Yesterday 05.30 I started the car for the trip to Skuleberget north of Harnosand. Sweden is beautiful this time of the year. After 5 hours I reached Docksta and Skuleberget. The sun was shining and the temperature was 13 degrees. I put on the helmet, my harness and the Via Ferrata sling. Time for the first Via Ferrata this year.

Ready for Via Ferrata..at Skuleberget www.viaferrata.se

Summer season is coming up, and there is lot of adventures awaiting around the corner.. Hiking, climbing, kayaking, trail-running, cycling and more. Plan the summer so you have the time for all your adventures. Most of them is often possible to do in the neighbourhood, so plan and go there..And you challenge yourself with a new activity this summer, I will for sure.

Why not try the Via Ferrata this year, if you haven’t you will like it:-).

And now over to the workout. Today I finished the week with a real nice workout: 10x pull ups, 10x Goblet Squats with KB, 10x push ups, 10x Box jumps, 10x sit-ups, 10x timber lifts, 10m walking lounges , 10 KB swings, 20m farmers carry with KB and 10x TTB. And all of it 6 rounds within 40 minutes, nice:-). When you can be out it is perfect to use the nature in your workout, swim, jump, pull ups in a tree etc. It will be your own fantasy that sets the limitation.

From now on I will give you two suggestion at every blog, so here comes the first:

Tie a rope on a mountain/cliff an pull yourself up. This will build your strength.

Low bear walk, the should not be over 5cm over the ground..

Next Sunday I will learn you how to building up your mental strength as well for static endurance workout. A good knowledge to have even in other challenging situations as well..And also some new gear will be valuated..

This weeks music, reggae for the summer..

See ya soon…

Sunday evening, time to be a bit thoughtful. Lately it has been a couple of accidents in the Swedish mountain environment. At Sylarna a skier fell off a ridge and died, shortly after a climber fell as well, and got severely injured.

A French climber was rescued at the western trail to Kebnekaises summit.

And yesterday a French climber was rescued at Kebnekaise after bad weather conditions. All of this accidents got one thing common. No one of them used a guide. The thing is that I am not telling that the accidents wouldn’t happened with a guide. But a guides prioritization is safety before target, and others. With a guide you have someone taking  the responsibility for the safety. Therefore it will minimize the risk. You always also got a better experience with a guide overall and got more dimension with your activity/challenge..

The workout is on going as planned. At the moment the rowing machine is in the centre. With a refined technique it also feeling real good. The upper body is under control so now it will be more focus on the lower body and endurance. Time for some more army/SF workouts.

This weekend was planned to be the first Via Ferrata weekend. Due to illness among lot of other reason I had to cancel it.(not depending of me) But on the other hand there are lot o new dates planned.

There are a new season of variation of activity now. Kayaking, cycling, cross country running orienteering etc. So you only have to choose and go for it..Why not try something new..

The planning for the expedition to Mt Damavand next autumn is on-going. So we are a couple of participates at the moment, a few seats are still left.

Gosfandsara, base-camp at Mt Damavand Iran. (Photo Mattias Jansson)

You don’t need snow for good skiing;-)

See ya soon 

 

A thought from a guide,

The challenge as a guide will always be the fact that you got temporarily compounded groups. The experience in the group will be in a wide range, and the guide have to adapt to that. Not always so easy. The main issue with temporarily compounded groups will be to build trust.

Who said it would be easy to be a guide..

When people come together in new constellations, they will experiencing uncertainty when meeting new people. This will relate to a stress, which will be the main thing to reduce for the participants. One way, or the most common way to do that will be to build trust to the others in the group. A quick trust that will solve the feeling of the inconvenience. “What will the other think, what will the other do” frighten will be reduced.  C L Popa means to get a fast trust in a temporarily compounded team there is three different parts. 1. That there is a tendency to be willing of taking risks. 2.  A wiliness of sharing experiences and skills. 3. To anticipate expectations of the group to be toned down. Here I may have lost you who not are guides. However, if you as a participant in a new group got this knowledge you know how you and “it” works, which means that you can get more out of it as a part in a “new” team or group. For us as guises it is so important to understand how we can meet up, and develop the activity so that it will be a so perfect experience for all participates. As a leader for a temporarily compounded group, there is three important areas to success.

Do you got the skills, always challenge yourself..

1. As a leader a success must be deduced to the group, on the other hand a failure must be the leader’s responsibility. 2.  The hearsay and rumor is important to success. Therefore, you have to build it up. That will be your trademark. 3. How to handle opposition and backlashes. A guide with good ability to improvise and adapt (listen) to the group will have a greater chance to succeed.

