Day 16 | To Teusajaure Hut + 1km | 15km
It's time to say goodbye to fellow hikers Zach, Asha, and her partner who has just arrived. They've decided to take a rest day. I'm taking the 11 am ferry with Paul. Upon reaching the other side of the lake, we realize that there is no connecting bus available at this time. However, a kind staff member at the fjällstation asks his colleague, who has a day off, if he could give us a ride. Lucky for us, he agrees! He's incredibly friendly and shares many insights about the area during our journey. What a fantastic ride! He drops us off at Vakotavare at 12 pm, even faster than the bus would have taken.
Unfortunately, I notice that my water bottle appears to have fallen out in the car. I substitute it with a peanut butter jar I find near the hut. Further along the trail, I encounter an older German gentleman who is trekking cross-country. He wonders why so many people are in a rush. "The Germans only talk about Kungsleden and Sarek," he remarks, "while there are so many other things to see." I can't help but ponder if I, too, am in a hurry. I had contemplated skipping the detour to Skierfe, but I'm glad that I decided to go for it.
The walk to the next lake crossing is relatively easy, but I start to quicken my pace down the hill after a couple on the trail informs me about a 4 pm boat. The closer I get to the lake shore, the more people I see. Clearly, I have missed the boat! To my surprise, Paul is still there and hasn't taken the motorboat ride to the other side. I check out the little shelter close to the shore, but he insists on rowing, and I'm grateful that he does, as the distance is quite significant.
Upon arriving on the other side at 7 pm, we check out the hut, and there is only one other hiker there at the moment. We have a pleasant conversation with the host, who kindly invites us to stay and shares insights about the upcoming snowy weather. Kinda broke after staying at the Saltalouokta Fjällstaion, we decide to move a bit further up the hill to pitch our tents, and although it's not easy to find flat spots, we manage to locate two small areas close to a waterfall. I hope for a relatively warm night.