The crossroad….

Regardless of whether you are a guide or not, you can always see it as a gift to develop yourself. For those of you who follow my blog, you for sure know that I have written many words about this specific topic. But today I will view it from an new angle. Motivation is a good thing, but as we all know this is a characteristic depending from day to day quality and also will be influenced of depends as of our mental attitude. What I mean is If you don’t got the knowledge or experience the motivation can’t save you in all situations, that’s how it is. So what then? Well, if the motivation cant help you what could be the key then?

Lets talk a bit about habits, ok, then you might think -habits what? You been talking about that before, and how long does it take to set a new habit, if its really possible to do that? Hm, well, lets us begin with small steps, think about a habit that you want to establish. One example can be -I really want to read more. Connect this with an existing habit. If you go with the commuter a couple of days in the week, you can use that time, for building a new habit. Or if you go to bed, read first and brush your teeth after. Make it easy to do right thing. This means that small habits can lead to big changes. But with small steps, and anchoring with already everyday functioning habits…

Understanding the crossroad. Are you ready for the next step? Lets talk about the crossroad. If you want to become a 2.0 version of yourself, this will be a really important key for you, to take that step. The ability to effectively adapt one’s cognitive and behavioral strategies in response to changing task or environmental demands is a crucial capacity we all can and need to develop. Lots of nice words, but what does it means in reality? cognitive flexibility is all about your brain’s ability to adapt to new, changing, or unplanned events, and to become aware of one’s thoughts. If you are standing in a situation where you have a choice, a crossroad. In your inner you will know what should be your right choice, but the other way might become easier, and less problematic. Standing in the crossroad, use 5 seconds to reflect (cognitive flexibility) disconnect, and choose your valued direction, where your lead star leads you. Example, if one of your habits will be to avoid cinnamon buns every day while passing the local bakery. At the morning on your way to work, passing the bakery and the smell from cinnamon bun dance into your nose. Now, take five seconds to reflect on your thoughts. And make the choice (important here is that it should not be a feeling of guilt or shame) And some day of course, you might choose the cinnamon bun:-). But you take a decision related to your own values, to become a better you.

I will do a review of the Fjällräven Keb jacket. The Men’s Keb Jacket from Fjällräven is a functional outdoor jacket for men, combining wind- and water-repellent G-1000 Eco in recycled polyester and organic cotton on the hood, shoulders, front and extended back, with stretch in the back, sleeves and pockets. After a first look, I am not convinced. A jacket for this price, I really would expect something more. It is not windproof, either water proof. It is flexible, that I have to give it. But so far due to the price (NNN)

Tobÿ, One Trick Pony – All I Think About (Lyrics)

See ya soon

 

Becoming a grey stone…

This week has contained great variation. The week started out with a lecture about the mountain environment and how it will be affected of our lifestyle. An interesting fact was the information of how much deforestation affects the environment. So if we in Sweden could decrease the felling with 30%, this could mean that we could reach the environmental demands…

I also held training for the Tornedalen Folk High School about the IML training and also about the new Mountain Leader norm. And today I held a lecture for Friluftsfrämjandets Mountain Leaders about the new norm, and how it will affect them. So overall a intensive week, but at the same time very interesting and a lot of good meetings with people and organization’s.

I often reflect and write about leadership and personal development, and I think that is an important competence and driver. But at the same time, you must consider and understand when you cant change your receiver. In this type of conversation, one choice can be to be a ”grey stone” . This meaning not to give up, or ”give the shit”. It is more of relief your self, Self-awareness, compassion and personal responsibility. I think you understand in what situation or in what conversation this might become relevant. In a job situation, or in a meeting with someone who use simplex communication f.eks. So here you also got a suggestion of a book in the topic.

Tillbaka

See ya soon..

Humility – Your most underrated ice axe..

How do you become a International Mountain Leader with authority?

I have meet a lot of people in the mountains, but to be honest – not so many I would not describe as a real authority…So let us dig into this topic in todays blog. This is not an easy one, but let’s dissect the concept like an avalanche expert dissects layers of snow: with awe, humor, and a slight shiver of existential anxiety.

You don’t become an authority by knowing everything, but by knowing what you don’t know – and showing how to learn it. Being able to read terrain, interpret weather, understand group dynamics and see risks before they become apparent – that’s your magic. The true authority doesn’t talk about their experience. They drip it silently, like a stone in a still mountain lake.

