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The never-ending rain persists. I am currently located in a valley near the towering Kebnekaise mountain in Lapland, somewhere along the Kungsleden Trail (exact location unknown). My feet are sore from being inside my hiking boots, my back is in pain from carrying a 15kg pack through the rocky terrain, and the cold is gradually penetrating through my clothing layers.
The calmness is even more noticeable than any unease. The fog gently covers the valley in the soft light of the early evening, as long-tailed skuas fly low past our camp. Only a few moments ago, a group of wild reindeer leisurely strolled along the ridge.
The serene atmosphere of this place may stem from the raw and captivating landscape of the Scandinavian wilderness. It could also be due to its remote location, with the nearest road being 50km away. Or, it could simply be because I haven’t checked my phone in the past 72 hours.
The aim of the Fjällräven Classic is to embrace simplicity, set your own pace, and rediscover yourself, your loved ones, and the natural world.
I couldn’t have chosen a more opportune moment for my journey into the wilderness. During a Zoom meeting on the Monday before my trip to Sweden, I received an iPhone notification revealing a 25% increase in my screen time. While keeping one eye on my MacBook screen and the other on my phone, I discovered that I had been spending an average of six hours and 25 minutes per day on my devices over the past week.
I was confident that I did not have an issue. TikTok was confusing, my Facebook account had been locked since around 2017, and I still hadn’t figured out how to use Apple Pay. However, I began to feel like I may have succumbed to the phone addiction that is constantly warned about – constantly seeking the rush of dopamine from Instagram likes, nervously checking my Slack, and mindlessly scrolling through news apps.
Learn more about hiking and trekking:
I made the decision to go completely without my phone. I was going on a five-day backpacking trip and I would not bring my phone with me.
During my hike, I realized that there was no cell phone service for most of the trail. This meant that I had to accept a digital detox whether I liked it or not. I was participating in the Fjällräven Classic, a guided trek that allows backpackers to safely and comfortably experience the outdoors. This trek is unique in Europe as it is only accessible by foot; once you begin, there is no way to turn back unless you want to be rescued by helicopter.
I activated my ‘out of office’ notification, changed my status to ‘away’, familiarized myself with a traditional camera, and ended my 907-day Duolingo streak. After five days of hiking and four nights of camping, here are my takeaways.
Exchanging an iPhone for a camera: the intention was to capture fewer, but higher quality photographs.
Smartphones are actually pretty great
Prior to the hike, I had perused countless statistics, research studies, and personal stories about the negative impact of smartphones. These small gadgets are said to manipulate our thoughts and lead us into a never-ending cycle of distraction, ultimately isolating us from genuine human interaction. However, this journey allowed me to reflect on my own usage of my smartphone.
Usually when I go hiking, I use my phone to select the trails, have the electronic map with me, and – possibly the most crucial aspect – I am aware that (if there is reception) I can request assistance. While traveling, I can easily reserve a hotel through an app, communicate with my friends through WhatsApp, and video call my family from hotel rooms in different countries. Instead of trapping me in a virtual bubble, I frequently appreciate technology for allowing me to stay connected and discover new places.
The vast majority of The Kungsleden Trail between Nikkaluokta and Abisko has no phone service
Among the other hikers in my group, I was joined by Sebastian Slovin, founder of Nature Unplugged, an organisation that works to inspire wellness in the digital age – essentially getting us off our phones. And surprisingly for a man who has dedicated his career to helping us unplug from our digital lives, he agreed with me that technology is a blessing.
However, Sebastian made it apparent that we are not utilizing it correctly. For our technology usage to be advantageous, it must be deliberate. And in this aspect, I believe he may have a valid point.
They pose more issues than I had originally thought.
The statistics I mentioned are quite alarming. In the midst of our busy lives, we may not realize that we check our phones 150 times a day or that our sleep is disrupted to the point of negatively affecting our mental and physical well-being. However, when we consciously leave our phones behind and catch ourselves unconsciously reaching for them, it becomes apparent.
During our journey on the trail, Sebastian mentioned to me that being constantly connected to our devices can result in stress, exhaustion, and burnout. He also pointed out that there has been a rise in feelings of isolation, loneliness, depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide due to this constant connection.
Sebastian emphasized the importance of being intentional with our use of technology, stating that we should be the ones in control of our devices rather than them controlling us. He emphasized that by using technology with intention, we can utilize it as a tool to improve our lives. However, without intention, we can easily get sucked into a never-ending cycle of notifications, news, emails, and social media likes that can dominate our lives.
