Today I will blog about outdoor food, this topic is important due to the comfort during your adventures. How can you do to improve, and make your outdoor meal a bit more appetising? If we begin with the breakfast, start the day with porridge, it will give you a ground for the day. Do the oatmeal, and add blueberry powder and different kind of nuts. It will taste better and will be a bit more luxurious. Coffee of course. When it comes to lunch it will be a lighter one. Bred, cheese on tube and soup for example. The dinner is the meal that might should be the most lavish. So why dont you bring some really nice and aged cheese, and dried ham and more small thing to make the dinner a bit more nice. Bring a small bottle of olive-oil, it will enhance the taste. Why dont you try a Stroganoff for dinner: Boil rice, slice the sausage and the union. Fry the sausage and the union in the pan, put in the crushed tomatoes and some thyme. put in some cream and dijon mustard. Let it simmer for ten minutes. Salt and pepper and voila…

So the conclusion of getting a nice dinner; bring the small extras for spruce it up some extra….

David Norris has Extreme Skill on Cross-Country Skis – YouTube

See ya tomorrow…

The answer for this week question I want to have at latest tomorrow at 10.00 (Se Sundays blog)

Here is the nature not far away, The wood, lakes and mountains is not just for the tourists pleasure it is also a reason for living here.  This village is fantastic from that view it is really a living village in the country side. While many village throws in the towel, some struggle and survival. Here in the gate to the mountain world you can find whatever you need. While walking trough the village, you recognise you can find all you need. From here you can reach a lot of interesting areas and mountains. Why dont you try the Ana-mountain, summer as well as at the Winter.  If you want try off-pist skiing and is a beginner, this tour is the best choice. Or why dont you try it with snowshoes? From Ramundberget, you can walk among the trail towards Faltjagarstugan and Helags. The view will make you to stop a lot of times during the hike. But on the other hand a really nice and easy accessible hike will be directly from the village. Follow the ”vintergatan” to its end, and the trail will start from there. You follow the wood path in the beginning, and soon it will become hilly.  Sooner then you think you will reach the top of the Funasdalsberget, with a splendid view over the whole area. It is definitely worth the effort...

(Ann mountain from the top of Funasdalsberget Photo U Bergman)Todays book suggestion will of course be: Strövtåg i Funsäsdalen. 

Strövtåg i Funäsfjällen – Kristina Svensson – danskt band (9789198031560) | Adlibris Bokhandel 

See ya tomorrow…

After over 40 years in the Swedish mountains it  is always nice to find new spots. This year I got two new favourites. One I already have told you about, the Bydalen area. And here comes the next; the Offerdals mountains. Far into and hidden in the north west parts of Jamtland, it is located. Like a hidden treasure. The area is quite unknown, but this is like a small Sarek. You probably will not meet any others while you are trekking here. There is almost no trails, but there are valleys and naturally paths you can follow. Mjolkvattsmountain will be the highest peak in the are with 1247m. You can start from Langasdalen, Frankrike or Jansmassholmen. Here you will reach a real wilderness area. If you park at Frankrike, why dont you take a hike up to the Oldklumpen peak. From here you will have a magical view of the area. If you chose to get into the are with tent I can suggest a visit of the peak of Himmelsraften. If the weather is auspicious you will have a really nice view from here.  

So thank you Markus Nyman for presenting me for this area.

The book suggestion of the day will be the Rådjursmannen. The author Geoffroy Delorme live his life together with a herd of deers, and spend seven year of his life in the nature with the animals, and he become the deer-man (Sv. Rådjursmannen). the book is poetically written, and a tribute to the nature and the wild animals.

Rådjursmannen : mina sju år i vildmarken – Geoffroy Delorme – inbunden (9789137502281) | Adlibris Bokhandel

Festiphoto de Rambouillet – YouTube

See ya tomorrow…

The winter is here, and that with notice. When it comes to high altitude, we have learned that it is important to adept. To acclimatise step by step. But how is it with cold, do we need, and can we adapt to it? Way not making a friend out of an enemy? The winter and snow can be something really good. A perfect building and isolation material for example…

First of all your blood vessels constrict. This meaning the skin sends a alarm to the brain that is is cold. The result will be that the body tightens the blood vessels  in your legs, arms, hands and feet. Next thing is that you need to pee. It is a natural reaction of the cold. Soon you will start shivering, the reason is that the body haven’t been able to heat up the body enough, the contraction of muscles is next step for the body to start heating up. If you are wet this steps will go faster, so you better keep dry in the cold air. Ok, so is it possible to prepare for being in cold environment?

