Wanted - cold weather camping buddy!!

[jacko1066]

Although a bit tongue in cheek, After a very successful trip to Estonia this year, my 2 comrades who I went with have decided to go to Norway and much much colder!!

Although I am extremely grateful for there offer, minus 50 or perhaps under is a little beyond me at the moment!!

I would much prefere to gain a bit more cold weather camping experience before under taking such a massive ask of myself at those temps.

So, I am thinking for definite a cold weather trip next year, perhaps Sweden, Norway, Estonia again, Lithuania, or similar.

What's everyone up to? Is anyone thinking of doing something similar and want some company? Or is a group thinking of a similar trip where there may be a space!

On another note, and purely being nosey, what's everyone up to next year?

Would love to no people's trip they have planned already too!!

Cheers
Steve

[FishyFolk]

Although a bit tongue in cheek, After a very successful trip to Estonia this year, my 2 comrades who I went with have decided to go to Norway and much much colder!!

Although I am extremely grateful for there offer, minus 50 or perhaps under is a little beyond me at the moment!!

I would much prefere to gain a bit more cold weather camping experience before under taking such a massive ask of myself at those temps.

So, I am thinking for definite a cold weather trip next year, perhaps Sweden, Norway, Estonia again, Lithuania, or similar.

What's everyone up to? Is anyone thinking of doing something similar and want some company? Or is a group thinking of a similar trip where there may be a space!

On another note, and purely being nosey, what's everyone up to next year?

Would love to no people's trip they have planned already too!!

Cheers
Steve

Come up to me here on the coast of northern Norway. I'll hang with you at least for a weekend. Make sure you are sorted and even pick you up at the airport and drop you off. I'll even lend you some ice fishing kit and make sure you are at a good lake for for arctic charr and trout + help you resupply if you need to :-)

All free of charge, only some help with petrol costs would be appreciated. And bring a mate or two if you wan't to. :-)

Oh and temps here in winter is everything between +5 to -20 celcius, but expect -5 to -10, come prepared for -30...lol


Rune

[jacko1066]

Come up to me here on the coast of northern Norway. I'll hang with you at least for a weekend. Make sure you are sorted and even pick you up at the airport and drop you off. I'll even lend you some ice fishing kit and make sure you are at a good lake for for arctic charr and trout + help you resupply if you need to :-)

All free of charge, only some help with petrol costs would be appreciated. And bring a mate or two if you wan't to. :-)

Oh and temps here in winter is everything between +5 to -20 celcius, but expect -5 to -10, come prepared for -30...lol


Rune

Wow that is an awesome offer!!!

Thank you very much indeed!!

I may well take you up on that offer my friend!!

Is there much snow on the ground that time of year?

Which part of Norway would you recommend my friend? And where would I fly into?

We experienced minus 15 quite regularly this year in Estonia and coped quite well!!

I must admit I would like to hot tent it, as a back up, but I don't own a tent or a stove lol!

I stayed in a small tent this year, next time I would love to hammock it!!

[FishyFolk]

I am in Harstad, on the Island of Hinnøy in Troms County, west of Narvik.

Depending on the time of winter it may be between 30 cm to 2 meters of snow here :-)

This vid from one of my trips last winter in early March may give you an idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7L1VIcvz8g

Else here is the area I have in mind throwing you into:

https://maps.google.no/?ll=68.66498,16.375552&spn=0.000862,0.004128&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=68.66498,16.375552&panoid=mNWYk4fUMD-SAS_dSE8iyw&cbp=12,255.56,,0,3.19&source=gplus-ogsb

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblingbushcraft/9358279524/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumblingbushcraft/9355505237/

[shepherd]

thats one hell on an offer!

[bopdude]

thats one hell on an offer!


It is, nice one FishyFolk T^

[saxonaxe]

Camping in those temperatures is not for me, but that is a very kind offer FishyFolk, you're a true gentleman..;)

[FishyFolk]

Camping in those temperatures is not for me, but that is a very kind offer FishyFolk, you're a true gentleman..;)

Not for me either really, but I like to remind myself why , 5 or six times a year, lol

[FishyFolk]

Here are those maps again, hopefully in a readable format

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5yzme3hfk27o19y/NGU527334.jpeg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0t1smfrluj7ufsc/NGU53965.jpeg

The blue line on the one map is a suggested route, the other is the short route...

[FishyFolk]

thats one hell on an offer!

Eh....you pay your own tickets and rented accomodation if you do that...lol

[FishyFolk]

Wow that is an awesome offer!!!

Thank you very much indeed!!

I may well take you up on that offer my friend!!

Is there much snow on the ground that time of year?

Which part of Norway would you recommend my friend? And where would I fly into?

We experienced minus 15 quite regularly this year in Estonia and coped quite well!!

I must admit I would like to hot tent it, as a back up, but I don't own a tent or a stove lol!

I stayed in a small tent this year, next time I would love to hammock it!!

A hot tent can be difficulty for me to to arrange, but there is a cabin that can be used in case of emergency or used as a base camp 2-3 km away. Rent will cost 300 NOK per bed per night, (33£). And expect to have to share with others.
Can be good to have as an option for drying kit or if a storm hits...

Else I recomend hammocks, or just groundsleep with tarps.

[butchthedog]

Nice one Rune, your'e an Ace fella.......T^

[jacko1066]

A hot tent can be difficulty for me to to arrange, but there is a cabin that can be used in case of emergency or used as a base camp 2-3 km away. Rent will cost 300 NOK per bed per night, (33£). And expect to have to share with others.
Can be good to have as an option for drying kit or if a storm hits...

Else I recomend hammocks, or just groundsleep with tarps.

Mate that's superb!! Thank you very much indeed!!

Can't see the links in the maps though my friend!!

But I am on my iPhone!!

Better start looking at flights lol!!

Which airport would you say is the best to fly into?

[ian c]

That is a brilliant offer Rune I would like to have some of that but I don't think my Mrs would let me.

[jacko1066]

That is a brilliant offer Rune I would like to have some of that but I don't think my Mrs would let me.

No harming asking mate!!

I said exactly the same!!

We could travel over together!!

[FishyFolk]

Fly into Harstad/ Narvik Airport- Evenes. There are direct flights from Oslo. But you have to make sure your flight from London is landing at Oslo-Gardermoen, NOT Torp. So do NOT fly here with Ryan air!

If you do, you'll end up with a long train ride to change airports for your internal flight.

Also...what month do you plan for?

From the end of november to the end of january we have no sun, and only a couple of hours of daylight. So the best time is end of february beginning of april for winter adventures.

And last: Do you have any expereince with cross country skiing? Walking in on foot will be impossible, you need to at least be using snow shoes. If you cant to any of those I have an alternative location for you in and area where I can drive you in...

Rune

[susannewilliams]

Come up to me here on the coast of northern Norway. I'll hang with you at least for a weekend. Make sure you are sorted and even pick you up at the airport and drop you off. I'll even lend you some ice fishing kit and make sure you are at a good lake for for arctic charr and trout + help you resupply if you need to :-)

All free of charge, only some help with petrol costs would be appreciated. And bring a mate or two if you wan't to. :-)

Oh and temps here in winter is everything between +5 to -20 celcius, but expect -5 to -10, come prepared for -30...lol


Rune

You know what man? You just ROCK!

[FishyFolk]

You know what man? You just ROCK!

Lets wait with establishing this fact to a time when we know that the OP and his mate(s) is/are safely back in the UK after a nice adventure in my hills, writing his trip report for NB :-)

[jus_young]

Lets wait with establishing this fact to a time when we know that the OP and his mate(s) is/are safely back in the UK after a nice adventure in my hills, writing his trip report for NB :-)

:happy-clapping:

Good on you Rune, respect. Proven again what a nice fellow you are.

[jacko1066]

Rune, you are amazing my friend!!

Planning to do the trip around the end of march next year so like you say it's the best of both worlds.

Don't own any skis and have absolutely no experience of them mate, or snow shoes for that matter. Do you no if that's something that could be hired locally?

The location you have in mind sounds amazing so would love to stick to that.

If not however for safety's sake I'm really happy to go anywhere.

Having a quick scout on flights last night, from London gatwick to evenes, looking at around £200-220 return. And like you say that includes a change at Oslo.

As a train driver I may be able to get mega cheap train tickets and travel up that way instead of flying from Oslo.

I would have to look and see how much difference there is in price but I can get up to 90% off train travel in Europe.

All that's left to find now is a partner!!!

Anyone up for an epic adventure to Norway next year? Could be a once in a lifetime!!!!

[FishyFolk]

Rune, you are amazing my friend!!

Planning to do the trip around the end of march next year so like you say it's the best of both worlds.

Don't own any skis and have absolutely no experience of them mate, or snow shoes for that matter. Do you no if that's something that could be hired locally?

The location you have in mind sounds amazing so would love to stick to that.

If not however for safety's sake I'm really happy to go anywhere.

Having a quick scout on flights last night, from London gatwick to evenes, looking at around £200-220 return. And like you say that includes a change at Oslo.

As a train driver I may be able to get mega cheap train tickets and travel up that way instead of flying from Oslo.

I would have to look and see how much difference there is in price but I can get up to 90% off train travel in Europe.

All that's left to find now is a partner!!!

Anyone up for an epic adventure to Norway next year? Could be a once in a lifetime!!!!

If you've never been on skis before, I won't even try to take you out there on a pair of them. Cross country skiing with packs and/or a pulk or tobogan or whatver you will use, is not for beginners. Specially if it's the first time out there. And you will be going out more or less straight from the airport :-) Also it's not only the skis. You'll need ski boots that fit exactly, or you will be in a world of hurt with blisters etc. :sad: Susanne will confirm this for you :-)

So snow shoes for you I think. T^

And perhaps we have to start you somehwere closer to a road. But we have plenty of options here, with plenty of time to make a good plan, and most lakes here have fish in them. So we'll find a good spot for you. But the place I have in mind for camp is only a 1 km from the road, and half of that we'll be crossing a frozen lake. So the terrain is flat. So getting there should be manageable for most. But I must insit on snow shoes. We could be in 1 meter of fresh powder, or on a thin frozen crust over sludge. Or we'll be walking on a frozen crust of ice, capable of carrying us on foot in, but the next day we get milder weather, and we sink in to the hip. Impossible to know before we are there. I'll be on skis, but bringing snow shoes.

As for going with a train...that will take you around 24 hours from Oslo...to get to Fauske (near Bodø), where the tracks end. Thats 300km south of here. And then it's a 6 hour bus ride including a bus change and a 1 hour ferry crossing from there. And the bus only will cost you 70-100£. So it's not likely that it will save you anything, regardless how large a discount you get. :confused2:

Else I have the car so we can go sight seeing. I have a second mountain area we can drive straight up to the top for a fantastic view. And if there is Aurora activity I suggest you spend at least one night up there. As light pollution up there is minimal.

Anyway, I think you'll have a good time. even if the wetaher turns nasty it should be an adventure for you if you come here with the right attitude :-)

[FishyFolk]

Maps of the area
http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r793/RuneBjornsen/NGU527334_zps3e2e6d9e.jpeg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/RuneBjornsen/media/NGU527334_zps3e2e6d9e.jpeg.html)

http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r793/RuneBjornsen/NGU53965_zpsd312dcaa.jpeg (http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/RuneBjornsen/media/NGU53965_zpsd312dcaa.jpeg.html)

Blue line: Suggested ski route
Green line : suggested snow shoe route

[jacko1066]

Hi Rune, thats some great advice thanks.

I didnt relise you were Bumbling Bushcraft mate, I have been one of your subs for ages!! Love your vids!!

Again your spot on about the flight, even with a huge discount on trains it makes perfect sense to fly.

Is there anywhere you no locally that I could hire snowshoes? And are sledges pretty easy to come across near you? I dont actually own pulk or taboggon so was thinking of adapting a kids sledge.

I figure the money I would save in bagguage would prob pay for most of the snow shoe hire and also the sledge!!

