Mattias and Robert won the 24 hours mountain rogaining by taking 25 of the 33 checkpoints, meaning 50 points (each check point is worth different points depending on location and altitude). The race started 2 pm on Friday and the maximum time was 24 hours. Mattias and Robert’s plan was to take 29 checkpoints and finish 12:54 the day after. We ran according to the planned schedule for the first 7 checkpoints. After that we reached steep downhills which took much longer than estimated.
On our way to the second checkpoint located 900 m a.s.l. Photo: Mattias Nyström
The weather was clear and sunny which made the navigation rather easy. At this time of the year in Hemavan, the sun goes down only for three hours. During these three hours there is still light, so the head lamp is only needed to read the map.
Sunset with Norwegian mountains in the backgorund. Photo: Mattias Nyström.
After the taking the checkpoint on the northern Syter mountain, we decided to revise our planned route. We reached the night camp 6:30 am and here they served hot blue berry soup and Bullens hot dogs. Yummy! It was great to eat something hot after 16 hours of cold drinks and food.
On our way to the tent camp. Photo: Hemavan 24
The planned route back from the night camp contained several checkpoints on lower altitude (~900 m). The lower altitude also means more bush (Salix)… Therefore we had to skip a few checkpoints from our planned route.
We reached the finish line 12:48 pm happy and tired. We knew that we had taken many points (50 out of 62), but we could not be sure that we had won before everyone had reached the finish line (14:o0 pm). After all teams had reached the finish line, we were still in the top!
We’re always eating… Photo: Mattias Nyström