Hi folks,
I've just returned from Sweden where I was assisting in delivering Force Development Training to RAF personnel. The area we were working in is the Jamtland region and offers fantastic opportunities for this type of training. Although this a winter based event lots of the training is transferable to other environments hence the value of the activity.
After a couple of days shakedown the guys head out and spend a night in a snowhole, mountain hut & tent. Expedition equipment is shared between two and loaded into a pulk. Over the course of the next few days a journey of about 40 km is covered through remote mountainous terrain.
Initially it was quite mild and the snow cover patchy in places. Later the temperature dropped below freezing and we had heavy snowfalls. The last morning this combined with high winds leading to challenging blizzard conditions. Correspondingly the snowpack was quite icy at first but by the end of the expedition phase we had to break trail through about 30cm of fresh powder.
The Swedes were very welcoming & friendly if a little bemused about why we would want to camp out! Lots of the people of all ages ski from hut to hut - plenty of old school framed Bergan's still in use here!
My Paramo Aspira smock & salopettes combined with a wool baselayer & long johns worked extremely well in managing perspiration with sub zero temperatures & windchill.
Typical conditions
Snow hole building - we weren't sure whether they would collapse hence the tents (also good for respite when not digging)
Finished snow hole - not fantastic but not bad either. They took about 5 hrs to build but provide a good base once finished. The weather worsened during our night stay covering us in spindrift. Thank god for bivi bags!
Skiing conditions improved with more snow
Examples of Sami scrimshaw work on display at the Fjallstation
The trails are well marked with wooden poles. There are also wind shelters about every 5 km - 10 km which are ideal for a lunch break (they usually have a 'long drop' and rubbish bins. These often have an emergency phone & small wood burning stove should you get caught out between the Fjallstations (larger staffed huts).
Campsite & fire. Birch is pretty much the only tree at this height its very easy to collect the bark for fire lighting. My Mors Pot worked great with the camp stove as well as on the fire.
Lots of fresh deep snow in this gully. The mountains are about 1200m in height and we went up an over several passes during the journey.
More white stuff
Wonderfully scenery looking down into the next valley
Thanks for reading!
I've just returned from Sweden where I was assisting in delivering Force Development Training to RAF personnel. The area we were working in is the Jamtland region and offers fantastic opportunities for this type of training. Although this a winter based event lots of the training is transferable to other environments hence the value of the activity.
After a couple of days shakedown the guys head out and spend a night in a snowhole, mountain hut & tent. Expedition equipment is shared between two and loaded into a pulk. Over the course of the next few days a journey of about 40 km is covered through remote mountainous terrain.
Initially it was quite mild and the snow cover patchy in places. Later the temperature dropped below freezing and we had heavy snowfalls. The last morning this combined with high winds leading to challenging blizzard conditions. Correspondingly the snowpack was quite icy at first but by the end of the expedition phase we had to break trail through about 30cm of fresh powder.
The Swedes were very welcoming & friendly if a little bemused about why we would want to camp out! Lots of the people of all ages ski from hut to hut - plenty of old school framed Bergan's still in use here!
My Paramo Aspira smock & salopettes combined with a wool baselayer & long johns worked extremely well in managing perspiration with sub zero temperatures & windchill.
Typical conditions
Snow hole building - we weren't sure whether they would collapse hence the tents (also good for respite when not digging)
Finished snow hole - not fantastic but not bad either. They took about 5 hrs to build but provide a good base once finished. The weather worsened during our night stay covering us in spindrift. Thank god for bivi bags!
Skiing conditions improved with more snow
Examples of Sami scrimshaw work on display at the Fjallstation
The trails are well marked with wooden poles. There are also wind shelters about every 5 km - 10 km which are ideal for a lunch break (they usually have a 'long drop' and rubbish bins. These often have an emergency phone & small wood burning stove should you get caught out between the Fjallstations (larger staffed huts).
Campsite & fire. Birch is pretty much the only tree at this height its very easy to collect the bark for fire lighting. My Mors Pot worked great with the camp stove as well as on the fire.
Lots of fresh deep snow in this gully. The mountains are about 1200m in height and we went up an over several passes during the journey.
More white stuff
Wonderfully scenery looking down into the next valley
Thanks for reading!
