5 day kayak trip in the Stockholm Archipelago
This was a tent trip but should have been a hammock trip. I could not find a lot of info about the area while planning this trip and I was afraid that I would have problems finding places to hang. Knowing what I know now, I would strongly suggest a hammock over a tent since the ground is very rocky but also covered in great hammock trees. So maybe this report will help a future hammock person in the future.
I'll post a couple photos here, but there is a lot more trip planning details on my blog if anyone wants that kind of info (I don't get any money from the blog, it is just easier to write a trip report vs forums) http://backpackandbeer.blogspot.com/...chipelago.html
5/28 - 6/1/18 (4 nights)
Day 1: 6.5 miles
Day 2: 9.5 miles
Day 3: 7 miles
Day 4: 12.5 miles
Day 5: 7 miles
Total = approximately 40 - 45 miles
In general, I paddled about 6 hours a day. I was very happy to find places to walk when I was done paddling for the day. I would suggest avoiding camping on the truly small islands unless you are very happy just sitting with a book. I'm a very happy reader, but I also get a little stir crazy if I sit too long, having rocks to climb on or a path to hike was very nice each night.
Something else to consider, the sun rises around 4:30 am and sets around 10 pm in early June. You could easily paddle early in the morning before the wind picks up, take a long lunch break and then paddle in the late afternoon. Even when the sun sets, it is not really dark. I only used my headlamp to read, so it would be easy to be setting up camp at 10 pm.
Overview map, Stockholm is off the map to the left
The first day I had about a one mile walk to the bus station in Stockholm and then about an hour ride, followed by a 3km road walk to get to the kayak rental place. The weather was nice so it just felt like an easy hike. I got to the kayak place about 1pm and found out that they did not sell denatured alcohol for my catfood stove, must have been the other kayak place that mentioned it on the website. The lady in charge was nice and set me up with a gas stove so I was able to heat water for breakfast/dinner. I filled my water bottles and loaded up the kayak and away I went.
I headed basically north across the main channel directly into the wind. It was strong enough that waves were breaking across the bow and for a little bit I wished I had rigged the spray skirt. the paddling got a lot easier once I got out of the channel and into the shelter of some islands. I was very glad to not have to dodge any large ferries or other boats as I was crossing the channel.
I weaved my way through the smaller islands near Gallno with no real destination in mind.
I took a couple rest breaks
I even got a short hike in
And finally found a flat spot near a privy to set up my tent that should have been a hammock
The next day I ran into some local wildlife near my campsite
I also got a spectacular sunset
The next day I did a little hiking near the very tiny town of Berg, the old church was nice
then more paddling and finally a very windy campsite with views to the east, no sunset but still nice
I got lucky for my last night and pitched my tent on my own private beach (there were tons of places on this island I could have hung a hammock, but no where else for a tent, I was lucky to stumble across the beach since I was very ready to be done paddling).
This photo is pretty representative of the Stockholm Archipelago, lots of trees to hang from and not a lot of places to set up a tent. Next time bring a hammock
There are a lot more photos and details on my blog if you are interested and apologies for the scary photos of the tent, hopefully someone else can learn from my experience
http://backpackandbeer.blogspot.com/...chipelago.html
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Originally Posted by ofuros
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