If I come across a cheap pulk though I will most certainly buy it!!

Cheers
Steve

[FishyFolk]

Hi Rune, thats some great advice thanks.

I didnt relise you were Bumbling Bushcraft mate, I have been one of your subs for ages!! Love your vids!!

Again your spot on about the flight, even with a huge discount on trains it makes perfect sense to fly.

Is there anywhere you no locally that I could hire snowshoes? And are sledges pretty easy to come across near you? I dont actually own pulk or taboggon so was thinking of adapting a kids sledge.

I figure the money I would save in bagguage would prob pay for most of the snow shoe hire and also the sledge!!

If I come across a cheap pulk though I will most certainly buy it!!

Cheers
Steve

I don't think snow shoes can be rented here. Snow shoes are not really common in Norway, and only in the last few years people have started using them.
But a pair can be had for as little as 30-40£ and I am going to purchase a pair this winter. And will most likely use skis, so I can probably lend you mine for the duration of your stay.

A tested a kids sled last year. Did not work well. Even with just a daypack in it, it tipped over constantly. So I ended up getting myself a paris pulk. But those are quite pricey at 90£ here. But
I can be on the lookout for a used one this winter. And if you buy one I can always get it sold for you locally after the trip (they are very popular and easy to get rid of) you could recuperate most of the outlay.

[FishyFolk]

Hi Rune, thats some great advice thanks.

I didnt relise you were Bumbling Bushcraft mate, I have been one of your subs for ages!! Love your vids!!

Again your spot on about the flight, even with a huge discount on trains it makes perfect sense to fly.

Is there anywhere you no locally that I could hire snowshoes? And are sledges pretty easy to come across near you? I dont actually own pulk or taboggon so was thinking of adapting a kids sledge.

I figure the money I would save in bagguage would prob pay for most of the snow shoe hire and also the sledge!!

If I come across a cheap pulk though I will most certainly buy it!!

Cheers
Steve

I don't think snow shoes can be rented here. Snow shoes are not really common in Norway, and only in the last few years people have started using them.
But a pair can be had for as little as 30-40£ and I am going to purchase a pair this winter. And will most likely use skis, so I can probably lend you mine for the duration of your stay.

A tested a kids sled last year. Did not work well. Even with just a daypack in it, it tipped over constantly. So I ended up getting myself a paris pulk. But those are quite pricey at 90£ here. But
I can be on the lookout for a used one this winter. And if you buy one I can always get it sold for you locally after the trip (they are very poular and easy to get rid of) you could recuperate most of the outlay.

[FishyFolk]

Here is my kids sled test trip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja9z953ubEU

[jacko1066]

Great vid Rune,

When was that made mate?

Looks like perfect conditions for what I want next year!!

I tell you something, you have far more patience than I have got with the char cloth!! That lighter would have been out of my pocket a lot earlier than that lol!!

Im guessing the problem with the childs sled is that the foot print is not big enough thus making it top heavy?

For decent snow shoes in the uk your looking at £100 plus!! Thats why I asked about hiring them your end.
But like you say it may be worth buying when I get over there.

The same for pulk!!
Can I inbox you some pulks and toboggans I have found online for you to look at and advise me?

Atb
Steve

[FishyFolk]

No problem. Send your links :-)

[FishyFolk]

The vid was made in the beginning of february this year :-)

Yeah the problem is the foot print. But a pulk should not be to wide either. Or else drag wil be a problem in deep snow.

Anyway, do not worry to much about kit. March is far off. And we should be able to find you something usable by then.
And if not, we'll just camp closer to the road. I just checked my distances. The lake shore is just 300 meters from the road. The far side where I want to camp is about 800 metrs. All as the crow flies. So you don't need something advanced.

And as we talk kit. Don't overload on that stuff either. But for clothes I recomend goretex as the outer layer. This is the coast. And you may get a wet day or two. And for cooking don't bring anything using gas canisters. They dont work well in the cold. So it's either alcohol stove burning meths (we have something similar here that we use), but preferably a stove that can be pressurized like the Optimus 111 that burns parafine or gasoline.

Don't worry about axes, saws etc. I'll bring that. I have a very good and very cheap bow saw, and a hatchet I can lend you for processing wood. Don't bother bringing those little garden folding saws UK bushcrafters are so fond of. You'll work yourself to death processing enough wood to carry you trough the night. Don't get me wrong, I use those too, but only in the summer.

Else, for water, just melt snow, it will be safe to drink. Same with running water from the creaks if any. Sleeping bags...personally I use artificial fibres. Mustly becaus ethey are cheaper, but also because of the climate. if down gets wet, the loft is gone. Down jackets...same. I don't like them. They are nice to have in camp though...but they are not very fire resistant either. so I do the old school layer method with a windproof jacket/smock/anorak as the outer shell.

You see in my vids how I dress. Under the wind proofs, I just have a simple thermal underwear while moving. When in camp I add a thick sweater. Thats it. I do bring more so that I can add to that if needed.

And before I kip in, I change from top to bottom to my dry kit. I'e it's just a set of thermal underwear, a fleece sweater and a balaklava.

You need a good pair of snow gaiters. make sure they can be easily dried by the fire without burning or melting.

Hmmm....I am over loading...just sitting here and brainstorming lol...

[bopdude]

I have trip envy lol.

[jacko1066]

I use goretex gaiters in this country, would they be ok? Tbh this year in Estonia I just tucked my trousers inside my Baffin snow boots and then used a snow brush too take off any excess snow.

A multi fuel is a must, I got away cooking on meths and an open fire this year, but I think a gasoline stove is the way forward especially for snow melting.

Again this year I used a swedish M90 parka, worked a treat lovely and warm, for wet weather I have a Paramo smock which has great ventilation too.

I am much like yourself regarding changing for bed, this year I slept in my merino base layers, softie trousers and thick heat holder socks. I wore a fleece top over my base layers and a balaclava and wooly hat.

What I will wear under my smock is wool jumpers. I have a few different thicknesses of wool and together they seem to work well.

For sleeping, I used a 2 season down bag inside a winter top quilt capable of taking me down to minus 15 on its own, so with the 2 season sleeping bag used as a sort of liner I was toasty warm!!

Here is a link to a pulk, http://www.snowsled.com/ice-blue-plastic-pulks/

I really cant see the difference between that and a sledge of a similar size!! But I am absolutely no expert!!

Are toboggans worth looking at too?

[Kernowek Scouser]

I could well be tempted to join you on this adventure. Always fancied visiting Norway and from his many excellent videos, Rune's playground looks pretty spectacular.

I will keep an interested eye on developments.

[jacko1066]

I could well be tempted to join you on this adventure. Always fancied visiting Norway and from his many excellent videos, Rune's playground looks pretty spectacular.

I will keep an interested eye on developments.

Mate if its half as good as Estonia, and it looks better by the way, it will be an EPIC TRIP!!!

Start building those wifes point Col!!! lol

[FishyFolk]

I could well be tempted to join you on this adventure. Always fancied visiting Norway and from his many excellent videos, Rune's playground looks pretty spectacular.

I will keep an interested eye on developments.

Start saving brownie points :-)

[FishyFolk]

I use goretex gaiters in this country, would they be ok? Tbh this year in Estonia I just tucked my trousers inside my Baffin snow boots and then used a snow brush too take off any excess snow.

A multi fuel is a must, I got away cooking on meths and an open fire this year, but I think a gasoline stove is the way forward especially for snow melting.

Again this year I used a swedish M90 parka, worked a treat lovely and warm, for wet weather I have a Paramo smock which has great ventilation too.

I am much like yourself regarding changing for bed, this year I slept in my merino base layers, softie trousers and thick heat holder socks. I wore a fleece top over my base layers and a balaclava and wooly hat.

What I will wear under my smock is wool jumpers. I have a few different thicknesses of wool and together they seem to work well.

For sleeping, I used a 2 season down bag inside a winter top quilt capable of taking me down to minus 15 on its own, so with the 2 season sleeping bag used as a sort of liner I was toasty warm!!

Here is a link to a pulk, http://www.snowsled.com/ice-blue-plastic-pulks/

I really cant see the difference between that and a sledge of a similar size!! But I am absolutely no expert!!

Are toboggans worth looking at too?

I have no personal experience with them. But they can be home made and packable. But a pulk will be easier to navigate trough the underbrush we have to get trough the first 300 meters until we are on the lake. And here comes a problem. If there is top water on the ice, your kit will not be protected and we'll have to go round the lake instead of just crossing over. So my reomendation is till the pulk. But agian, I have no experience with tobogans. Thats something they do on the other side of the Atlantic...

That pulk you link to looks to be the same design as my Paris Expedition pulk and should be more than good enough :-)

[FishyFolk]

Your Gore-tex gaiters will be fine :-)

[FishyFolk]

Okay I promised you a kit list. But you are so well kitted out that I have nothing to add to it really.

But for others who may wanna join in, or have a dream of coming here. This is what the Norwegian trekking association recoemnd that you have for a mountain trek, where you go from cabin to cabin.

On the body


Wool base layer
Wool socks and/or wool stockings
Thin wool sweater
Wind proof trousers
Wind proof shell jacket with a hood
Wind proof hat
Wool inner glove
Wind proof outer glove
Boots
Gaiters
Bergan
Skis

In your pockets

Map and kompass
paper and pencil
Sun glasses
Sun block cream
Ski wax and scraper
Ski climbing skins

In the Bergan
Thick wool sweater or fleece jacket
Extra pair of wool gloves
wool scarf or necker
Ekstra hat (wool beanie hat)
Extra wool base layer
Wind sack (survival bag, Jerven bag) http://www.jerven.com/ (http://www.jerven.com/http://)
Snow Spade - THIS IS A MUST HAVE!!!
First aid kit
Socks and stockings
Sleeping bag*
Sitting and sleeping pad*
Candles
Matches (in water proof bag/container)
Head torch
Food and emergency ration
Thermos with a warm drink
Toilet supplies
Toilet paper
Towel
Light shoes (for wearing inside when i cabins
Money
Keys (for the cabins, the car, home etc, )
A light down jacket for camp

*An insulated sleeping pad and a sleeping bag can give you extra insulation and save lives if you or others get hurt during the trip, or if you have to seek shelter from a storm. Even on short trips it is important to be prepared for rapid change of weather!

Wise to bring


Knife
Avalanche prodding rod ( this is a long , thin rod that can be assembled to several meters length, and used to search for avalanche victimes by prodding into the snow)
Emergency flare rocket
GPS

Other equipment in the winter mountains:
Rain jacket and trousers (if the wind jacket is not water proof, you may experience mild weather and rain)
Foot bags if the weather is cold. This is an outer boot that you pull over your regular boots.

If you want to spend the night outside, in a tent or snow cave:

Warm sleeping bag
sleeping pad
Multifuel burner WITH fuel
Food
eating bowl or plate
Tent
Snow brush

Or whatever sleep system you prefer. I will be in a hammock under a tarp, with my sleeping bag rated to -40, sleeping pad, and snugpak underblanket + jerven bag...and instead of a bergan, my kit will be in my pulk, packed in a large sports bag with a rucksack harness for easy acess.

[jacko1066]

Great list Rune,

It very similar to mine mate.

Accept I will use a mix of synthetic and down quilts and under quilts.

Wool is king out there, and tbh my army surplus wool jumpers are brilliant!!

I need to invest some more merino underwear too, I used synthetic last time with merino over the top but this time I want to use merino long johns too.

If I don't manage to get hold of a multifuel stove is the meths good out there mate?

Also, do you take a flask with you so that you can have water that isn't frozen in the morning?

[FishyFolk]

Wool is a great idea, yes :-)

I bring a Thermos. The water you boil gets cold in a few minutes. So to save fuel I pour it over intio the Thermos, to avoid having to reheat the water everytime I fancy a cuppa...
Also usually bring 2-3 litres of water.

