Today I will continue about one of my favourite topic, decision making. What is it that make us to take the step, or not. After reading todays blog, you will find that you not normally make decisions out of  logic…

In order to make the right decision, we need to understand how our brain works. What is driving our decision-making? We have a built-in reward structure (striatum) that responds to what is pleasant and also a primitive emotional structure (amygdala) that responds to what is unpleasant. So when we are facing a choice, we would rather choose the one that gives the most reward and least punishment / discomfort.
Is it then possible to distinguish between decisions that are influenced by emotions or logical thinking?

We can conclude that it is a myth that we are rational decision makers. We are more emotionally driven decision makers who can think rationally sometimes. Emotions form the basis of basically all our behavior and what is important to us. When you do not know something, it is not important either.
What then makes us want to make decisions?

A simple explanation is that the alternatives are about as good, or as bad. Of course, if the results of a decision are made, it becomes easier. The strategy for making decisions easier where the difference is small is to gather information that either raises or lowers the value of one of the alternatives.
Some want more than others, what is it? Can you change that behavior?
In fact, there are partly genetic explanations linked to the dopamine system that affect how adventurous we are, this also affects how willing we are to take risks. We all need different levels of dopamine to get the kick out. But if you challenge yourself, you can develop your ability to take risks, etc.
So how do you make the right decision?

For example, if you choose a career path, you can always fall back to its original path. If you choose such a decision, you do not always receive the same support from the surroundings as if you choose a ”traditional” decision. Then it is important to know that you really want to do what you have decided. There are also situations when it can be good to listen to the fear, should I go down the off-piste hill when there is high avalanche risk? The consequence of choosing errors in such a situation can be more serious, and then it is important to listen to their emotional reaction. Basically, it’s about knowing yourself and understanding why you react the way you do. Does the fear warn you, or does it make you chick?
Human is programmed to make illogical decisions.

Daniel Kahneman, a professor of psychology, has studied man’s tendency to constantly make illogical decisions since the early 1970s. His thesis is that man has two ways of making decisions. One is completely reflex-controlled, here you can’t even reflect. The second is slower, more reflective (which in psychology is called ”the self”).
We use systems as a rule, even when we need to use system 2. It is a kind of systematic thought error or preconceived notions.

But it is now that it gets exciting, this does not happen randomly, it has a form and structure that obscures our judgment. We think we make a logical and carefully thought-out decision, but we probably won’t. Impulse purchases, that we trust the wrong people, we can’t see things from another person’s perspective or have a hard time resisting temptation.

System two has a supporting role, which believes it has the lead role. Most of our brain is controlled automatically, and then in the first place by system one. You immediately get an opinion on something. If you then get asked why you think in a certain way, you will construct reasons. System two provides us with reasons, which are not always the real reasons behind the opinion.

The reason why this lies so deeply within us is that it is genetically conditioned. What is clear, however, is that we can reflect on our choices. System two has for the first time realized that there is a system one. It gives us the opportunity to influence how we think about the decisions we make.

The Utehelg will be the 22-24 of May this year, so if outdoor is your area -be there:-)

See ya soon…

Todays blog will be a continuation of the blog from 13th of October and about the Dyatlev-expedition. During 2019 the Swedish Dyatlev expedition was provided. One of the members Richard Holmgren a archaeologist made me curious, so I decided to talk to him. This is the result:-) Richard has been working a lot in the Middle east.)

Hi Richard, what was the background of the Swedish Dyatlov expedition?
The ground reason was the fact that no one ever had  been at the area at the same time of the year for skiing the route within the same preconditions as the Dyatlov expedition got at the accident. We were interested to understand how a group with 9 different highly skilled persons, in the cold with wet equipment and no sleeping bag could have experienced the tour. It has also always been a big question to understand what was really happen out there.
How did you experience the environment in the area?
First of all, it is a very beautiful area. When we were there in January it was very cold. When we get started the thermometer showed minus 50 degrees. What struck me was that it was very nice skiing there, but the strongest feeling was the loneliness.  You don’t see anybody else or even an animal nor even a single bird. The wood is consisting of sly and twigs. So, you must search for fuel to the fire, a bit higher up in the trees.
What was the feeling of going the expeditions tracks?
Sometimes things fell in place, this was one of these moments. The 2019 was the year when the whole thing around this accident was in focus, and at that time we were there in the area. I can say that the skiing was really exhausting. It is a brutal environment. Here  is the time to deny that the group should have been subjected to assault of a KGB team, because this team where in that shape they themselves could have been a KGB team. I was thinking that they have it a bit better circumstances than us, because they could use the local Mansi hunters track. We had to track it by ourselves.