Love to skiing, cycling and the mountains..

https://www.outsideonline.com/2139816/one-mans-road-recovery-cycling-dolomites

”Sky running @ Mont Blanc..

See ya soon..

Early morning, been awake since 05.30. The sun has been shining in through the windows since 05.00.

After a breakfast with porridge, I am now standing on my skies. The snow is crisp the thermometer shows -15. The body is still a bit stiff from the night’s sleep. The whole west Jamtlands Mountains is in my sight. With 21km in front and the wind from behind, this will be a terrific day. The ski conditions is perfect. In the small uphill’s it is just to take a short skate strokes. The target for the day is Sylarnas mountain station. A normal time for this rote will be 6-7 hours. Today it will just take 3 hours and 50 minutes. A day like this it is just a pleasure to do it. The Husky smell to reindeer and ptarmigan (sv. Fjällripa), and have to stop and check it sometimes.

Otherwise, there are few other touring skiers in the area. Surprisingly few people on the tracks overall. At Sylarna, there are more people. Lots of them doing the Jamtlandstriangle. A tour from Storulvan-Sylarna-Blahammaren and back to Storulvan. There are also many randonee skiers in the area. Totally we have done 75km within four days (in mountain environment) A quite nice tour overall. This will end this year’s winter season. Time for other challenges now. Check under news and updates and you will see..

In 1935, Torsten Boberg write the book “Mountain Sports” (Sv. Fjällsport). Here he give us the transparency of the mountain sports. The thing is that lots of the suggestions and tips are still relevant. How to navigate, packing routines etc. quite amazing.

New gear:

Casio G-Shock Rangeman. This is a heavy-duty clock, which tolerate a toughness of use. With barometer, thermometer, altimeter and compass it of course will be a good company in the mountain environment. It is quite easy to use, it sit comfortable and looks like a military box.  The negative thing with it is that the clock-face is small. For an old men like myself, it is hard to see. In addition, it is also a bit “shadowed” in some angles. So I will give it four (NNNN) out of five. (N) = Nordic Light Adventure measurement.

Mandra Night shell jacket from MilTec.. This is a three-layer shell jacket. A tactical jacket. It has many pockets equipped with zippers, meaning that the weight of course will be increased. It has the same quality as all other three-layer jackets. The breathable part is almost the same as all other jackets in the same category. The minus will be the placement of the zippers. Sometime they sticking to each other’s, a detail that other developer has fixed. Overall, it is a good quality and for the price ~ 94 Euro, you will get a real good jacket for that price. Rating:  (NNNN).

Upcoming reviews:

Salomon Wayfarer Mountain Pant. A pair of alpine trousers for hiking climbing etc..

The new season for via Ferrata is upcoming. From May we will start to provide the Via Ferrata service. Read under news and updates. Sign up and enjoy.

Via Ferrata at Skuleberget, sign up with us. Check under news and updates..

August-September 2018 we will provide a expedition to Mt Damavand(5610m) in Iran. So if you want to follow, sign up. You can check it under News and updates soon.

Today we embrace Freddie Wadling..

See ya soon

In a turbulent world we all need a strong mind. A strong mind is build up of five ingredients, the five elements is: Confidence, courage, commitment, control, purpose.

Confidence, start working with nit. step by step. A mountain are climbed step by step and not by giant steps. belief in yourself and your ability to meet your goals

Courage, Courage is the tendency to see life’s obstacles as challenges to be met rather than threats to be avoided. Face the situation, Believe you can do it,. Waiting would only make the situation worse..

Commitment, People are often unsuccessful because they lack commitment to their deepest values. Competence is not an inherited trait, like blue eyes. Competence is the result of working hard and concentrating on bringing about the desired result.

Control. A strong mind shuts out feelings of fear and inadequacy and focuses on reaching the goal. Control is having a certainty that you are able to shape your destiny rather than passively accepting events as they come along.

Purpose,  Live your life with a purpose. No matter how many major changes and transitions you go through in your life, if you rely upon guiding principles and values that are important to you, they will always give your life meaning.Strong-minded people have a dedication that comes from a purpose that’s in alignment with their deepest values.

The Sylarna- Helags-Valadalen will become a Nation park. The Environmental Protection agency have done a lot research and measurement. One is about guest nights at the mountain stations. At Sylarna there was 12000  guest night 2016, at Blahammaren 8500, and at Helags 6500 guest nights. The mountain environment becomes more and more popular.

Sylarna mountain station, one of the most popular ones..

