Northern Sweden – Kungsleden

My first post had formatting issues so hopefully they are resolved here!

Hi All,

This is my first post on BackpackingLight! In early July, I’ll be hiking with a friend on the popular, Northern section of Sweden’s Kungsleden from Abisko to Nikkaluokta. I’m in the process of transitioning to lighter gear and I’ve assembled the majority of what I’ll be bringing with me, but I’d appreciate insight on how I might alter my gear list. Here’s the link to a Lighterpack.

I’ve found a lot of information about the Kungsleden online, but here are some questions that I’d like clarification on.

1. Is it possible to fly (US to Stockholm) with the food for my trip? I’d like to make my own dinners from dried and freeze-dried ingredients. Alternatively, I have two days in Stockholm before flying to the trailhead when I could purchase food.

2. For those who have hiked the Kungsleden before, what kind of food is available for purchase at the huts? I’d like to buy some food along the way to save weight.

3. How will the Duplex hold up to the weather in Northern sweden? I came across Manfred’s post-trip report on his Iceland traverse, which instills hope in the storm-worthiness of the Duplex. Following his example, I added tie-downs to the loops that are used for holding rolled back doors on the Duplex.

4. I’m planning to buy a new container for food storage, and I’m considering the Zpacks Food Dry Bag or something comparable. Will a Cuben bag be sufficient in protecting against any animals? My understanding is that Scandinavian bears are too shy to approach campsites and that rodents aren’t much of a problem either.

5. We plan to tent camp unless the weather is particularly bad. What hut facilities will I have access to if I pitch my shelter nearby huts, and will I be able to hang out in the huts with other travelers if I’m not sleeping there?

6. Is it worth using a pack cover or a dry for extra protection for my gear against water, or will the plastic liner be sufficient?

Thank you!
Myles

2. Lots of food but it’s expensive. The usual stuff hikers eat. Pasta, rice, lentils, dried pasta sauces and similar, oats, muesli, milk powder, candy, chocolate, chips, cookies, soft drinks, low alcohol beer, freeze dried meals, some canned meals like meat balls. See this link and the per hut selection. Unfortunately in Swedish. Maybe Google Translate can help or just ask a follow up question. https://www.svenskaturistforeningen.se/lara/artikelsamling-fjallstugor/utbud-i-fjallstugornas-butiker/

3. It will hold up but it might be cold and draughty depending on the weather. Bring a cloth to manage condensation and be prepared to having to close all doors. Fellow hikers will be skeptical  though, this is the land of Hilleberg and most people use Nammatj / Nallo and similar winter storm quality tents even in the summer. Be sure to stake out well with good stakes and use rocks. We can have real storms with 25+ m/s here even in the summer. You are always close to a hut and half ways between each hut there is a small emergency shelter.

4. No need to hide food from bears in Sweden, they are very shy and most people never see them in a lifetime. Yes rodents can be a problem some years when camping close the huts on Kungsleden. Store the food in the vestibule and don’t store the food in the backpack, you can’t stop the mice but you can save your gear. It is very rare though. I have never had a problem, I don’t know of anyone had problems but I have read about it.

5. You will have access to all hut facilities when camping close by but you will have to pay a fee. According to this list it’s 100 SEK (10 USD) for member and 200 SEK for non members. https://www.svenskaturistforeningen.se/uploads/2015/10/Priser-fjallstugor-2016-SVE.pdf

6. You should be prepared for rain every day. If your gear is in a waterproof bag it’s just a question of being OK with a wet and soaked bag or not.

You don’t need to bring a filter and you don’t need to cary more than max 0.5 litres. There is water everywhere.

Spring is late this year. Summer (hiking by foot) season is end of June till end of September in northern Sweden. No complicated river crossings on Abisko – Nikka though if you follow the trail. You might want to consult the Swedish forum utsidan.se for up to date snow details from that area. You can ask in English.

I am not familiar with your sleeping bag but a good 15F bag like WM or similar Marmot is needed in the summer in the Swedish mountains. Keep in mind that the Duplex is considerably colder than a two wall mountaineering tent in windy conditions.