And here is a trick. I have a 32oz nalgene bottle. In the evening before kipping in I fill it with boiling water, and stick it it the wool socks I was wearing all day all to insulate it. Then I put that into the my sleeping bag.

With this I achieve several things.

1. I go to bed in a warm sleeping bag
2. The flask keep me warm all night. Just place it between you legs, close to your femoral artery :-)
3. In the morning the water is still luke warm, and good for giving your face a splash and cleaning hands.
4. The socks you used as insulation will be bone dry and ready for another day :-)

Also fill that thermos with hot water before going to bed.

A last trick. I have a pair of Zippo type handwarmers. I light those before going to bed and stick one in each boot. And but the boots into a water proof bag. When I wake up I have
warm boots to put my feet in :-)

[jacko1066]

That is some great tips again there mate!!

Especially the hand warmer idea!!

I did suffer a lot in Estonia with sweaty feet in my baffins.

I do love my boots they kept my feet lovely and warm and are really comfy. But I did struggle to keep them dry due to sweating.

I tried to use chemical hand warmers in them to dry them out over night but they didn't work too well tbh!!

U also need to invest in a decent petrol lighter, I'm assuming gas lighters won't be much good out there either? They weren't too bad in Estonia if you kept them close to your body.
I need to buy a zippo and some sort of peanut lighter to hang round my neck as a bit of a survival lighter in case I lose my main one or get wet and need quick fire etc etc!!

But having petrol hand warmers it make it worth buying a bottle of fuel when I get over there and not much will be wasted!!

What sort of snow boots do you wear rune?

Also last year i took 2 pairs of boots, the baffins and my brashers. I did wear the brashers but not too often as they didn't offer anywhere near as much insulation.

This time I think I'm gonna invest in some down booties for around camp.
The guys had them in Estonia and they were spot on. I have found some msr ones in America quite cheap that are surrounded in 2 inches of 650 fill power down. And they have a dwr coating so will be fine in the snow!!

What do you think of that sort of thing?

[FishyFolk]

My experience with zippo's is that when you need one, the fuel has vaporized.

Better use a fire steel for lighting the fire. You'll be in birch forest. So that will be really easy using birch bark. I'll teach you. Else a normal bic ligher will work fine. just keep it close to your body. But okay, in windy condtions, a zippo or other type of storm ligher is a good thing to have...

For this trip I will probably ski, so my leather ski boots will be on my feet with gaiters. In camp I'll pull my Norwegian army "foot bags" over them to keep me warm and the snow out.

http://youtu.be/M7L1VIcvz8g?t=23m55s

http://miltrad.no/autoweb/iprod/fotposer.jpg

[jacko1066]

That's interesting about the petrol mate, I wasn't sure if the would happen at very low temperatures or not.

So do you use the charcoal hand warmers or petrol ones?

Iv seen videos of people putting ranger type bands round there zippos to stop then leaking fuel!!

I will undoubtly have a lighter in every pocket I can fit one tbh, can't have too many lighters!!

A good demo on a fire steel would be great, the only success iv ever had is with homemade fire lighters so to do it with natural materials in the wilderness in Norway sounds epic!!!

[FishyFolk]

I use the petrol handwarmers. I just bring the fuel and fill them before I light them.

I'll teach you to light a fire with both the modern lmf type and good old fashioned flint and steel :-)
With both natural and artificial tinders :-)

Ranger bands are also good for fire lighting :-)

And you need to empty your in-box it's full

[FishyFolk]

SPOILER WARNING; SPOILER WARNING!

DO NOT OPEN UNLESS YOU ARE TEMPTED TO TAG ALONG!

If you go on this trip, you will get to see this, and perhaps watch the aurora from there :-)

http://www.godtur.no/godtur/nyartikkel/multimedia/kvalitet4/5773.jpg

[jacko1066]

I use the petrol handwarmers. I just bring the fuel and fill them before I light them.

I'll teach you to light a fire with both the modern lmf type and good old fashioned flint and steel :-)
With both natural and artificial tinders :-)

Ranger bands are also good for fire lighting :-)

And you need to empty your in-box it's full

Iv had a clear out mate lol

[jacko1066]

SPOILER WARNING; SPOILER WARNING!

DO NOT OPEN UNLESS YOU ARE TEMPTED TO TAG ALONG!

If you go on this trip, you will get to see this, and perhaps watch the aurora from there :-)

http://www.godtur.no/godtur/nyartikkel/multimedia/kvalitet4/5773.jpg

That looks amazing Rune!!!

Have you seen the aurora many times?

I couldn't put it in to words just how amazing that would be if I saw that!!!

Obviously I'm looking at it as an added bonus if it happens but wont be disappointed if it doesn't!!

[FishyFolk]

That looks amazing Rune!!!

Have you seen the aurora many times?

I couldn't put it in to words just how amazing that would be if I saw that!!!


Every winter as long as I have lived, except the years I was overseas...
I can't guarantee it. It could be over cast for a week, and the last few years the sun has not had much sun spot activity. But the chances are that we'll get to see it
if we get a clear night :-)

[FishyFolk]

Her is a pic I took last october from the garden:

9652

[jacko1066]

Well if it happens then it happens!!

It will just be an incredible added bonus :)

[Kernowek Scouser]

I've one eye on Liverpool v Thailand at the moment (2 nil up so far:D:D) so I will reply in more detail later, but the various pics look amazing.

Really useful info and kit list too Rune
T^

Might have a drink if we win (two if we lose) but I will post something both coherent and pertinent to the endeavour being discussed at some point today :D

[butchthedog]

Oh man I'm jealous now, nice pics there Rune. To stand at that spot would be epic, good luck and stay safe on your trip jacko..... you're a generous man Rune ATB mate. T^

[Kernowek Scouser]

Not tempted to tag along fella? I think Steve is of the mind that this is a 'the more the merrier' adventure.

(3 nill to the men in red now :D:D:D)

[jacko1066]

Not tempted to tag along fella? I think Steve is of the mind that this is a 'the more the merrier' adventure.

(3 nill to the men in red now :D:D:D)

Liverpool fan? I'm Chelsea I'm afraid!!

And that goal was definitely not over the line!! Gallas cleared it well before it went over :)

This could be an interesting trip.........LOL

[FishyFolk]

Not tempted to tag along fella? I think Steve is of the mind that this is a 'the more the merrier' adventure.

(3 nill to the men in red now :D:D:D)

I can only accomodate 3 people for transportation, and thats stretching it. If more are to come then you'd need to rent a car. Just so we are clear on that. :-)

[Kernowek Scouser]

Liverpool fan? I'm Chelsea I'm afraid!!

And that goal was definitely not over the line!! Gallas cleared it well before it went over :)

This could be an interesting trip.........LOL

I won't hold it against you. Garcia was a bit of a Marmite player for us, but to a man, LFC fans liked him that night, as the ball was IN :jumping-joy:

Could be a very interesting trip, if wee agree not to talk about the present, the recent and not so recent past, we should be fine :D

Sorry if I have put my foot in my mouth re numbers Rune, I've only skimmed the thread so far. I will read each post thoroughly in due course.

:ashamed:

[jacko1066]

No I agree, 3 is a good number, but if more want to come then we can definately find a way!!

Car rental and stuff is fine.

But thats way down the road!!

Defiantly out by the way scouse :guns: Never a goal :war-is-not-the-answ

[FishyFolk]

I won't hold it against you. Garcia was a bit of a Marmite player for us, but to a man, LFC fans liked him that night, as the ball was IN :jumping-joy:

Could be a very interesting trip, if wee agree not to talk about the present, the recent and not so recent past, we should be fine :D

Sorry if I have put my foot in my mouth re numbers Rune, I've only skimmed the thread so far. I will read each post thoroughly in due course.

:ashamed:

No worries, I a northerner. We say things like they are, without packing every word in cotton :-)

And always better to let people know at once what the limits are. All I will do for you is transport to and from the airport, guide you into the bush, stay with you a couple of nights to make sure you are not total dimwits and will need rescue because all you brought was a blue tarp and a tin of sardines between the 2-3 of you (provided you arrive on a friday), arrange an emergency shelter in a cabin, and just maybe throw in a surprise meal or two :D

The rest of the time you're on your own. I have to work.

[Kernowek Scouser]

No worries fella, I'm a northerner too, so I've enough grit in me not to need to reach for a hankie and have a little cry, when someone pulls me up and tell me how it is :D

And just to set your mind at rest, I don't do blue tarps... only RED ones :happy-clapping:

On a more serious note, I will re - read the thread thoroughly, properly absorb what I am potentially getting myself into, check the recommended kit against the kit I currently have and generally get myself up to speed.

But not for an hour or three, as I'm off to the pub to celebrate the successful conclusion of LFC's Far East Tour (3 wins, 3 clean sheets).

Have a cracking afternoon fellas
T^

[FishyFolk]

Some more on the transport. I can seat 3 grown ups + myself in the car. We have to agree that everyone only bring one bergan each + a day pack perhaps with traveling clothes (I can store that at home so you don't have to haul that into the bush.

+ Skis and pulks I have a roof rack for. If we all have the same type of pulk that will be easier (I have the Paris Expedition) and empty they stack into each other) Anyway we'll have to lash them onto the roof for the 30-45 minute drive from the airport. But that is a later thing.

You'll need to figure out what they will cost to transport from London and up here. I can buy them here for you if you provide the funds, and they are popular so it will be easy to sell them after. Thus recuiperating some of the funds. They are 90-100£ and if I buy 3 of them I am sure I can get a small rebate.

But that is something we don't have to decide now. Onlty give me a few weeks warning as the local place where I can buy them may not always have them in stock!

I had to wait a coupåle of weeks for mine!

[jacko1066]

Tbh Rune I think it will be 3 of us max mate. Baggage wise I'm thinking of a pulk and on it I will have a 120l deployment bag. And my 45 litre sabre as a carry on. So I'm hoping I can fit all my stuff in 165 litres lol

[FishyFolk]

Tbh Rune I think it will be 3 of us max mate. Baggage wise I'm thinking of a pulk and on it I will have a 120l deployment bag. And my 45 litre sabre as a carry on. So I'm hoping I can fit all my stuff in 165 litres lol

When I got my hammock and tarp, and packed it the first time I was shocked at how much volume they take up in my bergan...

[jacko1066]

Hi Rune,

Yeah I no what you mean about being packable mate, I find that my DD frontline hammock and dd 3 x 3 tarp pretty much take up a side pouch each on my rucksack.

Tbh its more my sleeping insulation Im worried about, my down quilt is ok, but as you no the snugpak under quilt takes up loads of bloody room!! And I am planning on bringing a down quilt, and a sythetic sleeping bag, a winter down underquilt and my snugpak synthetic quilt too, so its gonna be bulky!! But I did my trip to Estonia last year on 80litre lowe alpine rucksack and a 40 litre carry on. I guess its all about how low the temps are likely to get, according to that website you linked me too the lowest recorded temp was minus 11 this year, but as you said it will be a little colder as we will be camping in land.

What do you think is the likely temps we are going to see around the start of March mate?

[Kit Mac]

Steve I cam across these snow shoes (http://www.militarymart.co.uk/index.php?_a=product&product_id=2259), thought of you :)

[jacko1066]

Steve I cam across these snow shoes (http://www.militarymart.co.uk/index.php?_a=product&product_id=2259), thought of you :)

Nice one, cheers for that Kit!!!

They look pretty good mate!!

Im guessing its prob the wrong time of year to be looking for snow shoes lol

[FishyFolk]

Hi Rune,

Yeah I no what you mean about being packable mate, I find that my DD frontline hammock and dd 3 x 3 tarp pretty much take up a side pouch each on my rucksack.

Tbh its more my sleeping insulation Im worried about, my down quilt is ok, but as you no the snugpak under quilt takes up loads of bloody room!! And I am planning on bringing a down quilt, and a sythetic sleeping bag, a winter down underquilt and my snugpak synthetic quilt too, so its gonna be bulky!! But I did my trip to Estonia last year on 80litre lowe alpine rucksack and a 40 litre carry on. I guess its all about how low the temps are likely to get, according to that website you linked me too the lowest recorded temp was minus 11 this year, but as you said it will be a little colder as we will be camping in land.

