I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I was up in the fells again at night 😄. I’ve suddenly become a true fell fanatic—the kind of person who checks the weekly weather forecast in advance and plans almost all their free time around when there will be a beautifully clear evening and night to climb a fell.

I was quite tired when I left home to drive the hour or so toward the fells. This time, the weekly weather forecast hadn’t promised a clear evening, but I went anyway, as if driven by some crazy force. It was already late when I started climbing. The hike to the summit wasn’t long, but the fatigue from the workweek weighed on my legs.

Papu and I walked alone in complete silence, something I’ve come to cherish the most—the unbroken quiet. At this time of year, even the birds don’t sing, especially not at night, so the only sound breaking the stillness is the echo of my own footsteps.

As the old saying goes—it’s not the destination but the journey. I fully agree with that. So much so that I often don’t even bother reaching the summit, feeling perfectly content stopping halfway just to admire the surrounding nature and the unique fell landscape. This time, the journey up the fell offered hours of breathtaking beauty and the magic of a silent fell night.

When I reached the summit, I stopped, took a deep breath, and shouted out loud in awe of the beauty. The landscape stretched from horizon to horizon in deep blue hues. The dark silhouettes of the fells gradually faded into the horizon in perfect harmony. The lake reflected the last light of the night, drawing attention in the otherwise darkening evening.

The silence was absolute. Even the wind had stopped, as if it, too, was resting along with the rest of the surroundings, waiting for the next morning to arrive. I completely forgot about the fatigue from the hike, what would happen the next day, or even the next week—everything. Some magical force just stopped all the unnecessary thoughts, allowing me to simply be in the moment. Nothing else mattered.

The experience was like meditation, but with the incredible beauty of nature surrounding me. I can’t think of anything better.

I had brought some snacks for the night, and I enjoyed them with a warm cup of tea, looking out over the peacefully resting landscape. After sunset, darkness crept in, step by step. I had almost forgotten that night still existed. The journey back down to the car was quick, though I was already stumbling a bit on the now very dim trail. The midnight sun from just a month ago, which I had gotten used to, is now long gone. Still, I’m really looking forward to the coming autumn and find myself amazed every day by the beauty of nature as it changes.

♥: Sanna