14th of December and today it will be about avalanche. Due to the global heating and the environmental changes, the risk of avalanches will increase. This at the same time as more people get interested in extreme skiing and also prolong the season from early November to May. This meaning we need more training for avoid avalanches. Today we got good forecast and avalanche prognosis. So start follow the development in the area you are going to. Avoid going out directly after a storm(bad weather) Lots of avalanches occur directly after heavy snowfall. Avoid steep slopes, if its over 25 degrees its a high risk. If possible stay on the windward side of the slopes. Read the terrain and avoid slopes that are treeless. The absence of trees may reflect that previous avalanches have occurred in the area.

If you will be in area were its risk for avalanches, there is two things that will be crucial. Got the right equipment, and have a updated good reliable training. An avalanche air bag is a good investment. A good shovel, a probe and of course a avalanche beacon. All of this gear you must be trained on for being able to use in the right way. Just because you got it will not be good enough. Why dont do it off season, you can use a slope with high grass, and let a friend hide the transceiver. You can also dig it into sand on a beach for example. Put the transceiver in a bag /sand and electronic device is not a good combination). Another good training session can be to use 10 paper bags or flower pots in a defined area. Ask  your friend to put the transceiver under one of them. Now you got a good training session. And you will never be better on the transceiver search then your latest training session…Each year more than 150 persons get killed by avalanches, do not be one of them. 90% of the avalanche accident is coursed of the victim or someone in the victims party. The vast majority of avalanches (90%) occur on slopes with angles between 30 and 45 degrees. Steeper slopes tend to continually slough snow, keeping a deep snow-pack from building up. The snow-pack on flatter slopes requires more force to move. If a victim can be rescued within 18 minutes, the survival rate is greater than 91%. The survival rate drops to 34% in burials between 19 and 35 minutes.

Intro to Avalanche Transceivers for Skiers and Snowboarders – YouTube

And the book suggestion of the day: 

Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain – Bruce Tremper – häftad (9781680511383) | Adlibris Bokhandel

See ya tommorow…

Today we open door thirteen and learn how to cross a river lean…

First of all, river crossing is one of the most serious things within the outdoors. Avoid it to be a happening, the more planned the better for the safety. So read the map, and foresee were or when it can be relevant. So, ground role one; a river that goes faster then your hiking speed you should avoid to cross. And the lowest layer of water will move the slowest, meaning that your feet will be able to maintain good traction in the water. Role two; avoid river crossing were the water is higher then your thighs. Rule three use a pole when crossing it will help to keep the balance. Rule four, read the river. This is more complex than it sound like. Look for a broad place, this means till probably will be more shallow there. Also look were the water has dug out, there the water can be more flowing. You can also look for tracks from big animals. They often cross at more safe places, but dont take anything for granted though. Rule five, now its time to prepare for the crossing. Keep your boots/shoes on. Yes, you will get wet, but you need to have good grip and you dont want to hurt you feet. Rule six, unclip the waist and sternum straps. Rule seven, now its time for the crossing. Move slowly over to the other side. You go with 45 degrees up streams. Rule eight, if you are a group, line up and grab each other around the back and hold on the hip, or even better to the back-pack. A stable person in the front as well as in the back. The leader can commend a step by step movement. This will be safe and stable way to go. Rule nine, and maybe the most important. Avoid river crossing and find a bridge:-), that is the safest way of river crossing….What happens if you fall into the river than? First of all dont panic, as always in dangerous situations dont panic…Float on your back, and point your feet downstream. Paddle with your arms towards the shore. Let the back pack go, it will be replaceable – You will not…

How to Cross a River Safely | Expedition Episode 20 | MSC Get Outdoors Series – YouTube

And today’s book suggestion; UIAA Alpine Summer – BMC Shop (thebmc.co.uk)

See ya tomorrow…

Today I will blog about Are in Jamtland. There are few places that evoke so much emotions. Normally I just travel trough it, but lately I’ve been staying there. And it grows its place in my heart. Here we got the only cabin cable car in Sweden (and soon it will be gone?). It is a small Chamonix in a way. The weather here is gambling. So you need to get luck, because you can be stuck in the village of Are instead of doing your adventures. But on the other hand it will not be a bad choice. With the atmosphere of settler spirit it is really nice. You find a couple of nice sport stores, and also a couple of nice cafes. And as a suggestion go to the Systembolaget,(liqueur store) and buy some local beer to bring with you. Why dont you try the Harjedals brewery, or the beer from Ottsjo brewery.

