Monday 21st June
The weather was turning for the worse again, I continued along the "path" to Skoddebergvatnet. Paint marks were easy to follow initially, but sometimes from one marked tree I couldn't see the next. This was often the case and I spent much time looking for the next bit of red paint. Eventually I gave up trying and walked the best route that I saw fit. The forest in Maridalen was thin enough not to hinder progress. I knew the path went over two small treeless hills - one called Hornet. I aimed for these hills and rejoined the path. By now the rain had started and the breeze was up.

Looking south from camp towards the Narvik mountains across Herjangsfjord

Revtind seen from my camp early in the day

The rain wasn't too hard and I eventually reached the road at the south end of te Lake. From here I walked north along the road to an official campsite called Annamo camping. Just before reaching the site, the rain stopped - just a few more showers and a beautiful evening prevailed again. The campsite owners were very welcoming, I was the first person in their 25 years of running the campsite, to walk straight off the mountains into their site. A welcome shower and clean clothes felt so nice. We talked a lot and during the course of the conversation they suggested coming back so they could teach me how to cross country ski. What an offer I say!

Keipentinden seen from Annamo Campsite

Revtind seen from Annamo Campsite

Inside an earth hut - known on the campsite at the "honeymoon suite"!

The earth built hut seen from the outside at Annamo Camping

3am view from Annamo Camping: Trangdalsfjellet (left) and Novatind (right)

Tuesday 22nd June
After a glorious night, the weather was turning for the worse again. Cirrus cloud approached rapidly from the south indicating a cold front was on its way. The couple running the campsite were very kind to drive me back to the bottom of the Lake where I continued my walk. My first (and only) summit of the trip was a mountain called Tverr-fjellet (782m). There is a DNT path (unmarked on map) that goes up into the corrie of Rundalen before rising steeply besides waterfalls. I didn't take this route - especially after my steep slope on Sunday.

The summit of Niingen seen from Tverrfjellet seem in threatening weather

I took the slopes south of Rundalen intercepting the ridge of Tverrfjellet. At 710m there was a trig point, with an attached letterbox enclosing a guestbook. I left my details and continued along to the 782m summit. The weather out westwards was threatening but the afternoon turned out to be sunshine and showers. I dropped down to Langvatnet and traversed down to find a campsite above Buvatnet. It was a short walk. Overnight heavy showers kept going and the mist stayed thick all night.

Wednesday 23rd June
I had intended on climbing a couple of peaks including the peak on Slettfjellet but all morning the thick mist clinged on to the mountain slopes with periodic showers. By the afternoon, I was off again heading for Blåvatnet along the DNT path. The path couldn't go along the shore of Niingsvatnet because of steep cliffs barring the way. Instead the path rose up the slopes of Niingen. The route was quite complex as it dodged round numerous cliffs. It was certainly interesting and the view changed a lot.

Niingen was a summit I had intended to climb. However on closer inspection, the white slopes were rather steep and numerous runnels of avalanche debris were seen coming off the summit ridge. I gave the summit a miss! The weather had taken a cold turn today and with a stiff breeze high up, it was nippy. There was lots of snow for the altitude I was at - probably the most I had ever seen for the whole trip. The mountains about Niingsvatnet looked very alpine and spectacular.

The glacier of Skittendalstinden and Pungdalstind from the path beside Niingen

I descended to Blåvatnet. It was obvious that camping spots were few and far between but it was only when I reached the lake that I realised that this was the end of the road for me. The path went along the south shore of the frozen 564m high lake which was sheet white and ready for avalanche. The north shore was uncrossable because of steep cliffs getting in the way. I camped at the lake outlet by the DNT hut and settled down to a chilly evening. I was going to camp at the other end of the lake - but with all that snow there wasn't a blade of grass that had seen the light of day!

At camp beside Blåvatnet looking west to Litletinden

Waterfalls off the glacier of Skittendalstinden

Grindalstind and Slettfjellet seen from path going back

Thursday 24th June
Time to turn back. The weather was beautiful, much better than yesterday, but sadly it was time to reverse my steps and drop down to the road. So much more could be seen today - the Narvik mountains looked majestic. I walked back to Buvatnet where a marked path took me down to Strandvatnet and then Bogen. The descent was plagued with flies and it was very hot. For the first time this trip I had to use my insect repellant.

The summit of Niingen seen from the path passing by

Looking south across Ofotsfjorden from the shoulder of Niingen

Looking southwest down to the bay of Bogen

Niigen seen rising up from the road near Bogen

Looking across the bay of Bogen under beautiful skies

Down at Bogen I had a refreshing ice cream before begining the dreadful road slog back to the airport. I broke the journey camping near the road, but the drone of traffic reminded me that the adventure was over. Friday night and I camped just 200m away from the airport terminal. Everything on Saturday to get me home worked perfectly - even the "rail replacement busses" from Manchester Airport got me home faster than the normal service! Ahhh - shower and fresh clothes!

The End.