What do you think is the likely temps we are going to see around the start of March mate?

Thats very hard to say. It could be same as last year, or it could be -20 and colder. If we have sun, we could have +15 in the sun and -15 at 4 in the morning.m Or it could be overcast with temperatures hovering around zero, which will be an absolute nightmare as everything will be soaking wet.

The recordings for those tempratures are on the northern tip of the island, while this is a couple of km inland and at higher altitude. And well be exposed to wind on the lake shore. But a snow wall will fix that problem.

[jacko1066]

Thats very hard to say. It could be same as last year, or it could be -20 and colder. If we have sun, we could have +15 in the sun and -15 at 4 in the morning.m Or it could be overcast with temperatures hovering around zero, which will be an absolute nightmare as everything will be soaking wet.

The recordings for those tempratures are on the northern tip of the island, while this is a couple of km inland and at higher altitude. And well be exposed to wind on the lake shore. But a snow wall will fix that problem.

Yeah what you have said is kind of what I thought tbh.

If we do get a big thaw, is there a plan b? or do you think the trip should be moved forward so we dont come across a thaw, maybe the end of Feb early March?

[jacko1066]

Thought I would do a bit of rough kit list of what I will be taking -

SHELTER

DD 3 x3 Tarp with doors
Lightweight ground sheet

SLEEP

Dd Frontline Hammock with tree huggers and whoopie slings/ home made light weight winter double layer pertex hammock.
Uk hammocks winter down over stuffed top quilt
Uk hammocks winter down over stuffed underquilt
Snugpak Elite 3 sleeping bag
Snugpak Under quilt
Ccf mat bought on arrival

CARRY

Expediton pulk or trail pulk (not decided yet)
Army 110 litre deploymant bags x 2
Karrimor sabre 45 as carry on
Dry bags and rubble sacks

COOK

Primus trek kettle billy
Tatonka 2.5 litre billy
Alluminum kettle
Vargo triad meths burner
Home made pepsi stove with home made stand and carbon felt wind shield
Source 3 litre bladder with inline filter
Alpkit myti mug
Nalgene bottle
1 litre thermas flask
millbank bag

SHARPS/TOOLS

Mora Robust
Bear grylls ultimate fine edge
Hultafors trekking axe
Gerber paraframe folder
Rough rider mini kneck knife
Gerber multi tool
Laplander
Dc4
snow shovel (to buy)

CLOTHES

WEARING -

Merino base
Merino long johns
Merino longsleeve mid
Merino thick jumper
Army outer wool jumper if needed
Craghopper trousers
Merino hiking socks
Army wool socks
Goretex gaiters
Baffin snow boots
Rabbit fur trapper hat
Snow mitts
Swedish M90 parker (awesome kit cheap as chips!!)

SLEEP -

Softie trousers
Norgie
Fleece
Heat holder socks
Wool buff
Wool hat
Balaclava if needed

SPARE IN PACK -

3 x pants
3 x socks
Spare trousers
Spare merino base
Spare liner gloves
Spare thick army wool jumper
Paramo adventure waterproof smock

POSSIBLES

Head torch and sapre batts
Spice kit
Wash kit
Fire kit
FAK
Meds
Toilet kit and Ipood
Sea to summit kitchen sink
Battery pack for phone
Cordage and repair kit
Sit pad
Work gloves

Well thats off the top of my head, and from my Estonia kit list, there are a few things I need to buy and a few things I will undoubtley be leaving back home. But its a start.

All comments welcome.

[FishyFolk]

Yeah what you have said is kind of what I thought tbh.

If we do get a big thaw, is there a plan b? or do you think the trip should be moved forward so we dont come across a thaw, maybe the end of Feb early March?

The worst case scenario is rain. But chances are small, and if it happens, plan B is to bring you higher up in the mountains, where it should be colder. When it's raining at sea level, it's usually snowing higher up in the hills. And the area you are will probably be high anough allready to avoid it. But if you need to move we move. And if it turns really nasty you have that cabin.

So plan C is. You sleep in the cabin, we put our water proofs on and goes shore fishing on the beach or some other outdoor activity that is more feasable when you have a dry and warm place to
come back to dry yourself off in.

But I doubt Plans B and C will be in use. But perhaps you may wanna change location after a few days. And then I plan to bring you up on that mountain anyway :-)

[FishyFolk]

Here is sunset and sunrise times for March 2014 in Harstad

http://www.timeanddate.no/astronomi/sol-maane/norge/harstad?maaned=3&aar=2014&obj=sun&afl=-11&dag=1

[FishyFolk]

I see that you plan on buying a few things on arrival. It will be dark by 6pm. And all the places that may have stuff like CCF mats will be closed by 8pm.

So maybe you should plan to arrive on a Thursday evening. Spend the first night in the cabin to get yourself sorted. Then on Friday go into town and sort out your shopping, before we head out into the terrain? That way you can also get a little snow shoe practice in before we go out?

[FishyFolk]

The secondary area or plan B: https://maps.google.no/?ll=68.864538,16.359415&spn=0.013602,0.066047&t=h&z=15

The lakes are just bellow the tree line at 350 meters above sea level.

Here you can have a look at it: https://maps.google.no/?ll=68.86596,16.35456&spn=0.000854,0.004128&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=68.866031,16.354459&panoid=4MnT7Ia54yE_Umo4_nMEmw&cbp=12,37.81,,0,4.33

And from a viewpoint 2-300 meters down the road. You get the same view from that little hill in the first picture

https://maps.google.no/?ll=68.870167,16.352027&spn=0.00085,0.004128&t=h&layer=c&cbll=68.870167,16.352027&panoid=8HewEvJFBQs7GEkakTMNWA&cbp=12,355.47,,0,11.29&z=19

The cabin at Storjorda that we can use:

https://maps.google.no/?ll=68.65849,16.390329&spn=0.000862,0.004128&t=h&layer=c&cbll=68.65849,16.390329&panoid=irpIJ-vhl8zp1PTHPzJbOw&cbp=12,245.03,,0,12.94&z=19

Where we will start from. You can just see the frozen lake "Heimvatnet". "Gunnarvatnet" where we will be is to the right, at the foot of the hills.

https://maps.google.no/?ll=68.671666,16.353423&spn=0.000861,0.004128&t=h&layer=c&cbll=68.671619,16.35358&panoid=QerzjHRCmH1yeFdf_QQlzQ&cbp=12,226.07,,0,9.42&z=19

[FishyFolk]

Else on snow conditions. If sunny like in the pictures above. The top layer of snow will likely melt a little, whicj means you will sink straight trough, sometimes to your hips if you are not on snow shoes or skis. In the evening it freezes and you can walk on top of it until late morning without any snow shoes.

If you sit down straight on the snow you will be wet. So sit on a pad.

But with a few simple things like don't sit directly on the snow, keep snow off your kit etc, you'll be fine. My only fear is rain and sleet. If that happens, things go down hill quickly. But this time of year, March is usually quite dry. So I have no fear that this will happen. And if it does we move inland. We are just 2 hours drive from the Swedish border and serious inland high plateu mountain country. I.e Abisko.

[jacko1066]

I see that you plan on buying a few things on arrival. It will be dark by 6pm. And all the places that may have stuff like CCF mats will be closed by 8pm.

So maybe you should plan to arrive on a Thursday evening. Spend the first night in the cabin to get yourself sorted. Then on Friday go into town and sort out your shopping, before we head out into the terrain? That way you can also get a little snow shoe practice in before we go out?

That sounds spot on Rune, I think that the flights may be a little cheaper on a thursday too lol

[jacko1066]

The secondary area or plan B: https://maps.google.no/?ll=68.864538,16.359415&spn=0.013602,0.066047&t=h&z=15

The lakes are just bellow the tree line at 350 meters above sea level.

Here you can have a look at it: https://maps.google.no/?ll=68.86596,16.35456&spn=0.000854,0.004128&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=68.866031,16.354459&panoid=4MnT7Ia54yE_Umo4_nMEmw&cbp=12,37.81,,0,4.33

And from a viewpoint 2-300 meters down the road. You get the same view from that little hill in the first picture

https://maps.google.no/?ll=68.870167,16.352027&spn=0.00085,0.004128&t=h&layer=c&cbll=68.870167,16.352027&panoid=8HewEvJFBQs7GEkakTMNWA&cbp=12,355.47,,0,11.29&z=19

The cabin at Storjorda that we can use:

https://maps.google.no/?ll=68.65849,16.390329&spn=0.000862,0.004128&t=h&layer=c&cbll=68.65849,16.390329&panoid=irpIJ-vhl8zp1PTHPzJbOw&cbp=12,245.03,,0,12.94&z=19

Where we will start from. You can just see the frozen lake "Heimvatnet". "Gunnarvatnet" where we will be is to the right, at the foot of the hills.

https://maps.google.no/?ll=68.671666,16.353423&spn=0.000861,0.004128&t=h&layer=c&cbll=68.671619,16.35358&panoid=QerzjHRCmH1yeFdf_QQlzQ&cbp=12,226.07,,0,9.42&z=19

Wow Rune, that looks amazing mate!!!

[jacko1066]

Just a little bump for this thread chaps!!

I no it seems quite strange going away to a different country with people you don't no.

But I did this last year, 1 of the guys I went with I didn't no from Adam, but I got to no him before I went, and now I class him as a very good friend indeed!!

The common interest of the outdoors and bushcraft means we would already have a common goal!!

I thought it was a bit strange when I started this thread tbh, but if I didn't start it, Rune wouldn't have been so generous in his offer and I would still be scratching my head over exactly what I am going to do.

This really is turning into a great trip, and the fact we have a local with a huge amount of knowledge guiding the way means we are going to learn things about Norway that we never could have even thought about I we didn't have the local knowledge of Rune.

These things don't come along too often, for the sake of a flight and food it really is a good cheap way of exploring Norway!!

Also before anything is booked in stone, it would be worth meeting up for a couple of cheeky overnighters.
I have permission down where I live in a small woodland, or I also get free train travel so can get almost anywhere.

I am 33 by the way if that makes any difference, hip enough to converse with the youngsters (who am i trying to kid?) and plenty of life experience (with 4 daughters, that's right FOUR) to get along with the older generation.
I'm pretty overweight, so not planning in running up any mountains lol, slow steady plodder.

Cheers
Steve

[Kernowek Scouser]

I'm definitely tempted, I've been scratching around looking for something to do to mark my 40 years on the planet and this trip seems to be ideal.

Adventuring with complete strangers may seem a little odd to some, but then complete strangers meeting up in the woods, drinking around a camp fire and comparing sharps would seem very odd to such people too, so I would not worry about it :D

Good man for start the thread and offering the opportunity to folks and good man Rune for giving an idea flesh and bone
T^

[jacko1066]

Come on scouser!!!

I would imagine the Norwegians have never met a redmen!!

I would be intrigued to see what they make of them!! Lmao!!

Gonna be a great trip pal!!

[FishyFolk]

Come on scouser!!!

I would imagine the Norwegians have never met a redmen!!

I would be intrigued to see what they make of them!! Lmao!!

Gonna be a great trip pal!!

I we get around a lot...he he.

[jacko1066]

Right, as I said to rune earlier, I am looking going Thursday the 27th feb. and for the flights back it makes sense to return on Sunday the 9th march.
If we try the Friday or Saturday there is a lot of waiting around at airports for connecting flights.

My plan is that I am back in work on Friday where I am going to look at my holidays around that area next year and move them around as necessary.

Hopefully this time next week my flight will be booked :)

[FishyFolk]

The 27th will be fine with me.

Sunrise is at 7:26 and sunset at 16:49 so you will have 9 hrs, 23 minutes of daylight, with days getting aproximately 8 minutes longer every day.

