Alla inlägg av Ulfons

Three or four season tent?

December the 21th, and today it will be about tent. What really is the difference between a three and a four season tent? And due to that what should I chose? First of all you need to figure out if you are going out for Winter tours or not. Ok, you say -but if I don’t know if I am going for a winter tour in the future then? I probably will help you out with that question as well today…So what will be the difference between a Winter (four season) tent and a three season tent? First of all will be the weight. Of course a more cozy and easterly tent will weight more and also cost more. So number one will be the weight. The second will be the braces, how they are placed and their load carrying and capacity stiffness. On a Winter tent the braces is normally not crossed and they run in channels on the outside of the outer tent itself. But on a three season it will normally be in the tent and don’t have the stiffness neither the load carrying. This will result in two things; the weight of snow landing on the tent will push the tent down, also the wind stability can be reduced. So the third will be the number and placement of ventilation. In the spring-summer and autumn you will have a good breathing of air trough the tent, this for reducing moister and so on. In the winter the situation will be reversed. You want the air to be stable so you don’t loose heat, But at the same time reduce as much of the moister you will generate through your breath. So in the winter tent you have other solution for this. And due to this a winter tent always have the sides so you can connect them easy with the ground surface. They can also have a storm mat on which you can lay snow etc. for a isolation and anchoring layer. The fourth, will be the apse, this one is often big enough for cooking and prepare you clothing etc. In winter this will be appreciated. So how do I chose now then? Well, as I started with what do you need? Are you going for a lot of winter tours, the first choice would be a four season tent. If not a three season tent will be good enough.

(Here is the difference between a three and four season tent. The ground isolation, The placement of the braces. The kind of ventilation that is used and also the apse)

Here you can see that this tent do not got the braces outside, and no ground contact in the same way and also a small apsis.  But you say, you have not answer the question if I not sure about the winter tenting what do I chose then? Well, my suggestion then will be a 3+ season tent. So here you got an suggestion.

This can be used during Winter, but not for serious use the forth season…Big Agnes Copper Spur HV2 Expedition – The General Prepper

If you want to reduce the weight for a four season tent think if you need a two or three persons tent. With a two persons tent you will reduce the weight a lot…

Blame It On The Mistletoe (youtube.com)

See ya soon…

When you look up on a star….

Today it will be about an old knowledge, but it will be interesting and fun but also good to know.

It can be a magnificent experience, but terrifying at the same time. My own smallness in this grandeur, but then we shall remember that when we look upon the stars they also can lead us. But then we need to know our constellations.

1. Find the Polaris, the North star. It is the brightest star in the Ursus minor, and now you know where north is located. You can also use the end of Ursus Major to find the polar start as you can see in the picture above.

2. For finding the direction of south you can use the constellation of the hunter and Orion.  Look for one moderately bright, one dim, and one fuzzy star hanging down from Alnilam, the middle star in Orion’s belt. This represents Orion’s sword, which points to the south. The fuzzy “star” is actually the Great Nebula of Orion, an interstellar nursery where new stars are being formed.

If you want ti find direction, you can use this suggestion: Chose a star, you might chose the brightest as a suggestion. Drive two stakes in the ground. The two stakes should be about 90cm between. Now you wait for the star to move in the night sky. Stars move from east to west. So if the star are  rose you are facing east. If the star sank you facing west. If the star facing left, you are facing north and it the star facing right you are facing south.

Coldplay – Christmas Lights (Official Video) (youtube.com)

See ya tomorrow…

Swedish Mountain Leader Organization.

