A judgement from January 2020 has now spread it rings on the water towards Jämtland. It is the Girjas Judgement about the assignment right related to hunting and fishing who will affect the area of Sylarna this time. The government owned reindeer pasture lease will expire within two years, and will be renegotiation. The Samis in the area has not been willing to discuss how the trails etc. in the area will be lead in the future. This has result in that the Swedish Environmental protection Agency not have upgrade the trails in the area due to this.

Alf Kjellström Environmental protection officer in the Sylarna area, describes how the area is affected of the increasing tourism. Cycling wears the are in one way, hiking another and trail-running in a third way. It even has been like a road towards the Sylarna mountain station. The area around Storulvån, is crowded in the time when the reindeers need to have their calf period, and need calm environment in April-May. So it will be a growing conflict between the Samis and  the mountain tourism. So it will be very interesting to follow this…

Vem har rätt till fjällen? – SVT Nyheter

Listen to all the interview’s, very interesting…

Död hand över Jämtlandstriangeln | SVT Nyheter

This weekend it was time for the Ultimate-trail. A race that includes three rounds of 8 Km in X-country and trails. First start was at 16.00 and you must be back before 16.59. 17.00 is time for the second round, and you need to be back at 17.59. Now it is dark and 18.00 the last round start. You really need to have control of your feet’s and body in the slippery terrain. The first round was easy, and quite easy to find the track. During the second round I started to become hungry. At the lapsing, I took a chocolate bite and drink recovery drink. The last round felt in the legs, and at the end of the race the muscled felt like squeezed tube. But I held my time plan and ended the race in a really good way…

Three Days Grace – Somebody That I Used to Know (Live) – YouTube

The Most Insane Ski Run Ever Imagined – Markus Eder’s The Ultimate Run – YouTube

See ya soon…

There is always a lot of activities ongoing in the mountains. During the summer and autumn some trails have been upgraded. At Kungsleden the part between Singi and Kaitumjare has been one of them. We can also see the fantastic work with the trail to Kebnekaise south peak with stairs and trail markings. But there are still some more to do. A trail from Sälen in south towards Treriksröset in north was about to get established. In 2021 The Lapland-trail was consecrated. What is left now is a trail from Gäddede and Skäckerfjällen and from Storlien towards Skäckerfjällen. This two areas will be difficult to get in place due to it will affect almost all of the sami village in the area. There are very few trails in the area today. So this will take time. But we look forward to this, All long-haulers will applaud it whet it will be in place…

With just 6 weeks ahead to this years advent calendar, I am planning for the upcoming summer tours. I am planning a trail-running camp in Swedish Lapland or Jämtland. So if you longing for running free in the mountain environment contact us for more information.

This week I will test two different product. One head lamp from Silva and a pair of tactical pants from Helicon-Tex. But let us begin with the head lamp. The plan is to do a Trail run at Saturday and than the lamp will be ”battle” tested. I needed a lamp for trail running in a cross-country race. My choice landed on the Silva trail speed 5R. The weight is 178g, maximum light will be 1200Lm. The battery will long for 3 hours on the highest choice. So I will respond on this a week ahead… The pant this week is from the brand Helicon-Tex. This is used in police and militarily forces. I have tested a couple of the brands apparel before and I am satisfied. This pant will be really interesting to test. With about 120km each week with the dog I will for sure get a good opinion of the pants…

Teddy Swims – Someone Who Loved You (NZ Live Acoustic Session) – YouTube

THE MOUNTAINS – Cinematic Short Film – YouTube

An overnight hiking adventure to Lac Blanc, Chamonix – YouTube

See ya soon…

The last weekend was spend in Funäsdalen. The area really got a lot different opportunities for outdoor activities. The first day we went to Aderssjöåfallet, and hike towards Hamrafjället. First we could enjoy the stairs close to the waterfall, and soon we were coming up to the tree line. From here with the view of Storskarven in the fund, was really nice. As usually it was a bit strong winds, but nothing that limited us. After a short coffee break it was time for the next challenge.

Now we was going to approach the Svansjökläppen. The wind had increased so we had to go a bit faster due to the chill effect of the wind. But soon we was standing at the highest point. At a peak close to the starting point we saw a sofa, and we could not let it go without a visit. So this was the result of that.

The evening was spend with trail-running at the Funäsdalsberget.

Saturday it was time for Ånnfjället to have a visit of us. So at 8.30 we were standing at the starting point with 5,5K in front of us. The morning was crisp and the chill was hitting us. But soon we done the first 2K and the sun was going up and warming us

It was a nice tour and after passing the hike cross towards Ljusnedal the real ”climbing” of height meters could begin. For every height meter the temperature decreased, and the cold bit our fingers.

