Hooked on Backcountry Skiing ENGLISH

on backcountry skiing nr 2 / 2019

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ERIK NYLANDER

odd band of scientists, artists, designers and adventurers, we’re pushing the boundaries of how outdoor clothing is made. Together with our customers, we’re recycling, renting, repairing and reusing our way to a new, sustainable outdoor industry.

TOGETHER WITH AN

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Do good, play hard, push boundaries and have fun.

EDITOR’S NOTE

As soon as the first leaves fall, we start dreaming about and planning our ski season. When the first snowflake lands, we’re already halfway out the door – in a season where many people want to sit inside with a hot mug of tea, we just want to be outside.

Having backcountry skiing as the main theme for our first winter issue of Hooked feels natural: it’s something that’s deeply rooted within us, and there are few sports that we’re so passionate about. When we feel that cold, crisp air, something awakens inside us and we start planning our lives around skiing. This can make us act impulsively – it suddenly starts snowing somewhere and we’re off! During the winter months, our ski equipment is always packed, and it’s only our touring buddies we need to pick up on the way. With skiing you can discover our country in a whole new way because there’s just simply so much to ski here.

When we’re on the snow we’re thinking of nothing else than what we’re doing right at that moment. This, together with the adrenaline, produces a feeling that’s close to unbeatable.

Victor Inggårde

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CREATORS Julia Möller

· Emelie Voltaire · Victor Inggårde

PUBLISHER Ulrika Lundmark ADDNATURE AB Oxenstiernsgatan 15 A 115 27 Stockholm 08-403 047 03 info@addnature.com / www.addnature.com

COWORKERS · ·

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Olof Strömbäck Anna Kernell Oscar Hentmark Claudia Adamo Mattias Rastbäck Julius Copcutt Emrik Jansson Jonathan Foster Måns Salomonsen Terese Asplund Phil Allison Matti Rapila Andersson Martin Nyberg Oscar Hessling Ben Lubin Rosie Hendry

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THANKS TO ·

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Daniel Estmark Robert Svanell Jenny Wikman

COVER Emrik Jansson

COPYRIGHT All rights reserved. Nothing in whole or in part may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. © Addnature 2019

Printed by Holmbergs Svanenmärkt trycksak, 3041 0140

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CONTENT 11

Old News

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An Arctic Long Tour

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Snow Nerdery

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Pack Your Ski Touring Bag

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Epic Gear

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Skifulness in Skäckerfjällen

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Backcountry Skiing for Beginners

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A Brilliant Guide

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Get a grip on Winter Running

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Homage to Materials

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Winter Commuters

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Getting Started with Climbing

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Introduction to Ice Climbing

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City Streams: Kayaking in Stockholm

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Team Ark Souls Addnature

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”An adventure is not just about the execution itself, but also about what it leaves behind – who you are when it spits you out on the other side.”

An Arctic Long Tour p. 12 Photo: Måns Salomonsen

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OLD NEWS Text: Julia Möller / Photo: Emelie Voltaire

One year ago, we started a journey towards a new evolution of Addnature. A journey that has already resulted in a new logo, but one which will also continue to change how we communicate – with a language that reflects everything we’re passionate about.

We strive for imagery that mirrors the nature we see around us and inspires us to discover what’s in our vicinity. We want to go back to our roots, maintain Addnature's soul yet also stay at the cutting edge. And to meet you in environments where we feel at home. A community both connected with and in nature.

Our new logo, a dude 2.0, represents this well. We didn't want to let go of our old logo completely, because it carries so much of our history from the 20 years it’s been with us. But at the same time, we wanted something new. So, we’ve got an updated character who’s looking forward to new adventures. Our dude has re-captured our identity and represents us; all of us.

