Setting Off into the Night

In the late afternoon, under the glow of my headlamp, I set off on my winter camping trip, a stormy winter adventure in Oviksfjällen.

It was a beautiful evening as I started skiing from Arådalen towards Dörrsjöarna. The journey began with a decent climb up the ridge between the fells Hundshögen and Lillfjället. When I reached the top, I was rewarded with a stunning view of the lights from all the villages around Storsjöbygden. After the climb, I enjoyed some nice downhill slopes toward Dörrsjöarna. However, my pulk caught a bad edge and tumbled over, but luckily, everything remained intact and I didn’t fall.

Stormy Winter adventure at Dörrsjöarna in Oviksfjällen

I found a nice campsite by the frozen lakes at Dörrsjöarna. After pitching my tent, I boiled some water for a late dinner—just some simple noodles. I enjoyed my time in the tent, but exhaustion quickly set in, and I fell asleep almost immediately.

A Stormy Morning

During the early morning hours, I noticed the wind picking up slightly, but I fell asleep again. Just before sunrise, as I had breakfast and sipped on warm chocolate, the wind suddenly grew much stronger. I stepped outside to check my guy lines and assess the weather. In the distance, I could see a thick mist rolling through the valley. Before long, I was completely engulfed in it.

Planning the Next Move

With thick mist and strong winds, I began to question my next move. Retracing my steps was impossible, as it would mean crossing the exposed mountain ridge. Skiing down toward the woodland would be a much longer route, but ultimately, it seemed like the safest option.

When the mist lifted slightly, I decided to follow the valley toward the small lake Visjön.

Breaking Camp and Moving On

I packed up my gear, making sure nothing blew away in the powerful wind gusts.

Challenging Conditions on the Frozen Lake

Dörrsjöarna looked vastly different from how many experience them in summer. In warmer months, hikers often visit for a refreshing swim, but today, snow drifted across the frozen surface. I angled the steel edges of my skis against the bare ice for better grip. Several times, the wind caught my pulk and pulled it sideways, even though it was anchored with steel shafts.

A Terrifying but Beautiful Experience

Barren, majestic fells rose steeply on either side of me. Their peaks were shrouded in dark, foreboding clouds and mist. From time to time, sunlight shimmered through the gloom. The beauty of the scene was both awe-inspiring and intimidating. I wanted to keep moving, fearing the wind might knock me over. The temperature was around -10°C, with wind speeds of about 15 m/s, making it feel closer to -20°C.

Despite the harsh conditions, I couldn’t resist stopping to set up my tripod. I framed a shot using a crack in the ice as a leading line, with a dark, foreboding mountain in the background. To the left, another mountain was illuminated by a warm glimmer of sunlight—a striking contrast between cold and warmth. In hindsight, I wish I had also captured the old weather-beaten barn. It would have made a fantastic foreground element in front of Hundshögen, but perhaps another time.

Finding Shelter

As I ventured deeper into the valley, the mountain Hundshögen provided some relief from the wind. I took a quick break, refueling with a warm chocolate drink and energy bars. Visibility was good enough to navigate pretty easily toward Visjön.

Reaching the Emergency Shelter at Visjön

Finally, I arrived at the lake Visjön and spotted the emergency shelter. I was relieved to have made it, especially after questioning whether it would be possible. I melted some snow, prepared lunch, and devoured a lot of snacks, replenishing my energy for the next leg of my journey.

Reenergized and Ready to Continue

After some rest, I set off toward Arådalen again. I knew there would be beautiful mountain birches along the way, and I wanted to capture them in the atmospheric weather.

A Haven of Crooked Mountain Birches

As I descended into the birch woodland, I was amazed by the twisted, wind-shaped trees—sculpted by decades of harsh conditions.

A Calm Campsite in the Birch Forest

That night, I found a peaceful campsite among the incredible birch trees. When I looked out through my tent’s ventilation window, I saw a beautifully gnarled birch just outside. After such a stormy day, the calm was a welcome change.

A Beautiful Morning

The final morning of my winter camping trip in Oviksfjällen was breathtaking. I took a short ski tour up the fells as the sun rose over Hundshögen. The weather was perfect—clear skies and no wind—a wonderful way to end the trip.

Reflections on the Trip

This winter camping trip to Dörrsjöarna and around Hundshögen was an unforgettable experience. It provided valuable lessons in handling strong winds and challenging conditions, and I managed to capture some portfolio-worthy photographs. A truly satisfying adventure.

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If you want to stay comfortable in very cozy cabins I really recommend Galå Fjällgård.