But soon we reach the top, and after a short stop it was time for descending…

The evening was as usual spend for trail-running:-). Sunday morning and time for going home. But of course we used the day for an adventure. A visit of the Evagraven at Messlingen. A natural phenomenon created by the land ice 100 000 years ago.

(Ghost) Riders In the Sky (American Outlaws: Live at Nassau Coliseum, 1990) – YouTube

See ya soon…

Todays blog will be about workout. What and how will be the best way of training? What says the scientist about it, are we are born to run? In a study from 2004 the scientist Daniel Lieberman arguing that the human body is evolutionary built for long distance running. This discovery was also spread, among other things trough the book “Born to run” from 2009. The scientist concluded that the humans upright course was for being good in long distance running. The evolutionary conclusion was that the endurance was important. The reason therefore was that we could run longer than the prey animals. But at the same time the same scientist Daniel Lieberman has recently published a book – Exercised (Sv/. Träningsparadoxen) in this book he has changes or I would explain, developed the message.

Because here he writes that even if the human is adapted for running and feel good from workout, the fact is that man is basically lazy and good in preserving energy. So from that point of view there is no naturally driver for us as human being to put on the running tights or running shoes…And Lieberman means that we not are built for train/workout in that way we doing today. We got a evolutionary build in aversion of running if we as human not really need to do that. So from a scientific point of view, are we build for running? The  scientific answer will be – No, but we are built for the physical movement. Ok, but then we can ask what will be the most effective workout for us as homo sapiens? Interwall exercise or long distance/endurance? And if I want to loose weight shall I train in a lower pulse? HIIT Tabata etc. What will be the most effective one? There is no silver-bullet for being honest. From a scientific point of view the fact of that we just workout will be the primary answer, the healthy point of it. If you run or cycling long distance you will reach a plateau, and if not combining the long distance with intervals you will stay on the same level. If just doing intervals you will just be high performing in short time. So it need to be a combination. Lots of sports got this ingredients by default, such as team sports, cross-fit, fighting etc. So that should be the best answer of what will be the most effective workout. But it still need to be fun, developing and challenge you so that you continuously do it.

The interesting thing I can add, is that during my time in the service (in the Army,) was that all of this was taught in the subject of training and physiology and this already in the mid 80s.

But looking into HIIT and endurance training what is best for what? If you want to improve your race time, then it will be both of them. The stable foundation is composed of longer runs to build your aerobic capacity. You can enhance your base by improving your running form and performing strengthening, stabilizing and stretching exercise.

A good program for advanced hiking could be like this:

Week 1-4     Building strength: Mo, We, Th, Sa. Strength + Distance

Week 5-8     Building Stamina: Mo, Tu, We, Th, Sa. Strength + Distance

Week 9-11   Building Strength: Mo, Tu, We, Th, Sa, Strength + hill with back-pack.

Week 12-15 Building Stamina: Mo, Tu, We, Th, Sa, Su. Distance, strength and hill with backp.

Week 16      Peak and Taper: Mo, Tu, We, Sa-hike 6 days. Jbel Toubkal etc.

For detailed program contact us, and lets build it adapted for your needs.

This weeks golden rule will be: Never stop exercising, it is easier to keep a wheel running then to start it up again – Said by Mattias Jansson…

This Is War (Feat. Richard Farrell) – YouTube

Hiking Alone in isolated Swiss Mountains – YouTube

See ya soon…

We all want to develop and become better in outdoor techniques. And we often wonder what it takes for improving and become more skilled. So this will be the topic for today. So let’s start from the beginning, here comes some suggestion to get a base to start from. You need to get the experience of walked with a big backpack for more than eight hours. You should also have had a day where everything seemed to go wrong. Gotten lost. Gotten soaked. Gotten cold. Experienced rapidly changing alpine weather above the treeline. Scrambled several peaks where you had to use your hands and crossed sections where a fall would have been catastrophic. Done at least two backpacking trips longer than a weekend. Learned the basic how to belay, and tie all the basic nots(ex. Green cars at the climbing gym). When you have done all of this it is time for the next step.

Now you should contact a guide for a training in the mountains. It will be worth the effort of spending a long weekend together with a guide training you to the next step. Now you will learn navigation skills including GPS, altimeter, compass, topographical maps, , safe travel and protection techniques for snow and ice terrain. Ice-axe technique, how to use crampons, self-arrest technique and also snow and ice anchors. Rope technique, metrology, crevasse rescue, route planning. Introduction to accident and emergency response. Evacuation techniques and resources for rescue. During this process, get yourself a partner. It will be a lot easier to do this together with someone. And much more fun as well.

