The last two years has become quite interesting. Avalanche rescue leader training, IML Summer training, IML Winter training, IML Summer Assessment, IML Winter assessment and now first aid in wilderness assessment. You still can learn old dog to sit, with my 57 year I’m still evolve. To be honest, it will take some more time now. But I really enjoy to learn new stuff. The theoretical part is done…

When it comes to the review, the Alfa boot Eggi has been under test this week. It is a nice and well built boot. It has a good system for different kind for solution of lacing. So after approx 100Km I am satisfied with the boot. It is in the same area as the Haglöfs Solid Pro GT. But the normal price 350 Euro is a bit to expensive. You will get a pair of Crispi Nevada or Meindl Island. But I saw them for the price of 240 Euro, and for that its ok.

At Thursday 13.00 there was a big avalanche at Grovelsjon in the north of Dalarna. And a major rescue operation was initiated. There were som information about ski tracks in the area. This was false information and the tracks was under the area of the avalanche. At 14.00 the rescue operation was suspended, and no victims was found. This event put more heat on the wood around the discussions about avalanche forecast for Dalarna.

The complex area of the middle layer. The middle layer is the most complex area in the multi-layer principal. It should be warming, and even be a sort of shell. It can be thin or middle or thick. It can have hood or not. It can be out of wool or fleece or a combination. So this area is hard to handle and it depends a lot of what type of activity and activity level you are going ti perform. If you are hat ”hot” blooded person or if you are a kind of ”cold” person. For me it is important that I still can have a high activity level, and still have a warming apparel. Micro fleece was one of the type I tried, but it become to warm for me. This week I will test the Rab Alpha flash (RAb*s Alpha Flash jacket, a breathing middle layer for us ”warm” blooded who likes high intensive activities) jacket. This one feels like a good choice for me as ”warm” blooded.

See ya soon (next week a report from the first aid training)

KALEO – Way Down We Go (Official Music Video) – YouTube

(Photo Dominique Olbrechts)

As a International Mountain Leader you need to have a well founded self-confidence. That is the ground for becoming a good guide. With a Summer training, winter training and also a summer assessment the Winter assessment should just be a check out of that. But how does a day at the Winter assessment look like? The day starts with a weather briefing, a avalanche briefing and a risk/safety briefing.

(Photo Dominique Olbrechts)

When that is done, it is time for a equipment and group-check of the transceivers. One of the aspirants now got the task to get the group to the place of the first assessment of the day. This day it will be a (photo Dominique Olbrechts)

transceiver search and a snow profile check. After everyone have done the both tasks it is time for heading for home. So one of the participants will get the task to get the group back safe and steady to the place of the overnight of the day. This day it was the Katterjakk tourist station, so nice place. But the day is not over yet, there will be a briefing of the day for everyone and also a information of the upcoming day schedule. Next week it will be about another day with the IML’s.

When it comes to gear, I will test a old gold pair of pants and also a boot from Norway. First out for presentation will be the Alfa Eggi Advanced GTX boot. This is a robust hiking boot with a Gore-Tex liner. It has a real good lock-system so it it quite easy to get to fit on your foot. It is light weight and has strengthening in the front as well as on the heel. So far I really like this boot. I will use every day on my Husky hikes, so I think I will have good chance to present a good review on this boot.  And next in row for review will be an old friend in new version. The Haglofs Rugged Mountain Pant. This pant goes in under the category of not liners. This meaning no Tex material. I am a bit sceptic to this variants, this due to that you always need a pair of shell pants with as well. This if the weather becomes very wet for example.  But as my friend Micke says, I have used this pants for how long time as hell. The pant got lot of good pockets, and reinforcements were it needed. It also got very good ventilation’s. I have a Fjallraven Keb trousers in the same category and I am very satisfied with them. But I must say, I’m not using them in hardcore adventures…I might change after reviewing this pair, lets see…

The 20-22nd of May the Stockholm Outdoor Festival will be presented. Here you might get some new ideas about upcoming adventures..Program – Outdoor Festival STHLM

You can also enjoy the Utehelg at Varmdo 13-15 of May, here you also will get some good ideas of new adventures.

Français Chasseurs Alpins ● French Army’s Elite Mountain Infantry Unit – YouTube

House of Love / NAAMAN – YouTube

See ya soon..

Mid March and it was time again for…Funasdalen. Started up with free-heel skiing in Tanndalen. Nice and cosy. The afternoon was spend on snowshoes towards Annfjallstjarn. Friday it was time for a cross country skiing tour towards Svalatjarns wind-shelter. The Husky did a good job, and when reaching the wind-shelter we went in for a nice cup of coffee. The way back was including a down hill part. This meaning I was the one to taking care of the husky…fast and fun, I can promise. Saturday we went up to Flatruet and here we got company by lot of kiters. Sunday I got up early I have the opportunity to see this sun rise. So trip 15 in a row within 15 month was now a fact.

The 27th of March I went to Kiruna and kept going to Katterjakk. Now it was time for module four in the IML process; Winter Assessment. The base this time was the Katterjakk tourist station. With a perfect placement 20 meters from the train it couldn’t be better. This time UIMLA (United International Mountain Leader Association) was  represented by two assessors. We were three instructors and fours IML aspirants. I think we all was exited of the upcoming adventure. Monday lunch we started with vassecohkka in sight. First of all the weather and avalanche report, and then the safety report. The assessment started with a transceiver search. Then we went back to the base for planning the upcoming day with a lot of different assessments, such as leadership, navigation , safety on steep ground etc.  The day was fully scheduled and with a snowing weather with limited visibility it was a good test. Wednesday we went out on a ”mini-expedition”  including sleeping in snow shelter among lot of other stuff. A night spend in snow-shelter (or tent for the instructors) with a spectacular northern light.  Thursday morning started with navigation and steep ground handling. After four day I think we all were done, and it was nice to go back to the tourist station and recap the days in the sauna. For me it was the 16th trip within 15th mount. So I think I am on the right track:-).  A satisfied guide…

East Love – Sunday Afternoon – YouTube

See ya soon