1. US – Stockholm, I don’t know but I guess it wont be a problem. Stockholm – Kiruna, no problem.
2. The huts have different food on offer if you google translate this link
   https://www.svenskaturistforeningen.se/lara/artikelsamling-fjallstugor/utbud-i-fjallstugornas-butiker/
   you will find what huts that have large, medium and small offer of food and fuel etc.. Huts not mentioned don’t offer food. If you follow the links on the page and translate them you will find exactly what large, medium and small means. Let me know it it doesn’t work. Remember that they don’t guarantee that supply, but early July they should have everything still.
3. I would say yes. And I will spend two weeks in August in the area but mostly at higher altitudes using duplex, so I am at least willing to back up my judgement by doing it myself. I will also use the extra tie-downs. My only worry is that it might be a bit cold nights because of draught when its windy.
4. We don’t use food containers in Scandinavia, its not needed. Bears are not a problem. At some very popular huts smaller animals (lemmings) have specialised into stealing foods by eating into backpacks, but generally its no problem. If you are on such a camp, just hang it in a small tree and it will not be a problem. So you will be fine with just a normal drysack or plastic bag or anything. What you propose is almost overkill.
5. You will have full access to everything for about 200SEK/day if you dot sleep inside the hut. To sleep its more like 700SEK or something like that.
6. I will not take a pack cover. If the pack fabric really absorbs a lot of water it could be worth considering.
7. I will have a look at the gear list a bit later.
8. There are some really nice tyvek maps for the area, you should get one of those. If you have problems to source it, let me know.
9. It has been a lot of snow this year and a cold spring so it is still much snow in the area. If june is cold you may encounter a lot of snow. And high water levels due to snow melting, but that should not really be a problem since there are bridges for all major water crossings at Kungsleden.

Posted my first post without having seen Svens, but we seem to agree on most things, except if it is mice or lemmings that may try to eat your food. I may be wrong but someone told me that it was lemmings when I was at a fjällstation where people had this problem. Not that it really matters. Based on my experience the places where it might happen on your route is if you use your tent close to Abisko Fjällstation or Kebnekaise Fjöllstataton.

No problems with the gear list, just a few details:

No need for water treatment so you don’t need the filter. (Agree with Sven again.)

Mostly you don’t carry water at all, you just take a sip when you pass a stream – they are frequent enough. The platypus bottle is not really good for that, a cup or a small hard bottle with wide mouth is better. Maybe you should get a Swedish Kåsa before you leave the trailhead? But the platypus is good to bring water to the camp, so keep it.

I would bring matches as backup. If you get a cold spell the lighter will not work reliably and matches are not heavy.

I would bring a pet-bottle for fuel. You will have to buy that after the flights  and in Sweden you will get ethanol for fuel only in 1 litre bottles. They can be difficult to close so they don’t leak once opened, so I put the fuel in a pet-bottle instead, and then fill the smaller bottle from it. You can of cause buy a bottle of Coke in Sweden and use it. The sizes you find normally is 0.5 l, 1,5 l and 2 l, 1 l is not so common for some reason

I use a baselayer shirt with long sleeves that I can roll up. I spend much more time with sleeves down than up in the mountains.

A lot of people only bring a fleece or a down jacket. I bring a fleece vest for mainly hiking when its cold and wet, and a down jacket for camp. So I think its the right call to bring both.

Comically similar answers that we wrote simultaneously :)

Regarding the Duplex. I have not used the Duplex above tree line but I know of others who have used them in the Scands and that this is what tents looked like before Hilleberg started making tunnels. I have used the Duplex below tree line and my judgement is based on this and what I know from others. What I do know is that it will be significantly colder if windy and possibly miserable with rain splash coming in in a severe storm but personally I am willing to try (knowing the negatives and positives) just like Gunnar. So far I would not recommend the Duplex to a beginner above tree line but there are so much people on the Abisko – Nikkaluokta trail and there are huts within shorts distances all the way so it’s as safe as it can get when it comes to walking in the Swedish mountains.

Myles, have you previously done multi day trips above tree line in arctic environments? Is your friend from the area?

You will have a fantastic trip with 24h daylight but try to get an understanding of the snow situation before you start. You can contact STF Abisko for example.

Gunnar and Sven, thank you for your very detailed and helpful responses.

