Paul, Robe and me arrived August 1st in Gothenburg at around 11 pm. It was a rather quite saturday night we spent at a small hotel near the train station. The next morning we had to get up early to catch the train which would take us to the actual Bohusleden path we wanted to start the hike at. So we got off the train at Svarteborg where our route for the next seven days would start and lead us back to Gothenburg. As we thought at first…
THE FIRST OBSTACLE
Upon the arrival in Sweden we all met in order to discuss what would be needed during our one week trip into the wild. It was clear to us that each of us would need to carry much weight such as food, gear, clothes and sleeping utensils. All together we ended up carrying around 28 kg each! Although we had the best backpacks there are, it was a great effort to carry them on ones shoulders on such a route as the Bohusleden.
Every step we took made us wish the next stop would be just around the next hill or river. Since we had to reach certain points where we would have a river or a lake (it is crucial not to reach the marked point because otherwise you wont have water for the dinner and the next morning as well as the first part of the upcoming walk to the next source of water) many stopovers could not be made.
NO HIKE WITHOUT INJURIES
Just as we thought that we got used to the weights on our shoulders, the hot sun and the pain in literally every muscle I fell into a gap between two rocks while jumping from one to another. I barely could hold myself and the additional 28 kg within my backpack against the walls of the two rocks. Paul rushed to the spot I fell and climbed down to help me. He went about one meter deeper into the gap so that I could use his shoulders as a ladder. After I got out of the gap Paul reached his arm towards mine to climb out. That moment he twisted his ankle badly.
Paul walked the next 12 km through the pain in his ankle. When we finally arrived at the stop for the night we hoped that the Voltaren creme we applied on the injured spot and the stabilizing bandage would help. Unfortunately the next morning we had to admit that it wouldnt be possible for Paul to continue the hike. We had to get him to a hospital as soon as possible. So I took his backpack and Robe helped him walk. It was a rough moment since we had to walk about three hours to get out of the forest and reach civilization.
ONE GONE – TWO LEFT
The doc at the hospital just told us what we already knew. Paul had to fly back. We were more than 150 km away from Gothenburg and only four hours left until the last fly. Online we booked the flight ticket and went as fast as possible to the next train station to get the train to Gothenburg. We arrived there 50 minutes before the flight.
It was a sad moment to see our companion walk away. But at the same time it motivated us to finish the hike in the name of the three of us. So we did…
Cheers
Max
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