Busted Soles

Self-supported, solo, multi-day running adventures in the Arctic are the best thing after ice cream. In May 2022 ran from Helsinki to Nordkapp in 28 days.

[Busted Soles @BustedSoles]

The route is ready. From Helsinki to Nordkapp: 1638 km (1018 mi). Live nearby? Make sure to wave or say hi.

[Busted Soles @BustedSoles]

Less than a week to go. Banff Mountain Film Festival comes to Helsinki 27–30 Oct to Bio Rex Lasipalatsi. I'll be there all four nights with my book Eleven Degrees. Grab tickets, come say hi at the table, let's talk running.
https://t.co/1TiXBAPbak, https://t.co/c3h97rr5XE

[Busted Soles @BustedSoles]

I'll have a table at Banff World Tour Helsinki event (27–30 Oct, Bio Rex Lasipalatsi) with copies of Eleven Degrees, my book about 1,700K solo run from Helsinki to Nordkapp. Come say hi, grab a copy, let's talk running. https://t.co/1TiXBAPbak, https://t.co/c3h97rr5XE

[Busted Soles @BustedSoles]

https://t.co/DQuk7nbARy

[Busted Soles @BustedSoles]

After nine years, I'm returning to Iceland. Not yet for another traverse run, but for a ride. Starting from the airport I’ll ride the 1,400-kilometer Ring Road. Based on my previous experience with Iceland, this ride too is going to be bucketloads of rain, wind, and fun.

[Busted Soles @BustedSoles]

Took a boat to Vindstad. Climbed Brunakseltinden and then had fun on the Bunes beach. I had the place to myself. What an awesome spot. In the evening the weather cleared up and I ran up Reinebringen. This time in the warm light of the midnight sun (only the light was warm).

[Busted Soles @BustedSoles]

The night in the tiny shelter was wonderful (amazing view) but at times shaky (tangible wind gusts). Rain (higher up snow) and wind all day, so moved to Reine. Easy day today; ran to Reinebringen. BTW, Sherpas from Nepal built these stairs from sea to summit, all 1978. Hats off.

[Busted Soles @BustedSoles]

Today from Nusfjord around the mountain to Skjelfjord. The trail was a lot more civilized, but still demanding. Ended the day on the summit of Volandstind. A super fun day. During breakfast saw at least 5 distinct avalanches on the opposite mountain.

[Busted Soles @BustedSoles]

From Napp I anticipated an easy trail jog along the coast, which turned to be all but. Very wet and super steep. Several sections included scrambling and climbing. But the route was beautiful and worth the trouble. No one around and so serene.

[Busted Soles @BustedSoles]

Morning leg from Kvilebua to Leknes included a lot of snowfields, which made the trail difficult to follow. In Leknes stopped for a large pizza and then took the bus to Napp for the second leg.

[Busted Soles @BustedSoles]

Then took the bus to the Sundklakk bridge and ran from there to Kvilebua (which was a total surprise find; I just could not not spend a night here). First on the road, then trail. Did not see anyone the whole time. Absolutely spectacular landscape and views.

[Busted Soles @BustedSoles]

Pre-breakfast run to Djavelporten, after breakfast summitted Linken and Tjeldbergtind and ran around Stor Kungsvatnet. Got the idea from the hotel receptionist. And that was just for starters.

[Busted Soles @BustedSoles]

In the morning, all mountaintops enshrouded in clouds and forecast not promising. Sticking to roads today too, but it’s clearly not the run I would want to have. The last bit to Svolvær on E10 is so busy, I decided to take a bus. Sleeping in Svolvær tonight.

[Busted Soles @BustedSoles]

Today mostly just travelling and lots of waiting for planes and buses. Started running only at 19:30. Still, managed to cover 30K. This place is stunningly beautiful, but there’s more snow than I expected.

[Busted Soles @BustedSoles]

@crtahlin Yeah, most of the trails don’t even exist on google maps 😅 Should take about 6 days, but depends on conditions and how much time I hang around.

[Busted Soles @BustedSoles]

Running on home turf is fun, but I've got to see what else is out there. Tomorrow morning I'm flying to Evenes, Norway. I'll start running from Fiskebøl and run the roads and trails until I reach Å at the tip of Lofoten islands.

[Busted Soles @BustedSoles]

I can’t explain exactly what, but there’s something irresistibly satisfying about a new pair of running shoes, or two 🤠 Btw, that 🍑y color is rad.

[Busted Soles @BustedSoles]

From Iška to Mt Krim (790 m elevation gain): 46min. There and back 1h13min. I still shred 🤠

[Busted Soles @BustedSoles]

And just like that we’re back to this 🤩

[Busted Soles @BustedSoles]

It’s still early spring and still possible to get nice views through the trees. Some steep sections on a proper hill run to Mt Vodice (~900m elevation gain in total)

[Busted Soles @BustedSoles]

Was fun to race a tractor downhill today. It took a longer path, but it’s still a motorised vehicle and I managed to beat it 🤩