Today I was invited to the Swedish Mountain Guides day of experience exchange.

It has been a real interesting day, with a lot of new knowledge and a lot of nice people. It was also some presentation from a couple of companies in the branch. Fjällräven informed about the new upcoming Bergtagen 2.0 series, and also Petzl was one of the presenter with a new helmet and a updated version of the  harness sitta and also the new Neox belay. This organization is well established with a very good standard. Worth to tell is that is 30 years the first Swedish IFMGA course was held…

See ya tomorrow…

Sia – Snowman [Official Video] – YouTube

Today we open the first door of the advent Calendar this year. What will you say is good characteristics and good behavior? Demonstrate confidence, be unique, communication skills, show respect, be knowledgeable, having willingness and humility to admit mistakes, handle stress positively, do what you say you will, respect others and show enthusiasm…All of this characteristics will be hard to being able to live up for, but some of them might be able? Those are the things a role model show, and I think it is a good way of looking to my own way of doing things. At one of my leadership training the instructor ask me -What is you personality? Well, I am focused and target driven I replied. After 5 seconds of quietness he answered. But Ulf the most significant label of you is that you always going your own way.  He was of course spot on, I have never chosen the  right or the easy way but my own. Sometimes in good sometimes in bad the god will  knows that:-). But that confirm a feeling that I got, and the puzzle fall in place.  But the conclusion of all of this reasoning will be keep on developing and be a role model at least for your own.  It will build up your self confidence and you will get a good life. And you go your own way, I like that….

Todays Christmas gift suggestion will be: A long spoon for the dried food to avoid sticky fingers. Primus Långsked svart..Primus Långsked svart – addnature.com

Ulf Lundell – Stockholm i december (Official Audio) – YouTube

See ya tomorrow…

When you drive among E14 toward Storlien and just before you pass Ånn, you got the view over Storsnasen and Sylarna. Every time when passes this spot the view hits me, and my pulse starts to speed up. Excitement, enthusiasm will be build up inside of me. I can compare it with when you after many days of cloud cover, fly in a aero plane and sees the sun rice, but emotional you still miss a piece compared to the mountains. This area includes it all, it is the cradle of mountains. I feel calm, and at the same time expectant. Even been here so many times it still is an full experience.

Even after 40 years in the area I still can find new trails and new areas. At the wind shelter at Getvalen (Snasahörna) you got the finest strat point for a whole weekend of ascending peaks, such as Norder Tväråklump, Sönner Tvåråklump, Getvalen, Getryggen and Lill and Storsnasen. So a real good place for adventures.

This weeks hidden trail will be the one between Arådalen towards Gräftåvallen. This tour is 21km and you will hike just in the border line of pre-mountain and the mountain…If yoy feel strong, male a detour  to the Dörrsjöarna. Here you also got real nice places for tenting.

This week I will do a review of Black Diamonds Mercury Mitts. This is a mitt with a shell and a liner. It is developed for manage -30 Celsius, and with my frostbite fingers I will see how good it is.

Next week at this time this year’s advent Calendar will start. Just for give you a teaser I can tell that it will be about Mental training, Books, suggestion of Christmas gifts among a lot of others stuff. So I hope you will join in…

INTENTION – YouTube

Out of Time Man – YouTube

See ya soon

What is mountain safety? Well, this is a good and complex question…And is looks like all got there own view of the area. So I will present my view here. Some mean it depends on the activity, others that is the environment, and some talk about skills. This means it is complex as you understand. I will also add the human factor. One interesting thing connected to the human factor is how people act with a guide. All of a sudden all responsibility is removed, and you can act as a child. The reason -You are not the one in control anymore.  This is a funny and scary thing, that peoples mind changes in this moment. Therefore the heading.

