Today we on yesterday’s topic carry on and open the door twenty one.

Importance of skills related to mountain safety. I just want to highlight the mountain skills related to yesterday’s blog. Even if you have been in the mountain environment for thirty times in good weather and easy condition, you don’t got good skills.

Today it will be about mountain safety equipment. What is really important to understand is that no book or equipment can never ever replace experience. Such as a easter week at Sylarnas mountain lodge for example:-). But having the right equipment might help you out, and also will be life saving in bad situations. But then you need to got the experience to use it. So what does I got in the backpack for safety reason? First of all you shall have a thermos with you. Even in the summer in the mountains this will be a solid foundation to stans on. Also a extra emergency food. Put a dried meal in the backpack. It will weight nothing but will give you energy when you run out of it. A emergency shelter will be the next thing to bring. A GPS, but you must bring compass and map of course. If you are going into areas were there is the slightest risk of avalanches bring a transceiver, a probe and a shovel. A altimeter is also very good for the navigation. A backpack in the mountain must also include a first aid kit, and depending on the tour the size and content shall be adapted. I also think its good to have some kind of emergence contact equipment for emergency (the coverage sometimes is bad for 3G/4G) so a satellite communication solution such as Spot-tracker or Garmin In-Reach. Nice to have will also be a bivouac-bag, a light sleeping bag for emergency(this can also be used as a emergency-shelter) and also some kind of clinometer. I often also bring a saw as well. In high altitude environment a oximeter also can be good to bring, here you can see if you need to stop the acclimatization process on a certain level. I should also mean that a pair of real good gloves will be a safety equipment as well. Because if you cant use your hands, you will get stuck. A whistle is also something you should bring.

But the conclusion will be: no equipment could never replace any skill at all, it could only complement it…

The book tips of the day will be: The Mountain Guide Manual – Rob Coppolillo, Marc Chauvin – pocket (9781493025145) | Adlibris Bokhandel

Today its time for door number twenty, and out of  judgement you might learn a plenty…

What is Mountain Safety? This is a broad question, but I think it can be catch up in this; The sum of your skills and experience with the ability to make the right judgement out from the current conditions. But what does that means in the reality? As a guide we always do a security plan in the beginning  of the day. Here we take all facts that we got into consideration, and out from that we making the days planning. The conditions, the group and the map, makes together the way forward. Now I also got a understanding of what equipment I/we will need. If you want to try this in a theoretical way you can use this model as a test for you; Your competence(1-10) times your experience (1-10) and divided with the conditions (1= simple, 2 = medium, 3 = difficulty, 4 = extreme. Example I am OK with skiing = 5 I have been in the area before = 5 And the weather is a bit windy = 2 (5 X 5 /2 =12,5 ) and everything under 25 is a red flag. Meaning you have to think and plan in a very good way. You might need to change your plans. Obs. this is by no a conclusion, just a focus, due to it is just a theoretical model…

The crucial word here must be judgement, and how do I do that? Well, here comes the experience in. And it becomes a psychological game in a way. How objective are you in your way of judgement? Well here comes some help for you to become to make better judgement. Be aware of personal bias. Recognise where your unconscious  preference and motivations influence hoe you make decisions. Consider opposite points of view. Good judgement is about making the best decision rather than ensuring your viewpoint wins out. Accept your mistakes. Good leaders are self-aware, able to take responsibility for mistakes and to take negative feedback when required. Learn from experience. Bank what works and avoid repeating what didn’t. Avoid flip-flopping. Use instinct where necessary to make and start to take action.  Automate repeat and routine decisions to free your mind for more important decisions. Rethink your judgement decisions and think of the result. In the end to make good judgement, the key here is the fact that it starts and ends with you isn’t that true? So the more you know yourself the better judgement and less flip-flopping it will be. I asked Nicklas Blom NICKLAS BLOM PHOTOGRAPHY the photograph and sledge dog handler, what mountain safety is for him. He answered; It is very important to bring all stuff you need. Then if storm hits you, you just have to stay still where you are. He also told me the importance of communicate your route planning for someone in the family or a friend. When it comes to weather judgement, Nicklas also mention the important of separate uncomfortable weather within dangerous…