And now over to this days book suggestion. Are bilder from Ola Rockberg and Martin Alzén. Årebilder : fjället och byn genom en fotografs ögon – Ola Rockberg, Martin Alzén – Kartonnage (9789188672964) | Bokus

And now over to this weeks competition. Which is the nearest village for a attempt of the peak of Oldklumpen, a clue can be even in todays blog…Send an SMS with the right answer and name before Wednesday at ten +46 702 50 90 28

ÅRE 2021 JANUARY, SWEDISH BEST SKI RESORT – YouTube

See ya tomorrow

Today’s topic is probably one of the most important when it comes to adventure…Some are satisfied with instant coffee, while others bring there espresso brewer. Some are really into it with boiled coffee and makes it into art…So lets dive into the art. Step one will be to start the fire. Fill the coffee pot with nice and clean water. Preferable from a near stream. Grind the coffee beans roughly. Put the coffee into the cold water. Put the pot in the fire and wait until it starts to bubble. Then lift the pot and let it just stand for 4-5 minutes, until the beans and the swamp sinks to the bottom. Now you can pour it into your cup slowly. Coffee should preferable be drunk black. But you can add milk or cream powder…Another suggestion is to put a glowing stick from the fire into the coffee for a short moment. This will get the coffee the real adventure taste(a Norwegian trick that I have learned)

If you enjoy the coffee you brew at home, it is easy to bring the taste out in the wilderness with you. So how to do the filtered coffee in the outdoors? You can bring the filter holder you got at home, or you can use a special one for outdoor. This one is an example form GSI. Boil the water, place the filter holder with the filter over a cup or thermos. Dose the right amount of coffee pour little water to wet up the filter, and then after a couple of seconds pour the water over the coffee.

If this not will be enough, then try the press coffee. Here there are a lot of different solution, but Primus for example have a good one. Start with boiling water. Add the coffee into the water, and let it rest for a couple of minutes. Mount the press and push the swamp slow to the bottom. Pour up the coffee and enjoy…easy to use, light weight and the coffee smell over the mountains that is something…

I prefer the percolator when I got time and space…

MSR PocketRocket 2 + GSI 3 Cup Percolator – Total Boils – YouTube

And I realised that I have forgotten the book suggestion for todays, so here we go(The book is related to the blog for each day…)

Ultimate Navigation Manual – Lyle Brotherton – pocket (9780007424603) | Adlibris Bokhandel

I minnet gömt : kors och tvärs i svenska fjällen – Roland Lundqvist – häftad (9789175656601) | Adlibris Bokhandel

Vandra i fjällen : allt du behöver veta för att komma igång med fjällvandring – Staffan Ekholm – danskt band (9789186773892) | Adlibris Bokhandel

See ya tomorrow…

Today we open door nine, and let the sun on the southern part of Lapland shine…

(Avalanche training at Kittelfjall)

In the Kittelfjall area you can find a lot of nice spots and adventures. This area is famous for real good of pist skiing. In January I was doing the Avalanche rescue leader course here with Kittelfjall adventure. Real good training and a really nice area. But in the near you both got the Mars mountain and the Borka mountain. The history of Kittelfjall begins in 1800 with Lars Larsson and Anna Gustafsdotter who started to build the village. Today just 69 persons live here, but lots of tourist come here. So if you havent been in the area I strongly recommend it. Why not take a tour towards Marsfjallet 1590 M…

(Marsfjallet, a nice mountain for a peak tour…)

Mud – Lonely This Christmas (Official Video) – YouTube

See ya tomorrow…

The winner of this week’s competition is Goran Karlén. The price is the lifesystems heatshield bag. The correct answer was Paltsa cabin.

(this weeks price and the right answer the Paltsa cabin)

The topic of today will be Winter navigation. OK, so we take this in step by step. First of all we start with the gear. Map and compass will of course be essential. A GPS can also be good. But you cant rely on only that, so you need the compass and map as well. I also recommend some kind of altimeter. That can be very helpful when it comes to positioning. When doing the navigation up in the mountain environment, you need to be skilled in contour navigation since rivers and lakes etc. will be much more difficult to see in the snow and icy environment. Route planning will be the next step, your experience will affect the route selection. And dont forget that the days are shorter during winter time, and you also got more equipment then other times, meaning heavier pack. Now its time to start the journey. From now you must know were you are, you will get tired and got unfocused sometimes. But you must now all the time where you are. The weather can change of sudden, and with snow or wind or fog you will got no visibility. A good manner is to have a couple of ”tick off” during the relocation. Trust your compass, and you might have some bearing on a taped paper on the compass. (just a reminder; keep the compass away from the mobile phone…) Know your 100 m pace, normally a human take 60-75 double step for hundred meter. This is good if the visibility is poor. Contours is your friend, Being able to use contours to interpret slope aspect can be a lifesaving technique when you find yourself lost in poor visibility. Be aware of potential hazards, and avoid them. You must avoid avalanche terrain,  Always remember ‘Ridges are bridges’ and providing they aren’t rocky aretes they provide the safest way to descend the mountain should you come across unstable windslab as they tend not to hold the snow as much as corries.

Understanding contour lines with Steve Backshall and Ordnance Survey – YouTube

FINNEAS – Let’s Fall in Love for the Night (Official Video) – YouTube

See ya tomorrow…

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