Today it will all be about ice. Ice is frozen water and can be divided in to two main types. Cast ice and Black ice (Sv. Stöpis och kärnis), The properties of ice depends partly on the size and appearance of the ice crystals. If you have an average layer of the ice, you can determine the core how the adhesion is between the layers. You who are familiar with snow and avalanche can recognize the similarity here. Water is one of the exceptions to the theory that substances that turn into solid form contract. The water has the property of becoming almost 10% lighter when it freezes to the ice is the opposite of many substances where the volume decreases and the density increases. The ice grows thicker on the  underside in the border layer against the water that always has a temperature of zero degrees in lake water. The heat is led from the border layer, up through the ice, through the outer ice layer out to the air by radiating against a dark and clear night sky. The radiance is not at all as great against a light day sky or a cloud -covered night sky. Bridges, bridges, reeds and imminent forests have the same impact and the ice becomes thinner here. Water freezes to ice when it is reversed layered ie. Colder water flowing on top of warmer depth water. The temperature at the water surface creeps below zero and becomes undercooled, then ice formation begins.

Black-ice, ice formation on the surface takes place, under calm weather conditions during a cold and clear night in stages. A network of horizontal ice pins forms its foundation. The ice crystals are growing rapidly in different directions. But the ice is primarily growing from the top down. The core is transparent and the ice growth speed is dependent on the cooling from the air or more accurately the formation of the forming ice line upwards.

Cast-Ice, t often happens that it is snowing in connection with ice formation, with this you get an ice with many small bubbles with the content of the air that exists between the snow ice crystals. The ice that is gray, almost white is called Paste Ice. This ice type can be formed from a snow cover on top of a core ice. In rain or thawing weather, the snow melts down to a snow mourning, or at best to fairly clean water. At cold degrees and radiance, the mourning or water freezes to cast ice. This can sometimes approach the core ice in quality. There is also one way that cast ice can be formed. When the snow cover is heavier than the ice power of the ice, the surface of the ice is pressed down. The milk -colored ice that is then formed is also called plunge ice. This ice often has cracks and water often penetrates when the beach edge. The properties of this ice varies vigorously mainly due to the air mixture and the size of the air bubbles. Provided that the ice has frozen properly together with the underlying ice, it contributes to an increased carrying capacity. Please note that as long as there is freely cast on the ice, there can be no growth under the core ice.

One must not mix the core with the bearing ice when the latter has a much worse strength. During thaw periods it soften faster. The enclosing air seems insulating and growth is significantly slower. If you turn on cast ice it has a much weaker tone than the core and it can have an almost mute sound ..

Wind influence, Moderate wind strength makes the icing difficult, but growth on already existing ice is increasing. It takes different time for the ice to grow 1cm depending on how the external conditions are. ie The weather. The old rule of thumb says 2.5 cm in a day at -10 degrees. But the following rule is also available; If the outdoor temperature is -10 degrees,(clear and calm weather) 4 hours is required for the ice to become 1 cm thicker. The ice grows 3.5 cm on a 14 hour night. In the event of blown, the ice growth is accelerated but at +1 degree and in clear weather the ice grows as at -10 degrees and cloudy weather. Lake ice is sustainable on two nights. When it is cloudy weather, not so cold and with a little wind, the ice grows slower. Down to -2 degrees almost no growth occurs. But if it is -10 degrees, it requires 8 hours for 1 cm growth at night. In 14 hours, the ice becomes 1.75 cm thicker.

Recipes for energy cake, when activity in cold you need energy so why not try this recipe for an energy cake?

2dl syrup, 1.5 dl sugar, 2.5 dl cream. Filling: 5 dl oatmeal, 1.5 dl sunflower seeds, 1.5 dl raisins, 2-2.5 dl finely chopped nuts.

Mix cream and sugar and syrup boil into a caramel. If necessary, do a crumble test with water. Use a large saucepan and it will be easier. When the batter has cooked clearly, mix down the filling, make sure it is mixed well and then pour the batter on baking paper. Now you put a baking sheet paper on the batter and roll out until it is about 1cm thick. Allow the batter to cool and cut into just large pieces – and clear. Ps. You can dip them in chocolate so they stay softer…

Todays Christmas gift suggestion will be a sleeping bag from Marmot. The Never Summer regular is a nice choice for a good night of sleep, even if it cold…

THE DOLOMITES | Cinematic video | (youtube.com)

See ya tomorrow…

This year it must be an comment about the decision of closing down one cabin and reduce the service at three Mountain station in the western of Jämtlandsfjällen. In the latest release of the outdoor magazine (Sv. Ute magasinet) you can read about two different perspective of the issue. One that means it is no big deal, of course we shall respect the natives (Sami’s) culture and their reindeer herding. The other which of course is provoking, says that why don’t we build roads towards Sylarna and Kebnekaise instead for flying supplies and tourist with helicopters.

