Open invitation arctic meet 2017
- Thread starter Dave
- Start date
December temperatures in Kiruna (and Jokkmokk) is roughly in the -9C to -19C span historically. Haven't looked up Kittilä, but I'd think that the chances of frost bites are quite good there, as well.
The cold might be something to overcome, but I'd say that the lack of daylight is worse...also, everything takes way more time. Passing water is quite the project
Cheers,
Greger
The cold might be something to overcome, but I'd say that the lack of daylight is worse...also, everything takes way more time. Passing water is quite the project
Cheers,
Greger
December temperatures in Kiruna (and Jokkmokk) is roughly in the -9C to -19C span historically. Haven't looked up Kittilä, but I'd think that the chances of frost bites are quite good there, as well.
The cold might be something to overcome, but I'd say that the lack of daylight is worse...also, everything takes way more time. Passing water is quite the project
Cheers,
Greger
Funny you mention the daylight, when I spoke to Dave earlier I mentioned it, so Northern Sweden in January is in darkness ?
Yes. Daylight - blink and you missed it
I exaggerate, but daylight comes in small doses i december. During summer it never goes away.
Takes some getting used to
I exaggerate, but daylight comes in small doses i december. During summer it never goes away.
Takes some getting used to
Ive been looking at maps, and I quite like the look of the terrain beginning at Porjus. South of Kiruna.
The lake system, stora lulevatten seems to run 40 miles up to vietas, and beyond into the Sarek mountains.
I wouldnt expect to be walking that far in the time we'll have, but I'd rather pull the boggan on a frozen lake.
Something like this:
Ive drawn a white line on the lake to imitate the route from Porjus, up to Karmas, up to Vietas. It takes 4 hours to get to Porjus on the bus from Kiruna, via Gallivare. [Or 2 hours on the train]
The lake system, stora lulevatten seems to run 40 miles up to vietas, and beyond into the Sarek mountains.
I wouldnt expect to be walking that far in the time we'll have, but I'd rather pull the boggan on a frozen lake.
Something like this:
Ive drawn a white line on the lake to imitate the route from Porjus, up to Karmas, up to Vietas. It takes 4 hours to get to Porjus on the bus from Kiruna, via Gallivare. [Or 2 hours on the train]
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It is a lovely place!
In Lulea river (the waters you are describing) there are hydropower plants. This might not be something to be concerned with (i hope someone can advice on this), but there is a chance that they have tapped the river leaving a roof of ice. I'd guess you still could drive a lorry on it, but I honestly don't know. Hate being the alarmist... A call to a tourist agency in Jokkmokk might clarify.
Me and the wife started a hike last autumn from the shores of Stora Lulevatten heading north. Beautiful. During winter it is majestic.
Greger
In Lulea river (the waters you are describing) there are hydropower plants. This might not be something to be concerned with (i hope someone can advice on this), but there is a chance that they have tapped the river leaving a roof of ice. I'd guess you still could drive a lorry on it, but I honestly don't know. Hate being the alarmist... A call to a tourist agency in Jokkmokk might clarify.
Me and the wife started a hike last autumn from the shores of Stora Lulevatten heading north. Beautiful. During winter it is majestic.
Greger
Congrats on your new helsport varanger Al. I was looking at photos of it on the tamarack site, and I see you can use your fire retardant inner tent with the stove. That seems like an excellent feature for a tipi. I read in Rustrums book that a double skinned tent in serious cold is superior, but I never tried it. I know of a couple of fellows on here who had them, and used them in Scandinavia. Maybe they could comment on its efficency if they see this post.
Its a 40km hike from porjus to karmas, and you and I are both taking big tents to set up. If were following this route, I think we should cut out the Porjus to Karmas bit, and be embarking from Karmas up the lake toward Vietas. [Karmas is also the name of a mountain a few miles north] And finding a secluded spot, and setting up a basecamp, then walking out from there, to explore, ice fish, set up snares, tracking, photography etc.
I'll have to call the tourist agency as you suggested Greger, and ask about ice fishing. Find out if there is a supermarket in Porjus? Or a fishing shop.
[Im gonna have to make a crude ice chisel I think. Maybe weld a bit of scaffy pipe to a steel flat bar, then grind the edge.]