Now it become time for stat to prepare for the upcoming mountain season. Start with the hill training, starting with a warming up about 10 minutes. Then its time for 5-7 X 2 minutes up-hills cold down downhill’s.  Now it is time for 5-6 X 1 minutes higher intensity, and rest downhill’s end it up with 5 X 30 seconds. Cold down with 10 minutes slow pace running, and you will be a bit stronger for the upcoming trail/walking/climbing season…

Secure a good preparation for the upcoming mountain season.

This week a bit nostalgically music from the 80s Swedish reggae..

See ya soon..

 

Sometimes we forget how good Life is. The opportunity to workout everyday, go for new adventures and planning upcoming events.

Ulf Bergman Guiding session in Chamonix, a fantastic opportunity..

When it comes to workout it is important  to got the right approach. Take the feeling you got after the workout, the feeling of be satisfied of your self and the confidence on top. Move that feeling into the workout, and you will be able to push yourself further.

Try to bring the good feeling during the workout, and just not after. You will go a bit further..

And how to get the self confidence?

1. Look the part to feel the part. Start to act like the person you want to be.

2. Always, always think positive. Your inner conversation must be good. Remin yourself of all good result and performance you have done..

3. Always be prepared.  Knowledge is the key, study and read and workout etc. And also mentorship is a key here walk with wise men and you will get wise..

4. Identify your principals. If you have your compass direction of life you know were to go..If you don’t got your principles you will feel directionless.

5. Analyse all the good things you done so far..Write down a list of all great things you have accomplish in your life. Read it from time to time and update it..

6. Always read or listen to inspirational stuff. Listen to a pod, read a book that develop you, this will give you a good feeling..

7. Teach someone It will always develop you becoming a mentor or teacher. There respect will give you more confidence..

8. Nobody is perfect always feel that everyone is not perfect. The confidence not the pride will make it easier to achieve your goals..

And over to some new equipment.

Patagonia has produced a new sleeping bag..

Patagonia starting up with sleeping bags..

La Sportiva hs a new boot coming up, with a new technology.

La sportivas new boot..

This week workout suggestion:

Try it you like it…

See ya soon..

 

 

Already in March and it is time to plan for a cross-country ski-tour in the northern Sweden. This time it will be a journey to Gasen-Helags-Sylarna.

The Sylarna massif from Gasen cabin In wintertime..

The workout plan is followed, and so far so good. A bit stressed in the shoulders so I have to take it easy this week. But ten workouts in the diary feels good.

This years Piolet d’Or (the golden ice axe) goes to The American alpinist Jeff Lowe.

Jeff Lowe, winner of the Piolet d’Or.

This year’s winner, Lowe, is a giant of the sport who pioneered alpine climbing during the 1960s through 1990s.

Born in 1950, Lowe’s climbing career followed an arc like no other American mountaineer. He made upwards of 1,000 first ascents, authored books, and invented gear. Today Lowe lives in Louisville, Colo., and is continuing to inspire while battling a degenerative motor neuron disease.

And over to some new gear:

Black diamond has a new set up of camalots. The Camalot Ultralight is a high-tech upgrade for the light and fast climber’s rack.

And Arcteryx has a new soft-shell hoodie for climbing:

Arctreryx proton, build for the mountain environment..

Helmet compatible fully zipped and warm, this can be a new friend on the mountain.

See ya soon..

 

 

When it comes to outdoor activities, the coffee will be a important part. As moral strengthen, as a heather in a cold morning and a catalyst for the digestive system..

A good adventure day starts with a cup of the black gold.

Today there is a lot of choice, both in quality and cost and weight and solution. So there is a jungle. Today I will reach out some of the question marks.

When it comes to a luxury choice the Oxx coffeebox will be your choice. https://oxx.com/thecoffeeboxx/ it will cost approx. 217 Euro. But then you got a real good coffee maker.

Oxx Coffeebox, not so litepac but high quality..

Next step will be the percolator solution.

GSI percolator for the gourmet..

For 94 euro you can get a good quality coffeemaker from GSI, a real good choice. Still a bit expensive, and will take some space..https://www.addnature.com/gsi-perculator-pot-8-cup-glacier-stainless-484624.html?gclid=CNK7g5vJuNICFZ7KsgodsA8JtA&_cid=21_1_-1_9_1348_484624_58075059774_pla&ef_id=WLhtlQAAAQ@BVCmM:20170302193839:s

The next one is still a bit expensive, but will take a bit less of space and weight.

The handpresso is easy to use and will give you a tasty espresso at your adventure..

