Wednesday 4th February: a lot of snow and a closed road, now what?

Sørkjosen - Narvik: 310km

Todays destination was Riksgränsen, just over the Swedish border. The last stop before Jokkmokk where both raid groups will meet.

After yesterday we learned that it’s not strange for roads to be closed because of the weather and as weather is still not to good we checked the websites. The road over the border and to the hotel was indeed closed, but according to the website it would be open at for. So the plan was to make sure to be there at that time.

But first breakfast and digging out the cars.

After we packed the car we hit the road. Weather at that time was already cloudy so we couldn’t see much of the normally great views on this famous road. Nevertheless it was still impressive. Specially the icicles hanging from the rocks aside the road. 

Icicles

Frozen mountains 

Between the clouds and snowstorms we managed to see some of the surroundings. 




But view was mostly white. At a certain moment Tanguy had to do his private this so we stopped on a parking along the way. There was a Samishop as well so I finally got my birthday present, new wollen Sami soks. The ones I got in 2016 were al worn down, so time for new ones. 

When we came out of the shop an army convoy parked in front of our cars, naturally we had to take some pictures. 

After this mice unexpected intermezzo we drove of. Along the way we saw more army convoy’s, we think that there was a army settlement over there.

We followed our way on the E6, a very busy mainroad. We had a truck on our tail for a while untill he found it enough and passed us.

 

We survived, a truck always leaves a big cloud of snow dust behind it so you can’t see anything for a few seconds. Just hope the road goes straight.

Last part to the gate it became dark already, but it stopped snowing so hard. 

When we came at the gate of the road to Sweden it was still closed. We lined up with other trucks and cars to wait until the road would open at four. And then four became six, and then half past eight and then it was clear it wouldn’t open anymore today.

For a moment we thought the road would open

But no, so we waited for over for hours.

When it became clear that the road would stay closed we decided to find a place to stay overnight and think what to do tomorrow. Fife teams ended up in a lovely B&B, three other teams found a hotel in Narvik.

Getting up the road at the B&B was another challenge. It was a steep and very icy road to the house. The Belgium Akadiane and the 4WD 2cv did a good jobs. The other normal 2CV’s got up with a run-up or snow chains. We didn’t manage on our own, and were to lazy to put the chains on. So after three tries the 4WD gave us a tow.

Al in front of the house

First we had the save arrival drink and then the team from The Swiss, Capricorn meets Reindeer cooked us diner with the supplies the owner provided.

It was delicious after this long day.

We ended the day deciding what to do tomorrow. We made a few calls with some locals we know, asked the owner some device and decided mot to take the risk of getting stuck for a clossed road again, but instead take the d-tour north, almost twice as long, and get a very early start so that we will still be in Jokkmokk on time.

But before we could turn into our beds e found out that other guests parked their big electric automatic behind our cars and blocked our way. So we asked the guy to park it somewhere else, and guess what..... he got terribly stuck. Gertjan took over the steeringwheel and we showed some good team effort to puss the 1800 kilo car back on the road and park it on the beginning of the way up and out of our way in the morning. 

And finally we went to bed with the alarm set on 4:00 hours 🙈

  

Tuesday 4th February: almost to te north cape and just in time at the hotel

Honningsvåg- almost the Northcape- Sørkjosen: 431 extreme km

Today we planned to visite the Northcape with the 11:00 hour convoy. We already knew their was a  change the gate would not open after yesterday’s bad weather and today’s predictions, but we refused to not give it a try. So around 9 everybody started waking up their cars and we went on our way to the most northern part of Europe.

It snowed a bit last night so we had to clean the cars from the snow. And then it started to hail also.

But we got on the move, came a long way and almost made it. Weather was pretty bad and a hard wind was blowing over the Artic toendra, the road was slippery and going up. All the perfect conditions for an Extreme ride. We were going pretty good until that one hill, we didn’t made it up. So I put my spikes under my shoes and got out of the car. Icy wind was blowing hard, but we had to get the car moving again, so I pushed until it was going up by itself again. And then I walked after it until Tanguy found a place save to let me back in without getting stuck again. While I was walking up after the car a small avalanche came down. Luckily it was small and I was save but it made me realize how fragile I was walking their in this harsh but beautiful part of the world.

I reached the car safely and Tanguy and me put on the snow chains on. When I was safe back in the car, Gert-jan phoned us that he spoke to the snowplow man and their was no way anybody was going up the northcape today. So we turned around and started the trip to today’s hotel in Sørkjosen. 

first part of the way back was amazing, sun shining hard wind blowing and beautiful scenery, 😊 

 

In the first tunnel we stopped to take the chains of.

We after the tunnel we found a nice spot for a coffee and toilet break on the way.

Toilet 🤔

After the break we drove on, enjoying all the beautiful tings we saw outside. Wind was blowing prettyhard and the road was a bit slippery, but nothing we couldn’t handle.

We had some petrol for the cars and sausages for ourself before turning up the Artic Highway, E6.

Some say it is part of worlds most dangerous roads, but it is also one of world’s most beautiful roads. It just depends on who you ask.

And then it got dark and weather turned, the wind started blowing even harder and it started snowing hard. We could see much so driving was very challenging, but also gave a great kick.

It is so hard to capture the weather on a goto, but believe me, it wad bad. Snow was falling so hard that their were jo tracks left to follow. I had google

maps opened to instruct Tanguy were the curves were because he couldn’t see the road at all.

But we made it save to the hotel just to find out the road was closed right behind us. Three teams were stuck behind the barrier and didn’t make it to the hotel. 

Picture made by one of the teams.

Luckily they found a place to spent the night, and saw the northern lights!!!

We enjoyed a nice diner in the boring hotel and went to bed without seeing Borealis.

Local fish specialty for Tanguy

Salted lamb for me.

After dinner we had the drivers meeting and the save arrival drink. We new the other three teams were save so we could say Hölökynkölökyn. Tomorrow we see how it goes with the road and weather and decide how to react. 

But first a good night sleep.