Its a 40km hike from porjus to karmas, and you and I are both taking big tents to set up. If were following this route, I think we should cut out the Porjus to Karmas bit, and be embarking from Karmas up the lake toward Vietas. [Karmas is also the name of a mountain a few miles north] And finding a secluded spot, and setting up a basecamp, then walking out from there, to explore, ice fish, set up snares, tracking, photography etc.
I'll have to call the tourist agency as you suggested Greger, and ask about ice fishing. Find out if there is a supermarket in Porjus? Or a fishing shop.
[Im gonna have to make a crude ice chisel I think. Maybe weld a bit of scaffy pipe to a steel flat bar, then grind the edge.]
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I think snares should be avoided. Illegal, I am afraid.
What I meant about getting in touch with the local tourist board, was to get information about the ice from a safety perspective. They will also be able to suggest places to ice fish (and sell you a license)
How are you getting to Porjus? Air plane to Lulea and then bus? Don't know about fishing shops in Porjus, but you can probably get what you need along the way to Porjus (Lulea, Boden, Jokkmokk)
Cheers,
Greger
What I meant about getting in touch with the local tourist board, was to get information about the ice from a safety perspective. They will also be able to suggest places to ice fish (and sell you a license)
How are you getting to Porjus? Air plane to Lulea and then bus? Don't know about fishing shops in Porjus, but you can probably get what you need along the way to Porjus (Lulea, Boden, Jokkmokk)
Cheers,
Greger
Thanks Dave, I've seen a Youtube vid of the inner being used as well with the stove, not sure whether I'll be taking it ( weight ) but I'll wait to see what's said about it, the one I have is a different model ( older ? ) as it doesn't show the extended porch like the ones on the site but I can live with that. As for route, that I can not give any input on and will trust your judgement. Ice chisel, could we not adapt / fashion a tool that fits into the base section of the lavvu pole or branch maybe ?
Greger I have an official lifetime license for snaring ptarmigan, we had guest instructors come in, on the arctic bushcraft course I attended not far from Muddus nationalpark.
Only allowed in the northern counties, in Winter, for ptarmigan. Classroom, and outdoors, showing us how to set them properly. [Some of the locals came in for that one session as well] You'll have to get yourself one!
[They have very strict specific rules, such as you must destroy the snare after use, and it is not allowed to move or re-use the snare. Steel wire cannot exceed 36cm per snare, with a diameter of 0,3mm. The knot has to be specific, different methods of setting in different snow conditions etcetc.] I'll be setting 20-30 snares in one specific area, making a snare line, in a semi circle, from birch twigs, rechecking, setting maybe 3 times a day. You take the buds off the birch twigs nearest to the snare, and you also have to make a hump under the snare in the snow. I know what you meant about the ice, I'll be asking them that as well of course.
Great. I hope there are burbot in there as Id like to try that. Last time I caught a perch on a handheld line. I think that had a lot to do with the angle of the sun on the lake when we fished. Im going to have to buy some Gaddsax [like pike hooks] and bait, and learn to use them. If they are permissible. Id like to set about six, see what brings. I wont be taking many. Not daily. Just experimenting, to see how efficent different methods are.
[Anyone bringing an auger would be good.]
Maybe prepare some usnea with the fish.
This is gonna be cool....I hadnt looked at an airplane to lulea as an option. I'll have a looksie. Thanks.
I hope quite a few people manage to come.
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You live and learn...Ptarmigan, Burbot AND snaring...cool!
A bit surprised about the Burbot...I would have thought you would be gunning for Char or Trout. On the other hand, Burbot is a delicacy for many.
Let me know if you go through Luleå.
Greger
A bit surprised about the Burbot...I would have thought you would be gunning for Char or Trout. On the other hand, Burbot is a delicacy for many.
Let me know if you go through Luleå.
Greger
[Anyone bringing an auger would be good.]
Maybe prepare some usnea with the fish.
I hadnt looked at an airplane to lulea as an option. I'll have a looksie. Thanks.
I hope quite a few people manage to come.
Lulea looks good as well, ok, lets face it, it all looks good
By auger, you are referring to an ice type, aren't you ?
Lulea looks good as well, ok, lets face it, it all looks good
By auger, you are referring to an ice type, aren't you ?
Yep, thats it. Ice auger makes things easier.
[video=youtube;v4ZAfRfPDBY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4ZAfRfPDBY[/video]
Well, just thought I could pick you up, get you sorted for fishing gear and whatnot and put you on a buss that takes you to Porjus (line 44).
