:: Monday, February 28, 2005 ::

Nor any drop to drink

Seasonal Njupeskär

A comparison of the Njupeskär waterfall in winter and summer - quite different!

Posted by: Rob in Sweden.

Yesterday I went to the Fulufjället national park here in Dalarna with some friends. We rented a car, and after a 3-hour, 235 km drive, we arrived at the park. It was a beautiful, sunny day the entire way there, but as soon as we got to the park, it started snowing heavily. We are a little concerned, but it turned out to be incredibly beautiful. We hiked 2 km to the park's most famous attraction, the Njupeskär waterfall, which at 93 meters, is Sweden's highest waterfall.

I'm sure it's very nice in the summer, but in the winter, when the entire waterfall is frozen, you can walk right up to the waterfall's base, which of course wouldn't be possible if the falls were in full flow. So it was quite cool, trudging through the snow, seeing the beautiful colors in the ice, and walking behind huge columns of ice.

More pictures can be seen at my photoblog.

After the waterfall, we planned to hike up to the ridges above the falls to see some lakes that are apparently quite beautiful. Unfortunately, my advanced age decided to change those plans, as my left leg developed simultaneous problems with both my groin muscle and a tendon on the outside of my knee, to the extent that every step was an adventure in pain. And not only that, but my right leg soon started to hurt, as I was favoring it instead of my left leg!

So my friends headed up the 3.5-km trail to the top while I stayed with the car. I got the last laugh, however, when they were unable to find the lakes after having hiked 2 or 3 km through thigh-high snow. They came back wet and snowy and tired, while I took advantage of the solitude for a nice nap in the car.

All in all, though, it was quite a fun trip, and I am glad that I did get to see and play around the waterfall before my leg gave out. Now I just have to figure out what the hell is wrong with it - it's not like I exercise too much, or anything!

Swedish word of the day: vattenfall, which means "waterfall"

:: posted by Rob 2:31 PM [+] ::

3 Comments:

I think the blue you find in frozen streams (and icebergs too) is one of the most beautiful colours on earth. As to your leg woes... Did you have your shoes on the right feet? Perhaps your leg is detatchable and you didn't reconnect it correctly (after you last had it serviced, I mean). Perhaps you strained it during an anaerobic workout at home: for instance while getting up from your chair to walk to the coffeemaker. Or perhaps you *are* just too old. Hehe. -- O.o

By  Anonymous, at 10:36 PM  

You're ignoring me aren't you? -- O.o

By  Anonymous, at 4:10 PM  

Am I? I wasn't aware your previous comment warranted a response. Since you seem to want one (or more), however:
1) Blue is cool.
2) Shoes were on the proper feet.
3) Leg is not detachable.
and 4) I don't walk to the coffeemaker - I drink instant coffee!! Ha-ha! Touche! :P

By  Rob, at 7:31 PM  

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