Sebastian Slovin has been dedicated to assisting individuals in disconnecting from their technological dependencies.
The summoning of nature’s untamed spirit.
Fortunately, not all hope is lost. By immersing oneself in the great outdoors, one can learn firsthand how nature can alleviate stress and soothe an anxious mind. As Sebastain shared with me, it is the ideal remedy for excessive technology use. According to him, even just a brief time spent in nature can increase positive feelings and decrease blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels.
Initially, the cold, dampness, and my aching feet were the main things that kept me from realizing I didn’t have my phone. However, as I continued down the trail, sleeping with the natural light and knowing that everything I needed was on my back, I found comfort in the repetitive rhythm. The landscape was just as rugged and isolated as one would imagine above the Arctic Circle, with the path weaving through birch trees, alongside lakes, across open plains, and beneath snow-covered mountains.
Living without a phone while in London could be frustrating, but while camping in lush valleys, taking dips in chilly lakes, and preparing meals under the starry night sky, it was a welcome respite.
In the northern region of Lapland, reindeer freely wander throughout the valley.
Interpersonal relationships are more valuable than connections through Whatsapp.
When you engage in activities such as eating, sleeping, hiking, cooking, setting up tents, tending to blistered feet, and fixing broken poles with a group of individuals, a strong bond is formed. These connections would likely develop regardless, but not having a phone can make one realize how valuable they truly are.
During my breaks, instead of mindlessly scrolling through Instagram or responding to WhatsApp messages, I would engage in conversations with my hiking group. I believe I learned more Spanish by listening to the Chilean and Brazilian hikers discuss former president Bolsanero on the trail, rather than just practicing on Duolingo. Plus, I’m confident that my backpack felt more comfortable when one of my fellow hikers adjusted it properly on my back, rather than if I had searched for instructions on how to do it.
Sebastian concurred that there is something special about being surrounded by nature and engaging in face-to-face conversations with others. He believes this is because humans have been doing so since the beginning of their existence, and only in recent times have we become more fixated on screens rather than our surroundings and the company of others.
The last stop before reaching the end of Abisko’s trail.
I have been back from my trip to Sweden for a couple of months now. Despite trying to disconnect, my bedroom is not completely free of technology as I still sleep with my phone next to me. It’s also the first thing I check in the morning. I have a habit of mindlessly scrolling through Instagram and I admit, I check it way too frequently throughout the day.
If nature can serve as a remedy, I am willing to face the danger – and schedule my next hiking trip in the near future.
The Kungsleden Trail
The King’s Trail, also known as the Kungsleden Trail, stretches over 400 kilometers from Hemavan to Abisko in the northern region of Sweden. We hiked the most well-known portion of the trail, between Nikkaluokta and Abisko. The terrain is mostly flat with rocky areas, and the highest point at Tjäktja Pass reaches 1,150 meters above sea level, which is doable for those with moderate fitness levels. With a daily distance of 20-25 kilometers, this section of the trail can be completed in approximately four and a half days. However, if you wish to take a detour and climb to the summit of Kebnekaise, you may need an additional day.
The Kungsleden Trail consists of a combination of rocky trails and wooden walkways to traverse wet terrain.
How to reach that location.
Kiruna airport is the top choice for reaching the Kungsleden Trail. If you’re traveling from the UK, your best option is likely to go through Stockholm. This city is well-connected by popular airlines such as British Airways, Ryanair, Norwegian, and Scandinavian Airlines. The direct flight from London takes approximately two and a half hours. However, if you’re coming from Edinburgh or Manchester, you will need to make a stop. Additionally, regular flights depart from Oslo and Copenhagen to Kiruna airport. Scandinavian Airlines offers a flight from Stockholm to Kiruna with a duration of about one hour and forty minutes.
There are transportation options to Nikkaluokta and Abisko from Kiruna airport, but it would be wise to spend a night in Kiruna city before starting the trail. Buses regularly travel to Nikkaluokta and Abisko, with a travel time of 1-1.5 hours and a cost of SEK499 (£38).
Where to stay
Hotel Arctic Eden
There are many choices for where to stay in Kiruna, such as hotels and Airbnb rentals. Hotel Arctic Eden is a suitable option for one or two nights. While the food may not be exceptional, the rooms are cozy and conveniently located near a bus stop where you can take a bus to Nikkaluokta to begin the trail.
The Fjällräven Classic 2024 event will take place from August 9th to 16th.
Take a look at our evaluations of the top-rated accommodations in Stockholm.
Source: independent.co.uk
