1st. of December have some requirement. So today we start this years calendar. Behind the first door we find Funäsdalen. This are who has been in focus since the 12 century. During this time the king of Norway, Sweden and Denmark fought about to concur the area, and was ravages by fire and the inhabitants have to leave their homes. But in 1882 Jonas Aslund founded a guest house in Tänndalen, and that was the starting point of a mountain adventure like no other.
Funäsdalen in summer (Photo Ulf Bergman)
In Funäsdalen, the shack culture of the time is interspersed with the living Sami culture. It is a very alive village with just 1000 person permanent residence. During the seasons the number will be at least tripled. What is really nice with Funäsdalen is that the little village got a couple of nice restaurant, hotels, hostels and also ski-lodges. And most important they also got the their own coffee roastery.
Hemma hos Edith in Funäsdalen, own coffee roastary…
It got four or even six different areas you can discover both with skies or mountain-bike or hiking. Tänndalen, Hamra, Funäsdalen, Bruksvallarna, Ramundberget and Messlingen. Funäsdalsberget is easy to access directly from Funäsdalen village.
And it offers a fantastic view. Otherwise my favorite area will be around Fjällnäs with Rutfjället och Storvigeln in the heart of the area. But also Storskarven area is really nice.
Todays x-mas gift suggestion will be a knife from Casström in Sweden.
The Swedish forest knife, Masur will be a fine gift for the bush-craft interested.
At Thursday it will be the 1st. of December and this years calendar will begin. The new for this year will be that it will be a quiz at the 23rd of December, where you can win a book. But then you must follow the calendar for the answer will be there:-).
The morning is crisp, there is a excitement in the air. It is cloudy, but it looks like the sun might can shine trough the clouds. At the moment we are alone, but we can hear the sound of a snowmobile in the far distance. We put on the snowshoes fit the poles and start the journey towards the mountain station. We follow the track from snowmobiles and soon we can see the Kesu lake in front of us. The sun is now shining trough the clouds and it looks it will become a nice day. A couple of kids is playing with pulkas in a slope close to the lake, and we can se a man sitting close to his snowmobile and fishing. At the end of the lake it become uphill, and the wind is getting harder. A few minutes later it has stared to snowing. The wind is getting harder and now we are at the mountain with no shelter, so it is just to keep on moving. The conversation has stopped, and we all getting in to ourselves. We strive on, and soon we reach crossing of winter and summer trail, knowing that 4K to go. But on the other hand it is uphill’s the rest to the station. After another 2,5K the winter trail from Faltjagarcabin is crossing our trail, and that means it is just 1,5K left. When entering the station, it becomes every time how cozy it is.
You strive and when you enter the cabin or mountain station it feels so good. With a sauna and a nice dinner we all fell asleep with a smile at our lips. The next day was the plan to reach the top of Helags, but that is another story.
How to you go there? Well, that is fantastic. You can go from Sylarna Mountain station. Or you can go from Kläppen. You can also go from Ramundberget via Faltjagar cabin, or from Gåsen Cabin, or why don’t you try the trail from Vålå cabins?
We all need to have different kind of characteristic’s. As a outdoorer or guide the humility will be one or even the most important. But what is very important to bear in mind will be that humility does not mean that you stand back. But what does that mean in practice? Well, it means that you are interested and understand your lack and strength of your skills and experience, and continuously developing those areas…
My experience is the more you know, the more you know that you don’t know. At the same time it is important that you feel, know and work with your self-confidence and don’t hide your knowledge. But it is like in the gym, have I asked you about instruction of how to train? If a trainer does something wrong and it is a risk for her or he to get hurt, then I inform them…But a good outdoorer will continuously analyze what he/she need to improve… The question will be -but if I don’t know how good I am in for example in navigation skills? Well, that just show that you don’t have done your lesson well. Do a really good work with defining your skills and experience. If you just can navigate on trails, than you need to develop your navigation skills…Do you feel comfortable dealing with severe accidents? If not, you might need to develop your wilderness first aid knowledge…It is when you know your skills feel your experience and now your shortness, that when you got a core self-confidence. When it comes to self-confidence and how to build it up, it will be a chapter by itself.
