Adventures in the wild

[luzula]

I've been on two camping trips; the first wasn't an adventure as such. Me and exeterlinden went to Söderåsen national park in southern Sweden over a couple of days. It was pretty great! The park has beech and hornbeam forests with a deep rift valley (not a ravine, as the park ranger person explained). We had good luck with the weather too; it only rained during the night. Also one time we wished it would rain so that the obnoxious drunk guys with a guitar would go away, and then there was a thunderstorm!

After that I was home for a few days and then headed up north. I found someone to drive me over in a boat to the north side of Torne träsk from Abisko, the goal being to see some rare mountaintop plants. I was out for four days and did find Braya linearis, Viola rupestris ssp. relicta, and Cystopteris alpina, but not Carex bicolor. I don't know what's up with that last species; this is the third time I try to find it and fail. Maybe it does not actually exist.

Anyway, I pushed my limits a bit with the hiking. Like, when I got down from the mountain my legs were almost shaking. But then I got my second wind and put my backpack on and went on through the birch forest, which without a trail is pretty slow going. And I did enjoy it; it's good to know what you're capable of. But of course you pay for it afterward--I am pretty sore now, after hiking back around the lake. Also my hammock seems less comfortable than last year? This could be because 1) I took my non-inflatable sleeping pad or 2) I was more sore in general for unrelated reasons. Hmm.

I am now headed for a feminist camp where we will learn to build and repair things and also mow grass with scythes. It is organized by some friends who need things built/repaired on their farm. After that, a forest inventory trip. I asked to sleep indoors during the building camp so that I wouldn't get field coma from too much outdoors time. Er, I hope I'm not overdoing things. I'm looking forward to some good company, though--the only people I met while hiking was a Norwegian group with a guy who made a sexist remark to me. /o\

Comments

[naraht]

I am now headed for a feminist camp where we will learn to build and repair things and also mow grass with scythes.

That sounds rather awesome! I'll be interested to hear about it.

[luzula]

It is pretty awesome! I'm there now, and in the morning I helped lay the foundations for a house (a tiny house, to protect a water pump) and in the afternoon we did bike repair. Nice people, too.

[andeincascade]

So many adventures! Maybe we can Skype when you get home. It's been ages!

[luzula]

This is pretty much my standard summer--traipsing around the country doing stuff. I enjoy it a lot.

Yes, let's Skype! I'll let you know when I'm home and have reliable internet again.

[blnchflr]

It all sounds awesome, except of course for sexist remarks :(

[luzula]

The sexist remark was made because I'd gone skinnydipping and had just taken my clothes on.

Guy: "Did you go swimming?"
Me: "Yeah!"
Guy: "Well, I guess we're too late, then!" [that is, too late to see me naked]

*sigh*

But yeah, awesome otherwise! Except for soreness and mosquito bites, but those kind of go with the territory.

[calvinahobbes]

You are having such a busy summer, wow! From the sound of it you won't have any problem reaching your goal for nights spent outside?

I am honestly so exasperated that a person can't even get away from sexism on a darn mountain hike! That's so dumb.

[luzula]

I'll be up to sixteen nights after the forest inventory trip, so that's just four more after that to reach my goal.

The sexist remark was made because I'd gone skinnydipping and had just taken my clothes on.

Guy: "Did you go swimming?"
Me: "Yeah."
Guy: "Well, I guess we're too late, then!" [that is, too late to see me naked]

*sigh*

[calvinahobbes]

Urgh, that's so gross. Why don't guys understand how gross and vaguely threatening remarks like that are?

But, yay, four nights more sound very doable. Do you have plans for those too?

[luzula]

Yeah, I'm going for a smaller camping trip later in the summer with a friend, on the west coast of Sweden. Also I'll be going to a friend's wedding and sleeping outdoors then, since she doesn't have enough beds. So that won't be a problem. : )

[exeterlinden]

Happy to hear you had a great trip up North and that you found some interesting species! And I hope the feminist camp turns out awesome - it sure sounds it ;)

[luzula]

It was good, yes! And I'll post about the feminist camp soon--I enjoyed it a lot. : )

[desireearmfeldt]

I am now headed for a feminist camp where we will learn to build and repair things and also mow grass with scythes. It is organized by some friends who need things built/repaired on their farm.

That sounds cool. :)

[luzula]

It is! I'm there now, and in the morning I helped lay the foundations for a house (a tiny house, to protect a water pump) and in the afternoon we did bike repair. Nice people, too.

[ride-4ever.livejournal.com]

I ♡ reading about your nature adventures. Wondering what is "field coma".

[luzula]

Field coma is when you are kind of tired and stupid and all you can think is "OMG I want to sleep under a roof and I want a hot shower and internet and a pizza".

[ride-4ever.livejournal.com]

Ah. I haven't seen that term before but I have seen quest!fic where RayK expresses similar sentiments. *g*