Authority requires consistency. If you say the group will start at 7:00, you’ll be ready at 6:55 – with a headlamp and a calm that smells of cinnamon coffee and experience. Trust isn’t built in the lecture hall – it’s built in rain, mistakes and the recurring ability to say: “I was wrong. Let’s make it right now.”

Passion, not position. True authority comes from passion – not from the logo on your jacket. Show your love for the mountains, the nature, the group, the weather, even the mosquitoes (okay, maybe not all of them). When people see that you lead because you want to – not because you have to – they will follow you through both blizzards and Excel reports.

Sniff ’n’ The Tears – ”Driver’s Seat” (Official Video)

See ya soon…

Snowshoeing, just go with the flow…

Even if you are a pro or just a beginner, this weeks blog might get some more understanding of snowshoeing…

First of all, why snowshoeing?

-You don’t need experience like for skiing, you can just -do it!

-Because it just so easy, any one can do it! Its like hiking and it will give you cardio vascular exercise.

-Essentially its so easy, just walk. And the surface and slope almost doesn’t matter…

-It is affordable, you can find a pair in a quite low price…Low price with high accessibility, it agile.

-More stable and easy compared to skiing..

First of all, how is the snowshoe build up? It is the decking, the frame, the bindings, the pivot and the crampons. So lets start with discovering all about the decking. Todays versions a solution of Hypalon, vinyl or polyurethane-coated nylon, all to offer a better flotation with a smaller surface area.

The crampons should be built up with metal teeth, this for being used in snow and ice circumstances. This for be able to use in crusty ridges, crossing frozen windswept ponds etc. Normally its built so it bits into the ground in every step you take. If you going to use them in more of a mountaineering landscape, they should be having spikes/pins in the heel and front and also maybe around the whole shoe.

The bindings, here is were the boot and the snowshoe meets. The binding are critical to making the snowshoe working well with your choice of boots in the conditions were you experience most often. Here is one of the week spots, so you might hire a pair of snowshoes first to find out which binding that suits your boot the best. You don’t want to experience rubbing or chafing from the bindings when walking.

  • Secure that the binding can be adjust comfortable and snugly.
  • Does the binding hold your foot snugly enough for preventing from sliding?
  • Will the binding be easy to use with mittens and in cold conditions?
  • Will the binding be easy to repair if a part will be broken?

The Frame, Made of wood, plastic or lightweight aluminum tubing, frames come in a variety of shapes. The differences are simple. Oval shoes offer optimal flotation. Shoes with tapered tails and asymmetrical shoes allow a more natural gait.

The Pivot, The pivot point is the place where the binding attaches to the frame of the snowshoe. It should be placed at the ball of your foot.

Soft and hard attachment. A soft attachment, is resilient band to fixe the foot/boot toward the snowshoe. The advantage here is that shoe feels lighter, it is more maneuverable, especially when getting out of a tight spot. Disadvantage is that this solution makes it more difficult to kick steps up in steep terrain.

Hard attachment though will be more fit so to say, and giving you more lateral support and your crampons better purchase in the snow on steep inclines. Advantage will be that it is easier to use on steep ground. Disadvantage; hard attachments can make for more difficult climbing when you need to kick deep steps up a slope.

Tubular frames or plastic frames? Well tubular frames are more durable than plastic, but less flexible. Molded plastic: While flexible, this type of snowshoe is more fragile and can snap, especially in cold conditions.

So what do I suggest for snowshoe then? Well, MSR have two different ones. First MSR lightning accent, this one is easy to step in to. The snowshoe works fine at all surface such as ice and rocks and snow and also slush…

The second one will be the MSR Evo Trail; this is a classic. They are affordable, easy to use, and offer good traction. The bindings are secure and can accommodate a wide range of boot sizes, and the compact design is relatively easy to strap to the outside of a pack.

So over to the review of the Snugpak Spearhead jacket. This is a tactical jacket and in the midrange. So its not a premium product from that point of view. But it is nice, got a real good hoodie and lot of pockets. A note to the pockets; The ones form warming the hands is fine. Also the inner pocket. The one place on the arm, is small and a bit hard to open and close. This depends on that the other fabric is to lose…The weight in relation to it warmth is though really good. So it will be (NNN+) You get a real good warm layer for a small mount of money.

I will also high lite a new book; the Bortom Berget a book about the Skuleskogens National Park.

They’re Hanging Me Tonight | Johnny Trouble 

See ya soon…