Today I´ve made an interview with Karin Isaksson Zgraggen. She is working as Marketing Manager at Primus AB. She is also going through an education as a Mountain guide…

Interview with Karin Isaksson.

What is your outdoor background?
As you certainly hear from my accent, I come from Switzerland, more specifically from Uri, Andermatt. I grew up on a farm that my family ran. We were very active with skiing and hiking. My mom competed in skiing when she was young, so my upbringing was characterized by outdoor life. With three active siblings, it became a lot of workouts with both running and athletics training. During university studies, there was a lot of endurance athletics, including a marathon run. There was also a lot of mountain acrivities during that time. And at this period I also started climbing. I can say that I got stuck immediately for the climbing and my husband who is an enthusiastic climber and who loves the Mountains very much, drew me into that world. It became a lot of alpine and winter climb with friends aswell. We moved to Canada because there were good climbing conditions and nice people and culture. But then Olov was able to get a job at Stockholm University and then we moved over to Sweden. I have previously worked with events, but the job I took was not exactly what I thought it would be. In the event area in which I worked, it is important to have like-minded people around you. When the job at Primus appeared, I searched for it immediately, and I’m really enjoying it. Primus is a small but technical company with short decision-making processes. It is easy to influence and make changes when needed.

 What happens next in your life?
In the afternoon I will go three weeks to the Alps. I have begun training towards becoming an international mountain guide within the Swedish Mountain guide Organization. The plan is to be done within 3-5 years. After that I plan to work 80% and as a Mountain guide the remaining part.

Can you see if there is any difference if you are a woman or a man working as a mountain guide?
First and foremost, I have great respect for the training, it is in itself demanding. I think that in rescue operations, maybe as a women you must be able to have good alternative solutions, given that there may be size and weight difference between me and my clients. It may be something that has to be taken into account when selecting clients and activities. Then women need to train 20% more than men according to research to achieve the same results. That is also something to bare in mind.

Photo Olov Isaksson

Can you see any trends in mountain sports?
-The whole area is trendy right now. What is obvious from my perspective from Primus is that men are significantly more technically interested. I find that there is a great interest in women to come out in the outdoor environment aswell, but that they are more careful. Those who are most noticeable and you hear most  are the men who are competing and hunting low weight equipment. But I think women are the group that will grow the most.

Are there any area that you can recommend and which is special to you?
-If you have not been to Scotland, it’s a must. Over there it is not the performance requirement hat is important but just the joy of being outside. As you say, ”small mountains, big adventures”. Here everyone walks out, despite bad weather or, it’s always bad weather so it’s just going out.

Coffee on the trip, what will be your personally choice?
Ha ha if it’s a lightweight trip, I’ll skip the coffee. But if it’s a winter climb, then the bialetti goes with it, and it gets freshly brewed with some good Italian coffee. Last we were on a tour it became a competition about who could pack the lightest

When it comes to winter tenting, do you have any tips to make it more comfortable?

Ha ha to begin with, everything is easier as a guy, ha ha. Then I usually use a Camel back which I fill up with warm water before I get into the sleeping bag for a good nights sleep.

See ya tomorrow..

When it comes to Winter tenting many people will be doubtful. The thing is that it require some more Equipment. But at the same time there is also some advantges. It will give you more freedom to choose routes and you will not be dependent to cabins or mountain stations. But for such a trip you probably will need a sledge.

You will need a four season tent. Preferably with extra edges for being able to lay snow on for securing and for isolation with snow. The moist will lso be a challenge. So the tent must have a good ventialtion. Before you go in, brush of all snow on your clothes. If you have space bring a small brush for the purpose. A tunnel tent will give you space but cost in weight. A cupoltent is smaller, lighter and will be warmer(but more tight)

You shall also bring a gas light. This is very good for being able to work in the tent, bu also for drying away the moist. It can be more practicl wit a ga stowe, that you  can use the gas to the light as well.

When you are going to choose Place for the tant you can use your ski for getting a flat Surface. My experience is that you often do this to small. You also need to use a snow stick, for secure the tent from the wind. Use your skiis and your sticks as well for this purpose.

For the Comfort choose a good sleeping bag, and dont forget a real good sleeping matt.  And then you are ready for the night.