For 125 Euro the handpresso will be yours.. http://www.outdoorexperten.se/p-13540-handpresso-wild.aspx

The own cooked coffee always test good, so why don’t use a press solution for the stowed you already got. All stows company got some solution for this, and you can also use it for the. https://www.addnature.com/primus-coffeetea-press-487636.html

 

Primus coffee press.

If you like the old fusion way of coffee, the go cook it by yourself. With a coffee kettle,. Lemmel of Sweden got a nice solution..

Lemmel the samis way of taking care of the golden drink..

https://www.addnature.com/lemmel-kaffe-kaffepanna-med-laederfodral-482660.html

When space and weight will become important there still is a solution (of course you still want quality) there still is a way to go..

The Growers cup will give you a real good coffee. It is cheap For two Euro you will get a great cup of coffee http://www.outdoorexperten.se/m-340-growers-cup.aspx

And at last the rescuer to always bring with you. I will never leave my home for a trip without it in my pack. And cheap, the quality..quite ok..

Enjoy your coffee on your next trip, doesn’t matter winch one you choose:-).

 

See ya soon..

 

The mountain has been Calling so i have been away. Two weeks ago I went to Rare for skiing. The conditions has been so-so, the expectation was low. But a great work in the slopes.

Manchester morning early and alone in the slopes of Are.

So a couple of real nice days in Are was good.

Then the last week, we went to Rjukan in Norway for Ice-Climbing.

Rjukan in Norway, a real paradise for Ice-climbers..

Rjukan area has a lot of good ice in all types of length and difficulties. But this year the ice condition has been very varied, and the ice were very late. Rjukan is also a bit of the history from WWII. The heavy-water factory was a very important part for the Germans to be able  get a atom-bomb.

Vemork, the heavy-water factory in Rjukan.

The ice-climbing went very good and we got a lot of hours on the ice. It takes time to get skilled, and to feel comfortable with all equipment and technique.

Goran is about to climb, and Mikael will secure. You must get everything in place, and in control..

This time we all move limits regarding technique and confidence. A lot of different type of ice and grade of difficulties..

Goran on the ice, doing a real heroic climb…

Never loose focus while securing the partner…

When it comes to tools and equipment, I can conclude that most of the ice-axes are the same. But when it comes to crampons the technical is to prefer. Also boots my experience is that the plastic boots is to prefer. They suits better, with better contact. And you can remove the inner boot for drying in the tents etc.

I prefer a plastic boot, but its up to your taste..

Mikael, the guy with know how, skills and always a word to develop you..

On the ice wall…

And now over to same news: There is a new kitchen build at Kebnekaise mountain station. And Sylarnas mountain station got environmentally friendly sewage treatment. There will also be a restaurant soon, as a complement to catering there is today. (Mats Almlofs thoughts comes to relative) .

Sylarnas mountain station in the winter..

This month I will test a tactical jacket. In the service they don’t use technical jackets. They use tactical jackets instead. So I will test the Mandra night jacket from Mil-Tec.

Mandra night jacket from Mil-Tec.

It will be very interesting to see how a tactical jacket will hold over technical Gore-Tex jacket..

This week Ed Sheeran will be the music..

And you, the best way to predict the future is to create it..

See ya on Wednesday, then it will be a chronicle about coffee..

 

 

One of the most important skills in the Mountains will be the navigation. This part you practise and train wherever you are. first of all you need to have a updated map. The trails and other parts can be changed, so it is important that the map is up to date.

you must be prepared for tough conditions..

The next thing you need is a good compass. Most of the compass today is good, but choose one with high quality.

(Illustration: Per Hardestam)

How to use the compass:

1. Put the side of the compass in the direction you want to go. 2. Turn the compass-house so the lines will be parallel with the lines in the map(The nail in the right in direction) 3. You just change the compass for the direction you want to got to. 4. the arrow shows the direction to follow.

When reading the map, which is very important, try to see it three dimension..

Try to see the map in three dimension, it will help you..

In the mountain environment it is extra difficult to navigate. It it is foggy or ”white out” of snow, just must know how to find the right direction. Here the help will be three parts: 1. A fixed compass direction. 2. Knowledge and good planning of distance. 3. The height were you are.

Always take as routine to set a fixed compass direction when you start your journey. You can put the directions of the day on a tape at the compass. Plan how long time every part of the planned distance will take, have catch up places during the navigation. Check with a altimeter, so you know exactly were you are. As a extra safety, you can check a reserve way out, if the wheatear becomes stormy or if you need to get down from high area fast. Check the map often, and take time. A mistake will maybe cost you a lot of time and effort..

I prefer to have a sighting compass, than you can have fixed direction and lock the compass with it…

See ya soon..