Nödsändare och depåer

13 februari, 20169 februari, 2016Lämna en kommentar

Den långa skidtur som väntar oss i mitten av mars betyder att vi behöver vara väl förberedda när det handlar om säkerhet i både mörker och ödemarker, samt kontinuerlig påfyllning av mat och diverse utrustning.

Vi kommer att skicka ut fyra depåer till utvalda fjällstugor längs färdvägen med bland annat mat och gas (bränsle till köket). I veckan fick jag hjälp av Niclas för att ordna med en SPOT, det vill säga en nödsändare utifall något skulle hända ute på fjället. Den anger var vi befinner oss och kan även skicka ut okej-meddelanden så att våra nära och kära vet att vi mår bra. Den har också en knapp som heter SOS och om vi mot förmodan tvingas att använda denna går ett meddelande ut till internationella SOS med lokalisationsangivelse och ett förhandsprogramerat meddelande. Detta är med andra ord en riktig säkerhetsmaskin!

En SPOT eller nödsändare som kommer att hänga med oss i år.

Packning av pulkor, skavklar, selar m.m.

Packning av pulkor och selar m.m.

Framöver kommer en detaljerad lista över våra dagsetapper – distanser och mål.

Vi ses snart igen!
/Linnea

Dancing on water in the Norwegian mountains

17 oktober, 201517 oktober, 2015Lämna en kommentar

This week we’ve been out in the mountains hiking, wading, climbing and sun-bathing. We’ve been very lucky with the weather meaning sun almost every day and the lakes have been clear as a mirror. In the mornings a thin layer of ice has covered the lakes and if I would have taken a few moves on the ice it would have felt like dancing on water. But… those who know me also knows that I wouldn’t risk falling into that freezing cold water 😉

Ready, set, go! ”Hiking in autumn” here we come.

Hiking in different terrain

On the pictures you can see all the different terrain we’ve been hiking us through. The most challenging hike was when we climbed from the north-east side up on Mitretoppen, Rendalssølen 1755 m. This is the second time in two weeks I’m up on this top, but this time I climbed it from a different angle – and also through some snowy and slippery parts.

Crossing water by wading. It was really cold. Here I’m not dancing – but very focused so I won’t fall and also get my backpack all wet.

Wet wet wet…

On our way towards Mitretoppen.

Climbing on rocks, from the north-east side, with Mitretoppen 1755 m. as our goal.

Orientation in the night

The most exciting and nervous thing on this tour was yesterday. We had a night activity and the mission was to get back to the cars (the location for the cars was pointed out on the map). And we had to do this at night with just a head torch, compass and a map – and all by my self! For me this was a real challenge because I’m not very comfortable being out in the mountains in darkness, all alone and just navigating with a compass and a map. Anyway… It took med 2,5 hours to get to basecamp and the total distance ended up in 9 km. I felt very lucky when I reached the goal and proud that I had won over my fear.

Some relaxing and preparation time before the night orientation will start.

Still a little time until it gets dark. What doesn’t kills you makes you stronger.

More pictures from our week in Rendalssølen, Norway.

Open up your mind and you’ll see the shape of a heart.

The mountains reflected in the water.

Just stunning! Sølentopparna and a crystal clear lake makes a perfect couple.

Mountain-selfie!

Lunch-time. Egg, noodles with bacon flavoured with curry. One of the easiest meals to make. And outdoors everything taste so much better.

My class mates.

Me and Ida up on Mitretoppen, 1755 m. We did it!

My awesome class – all together up on the top!

Waking up to this beautiful sunrise makes the whole day!

We changed camping spot every day and got to see a sunrise almost every morning.

Back in Älvdalen we stopped for a big breakie at the hotel. Thank you for a wonderful week with YH-fjäll 15/16.

Hiking and being out in the mountains when it’s autumn is the best time of the year. If you’ve never tried it just give it a go. The nature fills you with new and positive energy. If you feel unsure how to do just start with an easy daywalk – you don’t have to stay over night to be out in the mountains. Or join experienced friends or go on a guided tour. The tours usually have the equipment you’ll need (to borrow or for rent) and know how to act/about safety when you’re out in the wilderness.

Linnea

A peaceful hike up on Svarthamra

15 oktober, 201511 oktober, 20152 kommentarer

Svarthamra is a mountain on the Norwegian side. It takes about 15-20 min drive from Grövelsjön to get to the access where the hike starts. Here you have many alternatives for your route which makes it easy to decide how long distance and time you want to be out hiking. We decided to do an easy day walk with a long fika-break.

”Fika” is a typical swedish word meaning you’re having a nice time together with friends drinking coffee or tea, eating cake, sandwich, nuts and etc. to refill your body with.

On the way to Svarthamra you’ll pass small brooks, fascinating trees and if you decide to do the hike at this time of the year, you will get amazed by all the red and yellow color in the mountains. You’ll also see the large lake called Femunden and get a beautiful view of another fascinating mountain called Båthusberget.