But lets dig deeper in to the subject. The environment stand requirements on us. Wind,  cold, precipitation etc. Also if its rocky, avalanche risks etc.  Then it depends on what we are going to do in the environment as well, If we go skiing, with snowmobile or ice-climbing for example. And then we also got our preparation and knowledge and skills. Today we can get a lot of information from a lot of sources in the Internet. But this could never replace our own experience. All of this ingredients will be the thing to put into the scale, and the outcome will be your risk plan. So with all the consideration of all of this you can start the  planning your route, and have a good view over how to secure a safety trip ahead. The next step will be about being well and right equipped for the activity due to safety, but as Kipling Said -thats another story…

Ayla Schafer ”Grandmother (I am the Earth)” Official Video – YouTube

See ya soon

This weekend I been on the autumn meeting with the Swedish Mountain Safety council. The topic the first day was climate adaptation and mountain safety. Erik Kjellstom professor from SMHI started the day with a presentation of the climate models in the future.

The conclusion in a bigger picture is that it will be more precipitation (snow and rain) in the northern part of Sweden and in the near future no snow at all in the southern part of Sweden. We also got information about how the Swedish ski areas industry association work due to reduce the environmental footprint. It was also a lecture in how to handle hypothermia. And also how the environmental change will influence and change the mountain activities conditions, such as winter trails with bridges etc.

The second day it was an ordinary information day about statistics. It was also a presentation from the Swedish accident investigation agency about the accident at Kebnekaise which caused a death. Docent in catastrophic medicine Anton Westman presented a study in Swedish mountain rescue. It was also an interesting information about the eight high altitude weather report stations and statistics. The one at Kebnetjåkka showed wind speed up to 72m/s.

Becoming a role model…

I think it is important to become a role model, that is a good target to strive for. You got self awareness, this quality means you can see your self clearly, you can managing your motions and well-being. You have the ability to align what you do – and how you do it – with your values. Positivity will be the next quality. No one can be cheerful all the time, but you can look for opportunities in difficult situations. So focus on what you can do instead of what you cant. Humility be honest when you not sure what to do, and be are happy to ask questions and learn. You are comfortable with encouraging other people to flourish, you give credit where it’s due, and you don’t hide behind rank or experience. I will continue next week with the three lefts part;  Empathy, professionalism and integrity.

Next weeks blog will be a more deep dive into mountain safety from a guide and training perspective…

Seo Linn – Siúil a Rún – YouTube

See ya soon…

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts..

I don’t think it is necessary to improve, or trying to be better time after time. But I think it is important that we as person grow and develop. Due to that reason we all really need time to reflect on our selves time to time, and if we don’t do that we will stop being good. We need to work with a plan for become a better me. So the first question would be; who do you want to be – When you got the answer your will be on the way. Now you can or probably would question me -But how do you know that? How shall I know that? Well, I think that is one of the reflection you need to do. It won’t come an answer after 5 minutes or 5 hours or 5 days, it might come after 5 month or 5 years. But the develop/journey starts with the reflection. It will be there and growing as a plant, and in a sudden it will be crystal clear. It even happen without you being able to recognize it. Hm. What is this for “fluffy” crap you might think now. But everything start with a seed and then it will grow. Do the work that matters, this might means you should do the choice that scars you…Be a believer. You must believe in yourself for being able to do the things you really wanted to do. Ok, so now you might think – well I know that I need to develop, but what then? I really don’t know what habit or quality or behavior I should develop…

Well looking into the compass of human development might help you. Quality’s such as curiosity, sociability, resilience, self-awareness, integrity, resourcefulness, creativity, and empathy. This areas might can help you out here do define what area you need to develop.

From a personally perspective I can see a lot of effort due to continues developing. Just for clarification, this is not to be taken as a advice, it is just a reflection from me from my life,

First of all my time in the service(Army) was the best time over all, that is the reason for who, what and where I am today. I am so grateful for all years, month, days, hours and seconds I spend there.  This is my core of almost all I do today. I have got the guts to try new things, and that have led me to both success and failures, but in the end the experience has been good. And at those time, when I have formed a picture or goal of what, who or where to be I have succeed and reach it. This is a bit like the Swedish skier Ingemar Stenmark said; the more I train the more luck I get. I have always gone my own way, with no fear of not being like anybody else. So with a focus mind, and a tireless patience I always have reach the goal(even if it sometimes as been adapted or changed among the way/process). Next blog will be about Role model and Charisma and a report from the Swedish mountain safety council…