Do you know aprox when you will be landing at Evenes?

[jacko1066]

There was a fair bit of Choice Rune, but I think off the top of my head its something like 17.50 mate

[jacko1066]

Rune, just so you no the actual arrival time will be 14.40 on the Thursday 27th Feb.

Colin, looks like the price with 2 bags, pulk and carry on will be around the £250 mark.

[FishyFolk]

14:40 is an hour before I am off the clock that day that day. But okay, they owe me some time off.

On thursday I will just take you straight into town to do your shopping, then up to the cabin and get some grub into you. I'll probably stick around for a while to look your kit over, and trade some war stories :-)

Then leave you on your own for the night, as I have to put in at least a couple of hours at work on Friday. Then in the early afternoon, I can be with you at noon earliest, it's the trek to the camp, and get organized before sunset at 16:45'ish...we do NOT wanna look for fire wood in the dark, and the moon will be waning, so not much help there.

[Kernowek Scouser]

Hello fellas,
I've just finished a double shift (18 hours :sad:) so apologies for not replying to the various PM you have both sent me over the last day or so.

For expediencies sake, I'll post a quick reply here, now and something a bit more detailed on Saturday afternoon (as I'm doing another double shift tomorrow :D :( :shocked: and 'just' an extended early on Saturday).

First, thanks for all the info and advice fellas, much appreciated. It looks like I already have a good three quarters of the kit I would be likely to need and what kit I am missing would not cost an arm and a leg to acquire.

Next, £250 for the flight did not make me wince as much as it could have, so it would be doable. It would probably also be a good idea to have a chat at some point about any other costs that need to be met, general spends, incidentals, what have you; so I can work out a potential budget for the whole shebang.

I have a few other things I was going to say but my pit is calling to me and Mr Sandman is hovering, so I'll leave them 'til Saturday.

Atb.

Colin

[FishyFolk]

Hello fellas,
I've just finished a double shift (18 hours :sad:) so apologies for not replying to the various PM you have both sent me over the last day or so.

For expediencies sake, I'll post a quick reply here, now and something a bit more detailed on Saturday afternoon (as I'm doing another double shift tomorrow :D :( :shocked: and 'just' an extended early on Saturday).

First, thanks for all the info and advice fellas, much appreciated. It looks like I already have a good three quarters of the kit I would be likely to need and what kit I am missing would not cost an arm and a leg to acquire.

Next, £250 for the flight did not make me wince as much as it could have, so it would be doable. It would probably also be a good idea to have a chat at some point about any other costs that need to be met, general spends, incidentals, what have you; so I can work out a potential budget for the whole shebang.

I have a few other things I was going to say but my pit is calling to me and Mr Sandman is hovering, so I'll leave them 'til Saturday.

Atb.

Colin

The costs would be 30£ for a bunk at the cabin that first night (if you where members of the Norwegian Trekking Association it would be 15£). Unless you simply string up your hammock outside the cabin. But if you use the facilities inside thats 4£ a day. I.e going inside you pay...

Then you'll need food. Which all foreigners think is very expensive...they are right. So you may wanna bring some freeze dried stuff, and only buy perishables here. Beer and any other kind of alcohol will cost you your firstborn child. :sad:
Anyway, i strongly advice against drinking out in the hills in winter. A beer to help push the food down is okay, but anything more than that and your body core temperature will start to drop, while you feel warmer...and before you know it you are in big trouble as hypothermia sets in. But don't worry, I ain't gonna sit around the camp fire wagging my finger at anyone having a drink, just be carefull...

Then some help covering petrol costs. My car use a lot of it, so that would be appreciated. Current pump price is 1,50£ a litre :shocked:

And you can't do this trip without a pair of snow shoes, preferably matched to your weight.

nd I strongly advice you to get yourself a pulk like Jacko will.

[jacko1066]

I'm far from loaded but it is what it is.

I will bring breakfast over with me and just do shopping for supply's when I get there.

Happy to pay you however much you want towards fuel Rune, that my friend is the least I can do for all your help!!

If we cook stews and stuff together then that will be the cheapest way of eating I think.

The kit is the most expensive thing for me, but that can be bought a little a month between now and when we leave and plus kit makes great Xmas presents lol!!

I reckon a flight and £100 for food will be about right, plus a cheeky bottle of summit to stick in my late night hot chocolate lol!!

Rune, is that £30 each to stay in the cabin or £30 total mate?

[FishyFolk]

30£ each I am afraid. I have checked other options. But all of them come out more costly. The cabin is rather primitive. Outdoor toilet, no running water. But there is electricity.

An alternative is a place close to town, within walking distance from a shopping centre, and you can actually do a bit of shore fishing for cod (I have al the kit you need for that). This place will cost 43£ (430 NOK) for a 10 square meter cabin with 4 bunks, with no cooking facilities except an electric hot plate. You will need to supply your own pots and pans. there won't be even a fork...

Here is a link to where you can book.

http://www.harstad-camping.no/prices-and-reservation/?lang=en

If you and whomever comes allong shares that cabin it will be more reasonable. And it's juyst 30 minutes drive from Storjorda.

Here is a link to their main website. In the top picture, i live on the other side of that bay :-)

http://www.harstad-camping.no/?lang=en/

[jacko1066]

The second cabin for £43 will prob be the way forward.

You say no cooking facilities but in the description it says it has a cooking plate. What is that?

If there is 2 of us it will be cheaper that the other one.

We can arrive on the Thursday night and go for a walk in town the next morning.

Would it just be us in there, will our gear be secure?

[FishyFolk]

The second cabin for £43 will prob be the way forward.

You say no cooking facilities but in the description it says it has a cooking plate. What is that?

If there is 2 of us it will be cheaper that the other one.

We can arrive on the Thursday night and go for a walk in town the next morning.

Would it just be us in there, will our gear be secure?

Only you in the cabin, and with your own key to lock the door.

The cooking plate will be like below, but with no pots, pans, plates, forks, spoons bowls etc. You are supposed to use your own.


http://brain.pan.e-merchant.com/8/2/10233228/u_10233228.jpg

[jacko1066]

That's perfectly good enough for me Rune!!

Do they have wood burners in too??

Would be awesome if they have!!

Although i don't wanna get too cosy with a scouser....... LOL!!!

[FishyFolk]

That's perfectly good enough for me Rune!!

Do they have wood burners in too??

Would be awesome if they have!!

Although i don't wanna get too cosy with a scouser....... LOL!!!

Bunk bds jacko....bunk beds...lol

No wood burner, electric heating and the cabins are winter insulated. But there is probably some coomunal place on the grounds there where you can light a fire. If ther is not, the place is on the beach, so no problem if you want to have a fire and singe something edible, just to get in the mood for the day after :-)

[jacko1066]

Bagsy on the top bunk!!!!!!! LOL

That sounds perfect mate, tbh as long as its dry the rest doesnt really matter, we will need to aclimatise quickly so it would be foolish to sit in a red hot cabin to only freeze your bits off when you go outside!!

[jacko1066]

14:40 is an hour before I am off the clock that day that day. But okay, they owe me some time off.

On thursday I will just take you straight into town to do your shopping, then up to the cabin and get some grub into you. I'll probably stick around for a while to look your kit over, and trade some war stories :-)

Then leave you on your own for the night, as I have to put in at least a couple of hours at work on Friday. Then in the early afternoon, I can be with you at noon earliest, it's the trek to the camp, and get organized before sunset at 16:45'ish...we do NOT wanna look for fire wood in the dark, and the moon will be waning, so not much help there.

Thats a very good point about getting dark quick!!

Tbh I can set up my hammock in the dark, done a few times before so no issue, it would make sense to either stop somewhere and buy a bag of wood to start us off, or simply make it the first priority when we get to camp to dig out a fire pit and get it going, once its established crack on putting up camp!!

Again for the first night it would make sense to get some sort of quick food in too (local kebab shop anyone?lol) just for some hot grub as time will be short!!

I will prob do what I did in Estonia and pack some dried goods like my morning porridge and spices and bits and bobs. And not forgetting some good old pG tips!!

As for your work, listen mate we will go around your schedule, whatever works for you works for me/us!!

If we need to sit in the airport a couple of hours and have a cofffee and shoot the breeze thats totally fine with me!! We will have lots to talk about, and I loooooove telling the redmen jsut how bad there team is!! It will be even better if they are in a relegation dog fight LMAO!!!

Im sure that when we get to the cabin on Thursday you will love watching 2 brits bloody shivvering lol!!

Unfortunately all thats stopping me booking my flights is my holidays for next year, we get told when our holidays are, its done on a roster, so although I no when Im off next year I need to move 2 holiday periods together and I cant do that at the moment, but as soon as I can I will be booking my flight for this amazing road trip!!!

Cant ruddy wait!!!

[FishyFolk]

Yes, and the place is not bad for shore fishing either. So will lend you some rods if you wanna try.

[FishyFolk]

Thats a very good point about getting dark quick!!

Tbh I can set up my hammock in the dark, done a few times before so no issue, it would make sense to either stop somewhere and buy a bag of wood to start us off, or simply make it the first priority when we get to camp to dig out a fire pit and get it going, once its established crack on putting up camp!!

Again for the first night it would make sense to get some sort of quick food in too (local kebab shop anyone?lol) just for some hot grub as time will be short!!

I will prob do what I did in Estonia and pack some dried goods like my morning porridge and spices and bits and bobs. And not forgetting some good old pG tips!!

As for your work, listen mate we will go around your schedule, whatever works for you works for me/us!!

If we need to sit in the airport a couple of hours and have a cofffee and shoot the breeze thats totally fine with me!! We will have lots to talk about, and I loooooove telling the redmen jsut how bad there team is!! It will be even better if they are in a relegation dog fight LMAO!!!

Im sure that when we get to the cabin on Thursday you will love watching 2 brits bloody shivvering lol!!

Unfortunately all thats stopping me booking my flights is my holidays for next year, we get told when our holidays are, its done on a roster, so although I no when Im off next year I need to move 2 holiday periods together and I cant do that at the moment, but as soon as I can I will be booking my flight for this amazing road trip!!!

Cant ruddy wait!!!

There is a place where we can grab some fire wood on the way to Storjorda, which is the name of the area you will be in. At the same location there is a large super market too for some last minute shopping.

About 10 minutes brisk walk from the cabin you'll be the first night, there is a bowling hall, a burger place, a shopping centre with a gorcery store and a Dolly Dimples pizza restaurant, a Thai food place and a Café who will all rob you blind.

Here are some prices:

130 gram cheese burger: 10-15£
large pizza: 20-25£ (probably more)
dinner at the cafe: 10-15£

Thats all without anything to drink...

We can stop at the supermarket on the way from the airport, I'll bring a packable barbecue and some charcoal, and we burn something on that. I will be hungry too by then :-)



Oh coffee at the airport is probably 3-4£ a cup...

...forgot. There is no place to get a coffee in the arrivals hall at the airport. The only place is in the departures place, and only past the security checkpoint. By then you will have your luggage, and you are bushcrafters...you will have axes, saws and god knows in your bags, he he

[jacko1066]

130 gram cheese burger: 10-15£ :shocked:

My word!!! So what is cheaper sort of food to eat out there mate?

I am genuinely shocked at those prices lol!!!

[FishyFolk]

130 gram cheese burger: 10-15£ :shocked:

My word!!! So what is cheaper sort of food to eat out there mate?

I am genuinely shocked at those prices lol!!!

When eating out....that is the cheaper sort of food...

A hot dog will set you back 4£ here...so I strongly advice that you get your food at the supermarket, where you get 10 of them for 2£....

The probloem here is the sallaries, that make these prices allmost liveable for many of us...the lady that cleans in my sons daycare, is probably earning 16-17£ an hour...all in all it makes us a very expensive place to be for tourists from nearly everywhere else...

[jacko1066]

Cool, well it's certainly sounds like the supermarket is the way forward without a doubt mate!!