This week I will review the Rab Cirrus Flex 2.0 Hoody men jacket. This jacket is a sophisticated combined middle and shell layer. The jacket got lining of primaloft so it work even in moister conditions. It weights 422g and is packable in its own pocket. Due to its wind resistant it can be used as a light shell if needed. For being a mid layer I think it is good so far, and the price is ok. It got a hood that can be used under a helmet. But I miss a chest pocket…but I will get back with a detailed review soon…
Since yesterday SFLO is full member of UIMLA, and responsible for the training and cert. for Swedish International Mountain leaders.
A big moment for the Swedish guiding in general and for mountain guiding in particular. After several of years and four blocks of training of the firsts IML’s we reach the target. But now we cant rest on our laurels, today starts the next block(Summer-training) with five new aspirants for becoming IML’s. But we have to celebrate the hard work that has been done. This is a great step.
Last blog was about the upcoming winter season, and I will continue on that subject this week as well. When it comes to sleep good during winter condition the under layer will become a crucial area. Use a sleeping matt in cellular plastic. Up on that you put your inflatable matt, this one with a R-value 5-6. If you shall sleep in a snow shelter bring a couple of twigs with you. Put this under. Then the matt will not glide. Before you go to sleep shake your sleeping bag, so it got fluffy with air. Also think about the right size of the tent or bivouac you going to use. If you have to ”big” you need to warm ”dead” space. Be carful of how you place your head. Lots of your heat disappear trough your head. And you don’t want to get moister into your sleeping bag. You can also use a pair of hand-warmers into your sleeping bag to warm your core.(if using that instead of a water bottle you don’t risk that it leaks and you got a wet sleeping bag. Use lithium battery’s they keep a good effectiveness even in cold conditions. While alkaline battery’s lost 20-40% already within 0 degrees Celsius. If you have liquids, turn the bottles upside down, this will help you out in a cold morning…
The upcoming week I will test the Salomon Toundra Pro Hiking boot. This is a boot designed for winter use. It has mounts for cross-country skies. With the aerotherm Aerogel technique Salomon promise it will warm your feet even in temperatures down to -40 Celsius. The advantage shall be, the warmth, it is light, and very water resistant. This is a heavy duty boot, so I really look forward to check this one….
The daylight tend to be less for all days now, and it reminds us that the winter season is on its run…So now its is time to check the equipment. Put batteries into the transceiver etc. And why don’t do an easy search just for sharpening up the memory and skills? When it comes to winter conditions there are some important things to remember. A good thing to remember will be COLD; Clean, avoid Overheat, Loose Layers, Dry, keep the clothing dry. During winter condition it is very important to continuously eat to get energy and trough that avoid frost bites hypothermia. You also must consider that the height will effect the temperature. Normally we have a decrease of temperature within ~0,6-07 degrees within every 100 height meter. So you have to take that in consider while ascending a mountain. Another good rule is before you go to sleep in a sleeping bag in winter time whatever it is in tent or a bivouac eat something with high energy content and drink something warm. That will give a good start to keep up the body heat during the night…
We all have lots of roles we are responsible for; Father(mother), husband(wife), son, (daughter) board member, your profession, mate, guide, and many many more things. And sometimes is good to just being human. What I mean is that just that to relax sometimes. Take a coffee (or tea)and just be…Don’t be effective, don’t workout, just enjoy you being you. I think November is the best time of the year and just enjoying yourself for a moment. Reflect over all you have experienced during the year all good things that have happened. Be proud and satisfied over yourself and celebrate your strength.
This week I will test the Salewa Sella 3L PTXR Pant. This is a 3 layer ski/mountaineer pant. It is Powertex responsive with 90% polyester and 10% wool. It is very breathable and also got zippers at the thighs so you can ventilate extra (miss a net here for avoiding snow from coming in) It got 2 front pockets and 2 thigh pockets, wind and waterproof of course . 220 Euro will be the price. So I will get back with my first opinion within a week…
All of us who is in the outdoor world understand the weight of got the environment in focus. But do we do the right choices? Not always, but at least I think most of us bear it in our mind and trying to live up to our conscious about it. But does the media and all the social platform suppliers take their responsibility. I think this is very important because we get feed with articles about travelling to Svalbard and other far away places. It has been said before -Sweden is fantastic and also the rest of the Scandinavia…So why don’t we begin here in our backyard. So much hidden places to discover….
