Trekking to Pielpajärvi erämaakirkko

 Looks like a giant elbowed his way through these two big pine trees!

 Puntsijärvi

 A very comfortable, clean and dry shelter near the lake, stayed there for a while

 Pikku Pielpajärvi

 After a long trek through deep snow I reached the Erämaakirkko. This church was built in 1760, the original church (it has disappeared today) first stood there in 1646.

 'Twas already very dark when I arrived, too bad.

 The interior is modest, quiet...perhaps a little too quiet. No noise inside or outside.

Best moment of the trek: building a fire in the hearth in the refuge (a stone throw from the church).

I was getting cold by then, so I sat there, next to the fire, sipping hot tea and eating some of the food I had had the sense to bring.

There's nothing like watching and listening to the flickering flames. I made my way back in almost complete darkness...glad I was given back the frontal lamp I had lost the previous night!