May be worth bringing more food over than I thought, dry pastas etc things that don't need cooling down!! I'm expecting to have a little extra space in my bags so may be worth filling them with dry foods to use over. That way all we will need is fresh stuff, meat, veg etc.

Does that sound like a plan?

On another note, do you manage to get magazines like the bushcraft magazine out there?

[FishyFolk]

Cool, well it's certainly sounds like the supermarket is the way forward without a doubt mate!!

May be worth bringing more food over than I thought, dry pastas etc things that don't need cooling down!! I'm expecting to have a little extra space in my bags so may be worth filling them with dry foods to use over. That way all we will need is fresh stuff, meat, veg etc.

Does that sound like a plan?

On another note, do you manage to get magazines like the bushcraft magazine out there?

Nobody has ever heard the word "bushcraft", unless they've seen Ray Mears on Discovery, so no. If you tell someone you are here for bushcraft, they'll have no idea what you are talking about. We don't even have a Norwegian word for it.

Freeze dried food is okay, and easy to make. Actually anything that can be made just by adding water. But much of that is actually cheap here. Like noodles, instant mashed potatoes etc.
But knowing from my own experience in foreign countries...it's hard to find stuff you recognize, as the labels are different... so good idea to bring some, and just buy perishables here.

May I sugest a fruit soup to get you going in the morning. It gets a lot of energy into you at the same time as it gets you warm. A sure winner when I did my army time. .-)

[jacko1066]

By dried stuff I meant like a bag of pasta and different things like that, I dont really want to eat freeze dried meals for the week.
Although I am reliably informed that the Norweigian army freeze dried rations are very good indeed!!

Is meat pricey over there? I will bring curry powder and rice anad stuff so we can have a nice week curry.

Fruit soup sounds interesting, whats the recipe?

The reason I used porrage a fair amount in Estonia as I made my own little packs at home, 2 sachets of instant oats, sweet cinnimen flavour, I added a little bag of milk powder and a porrage topper, that way I just needed to heat up water and then add the porrage then boil for a couple of minutes.
But I found towards the end of the week that I added it to a mug of hot chocolate in the mornings and it stopped the mannotony of having the same thing every day.
Is cheese very expensive out there? 1 of my favourite lunches was quite simply toasted cheese sarnies cooked on the fire lol

[roberts]

I must admit that is a excellent offer I take my hat off to you

[Silverback]

When eating out....that is the cheaper sort of food...

A hot dog will set you back 4£ here...so I strongly advice that you get your food at the supermarket, where you get 10 of them for 2£....

The probloem here is the sallaries, that make these prices allmost liveable for many of us...the lady that cleans in my sons daycare, is probably earning 16-17£ an hour...all in all it makes us a very expensive place to be for tourists from nearly everywhere else...

Thats why we are planning to come and live there........job hunting at the moment :)

[FishyFolk]

By dried stuff I meant like a bag of pasta and different things like that, I dont really want to eat freeze dried meals for the week.
Although I am reliably informed that the Norweigian army freeze dried rations are very good indeed!!

Is meat pricey over there? I will bring curry powder and rice anad stuff so we can have a nice week curry.

Fruit soup sounds interesting, whats the recipe

The reason I used porrage a fair amount in Estonia as I made my own little packs at home, 2 sachets of instant oats, sweet cinnimen flavour, I added a little bag of milk powder and a porrage topper, that way I just needed to heat up water and then add the porrage then boil for a couple of minutes.
But I found towards the end of the week that I added it to a mug of hot chocolate in the mornings and it stopped the mannotony of having the same thing every day.
Is cheese very expensive out there? 1 of my favourite lunches was quite simply toasted cheese sarnies cooked on the fire lol

It depends on the type. 400 grams of the meat U use for my Sauteed rendeer recepee is 89-120 NOK depending on where I get it.
Frozen pork chops you can get for 29NOK a kilo, fresh for 49NOK. Minced beef is 19 to 34 NOK depending on whats on "sale", Minced pork is normaly 19-25 NOK.
A bag of 10 hot dogs is 19 to 35 NOK depending on brand.

Those Norwegian army rations are around 70- 120 NOK a meal. 1 loaf of bread is 30 NOK, a litre of milk 15 NOK. Bananas for 10 to 30 NOK a kilo. Same with most other fruits. Vegetables about the same.

The exchange rate is about 9 NOK to the £.
And the recepee for that fruit soup:

Dump freeze dried content of bag into kettle, fill kettle with 1 litre of water. Bring to a boil while stirring. Let simmer for 5 minutes :-)

[FishyFolk]

I must admit that is a excellent offer I take my hat off to you

It will be an adventure for me too. :-)

[jacko1066]

It depends on the type. 400 grams of the meat U use for my Sauteed rendeer recepee is 89-120 NOK depending on where I get it.
Frozen pork chops you can get for 29NOK a kilo, fresh for 49NOK. Minced beef is 19 to 34 NOK depending on whats on "sale", Minced pork is normaly 19-25 NOK.
A bag of 10 hot dogs is 19 to 35 NOK depending on brand.

Those Norwegian army rations are around 70- 120 NOK a meal. 1 loaf of bread is 30 NOK, a litre of milk 15 NOK. Bananas for 10 to 30 NOK a kilo. Same with most other fruits. Vegetables about the same.

The exchange rate is about 9 NOK to the £.
And the recepee for that fruit soup:

Dump freeze dried content of bag into kettle, fill kettle with 1 litre of water. Bring to a boil while stirring. Let simmer for 5 minutes :-)

That actually doesn't seem as bad as I thought rune!!

Much cheaper than getting a large pizza lol!!

Reindeer stew hey? Sounds like we will be eating like kings my friend!!

I just want to get out there now!!!

[Kernowek Scouser]

Two random questions for you Rune,

Are you aware if there any restrictions on the type and amount of food we could bring through Norwegian customs?

What is the current penalty for pegging out a Chelski fan on the side of a mountain?
Obviously I would inform the relevant authorities he was there... eventually
:D

As far as required kit goes, if I am able to tag along, the only things I seem to be short of are:
A proper tarp,
A decent thick wolly pully,
A pair of snow shoes
A pulk,
And some industrial strength ear plugs (to block out tales of the Abramovich 'glory' years:rolleye:)

All of the above and anything else I might need, could be bought between now and the off date, flights could be booked later in the year (October would be the earliest, I could definitely confirm participation and book a flight) and tagging along would certainly provide a good incentive to get outdoors and camp in the cooler months at the tail end of the year, in preparation for the trip itself.

If I do get to tag along, for my own piece of mind, I would look at doing a first aid refresher course, preferably with some focus on common cold weather ailments. I'd also look at getting hold of a map (or maps) of the area we would be adventuring in, both to familiarise myself with the land but also to get my head around any differences in symbols / icons used. And, I'd probably have a crack at learning some basic Norwegian (e.g. Hello, HELP, Pint, Do you show the football, How much?) as even though I believe English is practically a second language in Norway (and Sweden and Denmark and Finland) as it is taught to kids at a very early age; I believe it is polite to make a bit of an effort to to speak to folks in their own language, in there own country, even if only to provide a bit of comedic relief (besides in my experience, the classic British approach of repeating a word at increasing volume, if it is not understood in the first instance, just tends to result in you being ignored or shouted at).

As far as the various cabin options go, I would not be that fussed to be honest.

And I would be happy to chip in towards fuel and any other costs, should I be good to go.

Taking the cost of the flights and kit purchases out of the equation, just to give me (and anyone reading, who might be up for being adventures No 3) a rough idea of an on trip budget - fuel, accommodation, food, incidentals etc.; would £300 be a reasonable amount to look at tucking away in the saving account?

I've a couple of days off now, so I will finally get my head around all that has been written in this thread and when properly up to speed, contribute accordingly.

Atb.

Colin

[FishyFolk]

Two random questions for you Rune,

Are you aware if there any restrictions on the type and amount of food we could bring through Norwegian customs?

What is the current penalty for pegging out a Chelski fan on the side of a mountain?
Obviously I would inform the relevant authorities he was there... eventually
:D

As far as required kit goes, if I am able to tag along, the only things I seem to be short of are:
A proper tarp,
A decent thick wolly pully,
A pair of snow shoes
A pulk,
And some industrial strength ear plugs (to block out tales of the Abramovich 'glory' years:rolleye:)

All of the above and anything else I might need, could be bought between now and the off date, flights could be booked later in the year (October would be the earliest, I could definitely confirm participation and book a flight) and tagging along would certainly provide a good incentive to get outdoors and camp in the cooler months at the tail end of the year, in preparation for the trip itself.

If I do get to tag along, for my own piece of mind, I would look at doing a first aid refresher course, preferably with some focus on common cold weather ailments. I'd also look at getting hold of a map (or maps) of the area we would be adventuring in, both to familiarise myself with the land but also to get my head around any differences in symbols / icons used. And, I'd probably have a crack at learning some basic Norwegian (e.g. Hello, HELP, Pint, Do you show the football, How much?) as even though I believe English is practically a second language in Norway (and Sweden and Denmark and Finland) as it is taught to kids at a very early age; I believe it is polite to make a bit of an effort to to speak to folks in their own language, in there own country, even if only to provide a bit of comedic relief (besides in my experience, the classic British approach of repeating a word at increasing volume, if it is not understood in the first instance, just tends to result in you being ignored or shouted at).

As far as the various cabin options go, I would not be that fussed to be honest.

And I would be happy to chip in towards fuel and any other costs, should I be good to go.

Taking the cost of the flights and kit purchases out of the equation, just to give me (and anyone reading, who might be up for being adventures No 3) a rough idea of an on trip budget - fuel, accommodation, food, incidentals etc.; would £300 be a reasonable amount to look at tucking away in the saving account?

I've a couple of days off now, so I will finally get my head around all that has been written in this thread and when properly up to speed, contribute accordingly.

Atb.

Colin

It starts to dawn on me that I am in over my head here. You will all talk football. And I could not name a single current football player, foreign or domestic if you put a gun to my head. :confused2:

A suggestion on your tarp. Get a big one, preferably one with doors. I use the DD Hammocks XL tarp 4,5m x 3m. No doors but long enough to close the ends anyway.

The language you can learn from me on the way from the airport. (this will be fun! Muah ha ha ha ha *evil grin*)

300£ should be sufficient. Provided you don't plan to visit the pubs...well, the only ones around is in town, 17 km away...a halv litre, which is what is served here, except in those depraved and sadistic places that only let you have 0,4 litres, will set you back 6-9£ a shot...

Then maps:

Here they are online.

Plan A: Camp at Gunnarvatnet:

http://beta.norgeskart.no/#12/555129/7618482/+toporaster/+dekning.land

Plan B: Go look for the Aurora Borealis at Aunfjellet:

http://beta.norgeskart.no/#13/554495/7640224/+toporaster/+dekning.land

[Kernowek Scouser]

I could not name a single current football player, foreign or domestic ...

Not even John Arne Riise?

Norway's most capped player and winner of the Champion's League with Liverpool, in possibly one of the most emotional and exciting finals of all time?
(on route to which, Luis Garcia of LFC scored a corker against Chelski, a fact which their fans always want to revisit and dispute, which is a little odd considering Chelski fans generally hold history in low regard (not having that much of it themselves) but that is by the by...) He set up Stevie G's goal's which turned the tide and gave Scousers (of the Red persuasion) the world over, the hope that we could get back in the game, which we did, He did miss his penalty though and the honour of scoring the decisive penalty fell to Vladimír - usually could not hit a barn door with a rocket launcher - Šmicer.
A great night :jumping-joy:

What was the question again?

Ah yes, no I doubt we will talk about football all the time, we will probably talk about women occasionally too.

And as we are British, there will no doubt be a conversation or two about the weather :D

Anyway... I've been thinking of getting a bigger tarp for a while now and the tarp with doors has tempted me in the past, The price of them is a bit eye watering, but if it is what is needed, then if do get to tag along, a tarp with doors I will get.