And now to the basic service. Before you go to bed, boil waer. Fill up the thermos and also a water bottle with hot water. If you are going for a longer trip, plan the hygiene. This for not getting infections etc. A good thin to bring is hygiene napkins.If you need to dry clotes such as stockings and small things, you can put them into the sleeping bag(not big or very wet garments) Shake the sleeping bag, do some exercise such as a couple of push-ups. Now you are ready for sleeping. Put the bottle with hot water between your legs. It will get you warm and comfortabe. Before you get up in the morning, dry the moist in the tent with the gas lamp…And now you will be ready for a new day of adventure..

See ya tomorrow..(a interview…)

Outdoor activities sometimes demand some support. In Sweden we got a lot of organisations who will support us and help us to get out into the wilderness. Check all the links down below, you will get inspired.. I would like to start with the Swedish Tourist Association (STF) Who offer training, acommodation at cabins and mountain stations. It was grounded in 1885. Today there are more than 235 000 members, and offer over 300 different types of acommendations..

https://www.svenskaturistforeningen.se/

Another very good organisation is Friluftsframjandet. A organisation with activities and training for mountain leaders etc. Friluftfrämjandet was grounded in 1892. The open air promotion has helped Swedes discover the mountains since 1892. Today, our business covers much more than that, but that’s where everything started. With a thought and belief that human beings feel good at staying in nature. Today thera are 95 000 members

https://www.friluftsframjandet.se/lat-aventyret-borja/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjMiB2oib3wIVDM-yCh3gJQ-YEAAYASAAEgLKlvD_BwE

The Swedish mountain association is antother very good organisation. It was grounded in 1927, with primary task to promote healthy mountain sports on the conditions of nature. We actively work with issues surrounding our mountain environment and we provide our members with enhanced mountain know-how through our extensive education activities, as well as providing mountain experiences through hiking and skiing trips in our mountainous world.

https://www.fjallklubben.se/

We also got the SFLO, the Swedish Mountain Leaders Organization, which is organisation for mountain leaders and trainers. There goal is to increase the quality and competence of mountain leaders and to ensure a higher status for trained mountain leaders so that they are chosen first by non-profit and commercial parties in the mountains.

https://svenskafjalledare.se/

See ya tomorrow…

11th of December and ski alpinism.

One of the trends that increasing in outdoor area is the ski alpinism. Producers as La Sportvia, Dynafit among others, have specialized themselves for this type of activities. The combination of climbing and skiing is challenging and you will get the feeling of “freedom of the hills”. In Sweden, you will have good condition for it.

With the night train from Stockholm you can be in Jamtland in the morning. There are lot of interesting areas for the ski alpinism. If we start at storulvan, you will have a fast access to Getryggen and Storsnasen. But for those who wants to try the hills away from the road, I have some good suggestions.

First, Storsola at Sylarna, you will reach the summit within 2-3 hours. This is an alpine area so if you are a beginner you might choose another place. The summit is close to the Sylarna summit.
If you want to be alone another suggestion might be the Tjaervientjahke close to the Lunndorren cabins. The approach from the cabin to the summit(1290m) will be approx. 2 hours. From Valadalen here is 14km to reach the cabins.

Tjaervientjahke 12990m

Nice skiing in Chamonix..Enjoy..

See ya tomorrow..

10th of December, and today i just want to reflect on the interviews I have done during the autumn. With fourteen diffrent persons it has been enriching and very interesting. One of the challenge with it is that listen to all the persons experience, makes me wondering what my self got for experience?  All of them has been very humble, and willing to tell their storys. Looking back, There is no favorite, everyone got theor own personality.  They all are so nice people. I will keep the meetings in my mind.. And just so you know, the interviews will continue..

And dont forget to be one of yourself..

See ya tomorrow…

Today it i the 9th of December and foutteen Days left for christmas. Todays topics is mental training. I’ve been practicing it since early 80s. Today I am practicing meditation for at least five times a week. Mental training can be devided in to many different areas. Today I will write about mental strength and mental distractions.

First of all it is important that the mental training is comprehensive. It should be included and cover allt the different part of your type of activity. Second it need to be structured, youshall have a plan for the mental training at the same was as fort muscle strength or tecnique workout. The third thing is that i need to be consistant, it takes time and time to get a strong mind. And as you change the set up for physical raining depending on season, it will be the same for the mental strengtening. You need to change it periodically. And the last thing is to have a personlized program.

First of all it is all about approach. With a positive mind, everything will become easier. So strat there, Think positive. Try to Always have a positive approach, and it will help you to perform better. So you might start there.