See ya soon…

Jason Derulo – When Love Sucks (feat. Dido) REMIX – YouTube

Out of Time Man – YouTube

By the way…soon time for this years Christmas calendar…

The Sami’s calendar says we with fast step will enter the Pre-winter season. That is a good name, meaning it is about time to prepare for the upcoming Winter. The daylight become shorter and the temperature will fall. Time for reflection, planning and become contemplative. New season means you can try new habits. I will give you a link here for a more healthy life. But, I will just go for the cold shower in the morning, that will be a good start…

And talking about the Sami’s I will present the rein deer. The Sami’s life is all about the love to the nature and the rein deer, so it will be the heart of their life’s. The rein deer – boazu is an animal that fully have adopted to the arctic climate. Dependent of the season the retina (Sv. Näthinna) of the rein deer will change from blue to yellow and back to blue due to adaptation of the light of the season. In the Spring-winter it is time for the calving, now it is urgent times for the Sami’s. It is time to move the herd from the low lands to the mountains. Here will the calving become much more quite. During the summer the rein deer use the time to graze and fill up the depots for the autumn and the upcoming Winter. During the summer it is also time for the calf marking, now the Sami’s gathering for clearing out which rein deer is which. During the autumn it is the rut time for the male rein deer’s. This will take a lot of energy of them and they look really big and stately. After the rut, the will loose the antlers. The female rein deer’s also got antlers and they will keep them. That will help them to dig to get lichen (Sv. Lav) which is the rein deer’s favorite meal. During the summer the rein deer eat grass, herbs mushrooms and leaf’s. Since the rein deer is adapted to the climate it can store bot water and energy for cold periods. Another fact is that the fur is so dense so even if it has swam, it will not even get wet.

Reindeer’s Amazing Adaptations to Living in Snow | Snow Animals | BBC Earth – YouTube

So here is the year of the rein deer; It will start in May with the calving, before that the rein deer keeper have to secure that the rein deer’s has passed the ice passing and will be up in the mountains. Just after midsummer the preparation for the marking of the calves begin. Checking the fences etc. As soon the meadows is green the hard work of marking begins. During the summer the rein deer’s will be graze the lichen high up on the mountain slopes. In the late summer it is high time for the preparation of the slaughter. In the beginning of September the real work is on, and if needed it will also be in October. During this period the work is hectic, now all the meat and everything from the slaughter needed to be taken care of. At the same time the moose hunt season is on and also the fishing as well. In the beginning of the Winter, it is time again for gathering the herd and split the rein deer’s up. In the low land they will eat what the nature will give them but also the keeper will secure they got hey if needed and also moss.

So now you maybe got a better know of rein deer’s and might see them from a bit different angle?!

This weeks easy adventure will be in Swedish Lapland. Take the night train towards Katterjåkk. You leave the train, and your on the track at once. Noe you got 3,5km towards the Kattejaure cabin.

This is the target of the day, Here you will sleep and do a day tour toward the top close to the cabin. If it is a good weather, you also can do a day tour to vassivaggi wind shelter and back. But this demand good mountain knowledge and skills due to the high mountain environment…Then the next day you will go back to Katterjåkk station and enter the night train again…

This week I’ve been reviewing the Montura Brave2 jacket. This is a ”work jacket” for rescuer and professionals in the mountain environment. I like the jacket, but I missing a hood. With a price of 227 Euro I think it a bit too expensive.  The layering is not water proof, just water repellent and for that price I expect more. The visibility is something that is very good and also the pockets and the finish is nice. But due to price and the ”missing” of a hood it cant be just (NNNN).

A glimpse of Swedish Lapland: Ep.9 – DANCERS IN THE DARK – YouTube

And the training, I have stared the days with a cold Shower just for getting energized.. And I am closing in to the target 74 push-ups within 2 minutes. And 14 pull-ups…I’m on the way..

How to Feel Energized & Sleep Better With One Morning Activity | Dr. Andrew Huberman – YouTube

Bryan Martin – Wolves Cry (Official Music Video) – YouTube

See ya soon…

Today I will give a heads up for the easy accessible adventures. Ones that you can do just over a short weekend, or just a couple of days.