We see this as a starting point for showing what we've always truly been.

dude 2.0

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AN ARCTIC LONG TOUR Text: Julia Möller / Photo: Måns Salomonsen

”Real adventure is defined best as a journey from which you may not come back alive, and certainly not the same person” Yvon Chouinard

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Axel and Måns stood with their skis on the edge of the ice at the Ekman Fjord in Svalbard. In front of them lay a seemingly-endless Arctic wilderness, which didn’t at all look like it was going to permit a ski tour – at least, not on their terms. It had taken six months of planning and expectation to get to this point. The boat that had brought them across the fjord disappeared over the horizon as they tried to spot the polar bear they’d just seen from the dock.

PART ONE “Soon we’ll start walking – we’ve been so caught up in the planning phase that it’s sometimes felt like the main project itself. But now the actual expedition is here.”

- Axel Kudinoff Svalbard is an archipelago located halfway between the Norwegian mainland and the North Pole. It’s dominated by glaciers, exposed mountains and polar bears – an environment that places great demands on anyone who ventures to it.

Axel Kudinoff and Måns Salomonsen met during their mountain and wilderness leader training in Malung. When they had finished their studies and wanted to apply their skills to their own expedition, Svalbard seemed the ultimate physical and mental challenge. There, they would be isolated for 30 days while skiing over harsh expanses. During the tour they’d also climb the two highest peaks of the archipelago.

This is their story.

Axel: At first, I was hesitant about the idea of doing a long ski tour of Svalbard. Just the thought of being on skis for that long bored me. At the same time, the experiences that I knew awaited me there were almost impossible to resist.

That the archipelago is an arctic environment that’s extra sensitive to environmental impact made the journey very challenging from beginning to end.

Måns: As I started to think about going to Svalbard, my environmentally-conscious side began to gnaw away at my conscience – specifically about going on adventures in inaccessible places. Since an expedition to Svalbard was still something I wanted to do, I started to think about alternative ways to get there. Crossing the Barents Sea with a boat that would travel the route anyway would be an exciting part of the adventure (we toed and froed on how environmentally-

friendly going by boat actually is). Axel, who gets seasick easily, was terrified by the mere thought of travelling across the open sea for several days. The Barents Sea is often referred to by seafarers as the ‘Devil’s Dance Floor’.

Måns and Axel began their journey by train from their respective hometowns in southern Sweden. As they were to be totally self-sufficient on their tour, they rolled into the bus station in Narvik with 120 kilos of luggage.

Måns: ”How much do you actually have with you?” asked the bus driver. I happily told him about our exciting adventure to Svalbard but he wasn’t at all impressed and only muttered something about whether we’re among “the ones trying to save the planet”. Then we were told we’d have to pay extra for our luggage: equivalent to two more passengers.

M/S Freya – the boat that took us from Tromsø – left the harbour around midnight; crossing the Barents Sea between two sizable low pressures. But as the city lights disappeared into the distance, the boat had already begun to rock back and forth over the waves. As we got further out to sea, the waves only got higher and higher.

I passed the time talking to the crew and sitting on the bridge; looking out over the rolling sea where the storm birds sailed elegantly over the waves. From time to time, I left my spot to look after an increasingly-pale Axel. It was hard to see a friend feeling so bad that he’d happily throw himself overboard – if only he could stand up. Our expedition had got off to a bad start. Axel, who was already thin, could hardly eat for two and a half days.

Axel: I completely lost track of time on the boat. Måns came in to look after me periodically, but I don’t know how long it was between his visits. I just ate some crispbread and a few slices of apple in the dorm. And to think I’d even tried to gain weight before the trip – typical!

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PART TWO "It quickly became apparent that we were in the wilderness; visitors to other creatures' environments."

- Måns Salomonsen The pair spent longer in Longyearbyen than planned.

Axel's seasickness persisted even after they arrived and in addition, it turned out that the only person who could issue the permit they needed to start the tour had gone on vacation. So, when they were finally able to step aboard M/S Freya again – with permits in hand – it was with great relief.

The boat took them across the ice fjord to the northern part of the Ekman Fjord where they would start skiing.