Now we have come to the most easy (and for most of us, the fun part) Gearing up. So what will you need? A buying list in order; First of all non-cotton layering clothing system. Hiking boots, Merino wool socks. Back-pack, gaiters, climbing harness, helmet, more merino socks, Mountaineering boot, Crampons, Ice ax. And by the way always remember: never trust a guy with shiny gear, so now you are up to evidence. Get put there and practice. Why don’t you hire a guide again, and practice all of your learnings in a nice area somewhere….

So if you are eager to get the “know how” I suggest you sign up with us. We will spend a weekend(three days) in Feb-Mar at Sylarna. Here you for sure will develop all of your mountaineering skills. We will meet up at the morning on Friday and go by ski or snowshoes to Sylarna. Here we will spend one night in tent and one night at the mountain station. The cost will be 9490:-//PP including food, accommodation, needed equipment and guide. We will be back on Sunday so you can take the night train back home. Of course you can extend it with one or two days as well. After this you will be ready to get out there by your own…

Ok, so over to this weeks golden rule. The first one was; do not underestimate a person getting up 05.00 in the morning. The second; You are your best coach. And here comes this weeks golden rule: Planning your personal development. So how can you do this? First you need to set yourself goals. Next step will be to prioritize this goals. Now you set yourself deadlines for when you want to achieve them. Next step will be to recognize threats and opportunities. Develop your skills or increase your knowledge? Use your support network. And measure your improvements.

This weeks scouting will be about Kick-offs. It doesn’t matter if you are a participant or a planner of it, here comes the trends. After the pandemic it seems like the companies are eager to start up the conferencing again. But the market trends will be: simple and calm activities. Easy walk in the forest or in the mountains. Social togetherness, reflective exercises and cooking in the team. Ax troughing is way out at the time…So what does it takes to succeed with the kick-off? Set a clear purpose and goal for the event. Choose a spot with care, the place will be setting off the whole feeling of the event. Secure “air” in the agenda for socialization. Plan for free-time, the feeling of the spot shall be relaxed. All activities shall be inclusive, all shall feel comfortable with it. And as I always had said: Start a bon-fire, serve cooking coffee and when the twilight comes the stories will come…(no agenda needed)

See ya soon…

Kate Wolf – Green Eyes – YouTube

We all strive for different things in our life, for example, more extreme adventures. Longer hikes, but for what do we strive towards all this goals? I think this question is really relevant. Do I have to go to Nepal or Kilimanjaro for becoming a real mountaineerer, is that what counts? Will I become more of an adventurer due to that? For what and for whom are you doing the adventures or this challenges for? We are fed from the media in generally and in social media in particularly. My suggestion will be; get yourself a nice cup of coffee, sit in front of a bonfire and look into the fire and into the glow. Let you mind wanderer. Soon now you will got the purpose for your adventure and now it will be for real. As I always has been saying; the best coach for you -will be…YOU. This is this weeks golden rule of life. So find your purpose for your adventures. It might be to rather get out often instead of extreme alp adventures. And if you want a challenge here in Sweden contact me and I will for sure give a damn good suggestion of an extreme challenge…

This weekend it has been a peak tour towards Bydalen, Oviksfjallen in Jamtland. After breakfast in Åsarna we steered the journey towards Gräftåvallen. From here we took the trail up in the ski-slope with Österfjället as goal. After an hour the weather started to become rough. The wind and rain whipped us in our faces. But after 1,5 hours we reached the peak and we all was satisfied. The fact that we have to search 5-10 min to find the peak (due to the weather) was fast forgotten. One hours later we was back at the start. Now it was time to eat and continue to Drommen and Höglekardalen. The plan was to do two peaks at Saturday.

Drommen is a straight forward peak, its fast and steep. This day the sight was reduced due to low rain clouds. But with a fast ascend accompanied with a herd of reindeers we reached the summit after one hour.