Today I will give a salute for the Swedish Mountain Leader Organization. This is a non-profit organization. But with a heavy focus in mountain safety and mountain leadership. This autumn we have held webinars in Hypothermia and frostbite and also about ice skating. 8 aspirants has been involved in the UIMLA International Mountain Leader training and two of them have got their certification. Three of them is in a good way to reach the target in a (who says it would be easy to get the IML cert?)

short while. SFLO as organization has also been one of the drivers for starting the new organization of Mountain Leader Council, which will be the branch organization for owning and develop/maintain the Swedish Mountain Leader norm. And as the cream also signing the Kebnekaise protocol, for a more sustainability tourism. So I am so proud of being a member of this organizations

Göteborgsvarvet 2023 (youtube.com)

Ice Hunters: Cave of Dreams (youtube.com)

See ya tomorrow…

 

Leadership…

A new day and a new door to open. Today it will be about leadership. First of all leadership is all about of leading ourselves. You can read a lot of books about it (I’ve been) you can also do a lot of courses and different types of self tests etc. And if you try to fins how to work with leading yourself, you got a lot of suggestion. But a couple of them turn up every time; mindfulness and long slow walk. I can only agree on both of this two. A long and lonely hike in the mountains is a very good way of learning about yourself. Mindfulness is a very powerful tool for being grateful of life and solve stress among a lot of other disruption. If you haven’t been for a long lonely hike, i really recommend it.

Now it is time to talk a bit of a ”modern” view of leadership. The future minded leadership.

Here they talk about the future minded leader ladder. This included four steps; Envisioning, this step include curiosity, optimism, brainstorming. The second step is exploring and include pragmatism, worst-case scenario, gathering diverse inputs. The third step is navigating, and include empowered, confidence and enthusiasm. The fourth step is result, and include readiness with uncertainly. Well, it all about of being including, positive and be a great and including role model. I think a lot of this is worth a thought, but to be honest some of it is new and some is something that many of the good leaders already been thinking about and doing. Leading today is about change both all around you but at least yourself, you are a ongoing construction. But you need to find just your brick for the next step of developing to evolve…

See ya tomorrow…

Winter tools…

When it comes to winter tours you need to have some tools and equipment you will need, so here I will present some tools I can recommend to bring with you at your tours…Always bring a extra sleeping matt with you. With this outside your backpack you can rest and have a insulated layer between you and the ground cold. You also have a extra layer to sleep on, and it he inflatable one break you have a reserve. Also bring a whistle, this is good if you need attention etc. A snow saw is always good to bring on the winter tour. With this you can build a shelter fast and easy,  and it will also help you to dig a block for checking the layers related to avalanche risk etc. Snow sticks for the tent is another detail that can be really good to have. This for anchoring the tent if the wind will be strong, and be carful if you use the ski for anchoring, the steel edge can break the string. Bring a bit of round steel, this can be good for repair of a snow shoe – stick or a sledge…And due to the environmental changing and due to the fact that the winter trails normally passes lakes, moors etc. I think I will bring a shortened ice peak for checking the ice when needed. I also always bring a probe for checking the deep of the snow if needed due to building snow shelter or for avalanche work of course…

Pretenders – 2000 Miles (Official Music Video) [HD Remaster] (youtube.com)

See ya tomorrow…

A really nice area..

In the deep of the Jämtlands forest you can find a really nice area, the Offerdalsfjällen.

In this area you will be alone. There are lots of reindeer so will have to take notice of them and act with caution. The are is perfect both under summer and winter conditions. A good starting point will be the wind shelter north Långsåsdalen. From here you can reach the whole area. With no trails or paths so you need to have good navigation skills. Here you will be far from ways and civilization, but you will be the free outdoorer…

This are has become a bit of my outdoorer heart…

Anne-Marie – UNHEALTHY feat. Shania Twain (Official Video) (youtube.com)

See ya tomorrow…

Winter emergency shelter.

During the winter you will have some more option of building a emergency shelter. You can of course just use a standard bivouac with a bivouac sack, but it is much better to use the snow as a insulter for the bivouac. But using the snow will be much better and if the weather is tough you need to get away from the wind. Then a snow cave where you use blocks and your skied will be a good choice. You can also build a quinzze, This will take more time, but will be comfortable. You start by shovel snow to a pile. Be aware so you don’t peak it. You will put some stick as you can see at the picture so you don’t do the walls or roof to thin.

