27/06/08 - Geological lesson of the Höga Kusten.

After a 10 second swim (no not Au Natural), we explored the UNESCO
world heritage site and nature reserve near the coastline around
Norrfällsviken. We began to appreciate a little more why this area is
called Höga Kusten (High Coast). It is not 'high' as in large cliffs.
It is high for the fact that way above the sealevel (in some places
up to 286 metres), fields of rock worn down by the wave action of the
sea sit in the middle of a hillside like a shingle beach. Of course
it once was the beach. You can still see the wave pattern of the
'beach'. This was caused by sea ice pushing up against the shoreline
during winter.

All this reshaping of the landscape only began around 20,000 years ago
(in geological terms, that is yesterday), and it is rising at a rate
of 8mm per year as the land 'bounces' back from the sea after being
squashed down by 3km thick glaciers during the last ice age.

Having taken in the landscape, and beautiful coastline with pine trees
growing around the shingle and red rocks, we headed further up the
coast to Skuleskogen National Park. Here we took an evening walk up
to a 40 metre deep, 200 metre long, 7 metre wide crevice called
Slàttdalsskrevan. This crevice appears to cut through the middle of a
280 high metre peak. It was formed as a weaker type of rock used to
sit where the crevice now is. Then while still under the sea, the
water and ice action eroded this weaker rock layer away.

The 10 km walk gave us fantastic views of the coast line and islands
dotted about. It reminded us of the Bay of Islands back home
(although there was alot less boats buzzing about here).

We also came across a number of ant nests that appeared to be made up
entirely of pine needles and old leaves, and where piled up to a metre
high. It was a very cool site to see the surface of this huge pile
constantly moving as the thousands of ants scurried around doing their
jobs (Daniel's description). Marea's description - "GROSS". Getting
a photo was a little ticklish, as as soon as you get close enough, the
ants start climbing all over your shoe and up your leg!!

We also saw a number of trees that had been felled by beavers.
Unfortunately they all seemed pretty old, and we didn't see any
beavers hanging about.

With about 2km til home we found a beautiful little beach with a
couple of tents right on the sand beside the sea. It was so delightful
and alot nicer than where Pat is currently parked, so we hoofed the
last 2km, grabbed our tent and sleeping bags and headed back to the
beach!! With a fire going and a couple of cans of cider, it was a
beautiful evening as we watched day turn into dusk (we haven't seen
night since we were in the south of Scotland).