1. I’ll try to do more research to make sure my food won’t get confiscated on the flight to Stockholm.

2. I think I feel comfortable reducing the food I bring based on the availability at huts.

3. I had a similar impression about the Duplex. It’s relatively sturdy, especially with extra tie-outs but it will be drafty. I will be using a combination of groundhogs and mini-groundhogs, I assume these will be sufficient in tandem with rocks? Do you have any recommendations on how best to pitch it (including what height) for the weather? Clearly the recommended 48 inches for the trekking poles allows more wind to circulate a lower pitch. I also like that I can rely on the huts if it is very stormy.

I will also use the extra tie-downs.

Gunnar, are you also using the loops for securing rolled up doors for these tie-outs? Do you have any concern about durability since these loops were not intended for securing the tent?

I am not familiar with your sleeping bag but a good 15F bag like WM or similar Marmot is needed in the summer in the Swedish mountains. Keep in mind that the Duplex is considerably colder than a two wall mountaineering tent in windy conditions.

It’s a 15 degree down bag, of similar quality I think. I have a GoLite 10 degree bag too, which might be more appropriate, especially given the Duplex.
Still… based on all this about the Duplex, I’m willing to consider a heavier alternative. However, I’m hesitant purchasing such an expensive tent like a Hilleberg that I probably will use very infrequently (the Northeastern US rarely warrants a tent like that)! Might there be a way to rent a tent from an outfitter in Stockholm or Kiruna/Abisko or to buy one used? Or are there any recommended less expensive alternatives to the Hilleberg tents?

I use a baselayer shirt with long sleeves that I can roll up. I spend much more time with sleeves down than up in the mountains.

I was thinking the I might do the same, thanks for the advice.

A lot of people only bring a fleece or a down jacket. I bring a fleece vest for mainly hiking when its cold and wet, and a down jacket for camp. So I think its the right call to bring both.

Good. I plan to hike in the fleece and use the down jacket (or both) for camp.

Myles, have you previously done multi day trips above tree line in arctic environments? Is your friend from the area?

I have not done trips in these conditions, and both my friend and I are from the Northeastern US. However, my hope is that the popularity of this segment of the Kungsleden makes it an appropriate section for a beginner. Again, the huts are also a nice backup plan.

try to get an understanding of the snow situation before you start. You can contact STF Abisko for example.

Good idea, I will contact STF Abisko later today.

There are some really nice tyvek maps for the area, you should get one of those. If you have problems to source it, let me know.

Is this the map you’re referring to?

Gunnar, I’ll follow your advice on fuel storage and I’ll bring matches. I think I’ll buy a Swedish Kåsa too, nice to add a wooden item to an otherwise modern gear list :)

Yes Calazo maps are the ones to get. This one is even better (1:50 000) for your trip. http://www.calazo.se/produkt/kebnekaise-abisko-och-riksgransen/

I haven’t used MSR Groundhogs but I would use HB V or Y pegs. The MSR ones look similar.

Regarding pitch height the problem is that if you lower it you also lower the bath tub walls.

There is this place https://www.rentaplagg.se where you can rent equipment including tents and have it shipped. Again, Swedish only sorry. I have no experience with that company / service.

Bring the Duplex if you already own it. You will be fine since you have already considered this and made up your mind about using the huts should you need to. I just wanted to state clearly that it might not be for everyone. Every year there are tourists that walk this particular trail with insufficient equipment and or knowledge and have to be rescued out.

Again, you’re gonna have a wonderful trip if you prepare (like you obviously are doing).

I have been lucky to not encounter any storms with my duplex yet, what I plan for a storm is based on what I have read, so you have to take it for what it is. I will try to get the “wind side” of the tent against the wind. I will pitch it low but not all the way to the ground so the bathtub collapses. I will put heavy stuff in the corners to stabilize the bathtub.

Yes its the loops for rolling up the doors. I haven’t thought about the durability of the tie-down loops to be honest. I haven’t checked, but from what I recall those tie-down loops are made by same material and secured in the same way as some other tie-in loops. Then I would not worry. I will btw use the extra loops only if I think it will be windy.

Yes the map will do. As Sven I would go for the 1:50 000 map if you can order it, but this map will also work well, 1:100 000 is the traditional scale for maps in the area.

As Sven says, the huts are your backup plan so you will be fine. It can be good to know that you are always welcome in and you will be offered somewhere to sleep – but it may be on the kitchen floor if there is a lot of people there already.

