So this is one of the anticipated laste entries, I originally had planned to do this earlier in he week, but as I busted my car I had to wait until this weekend.
Here it is:
The BOV (yup, pretty much as all-terrain as you can get.
) With which i reached my destination. My plan was to take another route to another destination in the vicinity, but when i scouted it the day before I realized that the sheer amount of snow made it a less viable option.
Starting point.
Considering climate vs. personal comfort and the popularity of me felling trees in a natural reserve I opted to add my bigger BOB's extrapack to my pack. That Includes Tent, extra sleeping bag and a self inflating sleeping pad. This is gear that also instantly makes this a two person BOB instead of a single person BOB. I did not like the extra bulk but there are always tradeoffs in comfort.
Btw. I'm skiing in and trekking out. I like to have that extra option as I have no prior knowledge of the area. I left my snowshoes in the car as I believe them to have similar pros and cons to the skis except for the extra speed you get with skis.
I would have loved to use the swedish army skis "vita blixten" (white lightning) as they are broader and carry loads better in the snow and are dirt cheap, but I can't find them at a sensible price in the vicinity of Uppsala or Stockholm. These skis that I am wearing are fast and energy effective but in deep snow you are in deep s**t.
Using map and trying get some idea of where I am, Ah, Sweet powercables!
a lot of information on the map is useless under 3 feet of snow So you LOVE the information that is still accessible. Mmm... Powercables, can't get enough of them.
The road less travelled, except by animals. Found old tracks from one person during the campout, other than that it was animal tracks, mostly roe deer.
This stuff sucks with skis. I travelled over what i think used to be a lake and nowadays is a maze of birch trees. If it is already dark, you are not sure where you are going, you are repeatedly tripped by branches that are frozen to the ground, then realize that your gaiters are filled with snow as you did not check the kneestrap on them properly, and finally notice that the mouthpice of your hydration system is squeezed under the strap of your backpack so that you are soaked in water in subzero temps; Then it is ok to curse. once. Just once. And then carry on.
I planned to set up my fire at a designated fireplace as this is a natural reserve. I choose to do this because it is the easiest way to get into proper terrain without the need to seek permission in the vicinity of where I live. Only problem is that you have to use firewood that is available at these designated locations as you are prohibited from cutting branches. I knew this, I counted on it. Nothing is certain, especially not firewood. Somebody had taken it. Time to go foraging in the snooooooow. Lots and lots of fun!
But soon enough;
This is a thought on the problems with self inflating sleeping pads in low temps, with added value: heat reflector and a warm cosy sleeping pad to lie on, as long as you give it at least 15-20 cm to the flames it seems to be ok with the heat.
Here I had a conundrum;
Alternative A: Sleep in the Shelter.
Alternative B: Sleep in the Tent.
Considering that I had done enough damage to the firs as it was and wouldn't be able to use their branches as insulation under the tent, and that I had to work in the afternoon the next day, I choose Alternative C: Pitch the tent IN the shelter.
Boiling water for dinner
Yes, my feet are steaming.
After changing pretty much everything to dry nightwear I had dinner, read a book, had a cup of coffee and listened to some handcranked radio.
Life is nice when you are dry.
Way to much space for one person, but as I said, I carry gear for a party of two. (And what a party it would be!
)
Packing up with sleeping bag and dry clothes in airtight drysacks.
I carry doubles of dehydrated food and put the leftovers from cooking in a food thermos, altough you have to be quick to eat it in the winter.
Made some food and coffee in the trangia in the morning, for no particular reason, could as easily have done it over the fire.
Working gloves are to die for. hot pans, working the fire, etc...
Leaving. The pack was way low on the back, I corrected it. On my hip hangs a lowepro carrying case for my telephoto lens that I sometimes use to carry my coffee thermos.
Roe deer tracks, good eating on those.
There is a trail in the woods that you can use if you can find it. Can you?
