The Paddler Autumn/Fall issue 2017

ThePADDLER 92
Sami Lavvu and fire pit marked a spot used for
generations, and we quickly set up camp. This was a
stunning spot, on a long, thin, peninsula, between
the lakes of Väster and Oster Rödsjön. The views
across this landscape of water and stone, to the
snow-speckled mountains beyond, were magical.
We spent the rest of the day resting, doing chores,
or going for short paddles. On one solo
exploration, I suddenly had the feeling of being
watched, and looked up to find an osprey perched
in a tree eyeing me suspiciously. Another appeared,
and they circled, watching me. I suddenly realised I
was near their nest, and moved further away. One
returned to the nest, and then I realised there
were three birds, one a juvenile that had fledged.
Glad I hadn’t spooked them too much, I headed
off to explore more of the lakes and inlets, a
spellbinding landscape where the trees cling
precariously to the rocky mounds.
Returning to camp, we were treated to the most
amazing evening, the clear light of the arctic sun
softening towards dusk, too much of a temptation
for us not to have a stunning evening paddle on
the mirror-like water. Before bed, the Norse gods
offered us one last display of their power, the
most amazing sunset outlined against the hills, and
reflected in the mercury-like water of Rogen.
A rest day followed, where we simply explored
and lived in this wonderful landscape, before we
brought our side-excursion to the Thousand
Lakes to an end by heading back towards Lake
Rogen. This required an early start, as we needed
to hit the big lake before the wind rose, as was
typical each afternoon. Repeating our rough
portage to Rödviken, we were pleased to find
the waters were flat and calm, and paddled out
onto the vast lake before rounding a headland
and heading west. Our destination tonight was
Before bed, the Norse gods offered us one last display of their power,
the most amazing sunset outlined against the hills, and reflected in the
mercury-like water of Rogen