The first thing we do is to look up towards
Vassjabakte. The peak is not seen from our place, but around the other
peaks are pieces of cotton. Higher up are thin clouds. The cotton will
probably disappear during the day. This day will be the first day of all
visits when we can make a tour up on a major peak. The temperature is perfect
for the activity, and best of all is that my collapse of yesterday is just
a memory. We expect a magnificient view of Njoatjosvagge and the surroundings
from the summit of Vassjabakte (1735m). We pack for an excursion: compass,
map, rain suit, biscuits, sweets, water, warm sweater, camera with extra
film and battery. To begin with do we walk towards the height 1310, from
where we will contine to the peak. It is slightly longer but less steep
than to walk in a straight line. Up to 1310 is it a comfortable slope with
grassy meadows. Our lake Vassjajavratja and tent become smaller and smaller.
There is a haze, but this makes the views more interesting. As we get further
up is it more barren, and at the plateau at 1310m is it mostly stony. The
stones are tightly packed and it is almost a flat surface, which makes
it easy to walk. A few reindeers stand out against the mountains on the
opposite side of Njoatsosvagge. The peak of Vassjabakte is still in clouds.
Where the rise to the peak begin is a brook where we take a break and fill
up our water bottles. From now on and up to the peak do we walk on a very
stony ground, but it is not very very stony. Even with our rubber boots
is it rather easy. Hundred meters below the peak is it still cloudy, is
it worth to go up there do I wonder? My friend insist, so we continue towards
the cloud. When we are almost up does a weak wind arrive and the cloud
sail slowly away. It took us two hours to reach the peak. We add one stone
each to the cairn. The view is as we anticipated, magnificient. We look
down at the bluegreen lakes in Njoatsosvagge. In southeast is Bårdde,
at this distance are the peaks small. Tsatsa close to us is still dressed
with clouds and haze. In the pot inbetween us do the clouds hunt each other.
My friend lie down and look down into Njoatsosvagge, straight down he say.
I keep away from the edge. On the other side of Njoatsosvagge are Tsähkok
and Jågnåristjåhkkå. We walk around for a while,
the clouds has made the stones slippery so one must be careful. When we
have had enough do we walk back. We now walk straight down towards the
tent. The stones is here further down the slope and it is steeper then
the path we walked on the way up. At the end do we reach grassy meadows,
studded with Alpine bistort. In front of us is Padjelanta, the view is
limited by Kierkevare and Alatjåhkkå. Back at the tent do we
take a bath in the brook. A short thunderstorm pass by, a faint thunder
and a few raindrops is the result of it. My friend point out my similarity
with a person in an illustration in Scientific American about evulation
of the human being. A cave man with rough hair, beard and a cudgel (i.e.
my hiking stick). I make a botanical excursion on our meadow, Golden rod
is dominating. Over the lake is a large but faint rainbow. Many small winged
insects dance in the grass. I watch and admire them for many minutes. The
have also evolved as we, for a short moment in time do they exist and can
dance for me.
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