This week the Girjas Sami association got a judgement that they will own the hunting of small animals and fishing within there area. This judgement will be a precedential one, and probably will more of the Sami association in Sweden follow the sample. This is a first step to ”Clean up” our dark history of the natives in Sweden(our responsibility for how we treated them). But its not so easy as this. This is a judgement that a small amount of the Samis can take advantage of. The Critics mean that its just a small and the most strident Group of Samis this will effects. The samis that not is organized will not have any benifit out of the judgement. But it is a small step to rehabilitation.

In the footprints of the environment focus, the Swedes choose to stay at home in greater occurrence. then Before. One good example of this is Edsasdalen which increased visitors with 136% during the summer of 2019. The cabins in Jamtland increased the visitors with 18%, and the cabins in Vindelfjallen +19%. The Swedish Tourist association have been working with a visiting calendar where you can see when there are most visitors in periods and areas. The result out of that is that less visited areas have increased. With many new visitors STF have a new concept, where you can be together with a guide the first Days of your mountain jurney, to get knowledge of how to travel in the Mountains, and how it works with the cabins.

 

 

(Sylarnas mountain station. Photo Gösta Fries)

When it comes to e-Commercial in the outdoor area I Think its is good to got some knowledge of that, so here comes my view of the most common brands in Sweden.

Addnature.se, this Company has been in the trade since 1990. In the beginning they were doing experiment with new brands and so on. But today they have the establish brands. High skills of ”know how” normally fast delivery(best in the trade) So 5/5 is the grade.

Outdoorexperten.se, this brand was founded in 2005. This Company got really good ”know how”. They got a less of Products comparing to Addnature for example. But in the other hand they got specilized Equipment for special occasions. They have never disapointed me. The challenge they got is that it will take 1-3 Days for delivery. And normally 3 rather then 1-2. So it will be 4,5 grade.

Northstar.se, a small brand specilized for climbing and skiing(ski-alpinsim). If they got the gear you want the price will be the best. They know there brands out and in. Payment methods are a bit limitid comparing to others, but quite ok. The grade will be 3,5.

Outnorth.se in the year 2012 was founded. Outnet and GetOut was merged together as one. And in October 2019 also Tinderberg was merged into the Company. This makes it to a interesting brand. Tindeberg has been focusing on some special brands and areas. So together this has become a real challanger to Addnature. High skilled crew with broad Product flora they have taking a big step. But the deliverance will be 1-3 Days and with the same challenge as Outdoorexperten. So the grade: 4,5

And just a comment; dont ever use the Postnord for deliverance. You will never get it…

Sometimes sweet Music arises. The Garphyttan Original para anorak has become a real good friend. I must say I love this jacket.(and I am not sponsered, I have bought it myself:-)

See ya soon…

January almost means workout, and living up to new goals. For me January means planning the year. For being able to do as much adventures and challanges as possible it need to be planned. I will get back to that.

When I test garment and Equipment ahead, I will look into four parts: 1. Design and finnish, 2. usability, details 3. Comparing to others in the same area, 4. Price. The grade will be from 0-5 so the highest value will be 20.

Today I will do a Review of the Garphyttans Original Para Anorak. First of all, this is a jacket made of 35% wool and 65% polyester. And as the name tells us it is a Anorak. For us who has been raised up with this garment, we have a relation to it. I have Always love it, but it got its limitation when it comes to wet weather. This jacket got a lots of functions and is very robust. Comparing to other jackets in the same area, this one is very affordable. So how do I grade the jacket? Design and finnish, I will give it 4,5. It is a nice jacket with a real bushcraft feeling. Usability and details: 4. The details is outstanding, but due to the ”Shell” part I will reduce the figure. Comparing to others in the same area, this one is outstanding 5. And when it comes to the price, it is also a 5. So totally 18,5 a real good result!

Books or pods or webb articles? When it comes to develope the knowledge and skills we can read or listen to pods. I can tell I am doing it all, but from my point of view the books will be the best. Sit with a nice cup of coffee and read a book with a map at the side, that is nothing that can be compered to that..

(my outdoor libary)

When it comes to the workout, this time of the year the focus will be on the endurance. So building up the capacity for being able to Catch and be prepared for the  upcoming adventures this is the time. So a lot of row, and of coure some fighting, so tough..

 

See ya soon, now we are on track 2020:-)

The words has been spoken a lot of times, but a new year means a new start. This year got a lot of expectation from my side. A lot of nice work with developing the IML and work with SFLO. I also already got a lot of guided tour request, so I look forward to this year.

I also Think we all have to take the Environment in consideration when planning our adventures. When it comes to the research about glaciers, it was on a high level at the beginning of the 1900. But the knowledge was stopped due to the knowledge of the movement of the ice. But in the mid 1900 two British physicists John Glen and John Nye independent of each other was able to describe the movement of the ice of a glacier.

The simple relationship between the speed of movement of the ice and the stress it is subject to is usually called Glens Floating Law, while the large work on how the connection is to be applied is usually attributed to John Nye.