If you still want more wind protection you can do like this. Buy 5m reasonably priced windstopper nylon of the type used for wind shirts. Fold it double so it becomes 2,5 m and sew at the bottom (where the two ends meet) and make cut a hole in ONE side 5 cm from middle the top down to 80-90 cm from the top. If you use a soldering iron for that you don’t have to sew along the sides of the hole. Sew along the sides and you have made your self a “wind-bivy”. Trim the length and sides so it is roomy but not unnecessary big. Remember that is needs to be room not only for the sleeping bag but for the sleeping bag with you inside, you don’t want it to compress the down. If the get it right the opening closes really nicely once you get inside without being claustrophobic and it will follow you if you turn. Weight should stay below 200g. The fabric will cost a bit it should be cheaper buying another tent and put less weight in your backpack than a double wall tent. I hope it was possible to follow that. The “wind-bivy” will of cause add a bit of warmth if needed even if its not blowing. If you are interested of making one, I can take a picture of mine and post.

It is always difficult to give advice about sleeping bags, but it should really be ok with a 15F bag. If you don’t sleep very cold you should even have some margin. (Sven, any decent -9C sleeping bag should really be well enough!?) I will use a 30F quilt when I go in August but I would not recommend that, specially for the first time. But if it blows straight through the sleeping bag almost no rating will be enough.

If I would buy a double wall tent, I would probably buy a Helsport – lower weight than Hilleberg, and not quite as expensive but not a low cost tent. I don’t really know the market for low cost double wall tents, but if you post the question on the forum of utsidan.se that Sven mentioned, I think you will get loads of answers.

You haven’t decided on shoes, but if you go for trailrunners you need to have waterproof socks like sealskinz and a pair of warm socks (a bit more than merino liners). And the trailrunners need to have room form liners, warm socks and sealskinz without compressing it to much. Without waterproof socks it can get very cold and even dangerous, and this year it may also be of snow than normal. But use the waterproof socks only when your feet are getting cold. With this setup, trailrunners works well.

I think the big problem (and probably the only problem) is that it may be to much snow. You will probably know just a few days before what it will be like since it goes so fast when melting with full speed. What you should know is that the snow depth varies a lot for different areas this year. Abisko – Nikkaluokta is one area with much snow. However, if it is still much snow as you arrive it is possible to have a backup plan. For example Saltoluokta (where I encountered the mice/lemmings) to Kvickjokk will almost certain be OK. It is somewhat less spectacular (with exception of the view from Skierfe), it may de more complicated logistics since your travel are planned for Abisko, but it can be an alterative. It may be better than having a hard time in rotten snow or even being stuck at the trailhead.

A lot of issues and potential problems mentioned here, but you arrive well prepared then there is no need to worry. I am sure you will have a fantastic trip and the midnight sun is special. If the weather is nice I recommend that you try to hike some late evenings and/or early mornings or even through the night – it is enough daylight. Not all people think of that and it will enhance your experience.

Can moose and reindeer be seen while on the trails?

The midnight sun must be awesome to experience during the evening hours.

You would be unlucky not to see any reindeer. I at least have always seen a lot of reindeer, to the extent that it would feel strange not to see any on a whole week.

Moose is never guaranteed and you probably have to get off the most popular trails to get decent odds for it. And they never go above the timberline of cause.

The best  place for moose is probably the fabulous Rapa Valley in Sarek National Park. The moose isn’t hunted there so they grow to their majestic best. You can have close encounters in the birch forest but also sit in the mountains and look down in the valley below and if you are lucky see 10-20 big moose eating in the ponds and in the river below. But there are no marked trails and only two bridges in the whole Sarek National Park so it is not the best place if not experienced, specially with river crossings.

Forgot to say that you can keep an idea of the snow situation with help of Nasa:

https://worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov/?p=geographic&l=MODIS_Aqua_SurfaceReflectance_Bands721,Reference_Labels(hidden),Reference_Features(hidden),Coastlines&t=2017-06-03&z=3&v=15.770238150995677,66.93635710889724,19.799619944473935,69.02156218702224

It can be difficult to orientate on the map first, but if you zoom out a little you can recognise features of the Norwegian coastline and then find Torne Träsk with about half the lake without ice. To the south of Torne Träsk you can find Ladduvaggi and Vistasvaggi without much snow. Snow is the lightbluegreen stuff. It actually doesn’t look to bad knowing it still is weeks before you leave for the mountains. And clear sky many days should normally mean its melting fast daytime. Colder nights doesn’t matter that much.

