When it comes to mountain safety we relay on our mobile phone, the GPS, the PLB (personal locator beacon). But if you out for a longer adventure, you need to load this equipment. When you don’t get access to mains, you can use a power bank. But how should I chose one, there is an abundance of brands and models in all price ranges from 10 Euro up 500 Euro? I will help you out a bit here. As always you start with defining what your need of use are? If you will use it in tough outdoor environment, you need one with a good shell and cover over the connections. When it comes to the quality of a Power Bank, the mAh milliamp-hour capacity  will be a important information. High capacity of charging – the higher mAh value. Next important value will be the in and -out chargeable capacity. In value tells you how long time it will take to charge your Power bank, and the output power the time it will take to charge your equipment.

Voltage (V) and amperage (A) represent the charge levels of your portable battery. The voltage determines the charging process, while the amperage determines the landing speed. The following table simplifies the selection process based on output power.

Slow charging 5V/1A middle charging 5V/2A fast charging 5V/2,4A Quick charge 9V/3A.

The fast charging is the most popular, and will have almost the same effect as charging from mains. But back to the choice of power bank, the number of ports can be important. But at the same time if you charge several equipment it will slow down the speed of charging of course. There is also a lot of extra features of different power banks. One with solar panels is good to have for us outdoorer. But this will also add weight. Also a built in lamp can be good. And you will need different kind of ports due to different kind of your equipment. And I also want a indicator for seeing how much power it is left in the power bank.

Here follows some good suggestion you can look into…

Lippa Solar Cell Powerbank 20.000mAh 20W 3 x USB-A  1 x USB-C 45,46 Euro (499:-)

Lippa Solcelle PowerBank 20.000 mAh 20W 3 x USB-A & 1 x USB-C- Sort / Orange (inskal.se) 

Xstorm Rugged Powerbank  10000 Powerbank  63,68 Euro (699:-)

Xtorm RUGGED POWER BANK 10000 – Powerbank | Naturkompaniet

Lippa foldable solar Powerbank  10 000 mAh 10,5W 2 x USB-A

Lippa Foldable Solar PowerBank 10 000 mAh 10,5W 2 x USB-A med Ljus – Svart / Orange (inskal.se) 50,93 Euro (559:-)

David Radcliffe AS THE WORLD FADES AWAY -The Ghost of Johnny Cash #johnnycash – YouTube

See ya soon…

 

 

 

 

Early morning 05.30 am. Already up and awake even though it Sunday. The sun is raising and it will be a great day. So I now knew I got 5 hours in the car towards the mountain. It is a Sweden waking up in the grand spring. It is with enthusiasm I am plowing mile after mile in the car. Sitting relaxed enjoying the nature and landscape passing outside. I am listening to the radio. And this is what’s playing…

You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling Righteous Brothers JAR-ReMix Stereo HiQ Hybrid JARichardsFilm – YouTube

I continue and after Sundsvall the landscape profile shifts. The feeling of expectation and excitement will take over. And there of a sudden after passing the bridge of the high coast, the mountain appears in front of my eyes, yes I am here again.  After a short greeting ceremony I put on my gear and start the climbing. The muscle memory is there and after just a minute I am on it as it was yesterday…And as always Skuleberget delivers. After the yellow trail, I’ll go with the red one. The feeling of being there is liberating, and joyful. My inner compass stand still…

ROGER RÖNNING Vår inre kompass – YouTube

We all got different drivers, as the one you can read about above for example…So what is it that drive us ahead then? Here we talking about the seven head groups of drivers, namely;  Economical, practical, knowledge, self-fulfillment, consideration, power/influence, ethical-morality.  So here you can start to dig, what is your driver or drivers? What makes you feel the best and make you comfort with being you?

This week I will do a review of the Helikon-tex Windrunner-Windshirt. This is a light shell jacket which will protect from wind and rain. A ultra light shell layer when approaching a peak etc. It also can be used for running etc. (due to the description) Hm. here I am a bit sceptic though. The reason is the ventilation of the jacket. But with its 226g it is quite interesting.

At the first sight i looks good and a real fast shell when the wind or rain comes of a sudden. This is not something to keep on in hard weather condition, but on fast peak tour I for sure would have bring it on with me. But I will test it for sure…

Stick Figure – ”Edge of the Ocean” (Official Music Video) – YouTube

See ya soon…

 

 

(5km running 10 km cycling and 5km running again)

The heat has come to us, and you got the summer vibes. During this period it is time to build up the fitness overall. Running can easy become boring so it is important to challenge yourself all the time. Today I chose to do a duathlon. Running 5km mountain bike 10 km and 5km running again…you have to keep up the creative side.

As a guide you understand that I must always be prepared, fit and always develop/evolve. But if you are a adventurer you will have the same challenge or?! Of course it is more important as a guide, but as a participant you also need to be a good one. When you are out there, think about the first time you where out, bring that feeling. That is maybe what some of your company feel at the moment. And as a guide -be like your local bartender – know and fulfill their desires before they have to ask. You need to be present and a good listener, you should always be excited about what’s occurs around you…One of your skills should be to becoming a showman. When your guests -those intrepid explorers -feel like they are stepping up to a challenge and making discoveries on their own, you are a successful showman. See and hear/feel everyone that is your responsibility. This ”soft” skills will often get forgotten or not counted, but from my perspective all guest disserves VIP treatment from you as a guide. I will continue on this track ahead within the blog.

This week it will be season premiere at Skuleberget Via feratta. But than the weather must be good with out to much rain. So if its good condition, it might be a tour in the near future…

Whosoever South – Til the Day I Die – YouTube

See ya soon…

This week has been a very hectic week. Annual meeting in the Swedish Mountain Leader organization among a lot of other stuff…The workout has been good this week, a focus and the strive of keeping the orienteering competence at the top.

Today I was thinking to get into the mid-layer area in clothing. And as you understand it will be about the upper body. I think this is a difficult area. Should I have a vest, or a jacket? Should it be with hood or not? Should it be water and wind repellant, o maybe not? Shall it be down or hybrid or both or just merino wool or? Yea, as you can see this is a real mess. But as usual, start analyze when, where and for what you will be using it. For me it will be one with hoodie. Then I can use it around the seasons. And I can use the hood for store the jacket/sweater. I also think it is nice if I can use it as a shell as well. Not for hard rain, but wind and water repellant. So down or not, same here it will be a taste for each of you. Cold weather down works fine, wet condition it is better with primaloft etc. And I always got a vest of course…

Due to the topic of today what would fit more than a review of the Swedish brand Tierra. This brand has been in the market since late 80s, and its been a hidden gem for the most of us. But today I will review the Tierra Belay jacket. This is a hybrid jacket with hoodie and that is water an wind repellant. It is a perfect friend to bring in your back pack. With wool from Gotland Sweden, and designed from Tierra this is a nice mid-layer.

The other garment I will test is the Tierra 3L Templet trousers. This is a ski and expedition pant. Special pockets for transceiver’s etc. Spontaneously it looks nice, and with a good finish. But I will  come back when they have been in heavy duty…

Tiësto – 10:35 (feat. Tate McRae) (Official Music Video) – YouTube

See ya soon…