Follow this steps; 1. Chose a good place for the quinzee. 2. Size the quinzee 3. Shaping your qiunzee and use your backpack and stuff or getting ”air” inside the shelter.  4, Put in the sticks. 5. Carving out your shelter.

See ya tomorrow…

 

How to chose base layer…

Today it will be about base layer. When it comes to base layer you have to chose what you will use it for. It can be categorized into three levels. Light-mid. heavy.  The lightweight is good when you have high intensive activity and its not so cold. It will dry fast, but as said before will be colder. The range will be between 125-200 g/m(2) This base layer i also the most breathable, perfect for the mountain run/sky run for example.

The midweight will be typically around 200-300 g/m(2).  this will be of course the one that you can use in broad range, it will be some breathable and can be warn in mid cold conditions. The disadvantage is that it can be hot and feel muggy in mild weather conditions. The heavyweight will normally be around or over 300 g/m(2) is primarily developed for demanding conditions in really cold weather. Using this variant in mild weather it will be really sweaty. You can chose by two different material: merino-wool or synthetic. Merino,  Breathable, comfortable, warm for the weight, wicks moisture well, fights odors naturally, retains heat when wet, and UV-resistant. but the negative will be Pricey, not very durable, longer dry time, and typically requires line-drying. Synthetic, Durable, comfortable, lightweight, wicks moisture well, generally affordable, easy to care for, and dries quickly. Negative, Not as odor-resistant, warm, or breathable as merino. So if you are going to very high intensive activities, then the synthetic can be the first choice. I like the ones with crew neck and breast zipper so I can ventilate when needed.

And if you are going for real cool weather, the Brynje and Amundsen of Norway will be my first choice.

See ya tomorrow.

Outdoor books…

To continuing to the topic of don’t stop evolve , so will I today present some good books for all outdoorer…

The first suggestion will be; Go here instead. A bucket list book with alternative suggestion then the normal places to visit…Go Here Instead – Resor & fritid – inbunden (9780241568835) | Adlibris Bokhandel

The second will be about navigation. The Contents include essential knowledge about general map use, orienteering, compass use, and navigating over multiple types of terrain.

Also includes topographic map structure and use, map legends and symbols, the military grid system and coordinates, measuring scale and distance, interpreting aerial photographs with maps, use of compasses of various types, interpreting map relief and elevation marks, map drawing, GPS, and orienteering methods and tips. Map Reading And Land Navigation – FM 3-25.26 US Army Field Manual FM 21-26 (2001 Civilian Reference Edition) – Us Department of the Army – inbunden (9781643890357) | Adlibris Bokhandel

AMC guide to outdoor leadership. the revised version 2923. Inside you’ll find: Accessible, comprehensive techniques for new and experienced leaders- Comprehensive coverage of leadership concepts.  Advice and anecdotes from diverse experts on decision-making, communication, risk management, and more- Tips and techniques for motivating kids and young adults. AMC Guide to Outdoor Leadership: Trip Planning * Promoting Dei * Group Dynamics * Decision Making * Leading Youth * Risk Management – Alex Kosseff – häftad (9781628421514) | Adlibris Bokhandel

The Ramones/Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)/Lyrics (youtube.com)

See ya today…

 

Ice and a recipe…

Today it will all be about ice. Ice is frozen water and can be divided in to two main types. Cast ice and Black ice (Sv. Stöpis och kärnis), The properties of ice depends partly on the size and appearance of the ice crystals. If you have an average layer of the ice, you can determine the core how the adhesion is between the layers. You who are familiar with snow and avalanche can recognize the similarity here. Water is one of the exceptions to the theory that substances that turn into solid form contract. The water has the property of becoming almost 10% lighter when it freezes to the ice is the opposite of many substances where the volume decreases and the density increases. The ice grows thicker on the  underside in the border layer against the water that always has a temperature of zero degrees in lake water. The heat is led from the border layer, up through the ice, through the outer ice layer out to the air by radiating against a dark and clear night sky. The radiance is not at all as great against a light day sky or a cloud -covered night sky. Bridges, bridges, reeds and imminent forests have the same impact and the ice becomes thinner here. Water freezes to ice when it is reversed layered ie. Colder water flowing on top of warmer depth water. The temperature at the water surface creeps below zero and becomes undercooled, then ice formation begins.

