This week has been a great workout week. With an average of 26.5 km, I have reached just over 185 km. So I think that is a acceptable result:-).  But this is a start of getting in shape for the upcoming mountain marathon.

I find it interesting of the history around all Mountain cabins, especially the one out in the periphery. So this week it will be about the Anaris Cabin. The Anaris cabin is situated in the nowhere. It is over 20km to the nearest way. In 1929 There were a couple of events that led to the construction of the cabin. It was a winter storm, and two men from Stockholm left Vallbo at two a clock in the evening the 12th of January, and it became dark early at this time of the year. Sadly the both died just a bit from the place where the cabin is situated. The both met a sami at his way home to Glen. But with a broken ski binding and hopeless deep snow, he too could no longer bear it when only five kilometers remained, for getting help and died as well. The year after the cabin was build, and with money from one of the victims mother who was from a well-off family. As a memory there is a a plaque with the names of the victims. The view from the cabin is fantastic, you can see the Åreskutan in t north west, but why look there when you got the Anaris-högen that even is one meter higher. While staying here during summer/autumn get up at 05.00 see the sun-rise and take a bath in in the pond next to the cabin…

This week I have test the Primus Trek pot 1L. The weight is 270g. The lid can be turned into a frying pan, so for a two person trek this is the perfect size. So I’ve tested it with a gas stove from Primus and one from MSR (MSR Pocket Rocket) and the result? 1l with the Pocket Rocker 8 min 9 sek. And with the Primus: 8 min and 6 sek. So almost no difference…The solution will get NNNN as rating from me.

Jonah Kagen – God Needs The Devil (Official Video)

See ya soon…

Sometimes we forgot to celebrate the good days. Springtime must be one of the season with most energy and hopes. We know we got a nice spring ahead and a long summer and also a nice autumn. But getting up early in the morning light, hiking or running must be one of the most stunning moment of life. Or  or quietly watch how the sun sets at a rapid pace this time of year, coloring the deep blue sky first orange and then in the powerfully pink. I feel that it is of utmost importance to feel joy, care, wonder and gratitude for these moments. Now it is high time for planning the upcoming tours. Why don’t you plan a cabin tour for a place/area where you never have been. What about cabins as Njunjes or Pieskehaure or why not Vaimok for mention some of them? Using the opportunity of staying in a cabin will reduce your pack and will make the experience in another way…And you still got the possibility to  use your tent as well if you feel about that.

When it comes to gear I will write about stoves today. One of my favorite will be the Jetboil. It is light and always impresses my colleague’s due to its effectiveness. But I think this one is also quite interesting; The GSI Selkirk 270. It is a bit heavy compared to a light stove (2,98kg) but then its all included in a compact cylinder easy to pack. It will boil 1L water within 5 minutes. 21 x 21 x 9.3 cm more for a ”basecamp” use I will suggest.

When it comes to climbing helmets the Mips technique has been introduced now. The Black Diamond Vison Mips is one of them and the Mammut Wall Rider is another one. The Wall rider is to prefer if you having a small head.

Yea, and when it comes to the planning for upcoming adventures I got a feeling that this area in the picture here will be included somehow:-)

Kingsman – Mi eyes on jah (Official Music Video) 

See ya soon..