There has been a couple of research in this area, in 2014 it was a small study were a couple of young healthy men spent up to three hours sitting in a baths filled with 14(C) degrees water. At the start of the 20 day study all the men did a lot shivering, which is the normal response of the body to react towards cold. There heart rate and metabolism speed up for heating the body. At the same time, their blood vessels narrowed and drew back from the surface of the skin, causing skin temperature to drop. Basically, the men’s vascular systems clenched—pulling blood toward their warmer interiors in an effort to escape the exterior cold.

But by Day 20, much had changed. The men’s shivering had more or less stopped. While their metabolisms and heart rates still sped up in response to the cold-water bath, their blood vessels no longer constricted and their skin temperature didn’t drop the way it had before. The men reported less discomfort during their chilly baths. At the same time, their blood samples contained fewer markers of cold-induced stress and immune-system activity. It appeared their bodies had gotten used to the chill.

So what can we learn, and how can we adept to cold then? Well, the easiest way will be to start showering with cold water. Start with a 15 sek, Shower and increase with 10 sek. every day. And as a gift out of this you also will get; improved immune function, it reduce chronic pains, it has a anti-inflammatory effect, it improves the amount of brown fat. And also reduce levels of stress, increase willpower, a higher level of alertness.

Today we also got a contest. The question is; one of the cabin that Sepals used had a tunnel for use of escape for the refugees? Was it Unna allakas? or was it the Paltas cabin, or kattejaure cabin? Send name and answer to +46 70250 90 28. This week the price will be a bivouac-sack.

And the days book suggestion will be Hypothermia, frostbite and other cold injuries.

hypothermia, frostbite, and other cold injuries | Adlibris 

Wilderness Medicine: Mild vs. Severe Hypothermia – YouTube

COLD – YouTube

Today we open door number four, and how to choose the right shell jacket you will learn more. What type of design and shell? I hope to help you out well…

Before I have describe the hunt of the perfect outdoor pant, and I must say, I found them. The Lundhags Rocketer pant. Now I will help you out to find the perfect shell jacket. When buying a jacket, you must have the sustainability perspective. So choose wisely, let it cost. You will have it for a long time, and for all types of activities. So what is important to look into? First of all, if you will use the jacket for high intensive activities it must have high breathable ability. If you are going to use it for climbing, it must have pockets high etc. So first of all what type of layering should the jacket have. If you choose a 2 layer Gore-Tex, it will become more smoother. The zippers must be easy to use. If you are going to ski, it is nice if its going lower in the back. It shall have ventilation solution, and should this be placed under the arms or more in the front of the jacket? Well, as you understand you have a lot of choice to do. So here comes my suggestions: A three layer jacket will be more durable, but it will also be more thick, in this meaning it will not become so breathable. So a 2 layer or something like it will be preferable (for being more adaptive to different activities) A slim jacket will be best, but you must be able to build up a isolation layer under. A hood that is easy to use, even with one hand is preferable. So if you ar going to by one jacket for all, here comes my suggestions; Klattermusen Allgron Jacket 2.0 as you can see this a jacket with a water pillars at 20 000, this meaning it is more breathable. This jacket got pockets so you can use a harness while climbing as well.

The next suggestion will be a Haglofs jacket. The Astral Gore-Tex jacket. This is a 2 layer jacket which is very flexible. It has a tight shape, with two high place pockets so you can use harness etc. It got a water pillrs of 28 000, and is a little bit worse due to breathable.

The last suggestion will be the Fjallraven Keb eco shell. This jacket got the Fjallravens own 3 layer system. Due to the production is fully sustainable and is produced for easy recycling. It got a water pillars at 30 000, but still got very high breathable ability. The packet are placed high for the harness etc. So this is also a favourite.

So now I hope you will have a easier choise  of shell jacket…

The book suggestion of the day will be the Sarek national park guide book, hiking, running and mountaineering.