After a short lunch break it was time for the third of the peaks the Västerfjället. This peak is also exposed to the elements, but today it was kind. So pretty soon we reached the peak and got a nice view over the Jamtlands mountains. So with 3500 height meters within total 6 hours everyone was pleased and happy with the result. And by the way, we did it for ourselves, and not for anyone else. And probably the game at the evening was the best part of the journey:-)

String Along – YouTube

Bury My Bones (Official Video) – YouTube

See ya soon

The fantasy is an very important content for our life’s. Realism + Fantasy=Effectiveness.  Devotion towards your goal makes the journey more effectiveness. A study tell us that engagement and reached goals are strongly interconnect. A combination of realism and fantasy increase the ability to solve problem with greater effectiveness. By thinking a bit different and using our fantasy we have the possibility to affect our own way of thinking and by that got an easier way to reach our goals. Gabriele Oettingen (Professor in psychology) done a study about the way how the fantasy can affect and improve our engagement. She let three different groups solve a problem, but all the three groups got different conditions. The first group she let focusing on a positive picture of the fact that the problem already was solved. The second group have to focusing of the negative fact that it  was just a problem. The third group she let to have a combined approach. First the third group visualize the positive solution, and then they focused at the current problem. All the three groups also had to reflect over their expectation of how the fact of actually of solving the problem. The result of the study; well I think you already know. The third group with the contrast-technique solved the problem with the best result. But it also showed that the high expectation of solving the problem was clearly controlling the outcome of the positive result.

The conclusion Gabriele Oettingen got is that both emotions and thoughts rules, very high degree, both the motivation and the ability to devote yourself completely to a goal. The survey also shows that individuals who commit to the goal become more energized in the process and significantly more efficient and solution-focused.

Rethinking Positive Thinking – Gabriele Oettingen – häftad (9781617230233) | Adlibris Bokhandel

Though one thing to bring in to this is that the fantasy got burst when it come to predict feelings in the future. Our brain steer us to avoid things or situations that can be dangerous for us. The fear of things can be excessive, and not realistic. That can be something to bear in mind as well. But as we can see in the study the fantasy is very important to grow, it will help us to become motivated and reach our future targets…

At todays blog I will also start a serial of rules of life from my perspective. The first will be: never underestimate a guy who gets up 05.00 AM. Early morning the mind is pure, now you got your own time. Often the weather is good in the morning. Starting early means your up while the others sleeping, you already ahead of all others. First in the gym, on the track or at the office. Or all of them:-). The morning feeling makes you feeling great, and I can ashore that you will become more effective with this approach. So my first golden rule of life: Never underestimate a person who get up 05.00 AM (and also start the day with a cold shower, this will also improve your immune system…).

I’m Going to Work On Maggie’s Farm Forever – YouTube

Next Sunday it will be a report from Bydalen…

 

See ya soon.,,

The autumn is here, a bit of melancholy and expectation in the crisp air.  It’s time to plan the upcoming adventures.  Soon it will be a adventure to Bydalen, to visit the Falkfångarfjället. And after that a guiding session at Skuleberget and Via Ferrata and after that it’s time for a  a tour to Funäsdalen.  So a lot of stuff is upcoming. For the Funäsdalen hike I am planning for a hike towards the Messlingen canyon with the Evagraven . And it can also be a vistit of Mittåkläppen or Storskarven…

This week I have done a review of the Deuter Freescape 24SL a real good ski-alpinism back-pack. With two outside pockets for avalanche equipment etc.  Many options for attaching gear etc. So this one will get NNNNN. You got a lot of back-pack for the money.

Big Iron – Southern Raised | Bass Singer Cover | – YouTube

See ya soon…

Three insights from over 50 years of outdoor activities in the mountains.

Looking in the rearview mirror of my experiences under over 40 years, I can see three basic learnings. The first is the weather. There is much things that we can affect, but weather is not one of them. This meaning that I must adapt to it instead. The wind, the chill, the precipitation and the heat will affect us. So this is something I really have to take in consideration of planning an adventure.

The second will be humility, you must understand that in the mountain environment you are nothing when the nature playing its instruments. By listening and stay calm you will have much more effort from your tours. Interact with others by having a great deal of humility will help you to grow, and building knowledge and a nice network as well.

The third will be to keep an open mind. But, what will this mean? This will mean that you must stay curious. Interesting in new ways and angles of point of view. By challenge your own values and your sight of things, you will develop your self in a good way. This learning also includes to have this behavior even in stressed situation. Its when the shit hits the fan, this quality becomes very important. By training this ability in calm situations, you will have the skills to use it when you are stressed. This will help you to solve a problem in more efficient way. So what tools can I use for developing this ability? 1. Learn to question yourself. Next time you say no, try to understand why. 2. Set a goal to experience at least one new thing each month, a new kind of workout. Read a book that isn’t from your preferred genre, or change radio station one day. 3. Examine your precious from another perspective. This including politics, morals and religion for example. 4. Let yourself become vulnerability, of you shall be able to open your mind this is one of the most important things to do. 5. Stop making assumptions, if you put people or fact into subjects you lock your mind. Challenge your own rules and restrictions, this will help you to open your mind into new worlds…

How to choose/buy a jacket?

