible after one day at the latest. The melting process erases them immediately. Nevertheless, these snowfields are still surprisingly stable. I sink in at most in the roundish areas. In the meantime, I can tell from the surface structure where it’s holding.
The waders along the trails are well marked and usually passable in this area. Mostly they are only shallow. I stand only up to the middle of the calf in the water. Nevertheless, there are also very demanding brook crossings. The runoff of the meltwater in the steep terrain leads to big currents. Even if just 1-2 m of the crossing are affected, this can lead to the fact that one moves slowly cm-wise against the current sideways. Accordingly long time one stands in the ice-cold water. However, the feet and legs quickly thaw out again as you continue to walk. I am always amazed when I see hikers who take on these challenges with huge backpacks, but without hiking poles. The sticks are absolutely indispensable for me, in order to be able to support myself sufficiently against the current. This way I have now mastered countless rivers and streams without any problems, gained a lot of experience and yet they always pose a great challenge.
Geology The section through the Øvre Dividalen Nasjonalpark is very interesting from a geological perspective and has given me numerous puzzles along the way. Without cell phone coverage, I could neither consult the geological map nor any literature. So I had to formulate my theses and search for evidence. I could only rely on a very rough picture of the local geology. Quasi undeformed red granites with up to 3 cm large feldspar crystals and gabbros in a nappe stack occupied me. Nowhere I could find signs of younger intrusions. Then a scientific article provided me with the answer. In the Precambrian basement such little deformed granites are common. The nappes overthrust from NW during the Caledonian orogeny (about 450 million years ago) are of higher metamorphic grade. This movement direction towards SE can be observed on huge sigma clasts. Caraway seed rock schists and garnet schists are found in the topographically and also geologically higher areas.
