Now the days are starting to get shorter and darkness is slowly creeping in. What better time than to think about how to brighten up your autumn so you can continue with your activities? So todays topic will be about headlamps. What do you need to think of when it comes to choose the best headlamp?

First of all you need to consider brightness and range (the performance). And your choice will be depending of what you will use the headlamp for…The brightness of a headlamp is measured in lumen, which is a measure of how much light the lamp can provide. Here is a quick guide to how much light is needed in relation to activity:

Walking on a regular road     200-lumen.

Walking, jogging on roads and general use. 200–400-lumen.

For technical trails, trail running or activities where you need long range and good nighttime lighting. Lamps in this brightness range provide a longer light output.  400–1000-lumen.

For activities such as night orienteering, MTB cycling or night work, where you need a bright light to see further. 1000–2500-lumen.

For extreme light, perfect for searching or working in dark conditions. Advanced LED technologies such as CREE and higher light output are often used here to provide maximum brightness in extreme conditions. Over 2500-lumen,

So you have to consider the usage of the headlamp. Comfort will be one factor (weight for example), brightness will be the next thing to consider and at last the need for battery life.

Low brightness (300-lumen) up to 200 hours .

Mid brightness (800-lumen) up to 15-40 hours.

High brightness (1000-lumen or more) 4-10 hours, depending on battery type and settings.

Battery, So what type of battery will be the best? So ok, let’s not go to deep and nerd ourselves out too much on the subject. We can divide batteries into three different type; alkaline-nickel metal hydride and Lithium. Alkaline – easy to use, easy to get hold of. Can start o leak if you forget them. Brightness will slowly drop…Nickel metal hydride – now we step into rechargeable. Great alternative if you want to avoid buying new ones all the time. They have an even brightness all the way through. Lose charge faster when not in use – they need to be “trained” regularly!  Slightly shorter lifespan compared to some other rechargeable options. NiMH batteries are great for those who use their lights frequently. Perfect for daily walks, evening work in the workshop or if you have a light that is often on. Charge and reuse – a clear favorite for everyday use! Lithium – say hello to lithium – the battery type that makes your flashlight shine brightly and last a long time. Lithium batteries are not only lightweight, they also provide maximum brightness from start to finish. If alkaline batteries are the reliable faithful servant and NiMH is the environmentally conscious friend, then lithium is the energetic adventurer who always wants to give 110%. Lithium batteries are the choice for those who have high demands on performance. They are perfect for long expeditions, searches, night walks, or when working where bright light is a must. If you want maximum brightness and durability, lithium batteries are right for you.

Durability, a direct impact of the performance of lamp will be the capacity of usage of the lamp.

So one important thing to keep an eye on is mAh – which stands for milliampere hours. In short, mAh shows how much energy the battery can store and is directly linked to how long the light can last. The higher the mAh, the longer the light can last before the battery needs to be replaced or recharged.

For rechargeable batteries like lithium and NiMH, it’s smart to choose the highest mAh rating possible, especially if you’re using the light for extended periods. Higher mAh means you’ll get longer light with the same high performance – perfect for intense nighttime workouts or long adventures.

So summing up all this facts, How should I proceed when choosing a lamp?

You need to analyze for what activity you will be using the lamp for. For a more sustainable choice the rechargeable ones will be the best. If you choose a rechargeable model the NiMH one will be the best choice, especially with a high mAh rate. Some of the brands also have a combination of rechargeable and alkaline solution, which open up some limitation. But for a long expedition in darkness choose a lamp with high IP classing (IP68-IP69) which guarantee robustness. When being in cold environment it is good to have a battery solution so you can wear the battery close to your body. Here comes some good suggestion of good headlamps…

https://ljusgiganten.se/fenix-pannlampa-hm65r-1400-lumen.html

https://www.valostore.se/sv/produkt/lumonite_compass_r_old?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=255768243&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwsrFBhD6ARIsAPnUFD0d_EvFjh0Ie9NZwPgAuGE0XkulYoiYedsVyrQb0ZzRxUh6p7kDDe4aAspsEALw_wcB

https://www.outnorth.com/se/varumarken/silva/cross-trail-7r-111295-P145-3217?variantId=145-3217&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=shopping&utm_campaign=02%3A%20%5BSE%5D%20PLA%20-%20Shopping%20CSS%20-%20High&gclsrc=aw.ds&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=02%3A%20%5BSE%5D%20PLA%20-%20Shopping%20CSS%20-%20High&utm_id=1525611721&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1525611721&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5c_FBhDJARIsAIcmHK_nGDGJRfAXkPhhlljNYQuPxVr6JA76BO9seVTiIZJ5u15PAzRgCCwaAjZcEALw_wcB