Edit: the link don’t seem to work well since the forum software don’t recognize the whole link to the address bar of your browser it should work.

It is always difficult to give advice about sleeping bags, but it should really be ok with a 15F bag. If you don’t sleep very cold you should even have some margin. (Sven, any decent -9C sleeping bag should really be well enough!?) I will use a 30F quilt when I go in August but I would not recommend that, specially for the first time. But if it blows straight through the sleeping bag almost no rating will be enough.

Let me rephrase: you need a bag (/ pad / shelter combo) that keeps you warm down to freezing. It is not likely that you will have temps down to freezing all nights but it can happen and certainly at higher elevation, like Tjäkta for example.

It is not to cold at the moment in the region, and the Swedish Weather Service has issued a warning for high water flows in the mountains, so it looks promising for you, but it is too early to be certain.

Tack för förklaringen! (My traveling partner and I have been trying to pick up some Swedish).

Sven and Gunnar, all your advice is very helpful, if a little difficult to process/act on! I’ve been finding more about the snow status through several of the resources you suggested. I posted yesterday on Utsidan.se, asking about the snow depth. The one person who has responded so far echoed concerns about rotten snow and boggy ground from snow melt. I’ve also been tracking the snow via the Nasa website. Between June 1st and 10th, the snow has receded significantly, which makes me hopeful. Gunnar, the information from your most recent post also seems to bode well.

I’ve discussed the weather a lot with the friend I’ll be hiking with and we agree that we’ll plan to continue with our hike as scheduled, but that we’ll develop an alternative if the conditions don’t look to be improving fast enough. Both the southernmost section of the Kungsleden from Ammarnäs to Hemavan and Gunnar’s suggestion of Saltoluokta to Kvickjokk are of interest, and I’d be curious to hear any recommendations/opinions. We have flights to and from scheduled, but would it be easier to get to these other trailheads directly from Stockholm?

The 1:50,000 map suggested by Sven looks great, but it doesn’t seem possible to ship it to the US. Would it be possible to buy that map at the trailhead or in Stockholm?

I appreciate all the advice regarding the Duplex and staying warm and dry at night. Gunnar, I like your idea for a “wind-bivy,” but I think I’ll just resort to the huts if the wind becomes problematic. I anticipate this is most likely at Tjäkta.

There seems to be a consensus that a filter isn’t necessary, but I can’t help but like the extra security. For example, how does one know that an animal didn’t die upstream of a water source?

I thought you would get more answers on utsidan.se, sorry for that. I will try to keep you updated here with the information I get.

Saltoluokta and Kvickjokk is best reached by flying to Gällivare from Stockholm and to take a bus from there. For Kvickjokk you can also take a (night-)train to Murjus but it is many hours on the train. If you have a flight to Kiruna a bus to Gällivare should not take to much time, but then you have to continue from Gällivare so it adds up.

I am not really updated on Ammarnäs and Hemavan, but you should be able to fly to Hemavan. (Nextjet flies Stockholm – Gällivare and Stockholm – Hemavan.) Otherwise I believe the normal choice is to fly to Umeå and take a bus from there both for Ammarnäs and Hemavan. It also seems like a possibility to fly to Arvidsjaur. and go on from there with bus.

Buses up north: http://ltnbd.se/en/home/ and http://www.tabussen.nu/lanstrafiken/english/

There are also some direct buses from Stockholm, probably the lowest cost. But then Stockholm – Hemavan is 14 hours on a bus…

Having said all this, I am much more optimistic about your original plan now than a week ago.

There is a good map store in Stockholm close to the central station (https://www.kartbutiken.se/index.php?route=common/home). It should normally have several maps over the area. I don’t know but I would guess you can get maps at Abisko Turiststation as well. I would buy the 1:100 000 map so you have one adequate map and then if you find one you like better in Sweden you have one each.

No-one can guarantee that no dead animals lay upstream, but the risk of getting infections from the water is really close to zero. There are no authorities recommending it etc. I don’t know anyone who have had problems. And most of us live in cities and go up in the mountains once a year or so, its not that we have become used to the water. But you are free to bring a water filter if it gives you peace of mind, I just feel you then bring an unnecessary piece of civilisation when you go to experience nature.

