7th Day (14.8.22)

9:00 PM

I woke up on the couch of my Czech host. I was well-rested and started my morning routine. For the first time in a week, I was able to take a hot shower. I took care of my wounds and returned to the bedroom. I double-checked my bus connection and was horrified to find out that the bus was scheduled to leave at 12 PM instead of the usual 5 PM because it was Sunday. I quickly packed my things, thanked Kryštof, and hurried out of the house. I bought some food and then walked to the bus stop at St. Olav's Hospital.

At the bus stop, I asked a Colombian student if I was in the right place, and he confirmed that I was, and we had a brief conversation. He recommended that I visit Ålesund after my hike, as it is a picturesque city. I agreed to give it a try, and we boarded the bus. During the bus ride, we passed by numerous idyllic lakes, reflecting the images of the clouds like horizontal mirrors.

I got off at the 'Vinje Kirke' station and started walking towards the Fjordruta. After a few meters, I saw the picturesque fjord carving its way through the mountain gorges. It sparkled mysteriously between the red and white houses of Vinjeøra.

After a short while, I reached the starting point of the Fjordruta. I took out my hiking poles and started the ascent. The path was muddy and damp. It went through swamps and marshes up the mountain, and I had to be careful not to get my feet wet again. I first hiked through a small mixed forest, which slowly transformed into a barren, rocky mountain landscape. Every now and then, I stopped and admired the scenery. After about an hour and a half of climbing, I finally reached the ridge and looked in one direction to the valley with its many villages and in the other direction to a vast mountain plateau.

I walked along the mossy ridge, covered with heather, lichens, and grasses. Occasionally, pines and birches managed to emerge from the ground. After a short time, I reached my first destination for the day: a small mountain lake. At the foot of the lake was a small cabin with a red facade and white beams. Now, I had to find a suitable place to set up my camp. The shores were all covered in muddy moss, so I couldn't camp there. Eventually, I found a rock at the back end of the lake where the moss was dry.

I laid out my tarp and started setting up my hammock on the ground, as there were no trees. Once I was satisfied with my setup, I took off my sweaty clothes and went down the rock to the lake. I slowly sank into the refreshing water and started swimming with practiced arm movements. The lake was rocky and shallow, so I could still stand after swimming 50 meters. After fifteen minutes, I stepped back onto the shore, dried myself off a bit, and lay naked in the sun. I felt my body slowly warming up again and looked at the deep blue sky interrupted by only a few clouds.

Once I had enough relaxation, I cooked myself dinner, washed up, and enjoyed the sunset. The sun slowly approached a rock behind the lake, illuminating the thread-like clouds that adorned the sky like rough brushstrokes. After a while, I lay in my hammock and read for a bit. Here I am, lying down and writing.