Scouting the Tarraätno: A Three-Day Journey Through Swedish Lapland's Hidden Waterway

The sound of rushing water echoed through the Arctic silence as I stood on the banks of the Tarraätno, watching the powerful current carve its ancient path through the wilderness. After three days of scouting this magnificent river that flows into the Saggat near my home in Kvikkjokk, I'm more convinced than ever that some of life's greatest adventures begin with a simple question: "What's around the next bend?"

A River Runs Through It

For more than two years now, I've called Kvikkjokk home—a place where two beautiful rivers, the Kamajokk (Gamajåhkå) and Tarra (Tarraätno), converge with the Saggat. It's impossible to live here without feeling the constant pull of moving water, the promise of unexplored reaches upstream where few have ventured.

My relationship with rivers runs deep. I've always loved the peace of movement, the ever-changing scenery that passes by when paddling downstream. Over the years, I've tried different watercraft—rafts, catamarans, kayaks—even pushing myself into whitewater territory where Category 3 and sometimes 4 rapids made my heart pound with equal parts fear and exhilaration.

But life has a way of demanding choices. When I started mushing dogs, I realized there wasn't enough space in one life for two such time-consuming passions. I chose the dogs and said goodbye to kayaking.

Or so I thought.

When the Universe Conspires

The universe, it seems, has a sense of humor. It dropped me—along with my dogs—right here in Kvikkjokk, surrounded by some of Sweden's most spectacular waterways. And then it introduced me to Hempa, the brilliant mind from Galliväre, a man behind an incredible product called the TrekKayak.

Suddenly, the passion for river runs was rekindled, but this time with a twist—combining it with hiking. It seemed like a match made in Kvikkjokk heaven. The concept was simple yet revolutionary: trek one way, kayak back. Hike upstream to access remote river sections, then paddle your way home through wilderness that most people never see.

The Scouting Mission

But I've grown wiser with age. No more unnecessary risks. If I was going to attempt this river, I needed to scout it first, to understand its moods and challenges before committing to a descent with a pack full of gear.

The journey began with crossing the flatwater of the Saggat to reach the Padjalenta trail. Moving slowly upstream, I was soon rewarded with the first river roar—though it turned out to be just a small creek flowing into the Tarraätno. We stopped for lunch near some Category 2 rapids, and I felt that familiar surge of energy that only comes from being near moving water.

As we continued upstream, my excitement went through the roof. The river revealed itself as both powerful and beautiful, with character that demanded respect but promised incredible rewards. More importantly, I could see it was doable—maybe not on the first try, but certainly within reach of my nearly forgotten skills.

Midnight Sun and River Songs

We camped overnight, and all night long I listened to the river's constant song while trying to fall asleep under the midnight sun. (Mental note: pack an eye mask next time!) There's something magical about falling asleep to the sound of moving water in a place where the sun never sets, where time seems suspended between adventure and rest.

The next day brought us to Njunjes, the old settlement where local legend Tore was born. Here, we emerged from the forests, and the river opened up to reveal spectacular views that no photograph could truly capture.

I spent considerable time inspecting the rapids just before and after the STF cabin. Some looked tricky—the kind that would require careful line selection and perhaps a few practice runs. But I reminded myself that final assessments would depend on water levels at the time of actual paddling. Rivers are living things, constantly changing with seasons, weather, and snowmelt.

The Kvikkjokk Solution

This scouting trip reinforced why the TrekKayak concept is so brilliant for this type of exploration. Traditional kayaking requires vehicle access to put-in and take-out points, often limiting you to well-known sections of river. But the TrekKayak's revolutionary design—a lightweight, packable catamaran that weighs just 6.6 pounds—opens up entirely new possibilities.

Imagine hiking for days into pristine wilderness, accessing river sections that see perhaps a handful of paddlers per year, then inflating your craft and experiencing the landscape from a completely different perspective on the way home. The TrekKayak's dual-hull design provides the stability and safety margins crucial for solo wilderness paddling, while its 485-pound capacity means you can carry all the gear needed for extended expeditions.

The modular design particularly appeals to someone like me who understands that wilderness demands reliability. Every component is replaceable and repairable in the field—crucial when you're days from the nearest road. The MOLLE webbing allows for customized gear attachment, whether you're carrying overnight camping equipment or simply the essentials for a day paddle home.

Time to Head Home

As our three-day scouting mission came to an end, I felt that familiar mix of satisfaction and anticipation. The Tarraätno had revealed its secrets, showed me its challenges and rewards. I'd seen enough to know that my next journey would indeed combine trekking and kayaking—one way up by foot, back down by river.

The TrekKayak has rekindled a passion I thought I'd left behind, but with a new dimension that speaks to my current life in Kvikkjokk. It's not just about the thrill of rapids anymore; it's about accessing wilderness in ways that honor both the journey and the destination.

Sometimes the best adventures are the ones that bring you full circle—in this case, literally. Trek upstream, paddle home, and discover that the river has been waiting for you all along.

The TrekKayak represents a new approach to wilderness exploration, combining the portability of modern packrafts with the stability and safety of a catamaran design. For more information about planning your own trek-and-paddle adventures, or to learn more about the TrekKayak system, contact me didzis.krumins@gmail.com