Hard-shell, soft-shell, hybrid, wind-proof, fleece, synthetic…

Today it is a jungle to choose a jacket. The 4^th of December I blogged about the optimized shell jacket. Today it will be more of a study of the whole area of jackets. First of all you need to ask yourself: What are you going to use the jacket for? If its for alpinism in stormy weather, it will be a three layer shell-jacket with good ventilation. If it is an a area with cold temperature and dry air, pressed wool could work-out. A dry hiking tour between cabins you can use soft-shell jacket with a wind and rain jacket to add if necessary. A 2,5 layer jacket can be used for speed hiking etc. So back to where I began – It’s a jungle…But how should I think when I am buying a jacket then? First of all you must decide what you will use the jacket for. If it for all type of activities you will need a 3 layer jacket. If you going to use it for fast and physical demanding activities you will need a 2,5 layer or a soft shell jacket with wind and rain repellent shell. A jacket over 200Euro shall have ventilation zippers, at least three pockets outside and at least one inner pocket. If you also with add the sustainability angle as well, you need to by a jacket with long life. From my side the soft-shell jackets is nice to have, not need to have. I use them for dog walks in good weather, and nothing to bring to the mountains.

This week I will have a review of a hybrid jacket. As always with a combined solution there is a risk it will be bad or just a half good in both ways. First of all the question -would I bring this one into the mountains? Yes, for a hike between cabins or peak tours. For a longer hike -no! I missing zippers under the arms for ventilation, and also an inner pocket. I really like the finish, and for peak tours it will workout fine. With its Gore-Tex reinforcement on the hood, arms and front it will work fine for shorter tours…But it cant get more then NNN due to the price and missing of zippers and pocket. The upcoming week I will review a Deuter back-pack. The Freescape lite 24 SL, this will very interesting. I like to laboratory with small backpack for forcing me to reduce my stuff to bring at my adventures…

Loner Deer – I Hold You [Official Music Video] – YouTube

See ya soon…

This week I will reflect over the essence of the outdoor life. I’ve been on the top of Mt Damavand, the top of Galdhöpiggen, the top of Kebnekaise and so on. But to be honest, how long time did I spend on the top, and if I should compare with the time I spend by reaching the top it will be real interesting. I think we often forget to enjoy reflect over the effort and the journey towards the peaks. Much of the reason for ascend a peak will be the journey and effort to get there. The last guiding trip towards Kebnekaise, the sight at the top was about 5 meters. So we did not saw anything. But in the saddle between Tolpargorni and  Sinnicohka the view was marvelous. So it is really important to bear in mind that the journey shall be the target, and the adventure will become much more joyful.

This weeks hiking suggestion will be the Vålådalen area in Jämtland. You can reach the area from Vålådalens Mountain station. From Gåsen mountain cabin, Vallbo Sami village, Höglekardalen or from Persåsen Sami village. One nice trip is to go from Storulvån-Gåsen-Stensdalen-Vålådalen. Or from Vålådalen-Lunndörren-Vålåstugorna-Stensdalen-Vålådalen. This area have good communication with train and transfers.

When it comes to apparel I have two new garment in view. This time it is from a Italian brand, Montura. It is one par pants and a hybrid jacket. The pant is the Vertigo Tekno pants. With its 86% polyamid and  14 % elastan it is a really flexible pant in alpine fit. Spontaneously I really like this pant. Well, it don’t have much  of rain protection. But for being a softshell pant it is really smooth, but I will reply on this when I really have tested them. The next one will be the Montura Air Fleece Action Hybrid. This jacket got enforcement with Gore-Tex on the front and at the shoulders. I am a bit sceptic on hybrid solutions, because they often don’t fit at all. But I have tried one that really lived up to the functionality ( it was a Patagonia jacket) But this one will also be interesting to test.

And it was a time since I give some book suggestion, but here comes two:

This book will give a really good overview of the Swedish mountains trails in common and the ”Green band” in particularly.

Vandra Gröna bandet : en guide till svenska fjällvärlden – Jörgen Johansson – Häftad (9789186433871) | Bokus

The second will be this one,

Fjällrand : de krokiga tallarnas land – Thomas Öberg – inbunden (9789189021631) | Adlibris Bokhandel

A book about the virgin forest close to the mountain’s in the Swedish landscape. A book full of QR-codes where you actively can participate and enjoy the sound from the woods…

Lord Huron – Ends of the Earth (Official Music Video) – YouTube

See ya soon…