What is possible to do during a long weekend? A couple a weeks ago I was sitting in front of some maps. The Rogen area has always been a place I wanted to visit. At the same time I am keen to visit Funasdalen because is its such a nice mountain village. Close to the area the national park of Sonfjallet is situated, so why not do it in the same trip was my question. I followed my thought and the planning begun. So early in the morning (for sure this will be a concept for this tour) on Thursday I stared the car from Stockholm towards Funasdalen. I arrived just after lunch and got my accommodation. I switch my clothing and went to Hållan for skating towards Storskarven. A very nice tour. Back to the hostel and start preparing for my next day. Early morning and today I aimed for Karingsjovallen and going towards Rogen cabin with snowshoes. With a good speed I arrived after one hour and 45 minutes ~9km. Time for a lunch and hydrate and after an hour I went to the peak of Tandsjovalen. During the hike I passed fresh wolverine tracks…The weather change a lot during the trip. When I get back to the cabin the cottage host told me he have started up the sauna. I can say I was really happy about that. Three more guest has arrived and the host gathered us for a briefing. He did it exemplary, I was really impressed. I wish every cottage host would be like that a real role model. After a dinner consisting of the obligatory reindeer filet, I had a tiramisu for after dinner sweet. At 20.30 I was in bed and slept at 20.55. And guess what, early morning again:-) Up at 05.40 and away after breakfast at 06.10. After 1 hour and 45 min I was back at the car, and stared the journey to  Sonfjallet. Once there, I quickly repacked and set off for the top of the mountain. I felt the wind had change a bit and become more and more challenging. I looked at the peak and start the accent. The higher I got the more challenging the wind become. At the peak, I just took a fast look and started the descend immediately, I really did not want to be in the wind that sometimes lifted me up… After a short break in the wind shelter I went back to the cabin, get a waffle with jam and cream happy as hell. A mountain tour on ski, a visit in a nature reserve and a visit in a national park in just one weekend, I think that is a good and effective result…The plan worked and I am satisfied.

So in middle of March I can concluded that I’ve been to Skuleskogen-Åre-Funäsdalen-Rogen and Sonfjallet, a great start of the year and the firs quarter…

France Gall – Poupée de cire, poupée de son (1965) Stéréo HQ

See ya soon…

After a long day of skiing or hiking it always feels like a relief when you can see the cabin towers in the distance. Knowing that its not so far to hot food and cozy environment. Thanks to the Swedish Tourist Association there is a network of mountain cabins and mountain stations in the Swedish mountain environment. I have forgot how many night I spend at cabins, but a lot there is for sure. The 65 hut, even called the Abrahamssons-cabin is one of them. The older cabin model from the 1916 was replaced by this model. At 21 places was this type of cabin build. There is nothing as good to start a fire in the stove and feel the heat warming up the room…

So I am planning the upcoming weekend to visit one of the STF cabin. So it will be a visit in one nature reserve and one National park, this includes two peak tours as well. So I hope for good weather, and it can be really nice. I will for sure report the next Sunday.

FANTAN MOJAH – STRONGER

See ya soon…

I should state that I am characterized by diplomacy, impatience and efficiency. These qualities can be both beneficial and a burden. I will always strive for solution rather then quality, but with the diplomacy it will be a great combination from my point of view. One of my goals is to be in the mountain environment one time every month, and I very successful with that target. The reason that I got that possibility depends on two things from my perspective. One is that I plan the tours and the second is that I stick to the plan and pt effort of to achieve it. The more noise reduction I do, the easier it will get. So I spend less time at social media, to get into the “real” instead. I am doing this for my own feelings and my own experience. I have no need for providing it to others anymore. If they want, they can ask for it. A bit like the same as at the gym. I am not providing other the solution of how to work out. But, if anyone ask for advice or support of course I will help. The some with my adventures and Mountain skills. I don’t need to provide or offering them to anyone if they don’t ask. So my spend time at social media for that reason.

But after looking into Instagram and watching and listening to documentaries about people telling about their feeling about nature and mountains I became tired. The reason was that we all got different feelings and for me its more important wit more workshop and reality then to hear others talking about there feelings and emotions etc. So let the social media go and get out there instead. Feeling the experience in every cell in you instead of how and what to put in the social media…

January it was Skuleskogen, and in February Åre Jämtland and in March the plan will be the Tofsingdalens National park…

Devault feat. Griff Clawson – Leave Me Low (Lyrics)

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It has been a couple of serious incidents in the Nordic mountain environment. And is it a fact that it will become more frequent with incidents? First of all we can ask the question is it more dangerous in the winter than in the Summer? Well, it depend on. In the higher altitude or in the alpine area there will be no difference between the season. At lower level it might be easier, but you still need the knowledge and the equipment. When something that we can see is that more people start there winter season earlier then before. This meaning that the shortened time of daylight will have an impact. You must plan due to that circumstances. And also always bring goggles with you, this will help you to se better even if its not snow. also a binocular can be used for catching the light when needed (for better sight) . Another thing to take to account will be the trails over ice. A new study shows that the ice in Sweden get thinner for every year. A ice must have 10 cm core ice for be safe to use.

