Sunset on Pyhäkero – Enjoying Skiing in the Evening

Sun very low on the horizon, with reddish light
Sunset on Pyhäkero

Often when I’m skiing I’m passing by Pyhäkero fell, but I hardly ever make it up to the summit during winter time. This time I decided to make the peak of Pyhäkero the goal of a short skiing trip, and to enjoy the sunset from up there – since soon there won’t be a sunset for a long time.

Taking the Sammalvaara skiing trail up to Pyhäkero, this was a nice approximately 40 km round trip, with an altitude difference of about 430 m from lake Ounasjärvi up to the summit. Continue reading “Sunset on Pyhäkero – Enjoying Skiing in the Evening”

Hiking in the ‘Backyard’ and Discovering the Slow Beginning of Autumn – A Day Hike to Pahtajärvi

Narrow lake in a canyon like landscape
Lake Pahtajärvi

With a friend and neighbor we decided to spend a day with a short hike, and to go fishing somewhere close by: Our idea was to walk into forest just behind our apartment buildings, and to maybe find our way to Pahtajärvi – which we successfully achieved. Continue reading “Hiking in the ‘Backyard’ and Discovering the Slow Beginning of Autumn – A Day Hike to Pahtajärvi”

May Triathlon: Biking, Skiing and Grilling. A Night on Jyppyrävaara.

Sunset past 10pm
Looking to the North: Sunset past 10pm

On a nice early May evening with some friends we wanted to make a fire and grill some food at the lean-to shelter on the top of Jyppyrävaara, in Hetta. Since the melting of snow and ice continues fast, not every passage that has been maintained as a skiing tracks is snow covered any longer. Thus, I needed to take my bike for a short ride, with the skiers attached to my backpack, to reach a spot where the tracks were still in bearable conditions. After a short trip with the skiers I arrived on Jyppyrävaara, where we enjoyed some grilling action in a bright and almost cloudless night. Continue reading “May Triathlon: Biking, Skiing and Grilling. A Night on Jyppyrävaara.”

Hurdle Skiing: When the Ice Disappears and the Snow Quickly Melts

Hurdle skiing around Rautujärvi
Hurdle skiing in April

Since a bit more than a week, the plus degrees (Celsius, of course) have taken over, leading the snow and ice to melt quickly. While there is still enough snow to go skiing, the melting of the ice, especially on the rivers, makes skiing increasingly difficult because of certain barriers that the holes that are left behind: Crossing rivers by following the regular tracks became impossible. However, going through some kind of hurdle skiing, it is still possible to ski toward Pyhäkero, in the Pallas-Yllästunturi national park. After one colder night and a sunny day, we thus decided to make a short trip to the lean-to shelter at Rautujärvi, to enjoy our dinner while looking at the Pyhäkero fell. Continue reading “Hurdle Skiing: When the Ice Disappears and the Snow Quickly Melts”

The ’46 km for 360° of Pyhäkero in 48 Hours’ Round Trip

Pyhäkero fell
Pyhäkero in a view close from Hetta

The peak of Pyhäkero is the most visible part of the Pallas-Yllästunturi national park when looking from Hetta toward South – toward the national park. Several trails are leading to – or over the Pyhäkero fell. For our weekend trip, we chose to make ski around the Pyhäkero fell, including one overnight stay at the Sioskuru open wilderness hut, instead of just taking the shortest way up. Continue reading “The ’46 km for 360° of Pyhäkero in 48 Hours’ Round Trip”

Spring Time Skiing on Pahtajärvenreitti, and More Birches Coming Out of the Snow

Spring time skiing on Pahtajärvenreiti
Spring time skiing on Pahtajärvenreitti

In the past few days, the sun was shining and blue sky was inviting for skiing trips. Unfortunately we were rather busy, but on Thursday we finally had some time for a short skiing trip. The skiing tracks were in very good condition, and partly looked almost as new. We decided to once again make a short round on the Pahtajärvenreitti, North of Hetta, Continue reading “Spring Time Skiing on Pahtajärvenreitti, and More Birches Coming Out of the Snow”

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