Well from my point of view, I think it is a good argument for the natives, but I feel it is a post construction. The Swedish Tourist Association has have lots of years to do this work and thinking of the Sami’s culture, and how come that its not a problem at the Kebnekaise area? For us who likes to be in the mountain area it really doesn’t matter. In the short turn I think it is good. It will also put more demands for the guiding and knowledge in the mountain area. And for us who likes it anyway, it will be more space with reduced number of visitors within the area.

This days Christmas suggestion will be the Nalgene narrow mouth 0,5L sustain woodsman. Perfect for the winter tenting…

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc : reconnect with nature (youtube.com)

OneRepublic – Dear Santa (Official Lyric Video) (youtube.com)

see ya tomorrow…

This morning I was sitting at the breakfast and thinking about characterful personalities.

When I was in the service(army) it was a lot of them, but today I feel that the whole society has been mainstreamed. Meaning that most of the people is the same. But it was then the thought hit me. -In the outdoor there still is a bunch of persons with a lot of personality, charisma and character. Sometimes it is a bit hard with all the people with all opinions but after thinking a while it is a really good sign that people seriously care. Hm. it seems to that I have mixed some things up here…What is personality and what is character? Character refers to our individual beliefs and values – both of which shape our personalities. Our life experience also shape our character and reveal our intrinsic qualities and morals. Personality refers to our temperaments and behaviors. our personality shapes our character and interpersonal interactions often help us suss out someone’s personality traits.

Well, one really good person with high integrity and personality will be my friend and collogue Mattias Jansson. Very clear with his opinion, and with a extremely professional focus with all in his hands. Never leaves nothing to chance. He is the one that always stays at the wind shelters to check the status for both people and the condition of the shelter. When the wind is blowing ahead he tells that it will turn soon and give the speed in the back. Always a supporting mindset to his surroundings  That is character and personality qualities that counts.

Another real nice person will be Markus Nyman. A really professional outdoorer and entrepreneur.  With a 100 of irons in the fire he still have an opinion of how things can be done in the best of ways. Allays  focused with a mind of the best for the demands of joint responsibility. With his professional view over responsibilities it is a joy to be in his presence.  And he always do it with a smile.

And of course the four musketeer’s of ice-climbing…

Ok, so this two persons(and the ice climbers) is a couple from a bunch of interesting people with character and personality. But this two (and the musketeers)will be a good way of showing that there still is people with character in the landscape of the outdoor and that makes me comfortable to know. Thank you guys for being… you:-)

Jack Savoretti – Christmas Morning (Official Video) (youtube.com)

See ya tomorrow.

Today I will give you two hidden pearls to visit. The first one is situated in Jämtland, and not so known. Since ii is far away from the other cabins and Mountain stations it  not so well known.

First you have to drive to Lakavattnet, from here it is a Cleary trodden path.  When you have reach the mountain station you will be surprised over the hospitality and the nice food. So now you are ready for a day tour. You follow the trail north and after 1km you turn left when you are at the Grubbfjället, From here you follow the edge and find a good way back to the Mountain station, now its time for dinner and a sauna maybe?

The second choice will be the Rogen cabin. You start the tour from Käringsjövallen and it is about 8km to the Rogen Cabin.

From here I suggest you to go to the Tandsjövaålen 993m from here you will get a very nice overview over the whole area. And keep you eyes open, you might see a Musk ox!

Sunset Laps in Lapland (youtube.com)

Jonas Brothers – Like It’s Christmas (Official Lyric Video) (youtube.com)

See ya tomorrow…

During the 70s there was a low-key debate about the mountain safety. Many, not least the commercial companies gave home-made instruction how to stay safe in the mountain environment. This often related to a product they where selling. It was more from a perspective from the sender rather than for those who had the need of the information. The Swedish Tourist association and the Swedish outdoor association was the ones who tried to coordinate the safety information during this time. The poster” Respect for the mountains” originates from this era.