When the days get shorter and the daylight get less for each day, we can use this time for reflection. With Kay Pollaks word in mind it can be interesting: -It is only you who can affect your thoughts. So now its maybe time for you to initiate a plan for how you will affect your thoughts. Will you see all from a pessimistic view or do you choose to see the possibilities. Challenge yourself to see things from other angles. Yesterday we was having a dinner with friends. The discussion of art was one of the topic. To this story it is very important to understand that we discuss everything form politics to religion. We can disagree to each other opinion’s but we respect us each others as humans:-). But the topic was that how/why does the Swedish academy just choose ”deep” complex authors instead of the popular? Well said one of my friends, it is because they can understand and see if it is a real art out of their deep knowledge of the area. So that was a new way to see it…
The Silva Trail Speed R5 is a great head lamp. Good battery time and also the three different lite modes helps you to save time. But it lighten up perfect for trail-running so I will give it NNNNN.
The Helikon-Tex Tactical Outdoor pants are a pant in the middle range. For the price of 133 Euro I think you shall expect more. It has lots of good details such as pockets and a lots of different mounts. But it is thin, and it does not have any ventilation for example. So from that perspective it will be NNN.
When it comes to workout this week, it has been a lot of trail-running-gym and mountain bike. So today it was a duathlon with mountain bike and trail running. So far I have hiked/run 6000km this year…
A judgement from January 2020 has now spread it rings on the water towards Jämtland. It is the Girjas Judgement about the assignment right related to hunting and fishing who will affect the area of Sylarna this time. The government owned reindeer pasture lease will expire within two years, and will be renegotiation. The Samis in the area has not been willing to discuss how the trails etc. in the area will be lead in the future. This has result in that the Swedish Environmental protection Agency not have upgrade the trails in the area due to this.
Alf Kjellström Environmental protection officer in the Sylarna area, describes how the area is affected of the increasing tourism. Cycling wears the are in one way, hiking another and trail-running in a third way. It even has been like a road towards the Sylarna mountain station. The area around Storulvån, is crowded in the time when the reindeers need to have their calf period, and need calm environment in April-May. So it will be a growing conflict between the Samis and the mountain tourism. So it will be very interesting to follow this…
This weekend it was time for the Ultimate-trail. A race that includes three rounds of 8 Km in X-country and trails. First start was at 16.00 and you must be back before 16.59. 17.00 is time for the second round, and you need to be back at 17.59. Now it is dark and 18.00 the last round start. You really need to have control of your feet’s and body in the slippery terrain. The first round was easy, and quite easy to find the track. During the second round I started to become hungry. At the lapsing, I took a chocolate bite and drink recovery drink. The last round felt in the legs, and at the end of the race the muscled felt like squeezed tube. But I held my time plan and ended the race in a really good way…
There is always a lot of activities ongoing in the mountains. During the summer and autumn some trails have been upgraded. At Kungsleden the part between Singi and Kaitumjare has been one of them. We can also see the fantastic work with the trail to Kebnekaise south peak with stairs and trail markings. But there are still some more to do. A trail from Sälen in south towards Treriksröset in north was about to get established. In 2021 The Lapland-trail was consecrated. What is left now is a trail from Gäddede and Skäckerfjällen and from Storlien towards Skäckerfjällen. This two areas will be difficult to get in place due to it will affect almost all of the sami village in the area. There are very few trails in the area today. So this will take time. But we look forward to this, All long-haulers will applaud it whet it will be in place…
With just 6 weeks ahead to this years advent calendar, I am planning for the upcoming summer tours. I am planning a trail-running camp in Swedish Lapland or Jämtland. So if you longing for running free in the mountain environment contact us for more information.
This week I will test two different product. One head lamp from Silva and a pair of tactical pants from Helicon-Tex. But let us begin with the head lamp. The plan is to do a Trail run at Saturday and than the lamp will be ”battle” tested. I needed a lamp for trail running in a cross-country race. My choice landed on the Silva trail speed 5R. The weight is 178g, maximum light will be 1200Lm. The battery will long for 3 hours on the highest choice. So I will respond on this a week ahead… The pant this week is from the brand Helicon-Tex. This is used in police and militarily forces. I have tested a couple of the brands apparel before and I am satisfied. This pant will be really interesting to test. With about 120km each week with the dog I will for sure get a good opinion of the pants…
The last weekend was spend in Funäsdalen. The area really got a lot different opportunities for outdoor activities. The first day we went to Aderssjöåfallet, and hike towards Hamrafjället. First we could enjoy the stairs close to the waterfall, and soon we were coming up to the tree line. From here with the view of Storskarven in the fund, was really nice. As usually it was a bit strong winds, but nothing that limited us. After a short coffee break it was time for the next challenge.
