The Hike That Changed Everything
Wild and Windy Walking with Fjällräven
12 years ago, me and Emma had recently come back from a hike in the Swedish wilderness that changed almost everything.
We were young and it was right at the start of our journey as outdoors people. The idea of the northern wilderness captivated our imaginations, it held the allure of a life lived more adventurously, rugged and raw. Our skill level however, was more South Downs Way than Arctic Circle. Stumbling upon an article about the Fjällräven Classic in Sweden was a breakthrough moment - a way to experience the vastness of the far north but with the added safety and support of hiking with others.
We booked frantically on the morning tickets became available and spent the next 8 months slowly preparing for our hike; acquiring kit; learning to read a map and use a compass. That year we also moved to the woods, and got married. It was a big year.
Finally the time came. We hiked for 5 days, over 110km, carrying our own gear, camping wherever we liked, drinking icy water from fast flowing streams, exploring vast landscapes, the scale of which we had never seen before, sharing the land with reindeer, moose, bears and wolves. We had never felt so free, nor so wild. Suddenly everything made sense. This was who we were, and this was what mattered to us.
That trip marked a turning point, timed perfectly with our recent move to the woods, we knew we needed to find a way to make Nature central to what we did. Slowly at first, but with steady momentum we began to build our love of the outdoors, and our desire to share it with others, into our work.
From our trip to Sweden in 2011
Fast forward to 2023 and I find myself out with a team from Fjällräven helping to test out a route for a similar event here in the UK. It’s not like I need validation, but in a way being invited on stuff like this does validate how far we’ve come on our journey.
It’s funny how things work out isn’t it? I’m struck by the thought that you never know which of the myriad decisions you make are going to be the ones that impact your life the most. Perhaps it’s best not to dwell on it, it’s hard enough making decisions as it is.
Validation aside, it was a joy to be out in the mountains for a few days. It was the first time I’d walked back to back long days for a while; I’d forgotten just how good it feels to head off down the trail with nothing but the bare essentials in your pack and your wits about you. The days were long, roughly 20km each with steep climbs and descents and the weather mostly brutal. Streams became torrents, the water frothing and churning, white like milk. Waterfalls were blown into reverse gear, plumes of heavy spray thrown upwards by violent gusts. Feet were sore and legs ached. Howling winds for the duration and frequent heavy showers made for tough going at times, but to feel the full force of Nature, ferocious, raw and uncompromising is a salve for the spirit, any rust acquired during bouts of monotony quickly washed away.
Good company makes it much easier to enjoy harsh conditions - I was thankful to be hiking with a few familiar faces, as well as some new ones who all seem to relish in the wildness of Nature. I was glad too that I wasn't the only one with aching legs and sore feet. I’m always interested to talk to other people who make a living from spending time outside, how they make it work and how they ended up on the path they find themselves on now. A love for Nature and a willingness to take a few risks along the way are always common themes and ones I can deeply relate to.
I remember coming back from Sweden and finding it hard to fit back in to the rhythm of daily life again. Even on short trips like this one, the same can be true. That said, it was good to take off wet boots and be at home with Emma and Benji again.
It’s hard to put myself back to those early days, to remember what it felt like to be a total beginner, about to unwittingly embark on a journey of self-discovery in the arctic circle. Both me and Emma have come a long way since then, but we still look forward to our trips, treks and even short walks in the woods and valleys with the same sense of adventure that we did back then. A lot has changed, we have grown, expanded our knowledge, we have a different relationship with Nature and the outdoors now, but the one constant has always been the joy we feel when we are immersed in Nature.
It’s impossible to know exactly where we’re headed, or which decisions we make are going to affect us further down the line, but with the idea of spending as much time in Nature as possible as our guiding star I don’t think we’ll go far wrong.
With thanks to Fjällräven for a lovely few days in the hills with good company and good memories made.