Hiking the Jämtland Triangle – June 2024
The Jämtland Triangle is a classic hiking route in the Jämtland mountains of central Sweden. It connects the three mountain stations at Storulvån, Sylarna and Blåhammaren.
My good friend Christian and I hiked the route from 18 to 21 June 2024. The temperature ranged from around 3°C at night to 18°C during the day, while wind speeds varied between 4 and 16 metres per second.
The route can easily be completed in three days, but we allowed ourselves four so that we could spend some time fishing in the lakes and rivers along the way. We did not catch anything, although we saw quite a few small fish in several of the lakes.
The scenery was beautiful, and the weather gave us a little of everything: sunshine, persistent rain and strong winds. At times we walked in base layers, while at others we needed insulating layers, full rain gear and gloves.
We camped throughout the trip and did not stay at any of the mountain stations.
Testing my equipment
I brought roughly the same equipment that I planned to use on a solo hike along the Kungsleden later that summer. The trip therefore gave me a useful opportunity to test everything over several consecutive days. Fortunately, the equipment performed very well.
I slept in my Durston Gear X-Mid Pro 1 tent, using a Therm-a-Rest Vesper 20F/-6°C quilt and a NeoAir XTherm NXT sleeping pad. This setup was comfortably warm during the coldest nights, when temperatures dropped to around 3–4°C.
The tent did, however, feel somewhat draughty when we camped in exposed locations with winds of 10–15 metres per second. In colder or windier conditions, I would probably choose a sleeping bag and possibly a less airy tent.
My Durston X-Mid 1 Solid would be an obvious alternative, as it is better suited to early- and late-season conditions in the Scandinavian mountains.
Wet feet and trail-running shoes
Christian and I both walked in trail-running shoes. I wore my Altra Lone Peaks, which became wet in the rain and during river crossings and remained damp for most of the trip.
My feet were comfortable and warm as long as I kept moving. During longer breaks, however, they began to feel cold.
We had both brought waterproof socks in case we became tired of having wet feet. I mainly used mine in camp, as well as for one of the river crossings.
Overall, it was a beautiful and enjoyable trip—and a successful test of my equipment before the longer hike later that summer.