Friday i got a real challenging workout. I did know, that if I dont was in fully focus, it would have been very easy to quite while the lactic acid have done its entry. So I really decide Before the workout to keep the focus, and focus on the feeling afterwords. The feeling of success and satisfaction. For me it helped and I succeed.

We all got different type of shortcomings, this will be the way to strengthen you up, to become a better you..

And for the quiz this week, you can cath the clues at almost every Days blog. The answer I need latest at Wednesday..

And todays christmas gift suggestion: A grip ball from HE fitness..for strengthen you climbing fingers

https://hefitness.se/ovrigt/gripball/ 

See ya tomorrow..

Today it is the 8th of December and today the blog will be about books. There is nothing like a good book and a nice cup of coffee and a crackling fire in front of you.

When it comes to technical books i suggest:

Psyko vertical, author Andy Kirkpatric

The Mountaineering, training and preparation book is also a must for the mountaineers libary.

Also the art of Ice climbing can be a suggest for the ice climber and mountaineerer ethusiast..

When it comes to Swedish mountain books i will suggest:

Manker, De åtta årstidernas folk. Samt gränslösa fjäll from Anders Eijdsvik. And of course Blåhammarens dramatiska händelser from Rolf Eriksson

And the clue for this weeks quiz, the title of the move Thelma and Louise will help you. And the area got the same name as the village..

See ya tomorrow…

The 7th of December.

Today we will talk about wilderness medicine. As you go out for an activity you must be prepared for injuries of different kind. Cut of different arts, spraining or even more traumatic issues such as fractures etc. For that it will be two(three) main areas. You must have the equipment; you must be skilled (and if possible be experienced in the area).

When it comes to equipment, you should decide what to bring in the pack. If it is just a small group with a simple activity, you might just need a first aid bandage. A bigger group with a more demanding activity in mountain environment might demand a bigger first aid kit. As leader, you should consider to bring antihistamine for example, for mitigate anaphylactic shock. When it comes to more adventure activities or expedition adventures, you need to build up a first aid kit depending of the needs. And in that type of activity you need to analyze what kind of support you can count of for evacuation. Such as helicopter, snowmobiles or quads etc.

The second area is about skill. You can attend to a first aid course; this needs to be done periodically. This should also include HLR. If you are a team that are out together, you might train recovery position (Sv. Framstupa sidoläge) and to do tourniquet (Sv. Tryckförband). The more skilled and prepared you are, the better you will be to handle an acute situation. So, you better be prepared, it will happen…

Today I got an interview with a person working 100% with outdoor, and to get people to challenge themselves. Tero Libell one of the owner of Via Ferrata at Skuleberget, and an adventurer of rang.

Hi Tero, what is your outdoor background?

I’ve been running around in the nature since I was a kid. Built huts and so on. I also remembered climbed big mountains during the childhood, but today I can’t find them in the village where I grew up:-). I am the one that doesn’t go for sun-trips. I rather travel in mountains or more exciting destinations. In 2007 I took over the Vi Ferrata at Skuleberget, and from 2008 Latte has been my business partner.

So, what is the history of the Via Ferrata at Skuleberget?

It was the two brothers Arne and Gunnar Nordin, which has been down in the Dolomites and got inspired from there. So, in 1987 the White route was build. In 1990 the red one was in place. Arne has got a thought about a route on the north side, and in 2008 the black route was done. Arne still got a route running around in his head and in 2012 the yellow was born.

And the future, what will happen?

Ha ha, well the mountain is full of wires, so…But who knows, Arne might have got another route running in his headJ .

You are now off the season, so what will you do?

I’ve been to High Atlas for a couple of week, and normally I go for a longer journey in February, but since I become grandfather I think I can spend some time with my grandchild.

And the most important question, what coffee do you prefer in the outdoors?

The best is cook coffee, in an old well used coffee kettle. But to be honest, often it will be instant coffee. That’s the easiest way of getting coffee which is a must:-)

And the chrismas gift suggstion of the day..

https://www.tindeberg.se/produkter/utrustning/forsta-hjalpen-hygien/lifesystems-mountain-first-aid-kit.html

See ya tomorrow..

6th of December and Santa is on his way.