Sarek national park guide book : hiking, running and mountaineering – Karl-Johan Piehl – häftad (9789151948263) | Adlibris Bokhandel

The Tallest Man on Earth – ”Love Is All” (Official Music Video) – YouTube

See ya tommorow…

Today we open door three, and into the IML process we will see. Since the Swedish Mountainleader organisation was found in 2014, the work with become a member in UIMLA (Union of International Mountain Leader) has become a target. And now eight years later we are almost there. So why it is so important for Sweden to get this membership? This will help us to get a good standardisation for the Swedish mountain guiding. So with three out of four modules, we are almost there. What is the difference to becoming a IML then? With a IML certification, you will be able to be guiding worldwide, in different environment but not where you need alpine equipment such as harness, crampons etc. The IML will also being able to guide on high altitude hikes, such as Tour du Mont Blanc as example.

(summer training in Valadalen area) In October 2020 we begun with the Summer Training module. This one was held with Enaforsholm as a base. With two UIMLA assessors in place we started the training. Weather forecasting/knowledge, first aid, navigation/positioning, river crossing, emergency bivouac, safety planning etc. The days become quite long I can tell. When we went to bed at 22.30 we all were really tired.

(Winter training in Bydalen area, Ice-axe technique) In February the second module was in place. At Bydalen area the Winter training took place. Snowshoeing, ice-axe technique, winter rope handling, winter navigation/positioning, avalanche rescue etc. The ended up in a mini expedition in the Drommen area. The cold wind swept over us, so it become a real good winter training. Sleeping in snow bivouac was a part of the training.

(Summer assessment in Offerdals mountain, River crossing examination)When September came up it was time for the first assessment. Summer assessment. This time it was in the northern part of Jamtland. In the Offerdals mountains the assessment took place. The week started with a speed navigation. Then we went out for a mini expedition including assessment of navigation/positioning, river crossing, first aid, safety planning, rope technique etc. When we came back to the base camp at Thursday I think we all was satisfied and tired.

At the moment we are in the middle of planning the forth module, the winter Assessment. It will be held in the end of March. And without revealing to much I can say it will include; snowshoeing, Steep ground on winter, navigation, avalanche rescue etc. looking forward to this. This time the assessors from UIMLA also will participate again.

So soon I hope we will be a fully part of the UIMLA organisation, and we got a good standard for mountain leaders in Sweden…

The book tips of the day will be: 

International Mountain Trekking – Plas Y Brenin National Mountain Centre – Häftad (9780954151171) | Bokus

Rock Collapse – Gouter, Grand Culuoire, Mont Blanc – YouTube

See ya tomorrow…

Second door this year:-). Deep in Lapland close to the Norwegian border the Unna Allakas cabin is placed. If you follow the trail from Abisko or Katterjokk. The distance is 35 K, but id you choose the Norwegian side you can start from Skjomen an than its is just 16 K. During the WW2 this cabin was in focus. Named as Sepal 2 ”Anna”, from here the resistance could plan espionage and sabotage to the German troupes in the area. One of the main duties was to inform about the weather, due to the allies bomb-planes. So the bombing of Tirpitz as well as the bombing of Narvik was helped out from here of the Norwegian Milorg. So here you also can feel the wings of history. 4 km North you can see the mining site Sjangeli and if you want to do a peak tour, why dont you try the Storsteinsmountain (Sv. Storsteinsfjellet) 1893m.  The Unna Allakas cabin got a 8-6-4 bed room, and also a (the sauna at Unna Allakallas cabin) kitchen in the middle with a wood stove. So why don’t you take a tour to the border, and visit the Unna Allakas cabin…Well I can also tell you that the Paltsacabin (sv. Pältsastugan) also was one of the Sepals cabin (named Måns 1) and here the resistance also build a escape tunnel for the refugees from Norway.

This days book suggestion will be two:

Operation Sepals : hemliga baser i Sverige 1944-1945 – Roger Albrigtsen – inbunden (9789185705337) | Adlibris Bokhandel

Vandringar kors och tvärs I Sapmi

https://miljosus.se/produkt/fjallvandringar/

Swimming Under a Frozen Lake | SAS S4 EP 5 – YouTube

See ya tomorrow…

Time to open this years advent calendar. This year it will be competitions and information as well as a book tip every day. Now we will tie the knot for all the adventures of the year. But, for being able to win the nice prices you will need to follow the calendar every day. Small clues will be hidden to help you out with the competitions. All prices will have bearing of mountain safety…