What was the biggest impression of the expedition for you?
Well, one of the first things is that it looks like the picture from seventy years ago. The time stand still out here. Even if the area is empty and mystery during the Winter season, people hike here during the summer. You can see tracks out o that. You can see fireplaces and that people has taken bark out of the trees. The locals and the food also made impression to me. Very kindly people and the food salmon and potatoes tasted very good. I rather choose that before grilled goat in Syria:-). I also must mention the vodka, in this Environment with cold you eat fat food. Such as lard etc. with a glass of vodka it tastes even better…
And the most interesting and important question, what was really happening out there?
It of course has been very interesting if Yeti or KGB has been the reason for the “accident” but it is very clear for me that it has been so called Katabatic winds. From my point of view, they tried to dig two snow shelters for survival of the winds. This area is known for hard weather condtions. Katabatic fall winds can occur when air cooled over a glacier or mountain range flows down the slopes. Since the cooled air has a higher density than the surrounding atmosphere, the fall winds can sometimes be accelerated to storm or hurricane strength. The strongest fall winds are found on slopes of powerful inland ice. At the Anaris accident katabatic winds were involved. Ok, but all the conspiracy history of the injuries of the body’s? The autopsy was not done so good. Also, the bodies were treated without caution and some of the injuries probably came out of that.

I dont Think we got the last Words about this history, -no it might be a documentary about it during this year…Interesting and what is your next adventure Richard? -Well, it will be a guiding tour in the alps. A trip in Hannibals tracks, would you like to  enjoy?…

Note. There was also a question about the fact that some of the clothes was contminated with radioactive radiation. Well the clothes were this was measured, belonged to two of the participants that was working with a neclear research Project…

This weeks tour suggestion will be the Skackerfjallen in Jamtland. You might start at Kolasen, continue the trail towards Storvallen, and a peak attemt of the ”sockertoppen”. Here you also got a windshelter. Then you follow the track towards Anjan. You got a lot of nice peaks to climb Close to the track… This area is not crowded, and you will be by yourself up here…

When it comes to gear, ive been testing a compass from Brunton and a middle layer sweather from Garphyttan.

This is a hand bearing Compass with a build in LED-light for night navigation. With a ”ever North” Compass Nail it will not be affected of other magnetic fields. It is easy not use. For skiing or other special occasion you will like this one.

The Garphyttan Kraft fleece is a middle layer that is produced in 91% plyester and 9%Elastan. It is a well lavished sweather. You can also use it as a Shell layer in the spring and autumn. With its zipper it is easy to access pockets in layer one or for ventilation. With a price under 100Euro this is a real good investment. Design and finnish 5, usability and details 5, comparing it to others in the same segment, it is very good and thoughtful, so a 5. The price is in a class of its own so Another 5 totally 20 best in class!

See ya soon!

So here we go, January has already passed. So now it is hight time for planning this years activities. If its not planned, the propability will be low that it will be done. So just go for it. At todays blog you will get some suggestion of what to do…

Mirror from the outdoor World: There will be no outdoor fair this year. The number of exhibitors has been to low. And ro be honest, I am not surpriced. The fair has been out of energy the last years. But there will be a new one: 4-6 of September the Outdoor festival of Stockholm will be open. So keep the Eyes open for this event..https://www.outdoorfestival.se/ When ti comes to sustainability parts of the outdoor market has take a stand. On Black Friday a lot of brands have Close there sights. And Haglöfs take it even a bit longer and double there prices at the Black Friday. When it comes to result of 2019, Outnorth does a real good result. With a increase of 30% of the Revenue, they goes against the market. The ISPO fair were all the news in outdoor for 2020 was presented Tensons hybride jacket AW20 was rewarded.

When it comes to planning new adventures I might help you out. From now on I will have a suggestion of tour at the blog. Today we start with the Salen area. This tour starts at Stoten parking and follow the signs towards granfjallsstugan. It is a easy but uphill track. After 6K you will reach the windshelter of Granfjället. Here it is good to take a break and enjoy the view. After the windshelter the track is uphill, and a bit Heavy. Soon you will come up to the Mountains. You will now have a fantastic view into Norway, just follow the tracks toward Granfjallet/Stoten and soon you will se the ski lifts. Follow the track to Soltorget/Jaktstugan and you will be back to the start of this hike…Easy to acces, nice to walk…

The book Helags & Sylarna the author Leif Kullman and Lisa Oberg describes how small climatic variation will affect the animals as well as the nature.

Today I will start the Guides tips. Here you will learn practical things that might can help you in the outdoor tecnique..

When it comes to Winter tenting, you might have seen that people use the skies for line up the tent. This might not be so good. The cross contry skies noramlly got a Sharp steel edge. That can easy cut of the line. And I will tell you, its not so easy to get out in the storm and solve that problem…So instead use Winter pegs, they will be Worth the investment…

See ya soon…