Måns: The nervousness crept in for real during the boat trip across the fjord: now suddenly everything we planned was becoming reality. At the same time, when we started skiing over the ice with Sefströmbreen in sight we were relieved to finally be on our way. We looked to get up on the glacier a few kilometres from the fjord. We needed to find a safer camping site where we wouldn’t be sleeping too close to polar bear hunting grounds. After an hour on the skis, we encountered the first bear tracks and it very quickly became apparent that we were in the wilderness; visitors to other creatures' environments.

Axel: When we saw the first polar bear tracks, I immediately became aware of all the new things we were facing and now fully understood what we were getting ourselves into. I ended up feeling a mixture of unsafe and scared.

Måns: We ended up in an area with water under the snow, which sucked the skis into it. I had to fight hard to turn around and get out of the water. Shortly thereafter, one of my poles broke through the snow into the fjord water.

It soon became clear that the fjord ice isn’t like regular ice.

The dusk came sneaking in as the hours passed, and evening turned to night as we battled our way through the glacier's rolling landscape. We were both extremely tired, but wanted to get a good distance into the fjord so a bear wouldn’t visit us in our tent. It was two o'clock in the morning by the time we stopped struggling in the cold autumn winds and pitched our tent. Everything we’d been through during that long day had made us so exhausted that the fatigue suppressed our worries of the unknown.

Axel: For me, the first two days were the toughest of the trip. I longed for safety. But after a week, the routines, the environment and the company created an environment worth sticking around for.

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The pair’s usual daily routine began with the alarm clock ringing at seven o’clock in the morning before they melted some snow and had breakfast. They then broke camp, arranged the day's food rations and took down the polar bear warning firecrackers – tensioned between poles with a fly fishing line. They walked side by side or behind each other during the day, taking breaks every hour. Twelve hours after getting up, they set up camp again and began the time-consuming process of melting snow. The deck of cards they took with them lay untouched in the bag, and instead they spent the evenings evaluating their day, looking at the map, repairing what needed to be repaired and drying damp equipment. This all had to be done before going to sleep, and they’d repeat the same routine each day. When the duo, two weeks into the tour, approached the area with the two peaks: Perrier (1712 m) and Newton (1717 m), the impending climbs marked a welcome change to their new everyday life.

Måns: We’d ‘gone white’ for two days in heavy and humid clouds: a sea of absolutely nothing. The fog was so dense that it wasn’t possible to make out anything beyond the tips of our skis. Putting great confidence in our compasses and GPS devices, we got closer and closer to the Perrier peak.

The prospect of a summit climb looked bleak as the weather forecast predicted cloudy weather, rainfall and breezy winds for the next two days.

The passage up to Perriertoppen is steep and because of the recent weather, the duo were now unsure of an avalanche risk. A ‘weather window’ two days later would give them better opportunities for climbing Newton Peak. With safety their first priority, they gave up on their plan to climb Perrier and adjusted their course toward Newton instead.

Måns: We started skiing east towards Newton Peak. After a short while and to our great surprise, we saw a large group of people dragging their sledges – and they were skiing straight towards us! It turned out to be a group from Finland guided by Jaakko; a guide I’d had contact with during our preparations. He had just summited Newton with his group and they were heading for Perrier. As Jaakko has climbed Perrier several times, we got good information about the terrain and the local climate in the valley where the mountain is. It didn't take long before Axel and I had changed our plans again, and instead of continuing on to Newton, we skied downhill, back to where we’d just been.

The following day we organised ourselves for the summit climb. We looked at ways to climb the mountain and packed snacks and equipment. We set the alarm clock for 3 am and woke up with a disrupted circadian rhythm and stomachs churning with nervousness.

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From the tent, it was seven kilometres to the beginning of our ascent. With axes in hand, we scrambled up along the back, sometimes traversing along the side and sometimes walking on the top. During one passage, we made our way across an exposed part. It was windy but the sun was warm so we could climb in only baselayers. The pointed, mountainous surroundings were very different from the environment we’d travelled through over the previous weeks. At the same time, it was fun to scale vertical terrain without a sledge – a really uplifting change that we’d long been looking forward to. When we finally found a safe path up the sometimes 40-degrees-steep mountainside, we reached a mountain ridge that led us up the last bit to the top.

snowed during the calm night, a soft layer of white gold lay over the mountain. As we zigzagged up the mountainside, low clouds passed us and temporarily obscured the view.

