Open invitation arctic meet 2017

RonW

Native
Nov 29, 2010
1,594
153
Dalarna Sweden
Maybe I missed it, but when were you planning on meeting?
I read 2017, but also december. The latter would not be the greatest choice, since it is very busy with festivities and lacks daylight.
For bringing the dogs and a sled there has to be snow on the ground too.

I was kind of hoping we could move the meet forward toward february, which would mean that a) snow practically guaranteed, b) there'd be daylight and c) no festivities I know of.

And I am also hoping to bring my son, who would turn 16 the next month and this would be the opportunity for me to initiate him into manhood. If you can camp in the arctic in winter before you turn 16, you have what it takes to be a man.
 

bopdude

Full Member
Feb 19, 2013
3,041
237
59
Stockton on Tees
Hi Ron.
Dave was looking at going some time in January, wether he's flexible in that I don't know ?

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
 

Dave

Hill Dweller
Sep 17, 2003
6,019
11
Brigantia
Whatever is better for everyone, suits me.
My main concern is that the weather is -10˚ and colder.
 

RonW

Native
Nov 29, 2010
1,594
153
Dalarna Sweden
Jokkmokk market 2017 is from 2-4 of february.
How does the date of the 11th sound? That way people could combine things, but we would not get caught up in the hassle around the market.
I might actually show up with a few more folks; a Norwegian and an American, who lives in Finland.
 

Dave

Hill Dweller
Sep 17, 2003
6,019
11
Brigantia
Sounds great buddy. Really looking forward to meeting you Ron. [I'll even have a small present to bring you!]
 

RonW

Native
Nov 29, 2010
1,594
153
Dalarna Sweden
Ah... so now you're trying to bribe me, huh?? ;)
So if it's ok, we can settle on or around the 11th then? It's the beginning of the sportlov/sports holidays here, so my son can can as well.
I have 2 pulkas in the shed that need fixing; a small one my son can pull and a large one for the dogs. Skis and poles are in the same corner. All I actually need is a sleepingbag for my "little one", who already is bigger than me.
I think I am going to make him an anorak too.
 

bopdude

Full Member
Feb 19, 2013
3,041
237
59
Stockton on Tees
OK, outline of proposed kit.

Shelter

I have a Helsport varanger 4-6 with the inner, floor, heater rack but propose on taking the outer only ?
I ( almost ) have a Ti Goat large woodburner with flue etc

I ( foolishly ? ) would like to take a hammock and accessories as well, just to say, on one night at least, that I'd swung from the trees.

Sleeping

This is going to be in at the deep end ( not clever )

I have a Canadian forces arctic sleep system, it comprise of 2 nesting down bags, a wool inner and a down hood, rated at down to -50 ? I've never used it to less than -5 in the UK, this is an untested worry ?
I'll be taking an army issue bivvy bag
Sleeping on................ good question ?

Clothing

to be continued tomorrow......just seen the time :)
 

TinkyPete

Full Member
Sep 4, 2009
1,967
193
uk mainly in the Midlands though
I have managed to clear my diary for around the perposed dates so hopeful I should be able to come :)

I have a fair bit of winter/artic kit already and my own tobbagan (thick plastic sheet/panel type)

I also have a few guides I can put up including some of the British army survival guides and the such like.

I now have my own copy of the snow walkers companion and am devouring the info in that a lot.

I have several two dogs creations to keep me warm for top layers and a couple of different pairs of mukluks (British and American)

For snow shoes I have a Brit army pair as well.

Outer cotton layers I have a swedish snow smock or my army whites :)

For the tobbagan I have deployment bags or water resisant duffles and a large tarp cover but I do like the cover bags they have in the snow companion and may look into a couple of them?

I have my Jervens bag (Thermo Extreme) and lots of winter bags to chose from and a exped 9LW down mat and closed foam mats)

I have a parachute which was used on my last winter trip and a wood stove (low Rusian model) if necessary.

I have large bow saw (30") Swedish army axes and snow shovels

On Stove front I have kero and parafin multi fuel stoves or even a unleaded and meths cookers ( I know we will only need a couple ofr the group and not every needs their own (to cut down on weight))

Food we did a lot of pasta and soup based meals witrh hot dogs and lompers last time for group meals and then snacks were individual choice and self carried.

I hope this puts some ideas into peoples minds if they need to refresh their mind on kit and I will post ups some stuff which is good self safety kit ideas. (small rucksack and flask are mandatory).
 

Red Fox

Full Member
Dec 31, 2012
457
1
Cheshire
We had trouble finding maps of that area, if you go on Google maps and print them off that will do it. I probably would not really on gps
As it will probably freeze up ha ha, :)
 

SGL70

Full Member
Dec 1, 2014
613
124
Luleå, Sweden
We had trouble finding maps of that area, if you go on Google maps and print them off that will do it. I probably would not really on gps
As it will probably freeze up ha ha, :)

I'd get maps (from http://www.kartbutiken.se/tyvek-kartor), even if I had a GPS (which I don't) :)

EDIT: Got a GPS in my Experia 5...but that one was almost DoA...Gives me absolutetly smashing lap times when using the runkeeper app, though :)

Greger
 
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Dave

Hill Dweller
Sep 17, 2003
6,019
11
Brigantia
Well, Ive just had my snowtrekker exp 8x11 crew tent up in the good weather.

Took a couple of photos.

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Under the stove, Ive put one of those cheap folding aluminium windshields to reflect the heat from the underside and the back of the stove.
 

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