Norway

One of the highlights of my trip to Kilpisjarvi was a day trip to Skibotn, Norway. The trip was only about an hour from Kilpisjarvi, but the changes in climate and landscape were vast. It was around 20 degrees (F) warmer in Skibotn, and the trees were much taller and more varied. Around Kilpisjarvi, the majority of the foliage consists of stunted birch trees around 10 feet tall. However, around Skibotn, there are numerous varieties of conifers as well as rich mosses covering most of the forest floors. Older homes have sod roofs, attesting to the warmer, moist conditions.

In Skibotn ( 69°23'26.80"N, 20°16'18.67"E in Google Maps or Google Earth), we stopped twice: once to stand next to the Arctic Ocean and skim rocks across its surface (more than 10 jumps with one rock!) and another time to hike around a beautiful forest.

Then it was back to Kilpisjarvi to finish the workshop. This trip was the farthest north I've ever been, easily beating Reykjavik at 64 degrees north. I hope to one day return to Norway, to see more fjords and explore the capital, Oslo. This trip was a nice taste of what to see later. I only wish H had been with me. In her place, though, I had many good friends.