The weather forecast had predicted a cloudy afternoon and Axel lost his motivation to go all the way to the top.

He wanted to turn around. I still wanted to continue as the summit had long been our goal. With differing opinions, we continued upwards with a slightly muted mood. Just as we reached the top, the weather gods smiled down on us and the clouds suddenly parted. We were offered an absolutely magnificent view over to Atomfjella; a much steeper and thicker mountain mass than the more-rounded and worn mountains around us.

After the Perrier peak, Måns and Axel skied back the same the way they’d come, with their sights set on Newton Peak.

They passed the hill where they’d met the group a few days earlier. But, just after the crest they’d reversed on, the fog thickened around them once again and visibility disappeared once more.

When we turned our ski tips down and skied through the soft snow cover it was with a feeling of euphoria. For several weeks we’d travelled over sluggish terrain, where we’d usually had to pull a sledge – even when going downhill. The previously muted mood was blown away and we charged down the mountain laughing and cheering. Sometimes you wish you could convey the feeling and power of miles of views with mountains and giant glaciers, sun, good company, physical exertion, fresh air, total silence and not another human being as far as the eye can see. At the same time, it was a strange feeling to suddenly start skiing towards the end of an expedition.

Måns: Big snowflakes slowly sailed down, covering us and our equipment. When we went to bed that evening, the weather forecast for the morning was still unclear, as was the prospect of completing the climb.

But when we woke up and peeked out of the tent, there was blue sky and beaming sunshine. We strapped on our skis and glided our way through the soft powder snow that had fallen during the night. Our tent quickly turned into a small dot in the gigantic landscape that surrounded us. Newton Peak isn’t overly steep, which makes it possible to go all the way to the top on skis if the snow isn’t too packed. As it had

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Axel: I'm a pretty careful person, which is good to a certain extent. But if I’d been out there by myself, I’d have been the one who nearly got to the top. The fact that I had Måns pushing me made us both reach our goal.

�Sometimes you wish you could convey the feeling and power of miles of views with mountains and giant glaciers, sun, good company, physical exertion, fresh air, total silence and not another human being as far as the eye can see�

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PART THREE A friend came up with a great description of the feeling we had after this tour: “back to unreality."

- Axel Kudinoff An adventure is not just about the execution itself, but also about what it leaves behind – who you are when it spits you out on the other side.

Måns: We really got to see our own and each other's different sides during this tour. We all have low moments, but it became more challenging to stay united during severely cold and windy weather, with finicky equipment, long days, important decisions to make and hidden dangers for four weeks. Part of the challenge was maintaining good communication to reduce misunderstandings. I needed to take extra time to think about what I was annoyed about. Was it a legitimate issue or was it more about low energy, lack of sleep or anything else that made me more sensitive? Getting to know your shortcomings and acknowledging them is a challenge that I think you face on every adventure.

I realised that I’d found greater peace in myself and was satisfied with my thoughts during the long days where we spent most of our time quietly reflecting. Patience is something I have a great deal of, a trait that has come in handy both in social situations and when repairing broken equipment time and time again.

The fact that they’d spent a lot of time planning meant that they’d considered and allowed space for the unexpected on the tour.

Måns: One piece of advice I can give to others who are heading out on a similar tour is to think through possible scenarios that may arise and how you’ll handle them if they do. Gather knowledge; there are many out there who have great experience and good advice to give. But keep in mind that although this good advice may have worked for others, you’ll need to find methods and solutions that suit you.

Axel: Dare to set long-term goals and gather experience along the way. Maybe you’ll be drawn to Svalbard in the future, too. But spending three weeks on a ski tour in Sarek, Stora Sjöfallet and Padjelanta would also be a magnificent experience.

