24-Aug-2007 -- On the way south through Norway it is often easier to make a detour through Sweden as the roads are better and the speed limits higher. I was on my way from Alta in the north of Norway to Oslo in the South. About half way down Nordland county in Norway I headed straight east and stayed overnight at Umbukta Fjellstue, an old coaching inn close to the Swedish border. This is a most charming place with a very hospitable landlady.

Driving south through Sweden I became aware the we might be near a confluence point. The weather was dry, and when the GPS indicated the shortest distance straight east from the E45 highway I also found a small loggers' track where I could drive carefully without damaging the car. From the final stop on this track I had to hike through a rather dense forest for about 2.4 km.

The temperature was around 15 centigrades, and the mosquitoes had not yet given up for the summer. They accompanied me most of the way. The forest was full of footprints from deer (probably reindeer), elks and possibly a bear. I found signs of it smashing rotten trees in search of insects. Several birds flew up as I approached, mostly grouse, but also a big capercaillie.

About a hundred meters from the confluence point somebody had built a bivouac, probably used in connection with orienteering races.

The confluence point turned out to be in the middle of the forest which made it difficult to get any good photos.

The forest was so dense that it would have been difficult to find the way back to the vehicle without the GPS, or a compass, as the sun after a while was not visible.

Coordinator's Note: The bivouac is most likely intended for hunters, not orienteers.