Mountain holiday at Saltoluokta.

n the summer 1991 I, Claes, my wife Gunnel, our two children Catrin and Robert and my parents-in-law, Mery and Arvid, spent two wonderful holiday weeks at the PERL among Swedish mountain stations, Saltoluokta.

We lived in the main building on full board and lodging. This can be warmly recommended for families with children of 5 – 8 years of age. The stay was very pleasant and relaxing.

During the stay I wrote a journal completed with a water color sketch each day.

That journal you can look at here and read the text translated into English.

Sunday July 28

We have strolled around a little round the Mountain station and the Sámi camp. In the morning we saw some young Bluethroats in the bushes at the bridge towards the Sámi camp.
In afternoon we walked up a bit after the Kings trail and took a coffee break beside a little brook, on tuft of moss, blueberry sprigs and Twinflowers.

Monday July 29

Rambling north of Saltoluokta we found this little brook in a fairly deep ravine.
The children tested how to wade a stream and discovered that it is practical having a hiking staff.

Tuesday July 30

Today we walked up to the south offshoot of the mountain Lulep Kierkau. On the way up we saw Bluethroats and a lot of Northern Wheatears.
The kids found many small streams to jump over.
Here is a view, from our break place, towards soth and mount Njalatjpakte and the valley Autsutjvagge.
During our beak a raven floated around over us.

Wednesday July 31, Stora Sjöfallet.

Today we went on a day trip to the Big Lake Fall (Stora Sjöfallet) with the boat "Langas". We walked a couple of kilometers up to "Hermelins fall". It was an impressive experience to see the water rush down in the cataract. The weather was lovely! The temperature was 20 Celsius (68 Fahrenheit) and hardly any wind. On the way home we had a coffee break at the Big Lake Fall cabin.
In the evening we played parlour games the whole gang together.

Thursday August 1, Mount Slugga (The Sugar top), 1279 m, 4196 ft

Journey by boat and then climbing mount Slugga.
We took the Sámi trail to the Sámi camp at the lake Pietsaure. There we took the boat to the north end of the lake. There I painted this view after a short coffee break.
It was a "tough" peak to climb; one had to zigzag up the steep hill up to the offshoot. From there the climbing of the peak started. On the top of the peak we had another coffee break and then we signed the "peak-book" that was stored inside the peak cairn. Also the way down was very tough.
We came home late and had to eat on "overtime". Then we had a Sauna. We ended the day with an ice-cream float.

Friday August 2

Today we have been at the Mountain station all day. In the morning we cleaned our room and the afternoon we spent on the beach.
After dinner we went on a little information meeting in the mountain stations lap-cot. We had coffee and made flatbread. At the same time we were informed about the Sámi people's situation in former times and now.
In the evening I painted this picture of the window in our room.

Saturday August 3, Vietas.

Today we took the boat to Vietas. There we strolled around near the Lake-fall-hotel and out on the promontory behind the hotel. We saw some "flying objects", from see planes to Common Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper and Arctic Tern. And we had a coffee break.
Later on we took the bus back to the Kebnats jetty and the boat over to Saltoluokta.
In the evening a couple of folk musicians came and played outside the Mountain station.

Sunday August 4

We stayed at the station in the morning. After lunch we went to the beach and had coffee at our little camp fire.
After dinner we went up above the tree line to sleap in a tent with the children. On the way up we were nearly eaten up by mosquitoes.

Monday August 5

Today we woke up on the mountain. We ate our breakfast outside the tent. After breakfast we packed the tent and the sleeping bags on me (Claes) and I went down to the Mountain station to leave them there.
At the station Märy joined me and we went up again. The destination of today's trip was the Sámi camp at the lake Pietsaure.
We started in a direction that should take us to "Kanjon" a glacier river ravine. We looked on it a while and then we walked behind the ravine to the Sámi camp. When we arrived we ate ember flatbread and coffee. After that we took a bath before we went home again.

Tuesday August 6, Ultevis.

Today Gunnel and I was out strolling on our own. We went up to, Ultevis, the alpine heath east of the Kings trail, without any particular destination. When we had a coffee break beside a little brook we got company of two Eurasian Golden Plovers that gave a concert.
Rain and storm-clouds had been threatening us the entire day and on our way home it finally assaulted us.

Wednesday August 7, Ultevis again

Since we took a liking to the Ultevis alpine heath we went back up there again.
We were going to a little lake to look for Long-tailed Skua. On the way there a took a picture of a couple of Dotterels.
The lake was very beautiful. We strolled around it and searched. Suddenly Gunnel got sight of it when it took of on the other side of the lake. It disappeared behind a little hillock. We continued in that direction and found it again and were able to take a picture of it.
On our way back we also saw a Rough-legged Buzzard hovering over the headland.

Thursday August 8, Lulep Kierkau, 1139 m, 3737 ft

Today we once again forced the children to go with us up on the mountain. We walked slowly up to the tree line. There we took a coffee break. Then I continued alone up towards mount Lulep Kierkau that I was going to climb.
The first slope was very steep, and then it was easier. A little way up there was supposed to be a little lake, where I had plans to take a swim at the way down, but it was dried out. Finally I reached the peak and could look at a stunning view.
The way down was strenuous for my knees. From a snow feeld a brought snowballs to give to the children. I saw four reindeers.

Friday August 9, Lazy day
(The last day)

Today I have taken it easy! Gunnel and Märy set off to the mountain in the morning. I, myself, have strolled around here at the Mountain station and been sleeping in front of the fire place. I also has tried to get even with the coloring of the sketches in this diary.
Today the children ATE the lunch! It was meatballs and mashed potatoes.
In afternoon I have taken a good SAUNA!!