Ia.32    Section Tjäktja - Sälka   12 km

Early in the morning I moved on while the first other hikers where just getting up. Yesterday I had forded the creek, today I used the bridge to get back to Kungsleden. The trail followed the creek thereby slowly gaining elevation until arriving at Sälka Pass. As it was rather cold this early I entered the emergency hut for a short warm up. Four hikers from Leipzig had staid inside for the night. When continuing on down the other side it started raining. No continues rain but again and again some showers. The first part down from the pass was rather steep and not so well to navigate. From now on I met hundreds of Fjellräven Klassik hikers. Then the trail became better to hike. Soon I arrived at Sälkastugar. Here I learned that the weather would be better tomorrow again. I decided to stay for the night especially as the freeze dried food I had planned to buy at the hut was sold out and expected to be flown in by helicopter later today. Later I bought the food needed for the next few days. I watched the many hiker groups coming through. In the evening well over hundred tents had been set up near the hut. There was a sauna too. It was so overcrowded that many had been waiting outside until it was their turn.

Rocky Kungsleden

Sälka Pass with Kungsleden crossing a rock field

View ahead into Tjäksajokk Valley and Kungsleden

First larger groups of Fjällräven Classic hikers

More and more Fjällräven Classic hikers where coming the other way

Hiker taking cover during shower at Sälkastugorna