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.

The top of the Queen

4 oktober, 20154 oktober, 2015Lämna en kommentar

This weekend I’ve been up in the mountains in Grövelsjön and its surroundings. The autumn has shown it self from its most beautiful side, with all the yellow and red colors and also a sun that is still warming. In Rendalens community you can find a dramatical mountain with three tops which together goes under the nickname ”The Queen”. The real name is Rendalssølen and the highest top is called Store Sølen, 1755 m. But it’s not just the top that makes it worth going there. The track all the way to the valley, the crystal clear lakes and the massive mountains give that little extra to get the perfect cinnamon bun. From Grövelsjön it takes about 1 h and 15 minutes drive. And from where the hike starts it took us 4 h and 20 minutes with return, total distance 24,5 kilometers. Note that we did jogging, a bit of walking and also took a 30 min stop on the top for a lunch break. Before continuing the last 500 height meters to the top you should refill your bottle with water (down in the Valley).

Rendalssølen from a distance. The highest point, which looks like a shark fen, called Store Sølen (1755 meters above sea level), is where we went up.

On the ”road” again. High on mountain life.

Taking the opportunity to refill the water tank.

The Valley, up on 1200 m.

My friend is looking out over Norway with its spectacular view.

It’s quite steep on the top. But with an incredible view.

Go, go, go. And in between, remember to slow down, breath and enjoy the mountains.

The track and environment invites to jogging.

Thank you Rendalssølen for my first visit to you.

Linnea

A 360 degree view over the Norwegian mountains

1 oktober, 20154 oktober, 20151 kommentar

Båthusberget is a spectacular mountain located in Norway. From Grövelsjön (which is located close to the Norwegian border) you can take the car to where the track starts, it’s about 15-20 min drive. The total hike is nine km and takes you up on Båthusberget. It’s considered as one of Grövelsjöfjällens most beautiful hikes. Some parts are quite steep and raises your pulse. At one point of the track you can choose to walk right- och left lap. If you choose right lap the track will be more steep uphill to the summit and downhill the inclination will be less steep. This lap is recommended because it’s easier to take the steepest part walking uphill. Along the track you can refill your bottles from the streaming water. The vegetation offers different kind of old and impressive trees, flowers, lakes and a beautiful 360 degree view over the Norwegian mountains. Total inclination in meter is 500.

Walking the right lap with another mountain in our background, called Herbenser.

Starting the track and walking in the forrest.

Life as a guide.

Good company makes the trip something little extra.

Both people and dogs were on this guided tour.

Some parts are more steep. You need to stay focused and look where you put your feet.

Båthusberget from below.

A pleasant tour with an amazing group and beautiful weather.

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

Armbandet som kan rädda liv

13 september, 201513 september, 2015Lämna en kommentar

Söndagsmys med tillverkning av överlevnadsarmband. Enkla att göra, snygga och kan (i värsta fall) vara en räddare i nöden.

Korsa och dra.

Klart och vilar fint på handleden.

Mitt första egentillverkade överlevnadsarmband!

Linnea

Höstglöd i Grövelsjön

11 september, 2015Lämna en kommentar

Förberedelserna inför fjäll-eventet Höstglöd är i full rulle och idag åkte jag och några från klassen upp till Grövelsjön för att göra en rekning inför kommande helg. Klassen har fått i uppgift att plocka fram och hålla i samtliga guidade turer, samt kringaktiviteter (Adventure Camp) på Fjällstationen.

Oavsett tidigare erfarenheter av fjällivet rekommenderar jag dig starkt att besöka oss uppe i Grövelsjön nästa helg, den 17-20 september. Att få andas frisk fjälluft och vistas ute i den vackra fjällvärlden är livskvalité!

Vi ses!

Linnea