Interview with Staffan Lindberg Jamtland.

There are men, and there are legends. This interview is with a real legend.

Hi Staffan, what is your background related to outdoor?

-Well, this might take a while. I grow up in Ostersund in Sweden. My family was an outdoor oriented family. I early join the scout organization and spend a lot of time in the outdoor environment. Normally I went out a lot by my own, fishing and hiking. I borrowed my father’s Volvo Amazon and went for hiking tours in the Jamtland mountain environment. I meet a lot of mountain people, and one of them was the mountain pilot “Spökis”. During this time, there was a beginning of the mountain rescue set-up. So Spökis got a radio in his airplane that need to be operated. Staffan was asked to do this and he of course did it. He also did time in the service, and was pointed out to a border ranger unit. So, the unit got 24 snow mobiles to control the border between Norway and Sweden. There are few areas there I haven’t been too Staffan tells with a laugh. I also worked for the Lapp agency (Sv. Lappväsendet). He was during that period helping the sami-Overseer (Sv. Lapptillsyningsman) So he went with him to the yearly reindeer slaughter, and test the fishing in a lot of different lakes. I was also working at Lundhags, and after that I was working in lot of different missions at STF. But that is a history buy itself. I was one he made the Helags mountain cabin to become a lodge. Here you can see ”spökis in his airplane..

Ok, and can you see any trends today in outdoor life comparing to ten years ago?

-Yes I do. What I can see today is that people got more physical skills, better equipment but much less experience. Our mother and fathers brought us out to learn about cold and wind. But the outdoor enthusiast of today haven’t got that. I can also see another trend; people are more gathered to the same areas nowadays. In Jamtland the Jamtlandstriangle is one of them, the second Valadals-area. I also can see that trail running becomes more popular as well. From my point of view, you missing the substance of being in the mountain environment if you are in a rush. I can also see that extreme long tours of “lonely wolfs” increases as well. The green and white band is one of them (ski, cycling or hiking the whole kungsleden). The trail cycling is hard to the mountain Environment. People complain of snow mobiles, but I must say that cycles put more marks in the environment. And another thing;  Experience is the most important skills you need. Being a chief standing 10 year over pots at a mountain lodge, doesn’t make you to a mountain men. You need to be out there, and have the skills to adept to the environments demands.

In one of the STF yearbook “loved mountain” Sv. (älskade fjäll) you been interviewed and they say there is no path you haven’t hiked or no goblins (Sv. småknytt) you haven’t meet. Is that about goblins true?

-Ha ha, well you see travelling among old sami paths, you will be more observant in details. You listening more to your intuition, and your sense are more open for unexpected things. And yes, I’ve been involved in some weird happenings. One time I forgot a knife in the Oviks-mountains. A year later I found it at the same place, just by a happening. One of the samis said -the “one” (goblins) that borrow it has given it back.

The Mill-men, maybe Staffan have meet him:-)

So today you are retired, do you live a calm Life?

-Ha ha now I dont for sure. I am a part of the mountain rescue comittee in my area. I am also chairmen for VÄSEK snowmobile association for private routes. So no boring days in my Life..

Which of the cabins in the Jamtland area is your favorite?

-That must be the Anaris Cabin. It is close to Hoglekardalen which is a favorite area. And I have a special connection to that cabin.

I must say, Staffan is a fantastic person, there are few with such much skills and knowledge about the Swedish mountain Environment..I hope you have a oppertunity to meet him..This interview really touched my soul..

Liberty Mountain was found in 1952, here you find a lots of good gear. There own brand Quick Draws for example.. www.libertymountain.com

See ya soon