Time to open the first door of December! Today it will be about one of the gate to the Jamtland Mountains. A hidden pearl that is approachable.  A hidden village which you often have been driven past on your way to the mountains. But it is highly recommend to do a visit. You follow the Damman towards Bydalen, soon you will have Drommens North face on you left. In the valley your eyes be unknowingly constantly drawn towards the mountainside of Drommen. This year I have been here three times; Winter, Summer and pre-Winter. All trails are easy to find and access. As icing on the cake (sv. som grädde på moset) You can go to Arodalen or the wild Anaris mountains. But on the other hand you can explore a lot at the Bydalen itself. Why dont you do the three peaks. Drommen, Ostfjallet and Vastfjallet? That is what I have done, twice this year!:-) 

the book tips of the day; we will start strong with a Norwegian book

Friluftslivspedagogikk – Skolor – häftad (9788202575830) | Adlibris Bokhandel

Jingle Bells – YouTube

See ya tommorow…

Early Friday morning, the night train has just arrived at Are. The clock says 09,20. A night with two unknown persons, and one of them has been using garlic as a ingredient instead as a spice. Whatever, I put on the backpack and start the journey. My thought was to take a nice cup of coffee, but I change my mind. Now I am on track. I follow the road trough the small village and into the tunnel up to the Tott hotel. The plan will be to follow the Tott hill up to the trail towards the  Nalle cliff. Just after Tott I have to put on the snow shoes. I follow the edge up to the trail. Someone has use the trail so I can follow the tracks. The track is narrow, and I have to take the snowshoes off. I stay a short moment at the Nalle cliff, before I try to find the path towards Totthummeln. Here the trail looks like a book from Elsa Beskov  I read when I was a child., Olles Skitour. After a while I can find the track and continue. A kilometre later I turn west and I can put on the snow shoes again. The sun is slowly going up higher and the wind is quite calm. A meet to skiers and we agree of this is the perfect day for adventures. I keep a steady pace, and soon I have reach the level of the cable cars top station. Now the trail become much steeper. With snow shoes the best is to just go right up, but that is more risky due to avalanches. But it is not so much snow here, so that good. I keep up  the pace even though I breathe much more heavy now. Of a sudden I reach the plateau, just before the last climb up to the peak of Areskutan. I stop for just a minute before I continue with a furious pace. six minute later I reach the peak. And what a reward, almost no wind and a view over the whole Jamtlands mountains. It cant be better. Three skiers has just arrived to the top, and do them self ready for a nice couple of turn downwards. I just look and enjoy. Five minutes later I am on track again. Above the clouds it is just a pleasure. I meet two skiers on my way down, and we all agree that it cant be better than this. Four hours later from the start I arrive at Are again. Now my friends, it is time for a nice cup of coffee at Are bakery. After that I enjoy the atmosphere of the village. At 16.00 it is time for coffee number two at Are coffee roastery. The barista and owner Per Nordell and I have a nice conversation. We talk about haw to live the life that we want and that is nice. -Stockholm is nice to visit Per tells me, but I dont want to live there. And I think if you build a wall around the city,(the music of the the day will be a symbol out of this) the claw marks will not be on the outside he says with a big smile. I think he is totally right there…At 19.30 I am on the night train again. The waiter at the restaurant ask me -wasn’t you here in the morning? Yes I was I replied. I’ve been up at Areskutan and down. He just shakes his head….The shadow of a alpinist…

Wednesday we start the calendar, see ya…

They’re Bulding Walls Around Us – YouTube

(The person at the photo does not have anything with the text to do) It is not easy to hire the right persons with the right attitude. But I got a good suggestion yesterday. A manager who own´s a guide company told me his way to be sure of hire the right persons. He always invited all the applicants to a party in a mountain lodge. Everything in bar was for free. At 03.00 AM he knocked on the applicants doors and called everyone to help him with some duties. The ones that stood up and helped him got hired, the others had to go home without being passed for the assignment. An easy way to get the right people for the mission…

At the moment we are planning for the upcoming winter assessment for the IML-training. It will be in Katterjakk close to Abisko and Riksgransen. I am also in the middle of planning the 11th mountain tour this year. So on Thursday I embark the night train bound for Jamtland. Looking forward for a peak tour and a good dinner afterwards. Check next blog at Sunday and you will be updated.

I am also planning and preparing for the upcoming calendar, so dont forget to follow us next Sunday with updates from the 11th mountain tour, and also the calendar from the 1st of December…

It is also time for planning upcoming adventures. Why not do a snowshoe tour to Blahammaren Mountain lodge in the winter. A nice tour and a three-course dinner…Contact us for booking.

KACEY MUSGRAVES – justified (official music video) – YouTube

See ya soon..