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The polar bears stayed away. A false alarm from the polar bear warning was as close as they got, which did nothing more than make Müns drop a tool in surprise; puncturing a hole in his sleeping pad. Instead, the biggest challenges were social and mental; to stay patient with themselves and with each other. The Arctic long tour hasn’t put the friends off from doing an adventure together again, and every tour gives a new perspective and invaluable experience.

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SNOW NERDERY snow noun. ~ n [snow '] • precipitation in the form of soft, white, loosely-joined ice crystals

Text: Anna Kernell

What is it that really defines the best skiing of the season? We could come up with a bunch of different factors like fantastic weather, people-free ski resorts or brand-new equipment.

But, the most important determiner is, of course, SNOW. Beloved, wonderful snow. Fabulous yet sometimes fatal.

One thing that’s for sure is that the peoples of Sweden and the other northern countries have a special relationship with snow. The many long winters have shaped us and it’s embedded in our DNA – we’re snow nerds by birth. But, does that mean we have a better understanding of the origins and physical properties of snow? Or how avalanches are formed and how to avoid getting caught in one?

We’ll guide you through snow’s journey from the clouds to the ground together with meteorologist Charlotta Eriksson.

Then, to get a grip on the snow that can become a skier's worst nightmare, we talked to avalanche expert Jenny Råghall, who’s responsible for forecasting avalanches in the Kebnekaise Mountains for Naturvårdsverkets lavinprognoser.se. Just like us; a couple of real snow nerds!

But let’s start from the beginning. It takes certain conditions for snow to develop and fall to the ground, for all of us chionophiles to enjoy. The temperature close to the surface must be under or just above zero degrees and you need cloud capable of producing precipitation. These clouds are formed when the air ‘heaves’, cooling it and causing water vapour to condense. This heaving happens in three different ways: 1. The air is forced upwards due to a warm front or a cold front (at the brink of two air masses) 2. The air is heated over a relatively warm water surface during winter or over a ground surface warmed by the sun in summer 3. The air is forced upwards by an obstacle in the terrain (for example a mountain) When these conditions are met, tiny ice crystals form that can later grow into small snow stars and adopt different

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shapes, depending on the current temperature and air humidity. The snow stars are often shaped into six-armed structures because the water molecule (which consists of one atom of oxygen and two atoms of hydrogen) has a shape that supports hexagonal crystals during the conditions that often predominate the atmosphere. Snowflakes are later formed when snow stars start to lump together and fall to the ground.

When it comes to falling snow, one differentiates between snowfalls and snow-squalls. A snowfall is when it snows consistently across a larger area over a longer period of time.

But a snow-squall, which is formed from cumulonimbus clouds, is an intense and short-lived type of precipitation that’s limited to a smaller area; like a sudden burst of rain.

powder snow • light and grainy (freshly fallen)

Snow that’s porous and moisture deficient is formed when it’s several minus degrees, and if it’s dry and cold where it falls, it will keep its light and fluffy quality on the ground. This is what we call ‘powder’ snow, a short-lived gem that skiers and snowboarders absolutely love.

When they reach the ground, snowflakes pile up in layers.

Winter’s whole range of weather is preserved within the snowpack. Cold snow forms a light and porous layer. Periods of milder weather with damp snow create layers that are denser and more stable. The way temperatures and wind conditions interact during precipitation determines not just how stable a layer of snow is, but also, what the subsequent weather of the season will be.

avalanche • snowslide, rapid mass movement of snow down a mountain slope

As a skier, it’s important to enjoy and respect the snow in equal measure. An estimated 200 deaths across Europe every year are due to avalanches, and there are a few different types of these disastrous events. The key to staying safe and having fun in the snow is learning how to identify some of the most important differences and warning signs.

The most dangerous avalanches for humans are slab avalanches. They can become enormous, and you rarely know exactly how, where, or when they will begin. The prerequisite for a slab avalanche to develop is a weak layer of snow (soft) under a “slab” (solid, but doesn’t have to be more compact than powder), situated on a slope steeper than 30 degrees. All that’s needed then is a trigger; too much pressure on the weak layer. The trigger may be just a couple of extra centimetres of snow, a skier, or the next weight class – a motorised snow scooter.