At the top of Svansjökläppen at Tänndalen.
Now we was going to approach the Svansjökläppen. The wind had increased so we had to go a bit faster due to the chill effect of the wind. But soon we was standing at the highest point. At a peak close to the starting point we saw a sofa, and we could not let it go without a visit. So this was the result of that.
The evening was spend with trail-running at the Funäsdalsberget.
Saturday it was time for Ånnfjället to have a visit of us. So at 8.30 we were standing at the starting point with 5,5K in front of us. The morning was crisp and the chill was hitting us. But soon we done the first 2K and the sun was going up and warming us
It was a nice tour and after passing the hike cross towards Ljusnedal the real ”climbing” of height meters could begin. For every height meter the temperature decreased, and the cold bit our fingers.
A couple of cold but happy old men at the top of Ånnfjället…
But soon we reach the top, and after a short stop it was time for descending…
The evening was as usual spend for trail-running:-). Sunday morning and time for going home. But of course we used the day for an adventure. A visit of the Evagraven at Messlingen. A natural phenomenon created by the land ice 100 000 years ago.
Todays blog will be about workout. What and how will be the best way of training? What says the scientist about it, are we are born to run? In a study from 2004 the scientist Daniel Lieberman arguing that the human body is evolutionary built for long distance running. This discovery was also spread, among other things trough the book “Born to run” from 2009. The scientist concluded that the humans upright course was for being good in long distance running. The evolutionary conclusion was that the endurance was important. The reason therefore was that we could run longer than the prey animals. But at the same time the same scientist Daniel Lieberman has recently published a book – Exercised (Sv/. Träningsparadoxen) in this book he has changes or I would explain, developed the message.
Because here he writes that even if the human is adapted for running and feel good from workout, the fact is that man is basically lazy and good in preserving energy. So from that point of view there is no naturally driver for us as human being to put on the running tights or running shoes…And Lieberman means that we not are built for train/workout in that way we doing today. We got a evolutionary build in aversion of running if we as human not really need to do that. So from a scientific point of view, are we build for running? The scientific answer will be – No, but we are built for the physical movement. Ok, but then we can ask what will be the most effective workout for us as homo sapiens? Interwall exercise or long distance/endurance? And if I want to loose weight shall I train in a lower pulse? HIIT Tabata etc. What will be the most effective one? There is no silver-bullet for being honest. From a scientific point of view the fact of that we just workout will be the primary answer, the healthy point of it. If you run or cycling long distance you will reach a plateau, and if not combining the long distance with intervals you will stay on the same level. If just doing intervals you will just be high performing in short time. So it need to be a combination. Lots of sports got this ingredients by default, such as team sports, cross-fit, fighting etc. So that should be the best answer of what will be the most effective workout. But it still need to be fun, developing and challenge you so that you continuously do it.
The interesting thing I can add, is that during my time in the service (in the Army,) was that all of this was taught in the subject of training and physiology and this already in the mid 80s.
But looking into HIIT and endurance training what is best for what? If you want to improve your race time, then it will be both of them. The stable foundation is composed of longer runs to build your aerobic capacity. You can enhance your base by improving your running form and performingstrengthening, stabilizing and stretching exercise.
A good program for advanced hiking could be like this:
Week 1-4 Building strength: Mo, We, Th, Sa. Strength + Distance
Week 5-8 Building Stamina: Mo, Tu, We, Th, Sa. Strength + Distance
Week 9-11 Building Strength: Mo, Tu, We, Th, Sa, Strength + hill with back-pack.
Week 12-15 Building Stamina: Mo, Tu, We, Th, Sa, Su. Distance, strength and hill with backp.
Week 16 Peak and Taper: Mo, Tu, We, Sa-hike 6 days. Jbel Toubkal etc.
For detailed program contact us, and lets build it adapted for your needs.
This weeks golden rule will be: Never stop exercising, it is easier to keep a wheel running then to start it up again – Said by Mattias Jansson…
