One thing for sure, it will not be the same as before the pandemic. And I think that is can come something good out of it. We sometimes need to rethink our values and choice we do. Everyday decision is done without thinking. I am longing for the mountains I can tell, but at the same time I have the gift of hiking new trails in Stockholm area. Also my workout of course has been changed. I have just started a new programming with a new target:-). I also think is good for us all to rethink our travel planning and also how the economical part, how does the ”market” affect us. (don’t misunderstand me, I really feel sorry for thous ho is permitted or dismissed. And that is shit) But I think and hope something good will come out of it in the end…

Today I have hiked another part of the Upplandsleden. From Yttergran(Balsta) toward Haggevik and Varpsund. Bird of prey, A snook and a pheasant was some of the animals we meet at today’s trail. 

Both me and the husky was satisfied with today’s hike…

When it comes to the Outdoor market, we got some news:

Addnature have donated 50 000:- To the Swedish Tourist Association(STF)., and also give 3% of the income from there profit from the sales of there Outlet. Great and seriously for us loving the the Swedish mountains.

And over to some result of tests:

Book: AMC Outdoor Leadership Review.

First, I will state that is difficult to review a book. You must choose your angle from who the book is written for. This book is written for Outdoor Leaders, Guides, educators etc. The book includes leadership, decision making, pedagogy, safety, communication, trip planning, organizational Risk Management and more. So, it’s all over cover the areas the pointed-out readers need to know. Reading the chapter of decision making, I get positive surprised. Really good explenation of the area, and how to make good decisions. As an instructor I can have one point of view; it is good to have some questions after every chapter. Here you got a summing up but not any questions. But overall comparing to other instruction books, this is will land on the top three list. So, I will give it a grade of NNNNN. Very explanatory and informative. Easy to read and find the area you need before a guiding session to wrap up. So, this one is good.

Jacket: Mammut Aenergy Pro so Hooded jacket.

Mammut is a brand known for its quality and finish. The Extreme series was fine. This jacket is good, and I like to use it. It has alpine fit, and with size M it is sitting tight as I want it. To big pockets, easy to use even carry a backpack or/and harness. It has reinforcements at shoulder and the elbow areas. So far so good. It has no membrane but got windproof areas at exposed parts. The price of the jacket will be 256Euro. So, to my grading; this is a nice and flexible jacket, with nice finish. But the price is to high for what you got. For this price you will get a hybride (with membrane) for the same price. So I will give it a NNNN (4,5).

This week I will review the Blue Ice Kume38 back-pack. A back-pack dedicated for ski-mountainering. This ine got two compartments, one for avalange equipment and one for the ordanairy pack. so it looks intresting and got a lot of real good features. So it will become intersting to test.

And at last a competition to get something else to think of. From now on I will have a completion about peaks in Sweden. And you can get a nice price. The first to get three peaks right will have the price. The first peak I am searching is in Jamtland. and it is 1704m The first part of the name is a direction. And the second part two Majolkie on Samis.

See ya soon

You cant travel, you must working from home…So what to do? I did take the decision to hike a new trail. I have not hike the Upplands trail.

So I take the car towards Skokloster castle. Just after 10 am. I started the hike. The trail was really nice. A bit hilly, and follows the water almost the whole time. The husky was satisfied. I really liked all the different type of terrain. Hilly, easy, and sometime open areas.

(open areas and deep forest, the landscape is changing the whole time. You never get bored)

Being early means you can go almost alone. Later on the day small groups of 5-7 people meet me on the trail, and I almost got the feeling being in the alps. Meeting lot of people with trekking poles. The Corona have make new habits for people. And this in a good way…And at the end of this part of the trail a distinguished view. This was a really nice trail walk, I recommend it if you haven’t done it…

During the walk to day, i memory came up on my mind. In my youth I ve been hikin at Glaskogen in Varmland. That will be this weeks adventure suggestion for this summer. A fabulous area with nice trails and small lakes. Lots of birds and interesting plants. If you are lucky you might even can see the eagle here…

And now over to this weeks reviews: 

This week I have starting the test of Fjallravens Keb jacket. It is a nice jacket, the price is 250 Euro. With that price I have high expectation for a hiking jacket without membrane.  This jacket can be a favorite, i like it and it suits well. Two big pockets. It also got two big zippers for ventilation among the sides. But you have to take in consideration that you will need to bring a rain jacket as well in your packing (add that to the price of 250 Euro). 

This week I also will review the book AMC guide to Outdoor leadership. A guide instruction book, so it will be interesting…

And some nice music…

See ya soon…

When it comes to outdoor-activities, the importance of having a mental strength will be crucial. Whatever you are a guide or a practitioner, you will need to have this strength. As I got the background from elite sports and from the service I now this is very important. I also know that this subject is very individually how to develop and strengthen up. So this will just be a suggestion of how you can build it up. Why is it so important then? Suppose you are cough in a eastern storm at the mountain, you must be able to calm you mind to take the right decisions. Or if you are on a cliff wall and must continue to a safe place, for being able to set up a belay etc. First of all, you have to work with a positive mind. This will help you to see the possibilities instead of the obstacles. This you can find at YouTube, or . This will be the base to star with. Having a strong mind, means you have to workout as much as you workout your body. The truth is that this two parts work together. This meaning you need to compete with your brain when it wants to quit. So how to do it?! Now we have come to the hard part. You have to work it out, sorry to say. The mental strength ”you have to earn it, every day”. So start with habits. If you want something bad you need to focus on it every day. Even when its tough. It can be push-ups, or study for an exam or what ever…Stay motivated, and it is your responsibility. Secure you come closer to your target step by step. Get yourself a quote that motivates you. Take command over your mind. This can be trained. During long runs, or canoeing or hiking, your body and mind will tell you to stop. Then you must have a tool to handle it. Find a mental comfort sight were you can place your mind. You also have to understand and define your own ”mental” weaknesses. Build a plan for develop your weak skills. And as I begun most of all, stay positive and laugh a lot, because this will help you. Hope I have help you to start your way to a better mental strength…

This week I will be testing a Soft-shell jacket from Mammut and a layer 2 jacket from Snickers.