Google Chrome keeps trying (and failing) to translate those maps into English, so the pages keep reloading. will see who they load with Firefox.

I am sure you would not teach us comically incorrect Norwegian, for the entertainment of the Harstad locals :innocent:

£6-£9 a half litre is rather pricey, but it does explain why the Vikings drink ale from an animal horn... it would be ruinously expensive to drink pints all night!

Thanks for the info.

Atb.

Colin

[jacko1066]

It was never a goal scouser!! It was an amazing clearance by willy gallas!!

What's it like being the 2nd biggest team in Liverpool by the way? :p

[jacko1066]

It's ok rune my friend, we won't talk footy, you simply can't talk footy with a red man, they ain't got A clue mate, although they brilliant historians!!

Col, what exactly do you need a tarp for mate? Are you planning on sleeping under one or just taking one with you?

If its the latter forget about buying an expensive, just a big cheap builders type tarp will be fine for us to use over there as a sort of group shelter, it would prob shed snow better too.

I may have also had a result on a pulk, a friend of mine thinks he may have a contact where he can get good quality ones cheap. I will keep you posted.

Good quality thick wool jumpers, have a serious look at army wool pull overs, I think they are brilliant, cheap and bomb proof, I have a few hear so your welcome to try one before you buy if you like? Same for there thick wooly socks, absolutely excellent t bits of kit, I picked up 3 pairs for a fiver unissued.

Another thing that's worth looking into, do an eBay search on merino wool jumpers, they will cone up with loads of options, 1 of my merino mid layers is from next, the other is a ted baker jumper, as long as its 100% merino wool it will work just as good as any wool power top or allfrock.
Cashmere is very good too and can be found cheap, less itchy than merino if you suffer with that.

I hope I'm not telling you how to suck eggs mate? Just giving you the stuff I was told and found out.
It may be October time now till I book my flights as I need to fiddle with my holidays to get the time off.

As for the cabin I think the first night would be good so we can properly get ready for the woods.

The only thing I am struggling with is finding snow shoes, it's a bloody mine field!! May end up getting some from America tbh!!

[jacko1066]

Rune, whAt do you make of these sorts of stoves mate - http://bit.ly/16NASgr

Colin, do I remember correctly you were after some of these - http://bit.ly/1b5HcUz

I have them and they work great

[FishyFolk]

Rune, whAt do you make of these sorts of stoves mate - http://bit.ly/16NASgr

Colin, do I remember correctly you were after some of these - http://bit.ly/1b5HcUz

I have them and they work great

Got no experience with coleman stoves at all. I do not think you will find any coleman fuel in Norway, as I have never seen a coleman stove here. But this one says it also works on unleaded petrol,
which will be cheap fuel. So if you get one, hard test it on that.

[FishyFolk]

Not even John Arne Riise?


Colin

I've heard the name. Is he on "Norways got talent" or something?

[ian c]

I have used the coleman stoves in the past with unleaded petrol as Rune says its cheaper than buying coleman fuel and they work in the cold, which is why I bought a new one yesterday from a boot fare and fired it up with no problems.

[jacko1066]

I have used the coleman stoves in the past with unleaded petrol as Rune says its cheaper than buying coleman fuel and they work in the cold, which is why I bought a new one yesterday from a boot fare and fired it up with no problems.

Hi Ian,

I have never ever used a multifuel stove before mate, do you have to do anything in particular when lighting and stuff?

[FishyFolk]

Hi Ian,

I have never ever used a multifuel stove before mate, do you have to do anything in particular when lighting and stuff?

Normaly you have to preheat the burner in order to gasify the fuel. Normaly this is done either by pumping up the pressure of the fuel tank, then release a little of the fuel into a pan under the heating coil, and light it. Let it burn up then pump up the pressure and open the walve and light.

But I've never used a coleman. So found a video for you. Mind you he says in the video that these are no good for unleaded fuel, and in the comments thatere is one that says that UK unleded fuel is full of junk that will block up the generator.
I doubt our unleaded is any different. And since you won't find coleman fuel here I would hold the purchase until an alternative source of fuel can be found. Or you look for something that burns parafine. Like an Optimus 111.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDuPCsqAv14



Here is an Optimus 111B

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-OPTIMUS-111B-CAMPING-STOVE-/111133591756?pt=UK_SportingGoods_Camping_CookingSu pplies_ET&hash=item19e01408cc

If you decide to get that one, also order a repair kit for it and change all gaskets...

[jacko1066]

What do you generally use in your multi fuel stove Rune?

I watch one of your videos yesterday, I think it was the winter hammock ing one, and in it you were using a burner to melt the ice in your water bottle!!

I like them old primus burners but I don't think they are really suitable for what I want.

[FishyFolk]

Look at this vid...pretty much stove pros and cons explained :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_QVfqwyf7E

[ian c]

Hi Jacko the stove I have is the coleman 533 dual fuel single burner stove I have used this model before which is why I bought this one new for £10 from a boot fare I only had lead free petrol to hand so used that to fire up the stove I had it burning for about 30 mins and had no problems with it, by the way jacko check your in box mate.

[Kernowek Scouser]

It was never a goal scouser!! It was an amazing clearance by willy gallas!!

What's it like being the 2nd biggest team in Liverpool by the way? :p

I've honestly no idea what it is like supporting the the 2nd biggest team in Liverpool, as South Liverpool FC no longer exists (the last nail in the coffin being a Police raid on the club house, where there were strippers and gambling and all sorts going on... apparently) but I imagine supporting the second biggest team in Liverpool, would be nowhere near as distressing as supporting the 11th biggest team in London.

Anyways, the tarp is primarily to be used with my hammock, but could also double as a shelter.

I've got a few wolly pullys, both thick and thin, I may make do with what I have, I may get a couple more down the line, don't know yet. I also have gore-tex gaiters, which should be sufficient, but thanks for the link.

I await further postings on the pulk with interest.

The only snow shoes I have seen so far have been American ones. I think as these would be a rather important bit of kit, if at all possible I would prefer to try before I buy, as getting a pair not suited to me, could prove to be a bit of a disaster. More research required on that front.

Rune, as J.A.R. now plies his trade at Fulham (who interestingly are bigger team than the more recently successful Chelski) I think he would more likely be on Norway's 'Had talent, but is a bit past it now'

If it happen's this is going to be an interesting trip :D

A Liverpool fan is a fan for life, a Chelski fan is a fan... until the money runs out

[jacko1066]

Did you see Brendan wants one of our young talents on loan?

That's gotta hurt a scouse fan lol!!

I can't agree more about the snowshoes mate, I'm on exactly the same position, but all I do no is that I need the 30 inch long ones for my weight. Other than that I really have not got a clue tbh!!

So are you thinking about hammocking mate? That's exactly what I will be doing!

What sort of insulation do you have on the bottom?

[FishyFolk]

What do you generally use in your multi fuel stove Rune?

I watch one of your videos yesterday, I think it was the winter hammock ing one, and in it you were using a burner to melt the ice in your water bottle!!

I like them old primus burners but I don't think they are really suitable for what I want.

I use parafine. The kind you use to light a charcoal barbecue if you are a total barbarian...

It's actually great, and is the cleanest type of parafine. And it's not as volatile as petrol/white gas.

The one I used to melt the ice is an old GoSystems Flexifuel. DO NOT GET IT!
It's a beast that will bite you as soon as you take your eyes off it. The only reason I still use it is that I can't afford to get something better....yet. But all of this stove talk has me looking...lol
That said, it's an old nemesis that has been with me to Iraq, Sudan, Eritrea, Sri Lanka and Thailand - you can always find some fuel for it :-)
I would have lent it to you but it's so unreliable and outright dangerous that I won't.

The Optimus 111 can be a challenge to, if not properly maintained....and it does require a lot of attention, even when new. But still gets the job done.

Else it's the modern Optimus Nova

http://www.myoutdoors.co.uk/index.php/component/content/article/155-cooking-and-lighting/stoves/369-optimus-nova But price at 120£

A suggestion though. Maybe you and your coming partners in crime can share the expense? This should be communal kit. Then you sell it after the trip and split the money?

[jacko1066]

Yeah I think your right Rune, a paragon stove is the way forward!!

Although I'm reading nothing but good things about that Coleman, albeit it seems a bit fragile and probe to getting damaged!!

[FishyFolk]

Don't forget a windscreen for your stove.

[jacko1066]

Yeah I'm good for windscreens mate, I have one similar to the Chinese one you have. And also a couple of lightweight homemade ones, and also a carbon felt one for my meths stove.

So am I definitely right in thinking white gas or aspen fuel isn't really available near you Rune?

[jacko1066]

Have you ever come across Alkylate petrol?
Or

Renset bensin
Heptan
Katlyt bensin
4takt miljøbensin (statoil)?

[FishyFolk]

Have you ever come across Alkylate petrol?
Or

Renset bensin
Heptan
Katlyt bensin
4takt miljøbensin (statoil)?

You may or may not find it in gas stations at a premium price, there is a chance that you may have to go to several places to ask for it.
Even lighter fluid. Ther eis only one place in town that sells zippo fuel :-(

While the barbecue lighting parafine can be found year round in any grocery store and gas station...

[FishyFolk]

Some good news. The other Norwegian that may join us, may be able to get his hands on a Norwegian army squad tent with a wood burning oven that you can loan.

Should be able to keep you dry if there weather turns soft on you. They look like this:

http://storfjord.net/db/storfjord_online/bilder/2009_hvu_1-2011f.jpg

They have no bottom though. But some spruce branches for insulation and your sleeping mats on top of that will be fine :-)

They are bulky like nobodys business, and weighs a ton. But with the pulks it should be doable.

[Kernowek Scouser]

Cool
T^

[FishyFolk]

Got to warn you though. These are cavernous inside. And meant to sleep 8 solders and their gear. you will be 2 or perhaps 3 in there. And you will get used to the heat, wich will mean that you will burn more wood.

There is also no bottom. So as the tent heats up, guess what happens to the snow under you? After 2-3 nights, maybe sooner you'll have water in there...
Also you can't keep it heated at night unless someone volunteers to stay awake and watch the fire, and watch for signs of Co2 poisoning...

Personally I think you should only use it as a bad weather option and use your hammocks and tarp at night. I actually think it will be both warmer and safer :-)

[FishyFolk]

Here is some info on the right to roam, I.E what you are allowed to do while out and about in Norway.

The only thing changed since I wrote it, is that tree plantations are now considered part of the right to roam, so you do not nned to go around them anymore. But special care need to be taken when going trough young plantations.

http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?3266-The-right-to-roam-in-Norway&highlight=roam

Else, Colin, I'll try and give you some info on Pulks and how to prep them at some later time...

Rune

[Kernowek Scouser]

Cheers fella,

I have a question for you regarding footwear.

Would it be wise for me to look into getting a pair of Baffins like Steve has, or would decent hiking boot and an snow over shoe suffice?

One of several drunken ebay purchases includes these
BRITISH ARMY ISSUE MUKLUK

9731

[FishyFolk]

Cheers fella,

I have a question for you regarding footwear.

Would it be wise for me to look into getting a pair of Baffins like Steve has, or would decent hiking boot and an snow over shoe suffice?

One of several drunken ebay purchases includes these
BRITISH ARMY ISSUE MUKLUK

9731

Decent hiking boots is fine as long as you can get a thick pair of wool socks (the kind you grandmother would have knitted for a cold winters day) over a pair of thin winter socks into those boots, and still be able to wriggle your toes comfortably.
But to get away with that you would need exactly what you have there. Those are a little low, but if you pull them over your goretex gaiters they will be fine. I am using the same system with the Norwegian army ones.Try to make them as water ressistant as possible though.

And what you do is that when we hike in, it's boots and gaiters. And once we arrive in camp, before doing anything else, brush the snow off your feet, and pull thos over both shoe and gaiter. And your feet should be nice and toast. They may have to be hanged up and dried now and then though.

