At Thursday it will be the 1st. of December and this years calendar will begin. The new for this year will be that it will be a quiz at the 23rd of December, where you can win a book. But then you must follow the calendar for the answer will be there:-).

The morning is crisp, there is a excitement in the air. It is cloudy, but it looks like the sun might can shine trough the clouds. At the moment we are alone, but we can hear the sound of a snowmobile in the far distance. We put on the snowshoes fit the poles and start the journey towards the mountain station. We follow the track from snowmobiles and soon we can see the Kesu lake in front of us. The sun is now shining trough the clouds and it looks it will become a nice day. A couple of kids is playing with pulkas in a slope close to the lake, and we can se a man sitting close to his snowmobile and fishing. At the end of the lake it become uphill, and the wind is getting harder. A few minutes later it has stared to snowing. The wind is getting harder and now we are at the mountain with no shelter, so it is just to keep on moving. The conversation has stopped, and we all getting in to ourselves. We strive on, and soon we reach crossing of winter and summer trail, knowing that 4K to go. But on the other hand it is uphill’s the rest to the station. After another 2,5K the winter trail from Faltjagarcabin is crossing our trail, and that means it is just 1,5K left. When entering the station, it becomes every time how cozy it is.

You strive and when you enter the cabin or mountain station it feels so good. With a sauna and a nice dinner we all fell asleep with a smile at our lips. The next day was the plan to reach the top of Helags, but that is another story.

How to you go there? Well, that is fantastic. You can go from Sylarna Mountain station. Or you can go from Kläppen. You can also go from Ramundberget via Faltjagar cabin, or from Gåsen Cabin, or why don’t you try the trail from Vålå cabins?

Helags – YouTube

See ya at Thursday…

We all need to have different kind of characteristic’s. As a outdoorer or guide the humility will be one or even the most important. But what is very important to bear in mind will be that humility does not mean that you stand back. But what does that mean in practice? Well, it means that you are interested and understand your lack and strength of your skills and experience, and continuously developing those areas…

My experience is the more you know, the more you know that you don’t know. At the same time it is important that you feel, know and work with your self-confidence and don’t hide your knowledge. But it is like in the gym, have I asked you about instruction of how to train? If a trainer does something wrong and it is a risk for her or he to get hurt, then I inform them…But a good outdoorer will continuously analyze what he/she need to improve… The question will be -but if I don’t know how good I am in for example in navigation skills? Well, that just show that you don’t have done your lesson well. Do a really good work with defining your skills and experience. If you just can navigate on trails, than you need to develop your navigation skills…Do you feel comfortable dealing with severe accidents? If not, you might need to develop your wilderness first aid knowledge…It is when you know your skills feel your experience and now your shortness, that when you got a core self-confidence. When it comes to self-confidence and how to build it up, it will be a chapter by itself.

This week I will review the Rab Cirrus Flex 2.0 Hoody men jacket. This jacket is a sophisticated combined middle and shell layer. The jacket got lining of primaloft so it work even in moister conditions. It weights 422g and is packable in its own pocket. Due to its wind resistant it can be used as a light shell if needed. For being a mid layer I think it is good so far, and the price is ok. It got a hood that can be used under a helmet. But I miss a chest pocket…but I will get back with a detailed review soon…

Knocking on Heaven’s door -Bob Dylan’s Ghost of Johnny Cash #knockingonheavensdoor – YouTube

See ya soon…

A big moment for the Swedish guiding in general and for mountain guiding in particular. After several of years and four blocks of training of the firsts IML’s we reach the target. But now we cant rest on our laurels, today starts the next block(Summer-training) with five new aspirants for becoming IML’s. But we have to celebrate the hard work that has been done. This is a great step.

Last blog was about the upcoming winter season, and I will continue on that subject this week as well. When it comes to sleep good during winter condition the under layer will become a crucial area. Use a sleeping matt in cellular plastic. Up on that you put your inflatable matt, this one with a R-value 5-6. If you shall sleep in a snow shelter bring a couple of twigs with you. Put this under. Then the matt will not glide. Before you go to sleep shake your sleeping bag, so it got fluffy with air. Also think about the right size of the tent or bivouac you going to use. If you have to ”big” you need to warm ”dead” space. Be carful of how you place your head. Lots of your heat disappear trough your head. And you don’t want to get moister into your sleeping bag. You can also use a pair of hand-warmers into your sleeping bag to warm your core.(if using that instead of a water bottle you don’t risk that it leaks and you got a wet sleeping bag. Use lithium battery’s they keep a good effectiveness even in cold conditions. While alkaline battery’s lost 20-40% already within 0 degrees Celsius. If you have liquids, turn the bottles upside down, this will help you out in a cold morning…

The upcoming week I will test the Salomon Toundra Pro Hiking boot. This is a boot designed for winter use. It has mounts for cross-country skies. With the aerotherm Aerogel technique Salomon promise it will warm your feet even in temperatures down to -40 Celsius. The advantage shall be, the warmth, it is light, and very water resistant. This is a heavy duty boot, so I really look forward to check this one….

John Grant – Gods Gonna Cut You Down (Inside Man) – YouTube

See ya soon…

The daylight tend to be less for all days now, and it reminds us that the winter season is on its run…So now its is time to check the equipment. Put batteries into the transceiver etc. And why don’t do an easy search just for sharpening up the memory and skills? When it comes to winter conditions there are some important things to remember. A good thing to remember will be COLD; Clean, avoid Overheat, Loose Layers, Dry, keep the clothing dry. During winter condition it is very important to continuously eat to get energy and trough that avoid frost bites hypothermia. You also must consider that the height will effect the temperature. Normally we have a decrease of temperature within ~0,6-07 degrees within every 100 height meter. So you have to take that in consider while ascending a mountain. Another good rule is before you go to sleep in a sleeping bag in winter time whatever it is in tent or a bivouac eat something with high energy content and drink something warm. That will give a good start to keep up the body heat during the night…

We all have lots of roles we are responsible for; Father(mother), husband(wife), son, (daughter) board member, your profession, mate, guide, and many many more things. And sometimes is good to just being human. What I mean is that just that to relax sometimes. Take a coffee (or tea)and just be…Don’t be effective, don’t workout, just enjoy you being you. I think November is the best time of the year and just enjoying yourself for a moment. Reflect over all you have experienced during the year all good things that have happened. Be proud and satisfied over yourself and celebrate your strength.

This week I will test the Salewa Sella 3L PTXR Pant. This is a 3 layer ski/mountaineer pant. It is Powertex responsive with 90% polyester and 10% wool. It is very breathable and also got zippers at the thighs so you can ventilate extra (miss a net here for avoiding snow from coming in) It got 2 front pockets and 2 thigh pockets, wind and waterproof of course . 220 Euro will be the price. So I will get back with my first opinion within a week…

Vuxet barn – YouTube

Ted Ström – Vintersaga – YouTube

See ya soon