The first suggestion will be the Sonfjället tour. Here you take the car, and turn it towards Sveg-Hede. It will take you about ~6 hours from Stockholm. Here you can stay at Nysätern mountain cabin. Early morning next day you turn on your headlamp and just outside the cabin the trail starts. Now you follow the foot of the mountain “Gråsidan” northern foot, towards Sododalen. The trail is uphill’s in the beginning and you will take a couple of height meters here. After almost 4 km. you will pass a trail-crossing. Here you can choose to go around Valmfjället or go directly towards Sododalen. After 1.2km more you reach the windshelter. This one is new and with a nice stove (so bring some firewood for a nice rest. From here you cant ascend the 1,5km to the top od Sonfjället with a fantastic view or you can continue towards the wind-shelter (2,2km)close to Medstöten. Or why not do both? Now you have the option to either go to the wind-shelter close to the peak and set up the tent, or use the wind-shelter for a night. Or go the 7,2km back to Nysätern and stay there. Eat breakfast and you are ready to go home with a fantastic mountain  experience with you…

The second suggestion will be the peak cabin of Åreskutan. You take the night train from ex. Stockholm at 22.39 and you arrive in Åre 8:33 in the morning. You put on your backpack and walk towards Tottbacken. Follow the trail towards Getvalen and up to Sadeln. You will pass the Lillfjället and Hällfjället on your right side. When you pass the Lillskutan it is time for the challenging part of the day. Here you will have a real uphill part, But with nice weather it is just a pleasure with the view…Soon you reach the top cabin, and you can eat your packed lunch and start the descending. In the evening you jump on the night train towards Stockholm at 19.41 and at 05.47 you weak up in Stockholm with a full day of new adventures…

This week I will test the Montura Bravo2 jacket. This is a heavy duty jacket for mountain adventure. With a lot of pockets and visible areas, it is produced for mountain professionals.

Dying For A Name – YouTube

See ya soon…

Well, it is time to summing up this years summer season. With a nice Via Ferrata tour in May at Skuleberget, and a peak tour to Helags in June followed with a tour to Oviksfjällen in July, and Enafors – Storulvån in August, Lunndörrsfjällen in September and in October a tour to Offerdalsfjällen. So summing up that I can only be satisfied. Now its time for planning the upcoming Winter season and check all equipment…

This weeks reflection will come here; First of all will be my thought about STF and there handling of the lease management in western Jämtland. Driving from the back seat has never been a good way to steer something. And after a limited result, STF explained that it was a good choice for the environment etc. From mu point of view it had been better to do a poodle, and say -sorry we have failed, because we was to late on the ball…

The next reflection will be about how do you want to be remembered? I couple a week I was on a funeral. It was a light funeral, where the priest told us about the person. And it was all very nice word, and everything was consistent with how he was. So how will you be remembered? I think that is a very good question, and it might be a thing to think of ahead…

David Kushner – Daylight (Official Music Video) – YouTube

See ya soon…

This week I’ve been in Långsåsdalen/Mjölkvattnet for the International Mountain Leader Summer Assessment. This area is perfect for this purpose. With no trails neither path or lanes. The summer assessment include areas as Speed navigation, Night navigation, Navigation in poor visibility, Leadership, First aid, River Crossing among a lot of other stuff. You as aspirant really need to live up to UIMLA IML standards. The first day of the assessment it was really nice weather, late summer feeling. Wednesday the rain was poring and 20m/s in the gusts of the wind. And in the morning of Thursday the snow was falling from the heaven and the tent was covered with frost. All of the participants did a good work, but due to the standards not all passed. You need to be prepared, and got focus for the challenge you will get during the examination.

So here we start the Assessment in such a nice weather…

The area is perfect for assessment…

One of the tough challenges will be the night navigation…

Ropework at steep ground will be another part of the standard.

River Crossing is both challenging and dangerous/risky…

As IML instructor you need to be objective, open minded and also flexible. The weather changes, the participants have different type of knowledge and skills so you need to adopt. But summing up this Assesment we have done a great job, with a very relevant result. So a happy instructor in the end…And unless it is not raining it is not training…

See ya soon…

Bryan Martin – Wolves Cry (Official Music Video) – YouTube