| Distance | 42.5 km |
| Average Speed | 13.9 km/h |
| Maximum Speed | 35.6 km/h |
I agreed with Timo that I would meet him at the road crossing just west of Harvajärvi at 12:00 and that I would send him regular texts about my progress.
I was ready to leave shortly after 10:00 but had to wait for about ten minutes whilst a school group cleared the lake in front of Saija. I managed to immediately take the wrong track across the lake (there are far too many) and ended up heading up the north eastern branch where I have never been before. Fortunately there were plenty of snowmobile tracks and I managed to find some leading back to the correct track north to the snowmobile trail.
I followed the trail north to the junction at the end of Kylmäluoma when I had to make a decision whether to go along the very scenic track along the edge of the lake or turn left and head directly to the road crossing as agreed. I decided that I was a bit short of time so skipped the lake trail.
Saija Timo had told me that I was welcome to use the small kota at the Harjajärvi cabins about half way along the lake so I decided to try to stop there for a few minutes and then proceed across the lake. The kota was indeed small, but very nicely appointed and I sat inside whilst I had a quick drink.
I realised that I was now running a bit late so, sending another update text to Timo, I headed across the lake, and back onto the snowmobile trail. I got to the meeting point at about 12:15 but there was no sign of Timo. I sent another text and tried to phone him but got no response.
I waited and waited and waited but there was no sign of Timo or replies to my texts. By great good fortune I had previously added Saija’s number to my phone so at 12:40 I called them to ask if Timo had arrived to collect the trailer and they said that he was just doing so! It was 13:10 when Timo finally arrived. I asked about the delay and why he hadn’t replied to my texts and he didn’t seem to have a clear answer. I guess it is the Finnish way! I clearly would have had plenty of time to divert along Kylmäluoma.
As we drove back to the kennels, Timo’s phone rang (miraculously working again) and he went as white as a sheet. Apparently there had been a serious accident on one of the day trips. A guest had suffered some sort of head injury and the guides had called an ambulance. Timo was obviously very concerned and annoyed not to be there to take charge. I asked how they could get an ambulance into the forest and Timo explained that there was a snowmobile ambulance for this situation.
When we got to the kennels it was deserted except for a lone fireman with a large four wheel drive vehicle and a huge red trailer (fire and ambulance are somehow combined in Finland). Clearly, the trailer was used to deliver the “snowmobile ambulance”. Timo phoned for an update and discovered that the situation was not quite as bad as feared. The guest had managed to walk a few steps with assistance and was being taken to the nearest open road for transfer to a conventional ambulance.
About 15 minutes later the snowmobile ambulance returned followed by the other guests and shell shocked guides. The original plan had been that I would grab a quick lunch on my return and then head out in the afternoon to drive some local trails. Clearly, this was now greatly delayed so I joined the day guests for lunch and then departed for Jänisvaara to look for my missing hat.
It had started to snow and this got quite heavy as I headed out to the cabin. The effect on the trails was immediate and significant with wet sticky snow which greatly reduced the dog’s speed. I had a short break at Jänisvaara before returning to the farm via the main trail and some of the training loops north of it. I arrived back at the kennels as the light started to fade to end my sledding trip for this year. Tomorrow I fly back to the UK.
I heard before I left that the injured guest had concussion, a head wound which would need stitches and an arm injury which might be a break or possibly a nasty sprain. No doubt Timo will be dealing with the insurance paperwork for some time! Fortunately, accidents like this are very rare in dog-sledding (and certainly much less common than with downhill skiing) but it shows just how treacherous the trail conditions were with the icy surface caused by the recent weather. I found the sledge tricky to handle on many occasions so I am not surprised that an absolute novice should have serious problems even on the well made tracks used for the day trips. I hope that she makes a full and speedy recovery. As it was, the fresh snow came just a few hours too late!