In 1947 a hut was purchased in Nikkaluokta by the Sami and Mountain men Andreas Nils. This was the first cabin for the research of the glacier at Tarfala. As curiosity can be told that the hut was blew apart continually.  In 1961 Valter Schytt got a grant to build a modena research station.

The station was build and was consecrated in the same year (1961). Since this, the station has been developed taking into account how society, research issues and the requirements of the researcher have changed over the years. Today it includes 12 Buildings, generator and transformator buildings. The weather in the area is sometimes very hard, and it is good to rember that. In 1992/93 raged two storms. The wind gusts was mesured to 81 m/s, and Three of the Buildings was destroyed and has to be rebuild. Well the glaciers is affected of the global warming here you can see how Sylarna is affected.

It is all our responsibility to let our coming generations to experience glaciers. So Think about how you can reduce the global warming from your Point of view…

See ya soon…

A new day, and soon a new year. It has been a good adventure year with lot of challenges. With a visit in Enafors in May,I Think I have covered all month of a year in the mountain Environment. All season got its own charm. But if I must select one it will be the spring-Winter. I still have a Dream to ski in the moonlight towards Sylarna. As usual here comes a conclusion of the year 2019:

A. Abisko-Bjorkliden a fantastic area, and good opertunites for Ice Climbing in the valle Close to the mountainstation at Abisko.

B.Boxing and fighting, this year this has been the new workout for me. New way of training with new insights and new friend, I love it. Thanks Mohammed and Paul and others…

C. Change your way of thinking. Challenge your self all the time to becom better. When it comes to clothing, equpment or workout. Just try to find new ways and solutions…

D.The Djatlev expedition was a new interesting history. And for sure it will be continued…

E. Enaforsholm, this is the Place for starting your adventure. With the Enan river Close you will go to sleep with the noice of the water…

F. Fjällfika, most important at the Mountains will be to take time for a fika. A tour without fika is not a tour. 

G. Guiding at Sälen at the dog camp was a new experience. Nice area with nice peaks and good hiking tracks.

H. With helicopters we will disturb the nature but it also make us able to going while the snow melt and its to weet for hiking…

I. Incidents, I’ve been Reading a lot in the area. Plan good, and be prepared that is very important.

J. Joy, the most important this with outdoor activities: -Do it for you enjoy it, and not for it is a good Picture at Instagram…

K. Kebnekaise, this fantastic area. There is Always something to explore. Guiding this year was a real happening:-)

L. Lapporten, being in the Abisko area means you will se the Lapporten wherever you are…

M. Making decisions, this I have wrote a lot about. Reading all the facts of incidents this is one of the most important areas. Make the right decision in time, and you will avoid accidents.

N.New gear, it has been a lot of new gear test this year. But what is the most important apparel? I could not live without my Softshell shell jacket…

O. One of the best time this year was when I saw a eagle just 50m away.  A golden moment….

P. Pulleys, I will never leave for the mountain without one of this, and today there a lot of solutions with combined carabiners.

Q. Question – Which was your biggest adventure this year? Well it must have been the tour for Sonfjallet. Really nice

R. Risk Management one of the most importent topics this year. This for avoiding accidents and prevent them from happening.

S. Swedish mountain Leader assosiation, finally I hope I will get the neadle:-). Been working a lot for the organisation, and I hope we give the members a lot of value for the membership…I will also mention the Swedish mountain club. There news Fjallet get a lot of inspirational  articles

T. Telemark skiing, I am doing it to Little. It is the best way of skiing from my Point of view. I want to do it more. Maybe during 2020?!

U. Utefest, a new experience for me. Guiding people from the whole of Sweden in one of the nicest areas in Sweden what a favor.

V. Via ferrata, as usual very nice at Skuleberget. And this year I got the Gold card = Life time membership. So nice:-). This year it will be a weekend session at Skuleberget with Via Ferrata for those who dare:-)

W.Wool, Aclimas series toghether with Lars Mansen is fantastic. I really like the clothes.

X. Follows the X in the Mountains and you will end up right:-)

Y. Yellow will be the choice of the colour of the clothes, you will be visable…

Z. Z-pulley will be the perfect solution for getting up from a creveasse..

 

Happy new year my friends, see ya soon..

The advent calendar is over, but it is Sunday so the blog will be updated as usual. When it comes to the highest peak of Sweden there has been a discussion about if the Nothern or the Southern peak is the highest. The Land Survey has during the last period connect data with decimeter precision, this ha resulted in that the peaks in the Sarek area has been upgraded. With the current levels it is only eight meters between Keb Norhtern peak and Sarektjåhkkås peak. There has also been a scanning during the late autumn and the result will be presented in the near future. This will be interesting from a Tourist Point of view…

(Sarektjáhká peak)

When it comes to the Utehelg at Skeviks cabin at Varmdo – Stockholm 22-24 May, I will be there and also Outnorth which is the main sposor of the event. So lets meet there in May. I will umpdate you all with the program in the future.

I will also pay attention to a painter from Varmland. Nils Walfrid Nilsson. Born 1868 in Norra Rada in Varmland, and dead in 1956 in Karlstad. He knowned as the mountain painter with icy landscapes..

 

See ya soon…

Now the advent Calander has come to an end. And I a merry Chrismas greeting will to all of you send.