The book of the day will be the; Basic Mountain safety from A-Z Basic Mountain Safety: From A to Z (SuperGuide) (Recreation Superguides): Leslie Johnson: 9781552650233: Amazon.com: Books

Jon Middleton – Quiet as a Star – YouTube

See ya tomorrow…

Today its time for a theme about sustainability. And this includes the whole area, not just the environmental area. It is important that we all outdoorers take the nature as perspective when we do our adventures. All of us that is visiting the nature might look into how the natives such as Samis take responsible for the environment. Do we have to fly to our adventures? Do we need a new jacket every year? Can I do something for getting a novice person that never have been in the mountains to go there? Do I have the same focus of all persons in a group while I am guiding? I think we as guides got more responsible for this than others. People will see how we dress, and how we act. If we arrange packet tours, we might force the participant to use the train (no other choice) to the adventure. Due to the glaciers and over all the mountain environment will be affected of the global warming and so on. So let us together take small steps for a more sustainability world in general and adventures in particular.  https://youtu.be/0zWI0xXDCSc?t=21

And now over to this weeks competition; How many worlds was it in the Samis religion of origin? and how did they communicated between them? Send a SMS before Wednesday at 10.00 to +46 702 50 90 20.

Today’s book suggestion will be a book with 700 suggestion of adventures in the Scandinavian region. Naturupplevelser i Skandinavien – Ben Love – flexband (9788771559965) | Adlibris Bokhandel

See ya tommorow

Tänndalen, why have a day in the calendar about Tanndalen)? Out of that simple reason it is known as one of the best ski village in Sweden. The loss of hip restaurants, shopping, champagne-sticky nightclubs and snobby waiters will also be a reason for a visit. The area offers both real good slalom slopes, Off-pist, and real nice cross-country skiing, and this close to the Norwegian border. And if you want to do a peak tour, why don’t you give Skarvarna a nice try. And if you are ready for snowshoeing, I will recommend the edge around the Svansjon. During the summer you can participate in the MTB race ”Fjallturen” one of the biggest cycle event in Sweden and in a breathtaking environment. So if you want to have a really nice mountain adventure, where you can be yourself for a time this will be the place. Ready for this?

Hem – Fjällturen (fjallturen.se)

Offpist i Tänndalen – YouTube

And todays book suggestion will be the: Vandra grona bandet. Vandra Gröna bandet : en guidebok och reseskildring genom den svenska fjällkedjan – Erika Nilsson-Waara, Linnea Nilsson-Waara – Häftad (9789189203938) | Bokus

Mattias we must take this one..

Jonathan Roy – Next To Me (Imagine Dragons Cover) – YouTube

See ya tommorow…

Today we open the seventeenth door, and today we will learn more about the Sami’s. Today there are about 2500-3000 Sami’s that leaves from the outcome from reindeer’s. But there are much more that got its own reindeer mark, and owns reindeer’s but they are handled by a reindeer herd that works with it for fully time. The Sami’s religion got there on faith. Here the world was divided into three different worlds; The underground world, The earth world and the heavenly world. Every one of the world, got there own god. The only one that got the ability to communicate with the spirits was the Nåjd, the Sami medicine man. The Sami’s history is old. One has found things such as paintings, and old tools that is over thousand years old. For about two thousand years ago was the first time someone has written down text about Sami’s. A roman historian writes about a people he call Fenni. From that description we can understand it was the Sami’s ancestors. During the 1600 the king was demanding more tax from the people, the Sami’s stared to tame more of the reindeer’s. Today there is no wild reindeer’s in Sweden, all of them got an owner. Today is slaughtered about 60 000 reindeer’s pro year.

