Estonia Trip Report - Easter 2013 - Frozen Seas, Rivers and Lakes

[jacko1066]

Looks like a belter of a trip Pete




That's what you get when you walk round with your fly down all day

Lol!!!

I forgot just how many times I told him to do his ruddy flies up lol!!

 

[Twodogs]

How did you get on with the improvised pulks?

Paul I see you used a roll mat at the base of yours??

Twodogs

 

[ex-member BareThrills]

Thanks for all the kind words chaps.

Jacob - Im the fat guy with the beard

Cliff - The improvised boggans worked well although setup was all Pete's baby. We thought the roll mats would help the gear stick to the tarps better and on the way in Petes worked really well. Steve had his set up slightly shorter and we did lose the load a few times. I found when my turn came that i lost the load a few times but this was mainly due to driver error in that i wasnt taking turns wide enough and the boggan popped out of the track. Pete obviously has the touch and made it look effortsless.

On the way out we added some clips to the rear to try and stop slipping and it was a bit effective. I think if we had a few bungees they would have been perfect but to be honest they let us shift a lot of gear very easily. Ill deffo consider it again

 

[Red Fox]

Thanks for sharing that great report its made me want to go there it looks amazing good job.

 

[KayakFisherFinland]

Sounds like Estonia treated you well
As you said, plenty more to see in that country, the wildlife is superb!

 

[Teepee]

Lol!!!

I forgot just how many times I told him to do his ruddy flies up lol!!

And you were looking because?....

Mate, if you told me every minute of the day, it would be less times than you headbutted the Lavvu

 

[Shewie]

And you were looking because?....

Mate, if you told me every minute of the day, it would be less times than you headbutted the Lavvu

Good retort

 

[Jaan]

Great write-up Paul! It makes my heart warm to see someone has enjoyed my country so much. It was very nice meeting you and sharing thoughts on all manner of topics.

I'm glad you saw and took pictures of some wildlife too. Sadly the snow was melting and tracks were hard to identify.

And there is indeed more to see in Estonia. It's easy exploring for someone who doesen't like mountains and prefers a thick forest. Then there's the "fifth season" when a huge area of land floods in the spring and you can access miles and miles of forest by canoe. A teaser: http://www.google.com/search?client...w&biw=1279&bih=664&sei=F7pfUfKpEMeP0AXDqoHIBw

And for anyone who felt inspired and wants to come here - do not hesitate to contact me! I'll help you plan and teach you some swear words!

I'll make sure to bring a camera when I'm out and about this season and maybe I'll do a thread on that.

Cheers guys and do come again!

 

[jacko1066]

And you were looking because?....

Mate, if you told me every minute of the day, it would be less times than you headbutted the Lavvu

Ah very good!!!

I will get back in my box!!! lol

 

[Biker]

I've been reading this thread and viewing only a few pictures at a time to savour the virtual experience of it. So I was sad to see the end of this fine report and the AMAZING photos. Thank you so much for documenting it so well and taking the time to be so thorough in your report. You've got some treasured memories for sure.

 

[ex-member BareThrills]

Well we wont talk about the amount of time i spent on my backside. The road at Nommeveski did not like my boot rubber and i lost count of the times i fell near that fire pit

Still, no pics so it didnt happen

 

[Qwerty]

Brilliant trip report and photos. Thanks so much for the conclusions too!

 

[Jaan]

I have a week long vacation coming up and based on your pictures (especially that lodge) I'll probably spend some days in Oandu if the weather allows it.

I've never actually been there myself.

It's close to the road and the beaver trail and another 4,7km trail are nearby. I'll take a friend who hasn't yet got much gear and we'll probably stay at that lodge.

 

[theoctagon]

Great write up mate

Looks like a really good trip, thanks for taking the time to share it with us


Matt

 

[Andy BB]

Are the sites you visited likely to be accessible in the coldest part of the winter, or are the roads likely to be closed/impassable?

 

[TinkyPete]

Great trip report you were very busy and looked like you had a great time of it

 

[ex-member BareThrills]

Are the sites you visited likely to be accessible in the coldest part of the winter, or are the roads likely to be closed/impassable?

You certainly get the impression snow control is performed at most sites although the RMK park authority website says its not at some. Purekkari was a little difficult in the last few 100 meters and we got the car stuck but i bet you could plan the trip so you were nearer main road sites.

RMK has an android app and im guessing an iphone one too. it has a brilliant map linked to googlemaps that shows all the campsites and states what facilities are at each site. Its in Estonian but some time with google translate will deliver the goods. most sites have a minimum of covered tables, ground fire pits, raised fire pits with cooking griddle a toilet and wood store. Wood was variable in terms of quality but great for the most part. Oandu had a lot of green wood compared to other places. An axe is an absolute must and a half descent size one at that.

The app

http://www.rmk.ee/organisation/rmk-mobile-app (lots of good info on this site too)

Easyjet are already booking for winter 2014

Current & Historical weather data

http://www.emhi.ee/

Link to shops at the airport

http://www.ulemiste.ee/eng

 

[Dreadhead]

excellent report there really enjoyed reading that envious, very envious!

 

[Jaan]

You certainly get the impression snow control is performed at most sites although the RMK park authority website says its not at some. Purekkari was a little difficult in the last few 100 meters and we got the car stuck but i bet you could plan the trip so you were nearer main road sites.

RMK has an android app and im guessing an iphone one too. it has a brilliant map linked to googlemaps that shows all the campsites and states what facilities are at each site. Its in Estonian but some time with google translate will deliver the goods. most sites have a minimum of covered tables, ground fire pits, raised fire pits with cooking griddle a toilet and wood store. Wood was variable in terms of quality but great for the most part. Oandu had a lot of green wood compared to other places. An axe is an absolute must and a half descent size one at that.

The app

http://www.rmk.ee/organisation/rmk-mobile-app (lots of good info on this site too)

Easyjet are already booking for winter 2014

Current & Historical weather data

http://www.emhi.ee/

Link to shops at the airport

http://www.ulemiste.ee/eng

Just to add to Paul's points: If you go here and use a bit of Google Translate you can search for campsites: http://loodusegakoos.ee/kuhuminna/voimaluste-otsing

When there's a snowflake in the list that comes up that means the site is maintained during the winter.

 

[John Fenna]

Great thread - great pictures - all three reports are top notch!