SUMMIT HIKE TO SYLARNA
After doing several day hikes in Åre over the past few years, we decided at the start of the year to take on a longer hike in the fall. Once again, we aimed for the the Jämtland Triangle, but this time with tents and our own food. On Wednesday evening, we boarded the night train to Åre, which took us to Enafors, where we then transferred to a bus to reach Storulvån.
The hike to Sylarna was really enjoyable, and we found a great camping spot a bit up towards the Syl massif. Halfway there, we stopped for a break and enjoyed some noodles. The weather was decent with a few sun glimpses, giving us the energy to keep going.
The next morning, the mountain peaks were shrouded in thick fog, and at first, we were a bit hesitant about whether it would be worth hiking up. However, according to the weather forecast, the fog was supposed to lift after lunch, so we decided to give it a go. And luckily, we did—because once we’d gone a little way, the landscape unfolded before us, revealing a stunning view. The fog added a mystical touch to the hike, and the colors were as subtle as the vegetation around us.
Soon, the trails faded away, and for the rest of the day, we navigated with the help of our map. After about an hour, we reached a traverse on our way up towards Storsylen. To the left, the steep drop led down to the Syl Glacier, while the right side was lined with sharp, jagged rocks. It was a tricky section, requiring careful steps. The traverse was exhilarating, and as we made our way upward, the climb toward the summit became even more thrilling.
Once we had crossed the traverse, it was time for lunch. I opted for a delicious freeze-dried Pasta Bolognese. ;) Thankfully, the winds were light that day, allowing us to enjoy a peaceful and much-needed break before continuing our hike.
Soon, we were on our way again, and the mist thickened once more. The terrain became steeper, and before long, we crossed into Norway. Interestingly, the summit of Storsylen is just a few hundred meters inside Norway's borders!
At last, we reached the summit of Storsylen, standing at 1,762 meters above sea level. It was an incredible feeling, even though we could only see about a hundred meters ahead. But just as we turned to head back, the clouds parted, and we finally got a glimpse of the vast landscape around us. The view was breathtaking! What an incredible stroke of luck that the clouds cleared exactly when we reached the top!
We then continued towards the next peak, Lillsylen. The path grew even more rugged and rocky, and along the way, we encountered another traverse. What started as an easy stretch soon became steeper and more challenging as we made our way up towards the summit.
The path to the summit wasn’t entirely straightforward, but after some careful maneuvering, we finally made our way up on one side of the traverse. With slightly shaky legs, we reached Lillsylen at 1,702 meters. By then, the fog had cleared a bit, allowing us to take in the breathtaking views.
The final stretch down from Lillsylen was fairly straightforward, and as we reached our camp, the sun broke through once more. It was a day in Sylarna we’ll never forget. After a windy night, we woke up to a blazing sun and continued our trek toward Blåhammaren. Two days later, we arrived back at the Storulvåns mountain station, where we wrapped up the Jämtland Triangle with a well-deserved sauna!