Todays book tips will be: När dom andra sover a book about Samis

SÁMI FOLK MUSIC | Máddji – ”Far” – YouTube

Jon Henrik Fjällgren – Mountain Dance / 4K HDR – ProRes RAW – YouTube

Se ya tommorow

Thank you for the comment yesterday Mattias:-). Today I will talk about weather and weather forecasting. When you are heading for an adventure it is good to do a pre-work. The longer you might go, the earlier you need to start. And what you do is to read and understand the weather in the area. What is the normal wind direction? Is it common with thunderstorms and in that case, is there any time it often appear. The air pressure can also give a hint of change in the weather. Read meteo sites to see the big picture . Here comes some good suggestions to start with: AccuWeather.com, weather.com, wunderground.com, weatherbug.com, worldweatheronline.com, windy.com, ventysky.com, Here you can see an example from ”Windy.com” real good forecasting of Katterjåkk for example:

I will also suggest you to notice the change within the environment around you. The wind, the smell and how the animal act. You should also always, ask the locals about the weather, here you will have a sea of knowledge…The avalanche prognosis is also very good to read and understand. Here you also can get a very clear picture of where the slopes will be challenging etc.

How To Read Clouds To Forecast the Weather | Outside – YouTube

The book suggestion today will be:

Mountain Weather and Climate – Roger G Barry – häftad (9780415071130) | Adlibris Bokhandel

Sam Smith – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Official Video) – YouTube

See ya tommorow…

Today I will speak from my heart, and I got two topics in mind. So lets start with the first one; Humility. As a human and a guide I think this is one of the most important characteristic you need. The more knowledge and skills the more humility.  In the outdoor we all got our shortcomings. I think we all forgotten the compass or the gas canister for the stove and so on. People who are stacked in the perspective that a badge will give you authority, I will tell you, you couldn’t be more wrong. Do not measure the sheep of its wool…And try the perspective of the opposite side so often as you can, then you will be a good raw model. The person in front of you might be a future customer or teacher. So my first advice will be, start being interested in people in a genuine way. I will tell you you will get a great ”pay back” for doing that. The second advice, put yourself in someone else position at least in your mind. If you are a authority this will help you to develop. Storming into to a cabin and telling people to boil water in every available saucepan might give you the tour guide nail, but not the authority…

Look at this video, 4 minutes in start there and you will see an good example,,

Sveriges bästa lärare får en chock – och berättar hur de lyfter eleverna – Malou Efter tio (TV4) – YouTube

The next topic will be the sleep. Never underestimate a guy who can fall asleep in vertical position within 120 seconds. Well for me the recovery of a good night sleep has been a survival way. With 43 years of rational workout and hard work I cant tell that that has been my salvation. So that is one of my really most important life learning, secure you got the recovery trough a good night sleep. The last thought shall be a real good one, and the same first thing of the morning. Those small things will build you a creative and nice life. Now I speak from own experience. And you who knows me know that I got the ability fall in sleep quite fast or:-D.

The winner of the competition this week is Mattias Jansson Norway, the right answer was Frankrike and Olden. This week the price is a Ortvox first aid kit,

This days book suggestion will be: Till fjällens ände | Votum Förlag (votumforlag.se)

See ya tomorrow.

14th of December and today it will be about avalanche. Due to the global heating and the environmental changes, the risk of avalanches will increase. This at the same time as more people get interested in extreme skiing and also prolong the season from early November to May. This meaning we need more training for avoid avalanches. Today we got good forecast and avalanche prognosis. So start follow the development in the area you are going to. Avoid going out directly after a storm(bad weather) Lots of avalanches occur directly after heavy snowfall. Avoid steep slopes, if its over 25 degrees its a high risk. If possible stay on the windward side of the slopes. Read the terrain and avoid slopes that are treeless. The absence of trees may reflect that previous avalanches have occurred in the area.