Nine adventures:

Concluding this year it has been nine adventures in the Mountains. Three out of these has been with guidning. Kebnekasie, Salen with dog camp and Utefest at Docksta. Also ice Climbing at Abisko, skiing in Salen, Sonfjallet etc. Really nice. A lot of work with the Swedish mountain Leader organisation as well. And thank you www.viaferrata.se  for your Life time membership. 

 

 

The Mountain Leaders chronicle:

A good year with lot of adventures. What i learned most this year will be the Risk Management planning. How important that is. While Reading all reports, articles and technical investegations I understand and really dont want to end up in this kinds of situations. And here back to the old knowledge; surround yourself with the right people and they will encourage you to develope your skills in the area. So thank you Mattias and Mikael, Matt and Markus for that. Another thing is to never stop enjoying the nature and the mountain views.

Early morning, it is still dark while I pulses in the snow with snowshoes. The Husku is eager due to all the reindeer tracks, he sticks unsteadily on. The sweat cover my back, then I turn and can see Helags, Lunndorrs pass and Are. I stop and just listen to my own breathing, and I Think I must be the happiest man on the Earth. I quickly get out of my thoughts, the husky got a new track to follow and he is eager to continue…

Merry Christmas my friends…

This year i’ve been working a lot with Risk Management and read a lot about the area. When it comes to climbing accidents reported in Sweden, there is a pattern. First of all, it is not related to Equipment failure. The lack of comrade Control is one of the big factors. And also the lack of knowledge of Avalanches.

When it comes to hiking/ski accidents we can see a trend that it have increased. Practitioners tend to take more risks. This specially in Groups, were the responsibility can be divided. And even with a guide the padrticipant are willing to take bigger risks. This will means that we as guide must take a bigger responsibility of the Groups skill and knowledge levels.

See ya tommorow…

 

Vålådalen is situated in the middle of the western Jämtlands mountains. The area includes a range of mountain cabins. All off them got there own character. Anaris is placed in a tarn area. The closed trail is over 20km which will means less of other hikers. Lunndorren, yoy can reach this cabin from Valadalen, Vala cabins, and also from Tossasen and from Vallbo. Vala cabins can be reched from Gasen, or from Stensdalen. Yea you understand that the area is easy to access and you have a lot of options. Even if the the trails just follows the foot of the Mountains, the nature is barren so dont underestimate it. The wind can blow hard, so you better be knowing what you are doing in the area. Both Stensdalen and Lunndorren got sauna, something that is preciated after a Cold day at the Mountains. So if you havent been in the area you should visit it.

Todays X-mas gift suggestion will be a book of a Norweigan author. Åt helvete med fjällvandring is a book of the Norweigan stand up Comedy profile Are Kalvö. It might be a funny and interesting book for us mountain nerds..

See ya tommorow…

It was the 13th of february in 1957 at Storlien. The weather was good andalmost no wind. The atmosphere was top notch. Nine corporals has just finnish there fourteen day Winter training at Boden. The Colonel at I12 ere so satisfied with the result of the training so he gave order to the Company of some freetime at Storlien for skiing and recreation. The day after the arravial they started to ski to Snasahogarna from Storlien. Led by the captain Liljeblad from Stockholm a Group of nineteen person heading for a tour in Western Jamlands mountain. With Trolleys from Storlien to Enafors, and from there by skiis bounding for the peak of Storsnasen. With good weather they skii over the moors towards Silverfallet. When the Group get closer to the foot of the mountain the board conductor desided not to go for the peak, regarding to that the wind has started to be too strong. So now the Group started to go up towards the gully in serpentines. At 11.15 am one of the corporals feel something strange under his skiis. He describes it like the ground disapears under him. And in a sudden the hell brake lose. No one of the Group really understood what happened, but the whole mountain side was coming down towards them. We were like paper wads explain Lennart Thuresson who was a part of the Group. The avalange has buried 6 of the Group, the survivals start now to try to rescue the rest of the Group. After all have cathed up and come to mind, one of the officers gave the order -Boys now we have to start digging for our comrades, ’he said. After that we digged with all we got, skies, hands, shovels all we got. A couple of hours the mountain rescue came to the help with the research. At the end there was six victims. Three officers from I12 and Three civilians; a Danish student, a ski instructor form Austria and a priest from Kramfors.

the group’s six remaining corprals, three continued on the already beaten military line, including Lennart Thuresson himself. Others chose civilian careers.
– Over the years we have probably all often thought about what happened, but we have not talked about it so much. I think I can be the only one left with the life from the company that was in the mountains, says Lennart.
He has never visited Storlien after the incident.

So you might have something else to Think on while heading for Storsnasen, and getvalen after this story..

See ya tommorow…

Today it will be about Ice Climbing. Ice climber is an extinct genus. Due to the fact that the season is very limited. Also the global warming affect the  opportunitys of climbing ice. Climbing in Alvdalen has been very nice, but Rjukan in Norway will be my first choice. After being in Abisko, Rjukan is the shit for Ice Climbing. And the village is also very nice. 

Rjukan Norway

See ya tommorow