Black-ice, ice formation on the surface takes place, under calm weather conditions during a cold and clear night in stages. A network of horizontal ice pins forms its foundation. The ice crystals are growing rapidly in different directions. But the ice is primarily growing from the top down. The core is transparent and the ice growth speed is dependent on the cooling from the air or more accurately the formation of the forming ice line upwards.

Cast-Ice, t often happens that it is snowing in connection with ice formation, with this you get an ice with many small bubbles with the content of the air that exists between the snow ice crystals. The ice that is gray, almost white is called Paste Ice. This ice type can be formed from a snow cover on top of a core ice. In rain or thawing weather, the snow melts down to a snow mourning, or at best to fairly clean water. At cold degrees and radiance, the mourning or water freezes to cast ice. This can sometimes approach the core ice in quality. There is also one way that cast ice can be formed. When the snow cover is heavier than the ice power of the ice, the surface of the ice is pressed down. The milk -colored ice that is then formed is also called plunge ice. This ice often has cracks and water often penetrates when the beach edge. The properties of this ice varies vigorously mainly due to the air mixture and the size of the air bubbles. Provided that the ice has frozen properly together with the underlying ice, it contributes to an increased carrying capacity. Please note that as long as there is freely cast on the ice, there can be no growth under the core ice.

One must not mix the core with the bearing ice when the latter has a much worse strength. During thaw periods it soften faster. The enclosing air seems insulating and growth is significantly slower. If you turn on cast ice it has a much weaker tone than the core and it can have an almost mute sound ..

Wind influence, Moderate wind strength makes the icing difficult, but growth on already existing ice is increasing. It takes different time for the ice to grow 1cm depending on how the external conditions are. ie The weather. The old rule of thumb says 2.5 cm in a day at -10 degrees. But the following rule is also available; If the outdoor temperature is -10 degrees,(clear and calm weather) 4 hours is required for the ice to become 1 cm thicker. The ice grows 3.5 cm on a 14 hour night. In the event of blown, the ice growth is accelerated but at +1 degree and in clear weather the ice grows as at -10 degrees and cloudy weather. Lake ice is sustainable on two nights. When it is cloudy weather, not so cold and with a little wind, the ice grows slower. Down to -2 degrees almost no growth occurs. But if it is -10 degrees, it requires 8 hours for 1 cm growth at night. In 14 hours, the ice becomes 1.75 cm thicker.

Recipes for energy cake, when activity in cold you need energy so why not try this recipe for an energy cake?

2dl syrup, 1.5 dl sugar, 2.5 dl cream. Filling: 5 dl oatmeal, 1.5 dl sunflower seeds, 1.5 dl raisins, 2-2.5 dl finely chopped nuts.

Mix cream and sugar and syrup boil into a caramel. If necessary, do a crumble test with water. Use a large saucepan and it will be easier. When the batter has cooked clearly, mix down the filling, make sure it is mixed well and then pour the batter on baking paper. Now you put a baking sheet paper on the batter and roll out until it is about 1cm thick. Allow the batter to cool and cut into just large pieces – and clear. Ps. You can dip them in chocolate so they stay softer…

Todays Christmas gift suggestion will be a sleeping bag from Marmot. The Never Summer regular is a nice choice for a good night of sleep, even if it cold…

THE DOLOMITES | Cinematic video | (youtube.com)

See ya tomorrow…