If you will be in area were its risk for avalanches, there is two things that will be crucial. Got the right equipment, and have a updated good reliable training. An avalanche air bag is a good investment. A good shovel, a probe and of course a avalanche beacon. All of this gear you must be trained on for being able to use in the right way. Just because you got it will not be good enough. Why dont do it off season, you can use a slope with high grass, and let a friend hide the transceiver. You can also dig it into sand on a beach for example. Put the transceiver in a bag /sand and electronic device is not a good combination). Another good training session can be to use 10 paper bags or flower pots in a defined area. Ask  your friend to put the transceiver under one of them. Now you got a good training session. And you will never be better on the transceiver search then your latest training session…Each year more than 150 persons get killed by avalanches, do not be one of them. 90% of the avalanche accident is coursed of the victim or someone in the victims party. The vast majority of avalanches (90%) occur on slopes with angles between 30 and 45 degrees. Steeper slopes tend to continually slough snow, keeping a deep snow-pack from building up. The snow-pack on flatter slopes requires more force to move. If a victim can be rescued within 18 minutes, the survival rate is greater than 91%. The survival rate drops to 34% in burials between 19 and 35 minutes.

Intro to Avalanche Transceivers for Skiers and Snowboarders – YouTube

And the book suggestion of the day: 

Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain – Bruce Tremper – häftad (9781680511383) | Adlibris Bokhandel

See ya tommorow…

Today we open door thirteen and learn how to cross a river lean…

First of all, river crossing is one of the most serious things within the outdoors. Avoid it to be a happening, the more planned the better for the safety. So read the map, and foresee were or when it can be relevant. So, ground role one; a river that goes faster then your hiking speed you should avoid to cross. And the lowest layer of water will move the slowest, meaning that your feet will be able to maintain good traction in the water. Role two; avoid river crossing were the water is higher then your thighs. Rule three use a pole when crossing it will help to keep the balance. Rule four, read the river. This is more complex than it sound like. Look for a broad place, this means till probably will be more shallow there. Also look were the water has dug out, there the water can be more flowing. You can also look for tracks from big animals. They often cross at more safe places, but dont take anything for granted though. Rule five, now its time to prepare for the crossing. Keep your boots/shoes on. Yes, you will get wet, but you need to have good grip and you dont want to hurt you feet. Rule six, unclip the waist and sternum straps. Rule seven, now its time for the crossing. Move slowly over to the other side. You go with 45 degrees up streams. Rule eight, if you are a group, line up and grab each other around the back and hold on the hip, or even better to the back-pack. A stable person in the front as well as in the back. The leader can commend a step by step movement. This will be safe and stable way to go. Rule nine, and maybe the most important. Avoid river crossing and find a bridge:-), that is the safest way of river crossing….What happens if you fall into the river than? First of all dont panic, as always in dangerous situations dont panic…Float on your back, and point your feet downstream. Paddle with your arms towards the shore. Let the back pack go, it will be replaceable – You will not…

How to Cross a River Safely | Expedition Episode 20 | MSC Get Outdoors Series – YouTube

And today’s book suggestion; UIAA Alpine Summer – BMC Shop (thebmc.co.uk)

See ya tomorrow…

Today I will blog about Are in Jamtland. There are few places that evoke so much emotions. Normally I just travel trough it, but lately I’ve been staying there. And it grows its place in my heart. Here we got the only cabin cable car in Sweden (and soon it will be gone?). It is a small Chamonix in a way. The weather here is gambling. So you need to get luck, because you can be stuck in the village of Are instead of doing your adventures. But on the other hand it will not be a bad choice. With the atmosphere of settler spirit it is really nice. You find a couple of nice sport stores, and also a couple of nice cafes. And as a suggestion go to the Systembolaget,(liqueur store) and buy some local beer to bring with you. Why dont you try the Harjedals brewery, or the beer from Ottsjo brewery.

And now over to this days book suggestion. Are bilder from Ola Rockberg and Martin Alzén. Årebilder : fjället och byn genom en fotografs ögon – Ola Rockberg, Martin Alzén – Kartonnage (9789188672964) | Bokus

And now over to this weeks competition. Which is the nearest village for a attempt of the peak of Oldklumpen, a clue can be even in todays blog…Send an SMS with the right answer and name before Wednesday at ten +46 702 50 90 28

ÅRE 2021 JANUARY, SWEDISH BEST SKI RESORT – YouTube

See ya tomorrow