When it comes to upcoming adventure I can tell as much as this: it will be a challenge. I will do a mountain marathon, so the focus and training is on. This week I add up to 175km in running and fast hiking. It feels in my legs, so I really need to do mobility workout for not being stiff or getting wounded.

Laid Blak feat. Tanya Lacey – It’s A Pity [Official Video 2020] – YouTube

See ya soon.

It goes uphill, at a leisurely pace. The sun is pale and will only shine for a few more hours. It is afternoon and we are on our way up in the Ulladalen valley. As a matter of experience, we stop before it gets dark to pitch the tent for the night. The snow layer is not so deep and the ground is hard and flat ground. Pretty fast the tent come up and we can enjoy the sun set. The night is cold, but the snow is isolating (Photo Mattias Jansson) and the sleeping bag is warm. With a good breakfast and of course a nice cup of coffee it is time to pack up the tent and continue the trip. Down to Ullasjon for the next place for camp. And after pitch the tent it is time for a tour to the backside of Areskutan. It is not much snow here and we can see that the reindeers have been here and eating. Some snowmobile passing us on our way. The lunch is spend in the shelter of a couple of small fir trees. At the way back to the camp site we stop for filling water in a small creek that not has frozen. Later in the evening the moon is coming up and it is time for the sleeping bag again. Some luxury (Photo Mattias Jansson) coffee in the morning becomes invigorating and helps the body get going. Soon the tent is down and the journey (Photo Mattias Jansson) back can start. A nice coffee stop at Bustamon will be a good help to get some power for the last part of the trip to Are easier.  In the noon I am sitting on the train back to the capitol with some new memories in the luggage. I reflect over the fact that it really will be the extremes that triggers me. Out in the wild and home in my own bed, that is the shit. That was the most driving part for me as a officer as well. Thursday standing in the November rain at the rifle-range and at Saturday at a ball in the Karlbergs castle. ..

Thank you for the tour Mattias, really nice…

So what’s up next? Well planning for a lot of challenges this year, it will be interesting. I will for sure coming back to it when is set. So for now it will just be ateaser for you:-)

Woh, I almost forgot; I’ve been testing the Carinthia G-Loft Defense 4 L 200. This is a synthetic sleeping bag, it has the zipper in the middle and its build for being easy to get in and out. That solution works out really fine. It has an exceptionally wind- and water-repellent outer material. In addition, the sleeping bag is classified as extremely robust and durable. The comfort temperature is -15 and the extreme temp -35. In wet condition this is a really good choice. Down is normally better and lighter, but as said in wet condition this is more preferable. With the solution and the perfect stuff-bag I will rate it NNNN+.

John Frusciante – Carvel – YouTube

See ya soon…

Today it will be a reflection blog, as a guide and visitor of the Nordic (and the alps) mountain communities I must understand my responsibility.  And what is it all about then? As a leader for a group or if I am  a practitioner of outdoor activities of some kind, I must understand that I am just…a visitor. In this communities there is a life ongoing among the year around whatever we are there or not. It is easy to forget, and just using the areas as ”playground”. As a arena for outdoor activities. So we all must bear in our mind, that we are just that-visitors and act like that. Taking responsible etc. For understanding of that this is area were people got their daily day to day life. We are just there for a short minute in the big context. So bring this in mind within your next visit in the mountains…

Saga Ludvigsson – Country Boy

See ya tomorrow

Time tricks you mind, how to master it? Why does time fly away? The paradox of time unit. Our brain measure time by recording new experience. So  what if your habits has become daily administration? You are stuck in the comfort zone. So how to hack the system in that case? New habits and new experience will be the key. So try a new hobby every month, have conversation with strangers, Each new experience force your brain to pay attention. Do not over estimate what you can do over a day, and do not underestimate what you can do under a year.