The Mammut Aenergy Pro So Hooded jacket is a nice Soft Shell jacket. The weight of 460g is good. It got reinforcement at the right place and is perfect fit for climbing and alpine activities. The Finnish is also nice, but with a price over 250Euro I expect something more. Ventilation zipper under the arms for example. But I will test it and come back with grading. 

Next up is the Snickers Hoodie fleece. This one is nice with lot of good pockets. It also got a good price as well. So this garment will be interesting to test. Grading will come.

And at last a really good book for us outdoor nerds. The ”International mountain trekking” book from Mountain training is real good. Here we got a lot of good information and knowledge..

See ya soon..

So it Tuesday and I have promise a blog about gear. Today I will talk a bit about Soft-Shell. Soft shell is what the name tell us, a soft shell. There can be different types of solution for this apparel. For me it should be some kind of just ”shell”. So at least some kind of wind-stopper, or water repellent function should be included. So lets begin with the jackets. From my point of view a Soft-shell jacket over 140 Euro I expect it should have ventilation zippers. Also at least two big pockets and one small, and also a hood.

(This jacket from Mountain Equipment lives up to my expectation)

This jacket have wind-stopper membrane, three pockets and a hood. It also got a draw string in the waist. If the price will be over 190 Euro I certainly expect some kind of water proof membrane.

And now over to trousers. Soft-Shell should be able to be used in spring, summer and autumn. Therefore a trouser shall have reinforcement over knees, in the buttocks and also in the ankle this to avoid the crampons to make damage out of it. A trouser over  120 Euro I expect to have reinforcement and at least three big pockets. Over 140 Euro I also expect ventilation zippers. And over 175 Euro there should be some kind of membrane.( it do not need to be Gore-Tex, it can be some kind of hybrid)

(Lundhags Makke pant may not be a unique Soft shell pant, but this is a example of the area)

So if you are going to buy a soft shell apparel, check the small details. That will make sure you will be satisfied with a gear and that  you can live with for at least a couple of years. (If you add a par of rain wear you will have the optimal hiking clothing for several of years.) The advantage of  Soft-shell is its way of become breathable. You also have a choice of choosing alpine fit or normal/loose fit. I prefer to have alpine fit, especially in spring, summer and autumn. This for the layer one to transpire the moister to the layer 2/3.

And over to some test of some gear. Today I will present the Norrona Falketind. and a…Soft-shell trouser as per order:-).  This one cost ~164 Euro, and I do have some expectation on this pant.

(Soft-Shell trouser Norrona Flex1 pant NNN)

This pant have some wind-stopper membrane but not the fully function. It got a lot of pockets and big zipper holder. So far so good. It is a light and flexible pant, so the name flex is correct. But this at expense of reinforcement and ventilation zippers. I also expect that a trouser in this price level shall have a Velcro at the ankle, it has a snap fastener. I want to have free choice of how much I want to tighten around the leg. So the grade will be NNN. Expensive with to few features made this. I still like it, but a bit cheaper had been better…

When it comes to harness we normally need to have some real well built up ones. Here I have tested one light and fast alpine harness. the Simond Edge. Normally I am against light and fast stuff, but when you need to have a harness that dont will take space or weight, this one is perfect for that type of use. Bring it with you everywhere and you can go alpine skiing or Via Ferrata in a easy way. I would not use this one  for challenging climbing..With the price of 55 Euro you got a good Alpine harness. But it never could not get any higher grade than NNN, because it is not for tough uses. But for its purpose it is perfect.

(Simond Edge, produce at Chamonix Mont Blanc NNN)

And last a book for the mountaineer. ”Klattring i Kebnekaise” This book describes a lot of routes in the Kebnekaise area. And even bad weather suggestions while being in the area. This is a treasure for the Kebnekaise lover, a must have. So I will give it NNNNN. Real nice one..

(The book, klättra i Kebnekaise)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9tNftOEl8I

See ya soon…

So we have enter April, and tis should have been the real Winter mountain season.  But now we all have to work from home…But this mean you can do a good planning and preparing for the next adventure/challenges.

When it comes to workout the upcoming 6 weeks cardio will be the focus. My experience from the fighting,is that you will develop the cardio as well as the strength. one example of the workout i will do ahead: 400m row or running. 100 pull-ups, and 400m row/running. Add some fighting and some gym workout and here we go. That one of the Days…

The Swedish adventure suggstion this week will be Hallandsasen and Kungsbugget. A adventure facility with zip-line. climbing, summer toboggan and bungy rocket. https://kungsbygget.com/ so this place can be a suggestion for the summer vacation…

Trailrunning is Always a good workout, when you develop your aerobic process, you will be better in all ways. You also increase your ablity to handle challanges and obstacles. So why dont try a trail-running competion this year?https://vimeo.com/367106952

See ya on Tuesday, then it will be about some new gear…