Authors note: I always bring a back-up solution, either another head lamp or a torch. And always be caution while charging rechargeable batteries. Key take away – The better brightness, the shorter time before need of recharge.

Lady Bird | Claudia Cecilia Marian feat. Johnny Trouble | Official Video

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This week we had a meeting in the Mountain Safety Council, so why not take up the topic there and write about the concept of mountain safety?

Mountain Safety is a very broad concept, so it is important to limit the topic so it doesn’t flow out and become too large. It can be technique, it can be gear and also leadership for example. One of the discussion at the Mountain Safety Council was about accidents related to professionals in the mountain environment. A couple of the organizations at the meeting presented their work with how to prevent and mitigate risk and accidents and in what situation they could see that it was relevant. Risk is of course one crucial part of mountain safety, but you must understand and remember that a risk plan as a base is good to have, but risk is a very dynamic factor. But with a base of Identify risks, assess the probability and consequence, mitigation plan and follow up and document the result etc.

But mountain safety will always be impact of the individual. And here it doesn’t matter if you are a guide or a professional hiker or just a beginner…The knowledge and experience together with the ability will be crucial. Now its beginning to become interesting. What is ability? A capability is: the ability of a person or an organization to perform a certain action or purpose, based on its internal characteristics, competencies and resources. Ok, so what is the difference between a skill and ability then? Compared to skills, abilities are much more stable and enduring. Abilities can also include being able to apply and even transfer knowledge and skills in several different situations and contexts.

How can I improve my capability then? First you have to define, why this ability is so important for you. Next step will be to find out the conditions and how you best develop the ability. Third step will be to create a plan (a development journey) that really has an effect. Start from already defined training and supplement. Schedule learning in your everyday life. Establish and further develop the ability.

So what will be the key takeaways from all of this related to Mountain safety?

• A ground riskplan is important, but even more important is to have the ability to be dynamic due to the circumstances and demands.
• Knowledge and experience will be the ability, ability to make the right judgement (decisions)
• Clarify what ability you need to develop and plan.
• Do what you can in your “knowledge” area, but get out of the box (comfort zone) but in a controlled way. You must try and fail to be able to become better…

Tiger Army – Dark and Lonely Night (Official Music Video)

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A leader is best when barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: We did it ourselves.

Today’s topic will be a difficult one. Due to that fact that many have their opinion about it. It also includes so much different areas, so it is hard to delimit the topic. Well, what ever here comes my opinion about leadership. My experience is that in the business(and maybe elsewhere) it has been a misunderstanding or/and a confusion of the concepts. I will not go deeper in the area and define of what is management and what is leadership. I will focus on the leadership. This meaning  is that is more about to inspire and to influence. A leader has the focus for area such as vision and motivation. So ok, but leadership from a guide perspective then? Well, from the ground it will be the same. Leadership can be described overall like this “Guiding means showing the way, offering direction, and providing support. It includes communicating a clear vision that gives the group a common compass. A leader who guides shares their expertise and insights.” Isn’t this exactly what guiding is all about, he essence of it?

So how to describe of what will be the important parts of a good leadership? I will try to do it in a more colorful version.

The map will symbolize the vision, to know the direction were to go. The compass will symbolize the values -why are we doing this? The boots will symbolize the power of action. To not follow the decisions is like wearing boots but still walk barefoot. The shell jacket symbolize your protection for your team. Protect them from storms. The stove will symbolize the motivation. A good leader knows when the group needs to warm up. A good cup of hot chocolate or with a good history. The tent will symbolize the trust. Create a place where people can relax and be themselves, even when the wind is howling. Trust is built when everyone knows the tent pegs are strong.