It strikes me now that the best backup plan is probably to – if needed – skip the higher parts of Kungsleden and go Vistasvaggi instead. Its not a bad alternative, I have good memories from this valley even though it is many years since I was there. (It was the first valley I ever hiked). It is already free from snow and there is a hut it the valley as well. This route has bridges where you need them just as Kungsleden has. It is a bit of a shortcut, but if you have extra time in the end and nice weather you can go back towards Kebnekaise Fjällstation and maybe go up the alpine Tarfala valley (Darfalvaggi). You can alternatively spend a day or two on a short tour in some of the smaller valleys between Kungsleden and Vistasvaggi, or maybe climbing some peak with a nice southfacing slope to get some views.

I think you have found this link already but in case not I think you can see what I mean on this map:

https://kso.etjanster.lantmateriet.se/?e=656707&n=7554331&z=6&profile=default_fjallkartan_noauth

This alternative saves you the logistics planning nightmare since you can start and end at the same places that you have already planned for.

Gunnar, thank you for the thorough travel logistics information. It is especially helpful since navigating Swedish transportation websites can be difficult. Hopefully I won’t need to pursue the backup plan, but it is reassuring to know that there are relatively easy ways of getting to other trailheads if need be. Your suggestion of Vistasvaggi seems very practical.

Do you suggest bringing any means of navigation besides a map and compass? I’ll be bringing my iPhone as a camera, but I’m interested in using it as a GPS as well. Do you have any experience using a phone GPS app in the area?

Excellent advise from Gunnar.

Get the app Fjällkartan – Offline (by Jacob Ivstam) and download (in the app) the maps you need before you leave. It’s the same Lantmäteriet reference maps that Gunnar linked to but offline in your phone.

I don’t need GPS in the summer but I bring the iPhone and the offline maps for peace of mind. Sometimes it’s nice to know your exact location. Navigation is usually easy due to the valleys, peaks, streams, lakes and other references in the terrain.

If you haven’t done so already search youtube for Kungsleden. I find it inspiring and helpful to watch videos of where I am going.

Sven, I found what I think is the same app by Jacob Ivstam under the English title “Swedish Mountain Maps.” So far I’ve just played around with it a little bit and it seems very detailed and easy to use. Thanks for sharing this!

I have seen some YouTube videos of the Kungsleden. It’s helped inform me on what I should be preparing for.

If you want more GPS functionality you can use the Galileo app. I think you have to buy the full version for offline maps but it is not expensive. You then open this post with safari in your Iphone and clicks on the following link:

http://bit.ly/galileo_fjallkartan_offline

After a while you should have downloaded a document called Fjallkartan.sqlitedb that Safari then asks if you want to open in Galileo. Do so. Make sure “Fjallkartan” is the active map in Galileo. Done.

This map and the Swedish Mountain Maps are made available for us by enthusiasts (by using open data in a legal way) so no-one guarantees they are updated, but I have never had a problem. But if Galileo and the tyvek map have different information on exactly where the bridge is, trust the tyvek map…

GPS generally works well everywhere, your problem will be battery drainage, be careful using GPS tracking so you have battery for that fantastic midnight sun photo the last night!

Great, Galileo is exactly the kind of program I was looking for. I’ll be bringing a 10,000 mAh battery for charging my iPhone so I think I’ll have ample battery, but if I’m worried about running out, I can just disable the GPS.

Myles

STF has published a statement on Facebook. Keep watching that page for updates.

https://www.facebook.com/kungsleden/posts/1496506127036300

Edit: removed my translation since the text is published / displayed in English as well :)

Some photos from yesterday:

https://www.facebook.com/peter.rosen.505/posts/10154743729463100?pnref=story

Before you get to worried – note that your reserve route is almost ok already. And I still think you have the odds on your side.

Sven and Gunnar, thank you for the updates. I’ve been following the Kungsleden Facebook page. Yesterday there was a post that some hikers have made it from Abiskojaure to Alesjaure. I’ve also been tracking the NASA satellite map Gunnar linked, but clouds have been obstructing that for several days.

I’ve been fine tuning my gear list and wanted to run something by you. I’ll be wearing GTX hiking boots for the trip, but I wondered if there will be stream crossings without bridges where a pair of sandals or sneakers would be advantageous.