In the end of the 70s three serious mountain accident occurred. The Blåhammar accident were four youngster were found dead just a hundred meters from the mountain station. Just a year later the Kariknall accident was a fact. Here it was three person that was found dead. In the winter 1978 it was an accident close to Lunndörren – The Anaris accident where eight person died. That accident get fully attention in the media. Now more and more people asked the question of who had the overall responsibility for preventing accidents and incidents on the mountain. As part of, or as a result of, these accidents, a mountain safety investigation is added.

As head responsible for the investigation the pre-army commander Carl Erik Almgren was choose.  Experts from the Police, Swedish environmental protection agency, SMHI, Swedish tourist association, Swedish outdoor association among more other organizations was also included. With sharpness, the investigation states -The responsible for own safety will be within own responsibility, – welcome to the mountains but on your own responsibility.

(quite interesting to read this from 2010…)

Information and education was two main part. The principalship was discussed during long time, It was one of those questions where there was disagreement within the group of experts. Due to the fact that the police authority already was owning the mountain rescue would be the naturally choice of the preventing work as well. In the end of the investigation the suggestion of ownership was The Swedish environmental Protect Agency. Many of the experts argued for that was not the most optimal. The result of the disagreement of ownership lead to two suggestion 1. A own authority and 2. An existing authority. In may 1979 the government made the decision to set up the Swedish Mountain Safety council as an own authority., and it must be directly subordinate to the government. So now the work can begin. In 1982 a work between the council, the Scholl board and the armed forces to build in mountain safety knowledge in their education. In 1984 the council is moved int to the Swedish environmental protect agency and will no longer become an own authority. This year the writhing’s of skiing and avalanche’s will be handed over from the demand of the council. In 1985 Clas Kempe is send to Davos for a avalanche symposium and Börje Renström is send over to Alaska for a cold Symposium. This year also the information paper ”Fjällsäker” is distributed. In 2001 the discussion about certification of Mountain guides is brought up for the first time.

(Urban Axelsson, a pioneer in the Swedish mountain Safety Council for the education of Mountain  Leaders in Sweden)

In 2010 the educational organization become a member of the council for the first time…

See ya tomorrow…

Yesterday I wrote about the cold, and cold skills. One of the thing was to hunting the sun, the other will be to hunt the heat. One of my colleague from the service was a ex lumberjack and as soon there was a pause, it took just 10 sec. and a campfire was burning. So how will be a good process for getting a good campfire? I normally bring a peace of dried birch bark, for a quick start of a fire.

First build a campground, use some stones for this. Gather fire wood. First pieces of tinder, small twigs and needles or forest duff. Next will be kindling small sticks, typical less than one inch around. The last step will be to get firewood pieces, a bit larger that will keep the fire for a longer time. Dry ”crow” branches from fir wood is also a good starter for a fire.

So now you have to chose what type of fire you want to build. A cone, a log cabin or a square.  I suggest the square due to the cone tend to fall together and/or burn faster. The log cabin is good if you got wet or icy sticks/wood.

You also must be sure to have a good fire starter and have spare alternative as well.

Todays Christmas gift suggestion will be a stove from MSR the Pocket rocket. A complete stove with a 075L bottle and a integrated colander(Sv. durkslag)PocketRocket 2 Mini Stove Kit (friluftsvaror.se)

That was all for today…See ya tomorrow.

.Christmas Eve – YouTube

At the moment we are in a weather situation that is cold. So what can be better than the topic cold skills. So here come some topics for how to better handle the cold environment? The first thing can be to adept your body to the cold, start by prepare your body, two hours per day will be a good start. You can use a scarf for tricking the brain by warming you blood in the neck. You can also prepare by reduce the temperature were you live. Take cold showers. Research has shown that regular cold showers can reduce your metabolic rate by 30%. I know that sounds tough, but start by alternating the water from warm to cold. Try longer periods each time.  Ok, so now you have prepare and now you in the cold environment, so what to do now?

1. Move, clothing etc. don’t give you heat, but movement does…2. Pace yourself so you don’t get wet of moister. 3. Adjust layer continuously. 4. Eat more, keep up with energy. 5. Drink hot drinks, and use drinks with sugar such as chocolate etc. 6. Keep spare gloves-mittens so you can change if needed. 7. Two beanies is good to bring, A warm one for rest times and if the other become wet. 8. Pre-warm boots and gloves. use warm heaters and put the sole in the sleeping bag during the night. 8. If you take a break, use a down jacket etc. 9. Keep you body from ground cold. Sit on your back pack if you don’t got a sit pad. 10. Warship the sun, hunt the sun as often as you can. You avoid the wing etc. so why should you not hunt the sun…

The Dead South Christmas Greetings! – YouTube

See ya tomorrow…

Todays blog will be about a favorite area in the Jämtland area, Oviksfjällen.