My pair of Norwegian army over shoes are the best piece of kit I have ever invested in, next to my Jerven bag :-)

[jacko1066]

I think the over shoe thing is what Rune uses col.

I prefer the baffins as they are built for the purpose, but I do get sweaty feet in them.

I'm think of buying some others for this trip, but one thing I am going to get is a pair of camp booties - http://www.tamarackoutdoors.co.uk/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=9152371

The lads in Estonia had these to wear in the evenings round the fire and it let there feet breath.
That I way I can then put in some petrol hand warmers in my boots to dry them out if need be.

The other thing to do would be vapour barrier socks, but they are very very expensive!!

Also if you look on your boots it should say somewhere what temperature they are rated down to, my baffins are rated down to minus 25, my brashers are 3 season boots.

Another way round it could be to cut some ccf Matt the same size as your insoles, that will give you more insulation from the floor as that's how your feet get cold not having enough insulation between your feet and the floor.

[jacko1066]

Decent hiking boots is fine as long as you can get a thick pair of wool socks (the kind you grandmother would have knitted for a cold winters day) over a pair of thin winter socks into those boots, and still be able to wriggle your toes comfortably.
But to get away with that you would need exactly what you have there. Those are a little low, but if you pull them over your goretex gaiters they will be fine. I am using the same system with the Norwegian army ones.Try to make them as water ressistant as possible though.

And what you do is that when we hike in, it's boots and gaiters. And once we arrive in camp, before doing anything else, brush the snow off your feet, and pull thos over both shoe and gaiter. And your feet should be nice and toast. They may have to be hanged up and dried now and then though.

My pair of Norwegian army over shoes are the best piece of kit I have ever invested in, next to my Jerven bag :-)

That's a tip i have always been told Rune, make sure you always get the snow off the bottom of my trousers with my snow brush.
I'm not actually sure my gaiters will go over my Baffins tbh!! I will have to try it!!

[Kernowek Scouser]

For a laugh I put the word 'snow' into the the search box on Military Mart. It returned a couple of interesting results.

US Army Magnesium Snow shoes (http://www.militarymart.co.uk/index.php?_a=product&product_id=2259)
9737
Snow Gaiters (http://www.militarymart.co.uk/index.php?_a=product&product_id=1906)
9739
Italian Army Snow Boots (http://www.militarymart.co.uk/index.php?_a=product&product_id=2208)
9738

Worth further investigation or best giving a wide berth?

[FishyFolk]

For a laugh I put the word 'snow' into the the search box on Military Mart. It returned a couple of interesting results.

US Army Magnesium Snow shoes (http://www.militarymart.co.uk/index.php?_a=product&product_id=2259)
9737
Snow Gaiters (http://www.militarymart.co.uk/index.php?_a=product&product_id=1906)
9739
Italian Army Snow Boots (http://www.militarymart.co.uk/index.php?_a=product&product_id=2208)
9738

Worth further investigation or best giving a wide berth?


The snow shoes belongs in a museum, the gaiters are probably okay and the italian shoes...I don't know what to make of them. They don't look very good to walk in. And the Italian army was here on a winter excercise while I did my national service...we had many a good luagh at thier expense...mainly over kit. And at the time ours was pretty bad...

[Kernowek Scouser]

Yeah I thought the American show shoes looked a bit antique, but upon further investigation it turns out the Italian boots are very good, if you walk backwards in them, whilst holding your hands up :D

[jacko1066]

Tbh I'm at a complete loss when it comes to snowshoes!!

I'm pretty sure I no what I need, but finding them outside of America for decent price is proving to be very difficult!!

I'm ordering my pulk over the weekend, using some birthday cash :)

[jacko1066]

Rune, quick question mate, I have been thinking about this trip and if it ends up being a solo if Colin can't make it. And that led me thinking about my get out of jail card.

After chatting with a friend he thought it would be a great idea if I asked about the cell coverage in the area we will be camping? As he said if the signal is poor I may have to consider a spot beacon, but also this does make sense to find out even if it isn't a solo trip too!!

[FishyFolk]

Rune, quick question mate, I have been thinking about this trip and if it ends up being a solo if Colin can't make it. And that led me thinking about my get out of jail card.

After chatting with a friend he thought it would be a great idea if I asked about the cell coverage in the area we will be camping? As he said if the signal is poor I may have to consider a spot beacon, but also this does make sense to find out even if it isn't a solo trip too!!

The mobile phone coverage shoud be first class there. But this is only what I have heard. But I plan to make at least a day trip to the area soon, so will be checking mobile phone coverage in the area. But you will probably be able to update facebook form there if you want to :-)

What you should do is to get yourself a local sim card. A pre paid card is as little as £3£ and you can make calls for that. In addition the you can call rescue services from any phone, and won't even need a sim card in it to do so.

And for the week you are here, I'll come pick you up at the drop of a hat. You will only be 6-700 meters from a county road. So a SPOT beacon may be overkill for this "expedition"....but once you have this under your belt, maybe you want to do something more challenging next time. So you have to make that desission on your own.

Anyway, emergency services are as follows:

Medical emergency: 113
Police : 112
Fire : 110

If you need rescue due to the general conditions, i.e getting to dangerous to be out there, you are lost, etc you call 112. The other number 113 is only if you have a medical mergency....i.e you have hurt yourself and need a medevac. But if you forget they will of course transfer you to the correct one.

[jacko1066]

That's great advice as always rune!!

I think it may be worth me buying a cheapy mobile phone for use over there, I use an iPhone which take a special SIM card so it's not quite as easy as changing the card.

I guess my biggest worry is if I am on my own and I fall and break a leg then I need to have a signal so I can call you for rescue lol!!

Hopefully I will have a scouser to console me so this is all not worth worrying about!!

[Kernowek Scouser]

One of the advantages of having a none smart phone is you can swap sims when you need to, so when I'm off out on my lonesome I take my day to day sim, plus a couple of other network sims, just in case I need to call for help and my main sim can't catch a signal.

While this approach works well when out in the field annoyingly, none of the sims get a decent signal when I'm at home :mad2:

Still can't find any decent snow shoes online...

[FishyFolk]

One of the advantages of having a none smart phone is you can swap sims when you need to, so when I'm off out on my lonesome I take my day to day sim, plus a couple of other network sims, just in case I need to call for help and my main sim can't catch a signal.

While this approach works well when out in the field annoyingly, none of the sims get a decent signal when I'm at home :mad2:

Still can't find any decent snow shoes online...

Your trouble is probably due to lack of brand knowledge. Why not send a message to Susanne?
http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/forum/member.php?7075-susannewilliams

She know what she is doing, and have experience with them. Me I have only walked a few hundred meters on the crappy alu ones the Norwegian army uses...

But here in Norway, the "Tubbs" ones seem popular. But else we are not really going far. But still need to be sollid so they don't break on you..that would be a show stopper of you are on a budget. Since the availability here in town is very bad. Shops tend to only take in the high end stuff...with high end prices to match.

[jacko1066]

Managed to get a great deal on a ukhammocks down under quilt and a warbonnet blackbird hammock for next year!!!

The pulk will have to wait till next month though lol

[susannewilliams]

Your trouble is probably due to lack of brand knowledge. Why not send a message to Susanne?
http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/forum/member.php?7075-susannewilliams

She know what she is doing, and have experience with them. Me I have only walked a few hundred meters on the crappy alu ones the Norwegian army uses...

But here in Norway, the "Tubbs" ones seem popular. But else we are not really going far. But still need to be sollid so they don't break on you..that would be a show stopper of you are on a budget. Since the availability here in town is very bad. Shops tend to only take in the high end stuff...with high end prices to match.

Hey....

For me the ideal snowshoes are the MSR Evo Ascents. They are good for frozen, wet and powder, and very solid. You need to bring the tails if you are likely to get into deep foofy pow.

They are a bit prices at 185-215gbp BUT you could think about renting them for the trip...


http://www.hirejungle.co.uk/snowshoes/msr-evo-ascent-snowshoe-1522-3306-1733.php
http://www.outdoorhire.co.uk/prodpages/msr-evo-ascent-snowshoe.php
http://www.expeditionkithire.co.uk/

[FishyFolk]

Benn thinking about avalanches. There are some steep slopes near where you will be. No worries, I am not going to put your camp in a potential avalanche zone. But you need to be aware of the dangers. People die here every year, and last year was really, really bad!

Here is some short films on what to look for when out in the terrain...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_45_tLeX6g


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWDK0cD2S8c


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxGSSVxJDpc

I don't want to scare you, but you need to be aware out there...

[jacko1066]

Nice one cheers rune, I will have a watch later.

On another note, I got back from my holidays on Saturday, went to sunny menorca, obviously I travelled by airplane, anyhow I have come to the conclusion I am petrified of flying, so my question is, is there any other means of transport I can use to get out to you mate?

1 return flight was bad enough, the thought of 4 take offs and 4 landings fills me with fear lol!!

[FishyFolk]

Nice one cheers rune, I will have a watch later.

On another note, I got back from my holidays on Saturday, went to sunny menorca, obviously I travelled by airplane, anyhow I have come to the conclusion I am petrified of flying, so my question is, is there any other means of transport I can use to get out to you mate?

1 return flight was bad enough, the thought of 4 take offs and 4 landings fills me with fear lol!!

It can be done.

You will have to take the ferry from Harwich to Esbjerg in Denmark. Then figure out how to get to Hirtshals or Copenhagen in Denmark where you board another Ferry to Oslo. From Oslo you take the train to Fauske where the train line stops after a 24 hour journey from Oslo, then hop on a bus for another 6 hours not including another ferry ride.

Doing that makes no sense at all as you could do all your winter Bushcraft around Oslo instead, or anywhere along the train troutes of the south. The climate will be colder than here though, as it is inland climate.

You could also drive, but unless you are used to driving in snow conditions, and have spiked winter tires on your car I would not try. Annd then I recomend you drive trough sweden. Accomodation/food is cheaper there,a nd the roads are much much better...just very boring, as all you will see is pine forest...mile after mile of pine forest until you come to the Norwegian border near Narvik...but again. Doing that makes no sence...man up or get yourself some valium...lol.

Anyway, the distance between harstad and Oslo is a mere 1406 km...

[jacko1066]

Lol!!!

It's not the first time this week I have been told to man up and get some Valium lol!!

Iv actually got a routine appointment with my doctor Thursday, I am going ask him if there is anything he can do to help me given enough notice!! I just need to chill out and try and get rid of the stupid thoughts like the wings are going I fall off and we are going to plummet to the ground!!

I just can't help it lol

[FishyFolk]

Okay...

Here is the landing at Evenes from the passengers cabin....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB3nzmY5m9Y

[Ehecatl]

Lol!!!

It's not the first time this week I have been told to man up and get some Valium lol!!

Iv actually got a routine appointment with my doctor Thursday, I am going ask him if there is anything he can do to help me given enough notice!! I just need to chill out and try and get rid of the stupid thoughts like the wings are going I fall off and we are going to plummet to the ground!!

I just can't help it lol

I wouldn't worry as none of this will kill you. It's actually hitting the ground that will kill you. If it helps and having read Rune's advice, statistcially you will be more likely to be killed in an avalanche than hitting the ground at speed as a result of structural of mechanical aeroplane failure!

My advice? Take a large cuishon with you. If the worst happens, shove it under you just before you hit the ground! :happy-clapping:

Happy travelling,

M@

[FishyFolk]

You could of course get a parachute, but then again:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtctYpXkoL0

[jacko1066]

I wouldn't worry as none of this will kill you. It's actually hitting the ground that will kill you. If it helps and having read Rune's advice, statistcially you will be more likely to be killed in an avalanche than hitting the ground at speed as a result of structural of mechanical aeroplane failure!

My advice? Take a large cuishon with you. If the worst happens, shove it under you just before you hit the ground! :happy-clapping:

Happy travelling,

M@

Lol quality!!

[Sylvanbilly]

awsom guys, absolutly awsom, one day I hope I could tag along
Good luck,
safe journey
Bill