Today it is the 6^th of December, and the Christmas is coming up closer. Today I will write about Via Ferrata. Nothing is as good as a day of Via Ferrata. What I like with the Via Ferrata is, that it in no rules (except the safety rules of course). It is the climber’s choice, how to do it. And it is a link between hiking and climbing. The perfect entry for climbing. As a reward, you will have a fantastic view. Another advantage is that you can do it yourself, but of course you normally will get a more holistic experience with friends.

The severity differs, and there is different scale for the difficulties. The French, The Austrian, the two different Germans and the Italian. The Italian scale has been adopted by UUIA in 2016 as an international standard. from F, PD, D, TD, ED. So, you just should choose which one that suits and challenge you.

In Sweden, we got Skuleberget, Kebnekaise, Funasdalen and the Kullen area. In the Dolomites, you get a lot of different ones you can choose from. Also in southern Germany, Switzerland and in the French alps as well. Here follow some short advices; Get out early, this will help you to avoid the crowd. And as a bonus you often got good weather. Were gloves and a small backpack. This will help you to avoid blisters, in the back pack you can bring some beverage and a jacket for bad weather. Clip in as far forward as you can. This will help you to be safe, and remember just one at each section at the time. You must commit. It not easy to turn, you need to fulfil the action. So, once you are clipped in, you must continue. Be aware of the elements. At a Via Ferrata you will be exposed. So be aware of slippery parts, and unlock from the wire in thunderstorms.

Todays christmas gift suggestion:

And the Winner of the quiz this week:  Mikael, and the price is  the book Min historia av Petter Northug.

See ya tomorrow..

https://www.austrialpin.at/en/products/via-ferrata-sets/detail/as93cs2-hydraevo-via-ferrata-set/

And todays clue for the quiz: During the 1800 people thought the higest peak in Sweden was here..

5th of December and it is all about the weather.

The weather is one of the most interesting topics for the outdoors’s. But, if there is something you can’t influence it will be the weather. In the mountains, the weather is fickle. In an area, you are well known of, you can see the signs about changes. But in new areas you need to have skills and maybe some technical support. An altimeter/barometer is a very good tool for this. Here you can follow the pressure and can predict an upcoming weather change. In the alpine environment, it is difficult even for a meteorologist to predict weather here. Beside the meteorological skills, you must know the height of the mountains, broad or narrow valleys and in what direction they follow. How does wind move, and what direction they take depending of from where they come?

By watching the clouds, you will get a chance to predict weather changes.

Altocumulus floccus (Sv. tofsformade böljemoln)

This is a sign for an instable atmosphere, in about an hour you will have bad weather.

Altostratus (Sv. skiktmoln)

When a low pressure and a precipitation area is approaching, this cloud will be a sign…in about one or a couple of hours the bad weather will hit you.

The daylight is also a fact you must consider. When you planning the mountain trip, be sure about have many hours you can spend in light. You shall always bring a head lamp in case of darkness.

In the northern part of Sweden now we got the “polar night” that means that we from the 30^th of November to January will not have any daylight at all.

Plan, and have good preparation done for bad weather. Always plan for a retreat out of the area, or what to do if the bad weather hits you. In the mountains, a good suggestion can be to bring a couple of bamboo stakes with a small pennant on. In bad weather with decreased sight, this can be very helpful and a safety.

I got a short interview with Sverker Hellstrom at SMHI about mountain weather.

How does the mountain environment affect the weather?

Well, it differ from place to place. That is why it’s hard to predict. The wind direction for example, especially if it is a tapered valley. The height affect the rain/snow/fall. There will be more rain/snow at the merchant side. The contour of the mountains is also a factor to count with (related to the wind direction)

Due to the global warming, can you see that the extreme type of weather increase in the mountain environment?

No, nothing that we can see as a pattern right now.

What is your suggestion to prevent from being captured in bad weather condition?

First of all, listen to the weather report on the radio. Be aware of the warnings. Doing this will give you a good overview, from where you can make decision for the activity of the day.

When it comes to x-flash, what is your recommendation there?

First it is less common with thunderstorms within mountain environment. But if you being caught of one, avoid high points.

Ok, and then one of the most important questions; what type coffee do you prefer at your outdoor activities?

Ha ha, for me it is brewed coffee it will be. So I rather choosing short activities so I can get home and brew…

todays chrismas gift suggestion, the Fjallraven Canada shirt. A must for the outdoor enthusiast..

Todays clue of the weeks question: The name of the area has something to do with the sun..

See ya tommorrow