When most of the people go to Åre, the one living in Östersund go to Bydalen. This are have a lot of really nice spots and trails. Västerfjället which can be reached from both Bydalen and Mårdsundsbodarna. You also got the opposite side Höglekardalen and Drommen with the Falkfångarfjället in the middle. This is a really nice trail. A roundtrip over the whole area can be done with just over 50km. Stay at Arådalen for a night and a tent night or a stay at Gräftåvallen. You also got the Dörrsjörna as a really nice detour. You can also reach the small but really nice mountain cabin Anaris here as well.

Todays Christmas gift I will suggest the middle layer sweater from Ulvang. Peak field hoodie in Merino. A really nice middle layer..

Peak Field Hoodie Full Zip Mellanlager | Ulvang

The Kinks – Father Christmas (Official HD Video) – YouTube

See ya tommorow

Today’s topic will be winter tenting. The first feeling for most of us when mention winter tenting will be -Hm uncomfortable, troublesome and cold…So what can we do about it then? Well, here follows some suggestions. First thing will be to make distance from the ground cold. So you have to choose a sleeping pad that is produced for the cold. So pick one with a R grade at least over 4.0.

Another suggestion is to bring a standard sleeping mat as an extra layer, such as Z-rest for example. This one you can have between the pad and the sleeping bag, this will reduce the moister. Nest thing will be the sleeping bag, comfort temperature is the important thing here. Forgot all the “extreme” level and focus on the comfort rating. You can also use a liner for getting more comfort as well. Another thing here is to not put your face into the sack during the night, this will bring lot of moister into your sleeping bag.

(the author showing how to use the sleeping bag in the right way)

Normally the sack has a construction so you have just the breathing part of your face “free” from the sack. Use a light beanie as well, this will prevent the heat for passing out from your head. Another very important thing is to eat before sleep. Also a easy workout will be good, so you a warm and not need to warming up the sleeping bag as well. Ok, before you going into the sleeping bag you got two more things to do; 1. Boil and fill up your thermos. 2. Fill a plastic bottle to put into the sleeping bag (but be sure it not leaking). So now you got an external heater for the sleeping bag, and you are already done for making the breakfast…So, now it is time to go to bed. Wool 1^st liner will be a good choose, and might have one set for just sleeping in. For having a real nice time a LPG lamp can be real cozy and will also give you some warmth. When it comes to the tent, open up all ventilation and open up the tent door. If you are more then one in the tent – you even don’t need to use a inner tent. But if you do bring a wetex rag for the “morning” moister in the tent (it can often be a layer of frost) Sleep tight😊.

Another very good detail is to use a mini compressor for the sleeping pad, then you avoid getting moisture from the breath into the sleeping pad. Sleep tight and see ya tomorrow…

Ice Climbing in Gudvangen – YouTube

It’s Christmas Time – Music Travel Love ft. Francis Greg, Dave Moffatt & Anthony Uy – YouTube

Today was the first official meeting in the Mountain Leader Council. Since the Swedish Mountain Safety council and The Swedish Environmental Agency decided to not take responsible for the Swedish mountain Leader Norm, a work with starting a branch organization has been ongoing.

The Swedish Mountain guide organization(SBO) together with Swedish Mountain Leader Organization (SFLO) has been driving the issue of ownership. And today the organization was founded with a board in place. So today is a big day in the Swedish mountain history.

This means that FLR will be the principal for the ownership of the Swedish Mountain Leader norm. Since it hasn’t been updated for a long time this will be a big step for the mountain safety.  And in addition, I am both happy, humbled and proud to announce that I was elected chairman of the council. It is with great respect that I take on this assignment…Todays quiz will be about the Mountain leader norm. How many moment is included in the norm? And what includes in number 16? SMS your answer to +46 702 50 90 28.

Todays Christmas suggestion will be a book. What can be better than sitting in the front of a bonfire, drink a coffee and read a book – So here to the present gift you might can wish from Santa…The new outsiders…The New Outsiders – Fotografi – inbunden (9783899559644) | Adlibris Bokhandel

Wrap Me Up – YouTube

See ya tomorrow…