The most common types of slab avalanches in the Swedish mountains are wind slabs and persistent slabs. The wind slab problem is found on the leeward side of the mountain – on the eastern side if the wind blows from the west – but also in other formations such as ravines and grooves that have laid sheltered from the wind. You’ll often see bare ridges close by and the slab itself looks soft and pillow-like, but it can also be quite dense if the wind has been very strong.

Unsteadiness within the wind-drifted snow often stabilises within two to three days. Persistent slabs are worse – the problem can’t be spotted from the surface; as the weakness lies further down and can continue to be an issue for several months. This risk should be handled with great caution.

Before you head out for the mountains, you need to learn to interpret and use avalanche forecasts. Most accidents occur at level two and three on the five-graded avalanche danger scale, so don’t focus too narrowly on the number – read the whole forecast. The avalanche problem that’s described tells you where the terrain is most hazardous, at what height and how big the avalanche may become. If you avoid these places you can ski safely, it’s rarely dangerous everywhere.

But remember, it’s just a prediction. One that’s based on weather forecasts that can turn out to be wrong, and that covers big areas and not singular slopes.

25 degrees instead. One out of four people caught in an avalanche dies, so if you can consider skiing flatter than 30 degrees and skip the ‘flirting with death’ part, that’s a good starting point! Study the maps at lavinprognoser.se and use the declining scale-tool before you head out.

When you’re finally at the mountain, there are four obvious warning signs you should be able to recognise: fresh avalanches, whumph-sounds (like a sighing in the snow), long cracks around your skis and typical weather prone to avalanche risks (heavy snowfall, drifting snow or a drastic increase in temperature and rain). If you notice any one of these signs, be wary. Don’t proceed to avalanche terrain!

Consider Plan B or turn around.

Measure slopes regularly before you ski. Use your ski-poles, clinometer apps, a clinometer attached to your pole or a compass. In addition to the incline you need to consider the consequences of the terrain: Are there any traps like cliffs, precipices, trees or deep ravines, that would likely kill you if you were caught in an avalanche?

Four additional things you need to learn to minimise risks concerns skiing-rules: 1. Spread out the group if you need to ascend in avalanche terrain 2. Only stop or pause at safe spots 3. Plan an escape route before you start to descend 4. Go one by one and keep a lookout for each other These rules should be communicated clearly and openly amongst the group. Many accidents could have been avoided if these four rules were given enough room in the collective decision making. Buying gear is easy, communication is trickier; which is why the group must all make an effort to work on this part. By communicating clearly, you’ll get a lot more back: knowledge, joy and safety.

If you want to ski outside the areas covered by avalanche forecasts, you’ll need a deeper knowledge of how to handle avalanche risks on your own. Taking an avalanche course is a good investment in order to learn more about avalanche terrain, rescue and your own safety. The snow won’t pay any heed of you; you have to give it the respect it deserves.

Avalanche terrain is where the inclination is more than 30 degrees, or places just below such slopes. Consider the quality of the snow and if your goal can be achieved by skiing

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PACK YOUR SKI TOURING BAG Text: Anna Kernell / Photo: Matti Rapila Andersson

Vast areas of untouched snow lie waiting for you. Your skiing muscles itch, your mountain heart beats, and every cell of your being screams out to go SKI TOURING! Without hesitation, you surrender to your longing and call your skiing buddies. But before you head off to the mountains, you need to be prepared. With an avalanche safety course under your belt and a good idea of what to do in the event of one, it’s time to pack your backpack for your coming adventure. Jonatan Axelsson Sandström from Summit Guides was kind enough to give us some valuable tips on packing your avalanche equipment correctly – here you’ll find advice on what you should pack, why you need it and where it should go. Enjoy, and ski safe!

