Tales and adventures of two lean mean mountain machines
‘It’s never too late to turn (det er aldrig for sent å snu)’ is one of the best known mountain safety commandments of the Norwegian tourist association (DNT). Knowing when to turn and when to continue takes training and experience. It’s a decision-taking process that matures over time. Reactions to our decision to stop crossing… Continue reading The Art of Not Succeeding
For our winter trip through Norway we used pulkas/sleds and in addition to having more volume and space for our things it allowed us to try out a new set-up for our sleeping system, the Piteraq Arctic Bedding. Neither of us had ever used this system before and after reading a lot of positive thoughts… Continue reading Piteraq Arctic Bedding HD
Helsport's distinctive red-and-yellow four season tents have long been regarded as some of the most reliable in their market segment. The X-trem products are designed to withstand cold, wind and snow while keeping you comfortable inside. Spitsbergen is one of the flagship models in the range and has been used in the harshest conditions on… Continue reading Helsport Spitsbergen X-Trem
In the dead of Norwegian winter the temperatures drop far below freezing during the day and when the sun sets they continue to drop, especially high above the arctic circle. A good nights sleep is key in these harsh and at times hostile environments in order to properly recuperate and regain strength. In order to… Continue reading Helsport Kongsfjorden X-Trem sleeping bag
There was no sound but the wind and nothing to see but blowing snow. Even going to the toilet became an assignment. Bull often decided he didn’t have to go after all and stood scratching at the door to go back inside. After a beautiful week through Padjelanta our luck was at an end. The… Continue reading To the Arctic circle, but not beyond
We saw the bus leave, waved goodbye to Alec and then there was only two of us again. It was really nice having another person there and being a small team, short as it lasted. It was a beautiful day again, not a breeze of wind and not a cloud in the sky. PJ and… Continue reading Padjelanta and Sulitjelma
The second of March announced itself brilliantly, with a morning sun rising into a pale blue sky and not a breeze of wind moving the air. It was a stark contrast to the storms that battered us the week before, blowing off roofs like they were mere sheets of paper and even relocating entire cabins.… Continue reading Narvikfjell
Last week the sun hit the village of Abisko for the first time. Yes, we are still here, biding our time and patiently waiting for the conditions to be good enough to continue. This great wait will proceed until the end of this month, as we are now working and have a contract until the… Continue reading The Great Wait
On the first of January we left Abisko for the King's Trail, loaded with 22 days of food and fuel, enough to reach Sulitjelma in a single push. On January 4 we were back in Abisko, defeated by a wall of snow, having had a storm over our heads yet again, disquieted by signs of… Continue reading Polar Night
I forgot to check up when the polar night starts! I remembered it shortly after we left Abisko and were making our way through the national park towards the lake, Abiskojaure. It could not be long now. The sun rose at 10.22 and set at 12.48. Six days? Maybe seven? In any case we would… Continue reading The Setting Sun
