DAY 6 Act: There was never a better bridge

My dream was not so quiet. I don’t know what it is, but in new places I always sleep badly. It doesn’t matter if it’s a beautiful hotel room or my friend’s place. But there is an investigation that supports it: the first nights in a new place where we often sleep lighter because we are unconsciously on alert in an unknown environment.

Wildlife while in bathroom

Anyway, first bathing business. The ikkattoq cabin has an adequate shovel, which is good since the ground here is difficult! I take my big shovel and go outside. There are many signs in the cabin about where to go to the bathroom, not get out of garbage, toilet paper, etc. Stinks that I still need to tell people. Surely everyone who is here loves nature and does not want to spoil it … but clearly not.

While I am on snoop on my well fallen hole, I see the movement. An Arctic hare! I am not superstitious, but seeing an animal in nature always points a good day ahead for me. I love to detect wildlife.

I feel for a while (it is accelerating) watching the hare, trying to get a little closer to some photos. It doesn’t seem upset by me. All that cares is to find the next tasty grass blade. It is pleasant and round (the hare), clearly stored for winter 😊.

After having a time, I begin to cool (it is still windy) and return to the cabin. Breakfast and pack.

Ikkattoq hut, beautiful stage

New route and the best bridge of all time

The terrain begins as more of the same. That is not a bad thing. Arctic nature is beautiful. But today is the day I will go to a valley where «the crossroads» of the act is located. People write online how high the water was, how dangerous it seemed. But there is also a bridge … So I’m not sure why people even try to cross. To be fair, the old bridge was damaged last winter, but a new one was presented at the beginning of July, so it was not worried.

View of the Valley with the iTinneq river

But first, the downhill until now and a few miles through the swampy terrain. Nothing here!

The new bridge is in a different place than before. On the Act website they shared the Rediseja GPX track. It is marked, although something scarcely. And since the Reloute is so new, I hardly see any path. At this point, people still walk from score to score, finding their own route in the middle. Over time, there will be a visible path, and we will not be trampled everywhere.

Trail marker to New Bridge on the iTinneq river.

The only place where I see signs of life is in the mud plans: Footprints! I guess this area must be covered with water or snow sometimes. For now, it’s just hard mud. Until I approach the river, where it becomes a slip and a slide.

Apartments before the path of paths to New Bridge on the iTinneq river

I get to the bridge. It is a very beautiful bridge. Or as some would say:

«It is the best bridge. Everyone says it. Strong, beautiful and incredible views: people cross it and cannot believe it. Other countries have no bridges like this. Weak bridges, failed bridges, but ours? Ours is tremendous, really the best. Believe me.»

Iinneq river bridge

After the beautiful bridge, I upload the mountain again towards the Eqalugaarniarfik cabin (try to say that three times fast). I am running a little under water (I should have filled in the best bridge). But as I must be at least 800 feet away, I can’t bother to return. And in less than two miles I will be in a cabin, and the cabins usually have water sources.

Equalgaarniarfik hut

Where is the water?

And yes, the Eqalugaarniarfik cabin has water sources, although there is a fun debate about the paper on where exactly. The choice seems to be between elevation and distance. I go to the elevation, since the other option seems far away (some even wrote that they went to the Fjord, which is salty!). I’m glad they have shared their mistakes, so I don’t have to do it.

The elevation was the correct choice: the water comes from a spring and is cold and tasty. Full all my bottles. Usually, on the way with 2 × 17 OZ bottles (2x 500 ml) and 22 × 34 oz bags (2x 1L). The bags are mainly for the camp. All full, back to the cabin that I upload. Once inside, I make lunch. But first I open the windows: someone spilled a lot of fuel a few days ago, and you can still smell it. They have also written in the Hut book that you must convey before lighting your stove. I could cook outside, but there is a swarm of mosquitoes waiting at the door.

Water guide from the hut of equalvaarniarfik.

In front of the cabin there are a lot of skins and reindeer bones. They do not smell very well and do not enjoy the view. So, on the other hand, I take risks. I write my entrance to the Book of the Cabaña and I see that my Danish friend Martin was here the night before. He is the type of the army with the entire heavy and resistant team, but it turns out that he had not had this good weather, his arms burned a lot. I love to read about people’s path, much more fun (not saying that a solar burn is fun!), That simply «good cabin!» (although it is a good cabin).

Garmin’s failure made me go north

Once replenished, back to the mountain that I go. Just after this cabin is the detour for the Southern Trail. When I was planning the trip, I wanted to make the southern route if the conditions were correct. It is more remote, mostly unmarked, and navigate through «trusted markers.» But my Inreach has been acting, so I do not feel comfortable with a single stretch even more remote. And since I already experienced a «path without a trail» on the Kanggerusuaq Ridge path, I keep the Northern Route.

The Arctic Circle Trail is all the views.

Once higher, there is a great view of a lake with a beach that surrounds it. It is a shame that the path does not happen, I have not seen another lake like this!

At this time they are after 5 pm and I would like to go further, although I know that finding a pleasant protected place could be complicated.

Nienke home dinner

I continue for another hour. I find a protected area, but is covered with woody low bushes (dwarf birch). It is not good for camping. Then, I continue to another great lake with a long shore section. And here, as I achieve it, a beautiful flat place! Clearly a regular camp. I don’t care about that, keep the damage limited and is convenient. It makes less wind here than expected. So, throw my store, look for water and start dinner.

The routine is like this:

• Eat snacks
• Boil water for dehydrated foods while eating snacks
• Boil water for hot chocolate while food rehydrates (and eat snacks)
• Baby hot chocolate and eat snacks
• Have dinner
• Boil water for tea and eat snacks
• Drink tea and eat snacks

Unfortunately, I see that I packed many meals but not enough snacks. Now I have to ration. A sad and sad situation.

The day ends with reading, a last bath trip and cavando my hole in the morning (that sounds very bad). I reflect on the fact that I did not meet a single person today. It is the «high season of hiking», so it feels quite special.

The sun shines, the mask continues and I am happy to be sleeping once again in my own room.

Another beautiful place for the night.