But leadership start with the core – yourself. If you haven’t done your homework, you will have a tough road ahead as a leader. You know your limits-your values-you have the inner compass that guides yourself…So for developing your leadership skills this means you better understand yourself. Start with the question – Why do you want to be or become a guide? Now the stone is on the roll…

When it comes to gear, I got the Dynafit traverse dynastrech jacket. It is described as a shell jacket…But this is not a shell it is a jacket for high intensive activities in mountain environment. But not in strong wind, or pouring rain/snow conditions. As you can see at the picture it is built for high intensity of sports. The ventilation is really good. And the result then? NNN, it can be higher.

Its a interesting upcoming week. A lot of mountain meetings…

“More To This” From The Stairwell – Acoustic Performance

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In this week’s blog I want to reflect on the mountains and activities connected to them. I been a visitor in the mountains for the last 45 years. So what is my experience of all those years then? The mountain environment is really good for both the body and soul. You have to plan and schedule events for getting them into reality, and especially scheduling (plan is not so important). Some places is nice to revisit, but not necessarily in the same season or time as before. In the beginning my packing was big – heavy and for all eventualities. Then it became minimalistic, with the result that everything essential didn’t come with it. But now I’ve found a good way to adapt the equipment to the nature and needs of the activity. When it comes to weather it is something that is impossible to influence. And to be honest, due to my experience it is often rainy, foggy or and cloudy. So how it comes that at Instagram the sun is always shining in the mountains? I think this might give a false picture of the real conditions in the mountains. And while talking about social media, I think it can be worth a deeper thought -why does you want to be in, and experience the nature/mountains? Is it for your own feeling or for another reason? And as the Runrigs text says “mountain are holy places…” And as Anatoli Boukreev said:  Mountains are not stadiums where I satisfy my ambition to achieve, they are the cathedrals where I practice my religion. While being in present, for me it has become more and more important…So this was the first of the series of my thought’s. The  next week, it will be about leadership.

When it comes to equipment, I have tested the Rossignol Vezor trail running shoe. Its a new solution from Rossignol, and it is a cooperation with Michelin due to the sole. It is a narrow shoe that suit tight to the feet. It is light, but supporting at the same time. It is light with running joy. So it will be a NNNNN as result.

The Black Diamond Element hoodie, is a perfect middle layer. It can also be used as a shell layer in nice weather. It is flexible and designed for athletic sports. Well, it is a standard middle layer in a mid layer price so it will be a NNN+ for this garment.

I’m waiting to try out Dynafit’s pants and jacket. Dynafit is a brand who first manufactured ski boots, and today it has become one of the leading manufactures in ski alpinism (ski-touring) (the whole range of equipment) I will test the Dynafit traverse dynastrech jacket and the Dynafit transalper hybrid pant, so I lokking forward to do that review…

So what is coming up then? Well, a mountain adventure in Idre, a guiding session at Sylarna. And also training – Introducing IML to the Campus Åre Mountain Leader. There will also be a report from the Mountain Safety Council after the autumn meeting.

Farväl till sommaren

Runrig – Our Earth Was Once Green – Lyrics

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The blog has been down since end of May due to some challenge’s…But here we go with new energy.

So I think I will start with a conclusion of the year so far. January a tour in Skuleskogen including sleeping under the open sky. February a tour towards Ullåsjön and Brunnsvalen. March it was a visit of Storskarven area, Rogen cabin and the Sånfjället national park. April I celebrate my 60th birthday at Enaforsholm. In June we ascend Alpspitze in Germany. And in July it was time for Skuleberget an some Via Ferrata…So, so far it has been a good adventure year. And it is still more to come, that I can promise. When it comes to workout I can report 28,8km each day this week. So up and running. Today it was hill training and I can tell that it was very crowdy at the hill of 60 years old men, so I really have to use my elbows:-). Some new gear has also been in focus. The Bergans Helium Backpack is one of them. A really good one. I really like when there is a zipper for easing to get the stuff in the pack. I will get back when I have done some hard core tests. I will also test the Rosignoll Vezor, a trail running shoe with a sole from Michelin. I also will check the Dynafit Traverse dynastretch jacket, so more to come…From next Sunday I also will begin a new serial of the ”the old mountaineers wisdom” So lots of new things is upcoming…

Françoise Hardy – Tous les garçons et les filles (Official Lyrics Video)

See ya soon…