About the track

Total inclination from where the hike starts and up to the top is 300 m. The track is nice – but at some places you’ll find it more rocky and can also be slippery. Estimated time with return is 6 h.

Linnea

A feeling of freedom with an amazing view over the mountains and colorful environment. Photo: Niclas Bentzer.

Red, yellow, green and many more colors – this time of the years is my favorite to be out hiking. And NO mosquitos. Photo: Niclas Bentzer.

The mountain on the other side is called Båthusberget. I’ve earlier written a post on the blog about a tour I did up there.

More fascinating colors and vegetation.

To be out in the mountains, running and feeling free like a bird should be a privilege for every dog. Also a long fika-break is nice to relax and enjoy the outdoor life.

You’ll see some really awesome cliff formation on this hike.

What kind of sleeping bag do I need?

1 oktober, 20151 oktober, 2015Lämna en kommentar

Go camping or hiking and stay in tent over the night means that you’ll need a sleeping bag. But there are many different kinds of sleeping bags… This post can hopefully give you an idea of what and how to choose which one is right for your needs.

Start your research with these questions:

1. During what time of the year do you intend to use your sleeping bag?
Is it mainly during summer time or when it’s colder outside? There are different kind of sleeping bags which go under the cathegory; 1-4 seasons. A four-season bag means that the bag is aimed to be used the whole year around. A three-season means you can have it spring, summer and autumn. This bag is the most allround (if you sometimes will go out in the winter and don’t have a proper winter bag you can use two sleeping bags and get the warm degrees you need). Remember to look at the comfort temperature to make sure they will reach up to the temperatur you’ll need.

2. Are you like me, meaning a person who often is cold or who easily gets warm?
A sleeping bag for summer should have a comfort to -5C and a winter bag to -25C. Remember that women need a higher temperature then men. Always look at the comfort for your gender. To increase your temperature you can have a sleeping bag liner (made of cotton, or even better – silk) and use it inside your sleeping bag). The liner also keeps your bag last longer.

3. What kind of material should your sleeping bag be made of?
Down or synthetic material or a combination? Down is lighter and keeps you warmer, but are more expensive. The material gives you most isolation in correlation to its weight and volume. The quality of the down is classified according to its fill-power (cuin), meaning how ”fluffy” it is. The finer the down is the more isolation it gives. A filling of 400–450 cuin means average quality, 500–550 cuin is considered good, 550–750 cuin is considered very good och 750+ is excellent. Before you buy a sleeping bag made of down, make sure it follows ethical rules. Synthetic bags are a bit heavier, but if it gets wet it dryes faster. They are usually cheaper. Mainly used in the summer/warmer weather conditions. The ”foot” of the bag should have the shape of an elephants foot rather than a fish-tale; which keeps you warmer.

4. How to ”behave” in your sleeping bag?
When you move around in your bag the warm air goes out. The new air that comes in then needs to be warmed up again.

Other tips:
When you arrive to the place and set your camp you shall straight away unfold your sleeping bag (especially if it’s made of down). When you come back home you should hang it up and let it dry for a few days. Never let it stay in your compression bag; instead use a big ”net-bag” or let it hang on a rack (just make sure it doesn’t become small scratches or marks because of frequent pressure against the same point).

Hopefully you’ve got some more ideas before you make your decision what kind of sleeping bad you’ll buy. Also talk with the staff in the outdoor stores, they should know about their products and guide you in the sleeping bag jungle.

Linnea

A warm and cozy sleeping bag is a real luxury and a safety when sleeping in tent. A good sleep makes you happier and your body and mind works better.

Light is right!

28 september, 201528 september, 2015Lämna en kommentar

Going hiking usually means a lot of luggage and outdoor equipment. There are many questions to answer before you start to pack your bag, for example:

how long time you’ll be away?
what will the weather be like (will it rain, be very cold…)?
will you stay in huts or are you camping outside?
what previous knowledges and experiences do you and your friends have from outdoor life and how challenging will this trip be?
Any medical aspects/physical difficulties to have in mind?

Shelter, sleep and carry

One rule is to carry light and only bring stuff you really need. A maximum of 3 kilos for shelter (tent), sleep (sleeping bag and mattress) and carry (backpack) are recommended. If you’re planning to set a basecamp and do day trips, a smaller backpack is unbeatable. With my personal equipment this ”3-kilo-rule” is very limited for me, but gives me an idea how I should think when I need to/consider to update my outdoor equipment. Every extra piece of gram you add on to your luggage means extra kilos on your feet, knee and so on.

Your luggage with tent, backpack and sleeping equipment shouldn’t weigh more than 3 kilos in total.

A comfortable and hard wearing backpack that doesn’t way to much are preferred.

”Going hiking is like preparing for a longterm backpacker trip. You need to consider every piece of luggage, meaning what to bring and what to leave at home. But remember to always have safety in mind as rule number one”.

Linnea Nilsson-Waara