Where do you want to go within your life? The more learning and the more skills you will end up in, will result in more opportunities or what is your experience of that? The key word here is productive procrastination, so chose to avoid some task for using the energy for learning something new. The health is also important of course. Mental health create mentally clarity. We was not build for eight hours of sitting still…Small movement during the day will help you out here. 10 push-ups here and a small walk there, 5 minutes of stretch and so on. Stock of a challenge, move on and the solution will come. Another thing that is important will be your emotion of things and circumstances. What controls our emotions are chemicals (or hormones). This hormones will last in your body for 90s (ok, 90s!) after that it is your choice if you want to stay in it or leave the emotion. Think of that, that might be a superpower you can learn to control due to that fact. This emotional regulation means that you will be able to reach out difficulties such as difficult conversation for example. Think if you got the feeling that you are in control of you emotions, and got the ability to stay calm. 90s think about it…

So to the conclusion of 33 days of cold shower, what have I experienced? What I learned is different days different resistance.  But, once I’ve been in the bathroom, it’s never been a problem. The cold days have been more challenging. What have been the effect then? Well, it is a really ”kick-start” of the day. The body & brain became awake at once, and it has felt good. 

Akon – Ghetto (Official Music Video)

See ya soon

Let us begin from the start with todays topic. We are all consequence-driven. We behave more or less unconsciously in the way that best benefits us in a given situation. What does it take to successfully create a new habit? Why are some habits easier than others? To start with, so if you are going to start with a new habit then it will be absolutely crucial if you can find a reinforcer.  Consequences that you experienced as positively which are connected with the new habit. For example, if you have something that you find hard to do. If you do it first thing in the morning. Make that hard call or send that notification or wherever you feel like being? How does it feel when it’s done? If you feel good about it, you celebrate with a good cup of coffee. How will that effect you? Now we coming to the tricky part, we are all different…That together with the fact that some of the habits are easier to set, than others. This depending of  how easy it is to see and feel and experience and of course how easy it is to see and experience positive effects.

Then we are also different as individuals; some have an easier time making decisions and sticking to them despite the lack of short-term reward for a longer period than others. But why is it so hard to set a new habit then? Well, it is also related to the fact that we are programmed for saving energy and effort. Normally we use our reptile brain, and its capacity is 11. 000.000 bits/sek. As for a new behavior we need to move brain activity up to our frontal lobe where our logical, empathetic and strategic thinking is located. It requires much more energy and here the brain operates at a speed of about 40 bits/sec. So that explains why we like to do things habitually. Make sense or? That is also the fact why we normally do thing habitually to around 45% and the morning routines around 85%. 

So now to the how, how do I fix it to set a new habit then? Were in January so its a perfect time for this type of change isn’t it? Ok, so here we go:

1. Make sure you can reward the habit in a good way.
2. Remove obstacles that may interfere with your new habit.
3. Learn from mistakes if they happens, It is never wrong to fail as long as it develops you…

So to my ”new” habit -shower in cold water. Today it was my 26th day in a row with cold water shower. So what have I experiences so far? Some day are tough, and some day are very easy. But standing in the bathroom, it has almost never been a fight with my mind (Terrorist, never negotiate with your terrorist). The best thing is that I feel really awake, and feel on the top. A physical ”clean” experience. Increasing of the alertness. A energy boost of the start of the day.

This week I will review the Karrimor SF predator 30L Backpack. This is a tactical back pack with a lot of technical details that looks real  nice. Since it got this ”build in” solution it is very easy to adept the pack for what adventure you are aim for. Perfect for fasten ice axes or sticks. You can also put extra pockets etc. So it really looks nice at the first view…

King’s Call

See ya soon…