EQUIPMENT POCKET • Shovel • Probe • Skins

OUTER POCKET • Headlamp • Sunscreen • Lip balm • Sunglasses • Compass • Map

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MAIN COMPARTMENT • Insulated jacket • Thicker gloves (Pack the above in a drybag) • First aid kit (including blister plasters) • Repair kit(s) • Wind sack • Water bottle • Thermos • Food

THE BASICS The most basic and essential equipment to bring on a ski touring-adventure is a transceiver, a probe and a shovel.

The transceiver should be digital, have three antennas and a ‘mark’ function. The mark function saves you valuable time if several of your ski buddies get buried under the snow: it blocks the signals from the ones you’ve already found so you can focus on those who still need help.

Make sure the probe is at least 240 centimetres long and that the shovel has a metal blade and an extendable handle.

It’s very important that you can extend the handle, since the actual digging is the most tiring part of the rescue. If the shovel is bad quality or too short, the digging will get harder and you’ll get slower which will result in your friend(s) being buried under the snow for longer.

The transceiver should be carried in its harness and kept inside your outer layer. You can also keep it in a reinforced leg pocket with the strap attached to a belt loop or a hook inside the pocket. The probe and shovel should be easily accessible within your backpack. Again, saving time is vital.

WHEN DISASTER OR BAD WEATHER STRIKES It’s no secret that mountain weather can be capricious, and it sometimes shifts so drastically that even those with plenty of experience can get extremely shaken up by it. Being able to take shelter inside a wind sack can be the difference between life and death if you get stuck in a raging snowstorm or someone in the group gets hurt. The sack is equally useful for coffee breaks and fixing chafes. Remember to always bring a first aid kit – crucial for injuries.

Also take a closer look at your gear before you head out.

What can go wrong? Perhaps a screw detaches from a ski binding or the climbing skins start to come off. A repair kit with a multi-tool, a couple of ski straps, some extra screws and a bit of wire can work wonders.

prone to avalanches.

A small and pliable headlamp doesn’t weigh much nor take up a lot of space but can be truly invaluable. In the depth of winter, daylight hours are few and when the sun starts to go down, daylight fades very quickly. When you tour goes on longer than predicted and darkness comes creeping, a small headlamp is a helpful tool to have – skiing in the dark is not always so fun. If – heaven forbid – something unexpected happens and you’re still up on the mountain until the wee hours, it’s also a lot easier to be found if you have a lamp to flash.

THAT BELOVED EXTRA LAYER There’s no such thing as bad weather, just a poorly packed bag without extra layers. A lightweight down or synthetic insulated jacket is a must, whatever the activity or season.

They’re warm, cosy, and don’t take up a lot of space in your backpack – enough said. Remember to put your extra layers in a waterproof drybag so you don’t end up with wet clothes that were supposed to keep you warm.

Another great tip is to bring a thicker pair of gloves than the ones you used on the tiring journey up the mountain, which are probably thin and will be soaked with sweat by the time you reach the top. Furthermore, it’ll soon be time for your reward – the descent – which requires warmer gloves.

Whatever you do, don’t forget useful gear such as sunglasses, a packed lunch, water bottles and hot liquids. It’s essential to enjoy your breaks and that is best done with a full stomach and a hot beverage in your hand. One last thing – remember to practice with your avalanche equipment so you know exactly what to do if disaster strikes or you or your friend get buried under the snow.

NAVIGATE THE TERRAIN Bring a paper map of the mountains you plan to adventure in, ideally in a scale of no smaller than 1:50 000, considering that 1:100 000 lacks important details. There are maps for alpine terrain scaled to 1:25 000 that display topography very clearly and with a wealth of details that prove very helpful while ski touring.

Choose a sighting compass with an integrated clinometer to help you navigate the terrain. With this compass, you have the advantage of being able to measure the inclination of the slope you’re planning on descending. This helps you make safer decisions based on whether or not the slope is

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Jonatan Axelsson Sandström shredding some powder on Mjölkvattsfjället in Åre.

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Summit Guides is a company based in Åre that specialises in genuine mountain experiences and offers guided tours and courses all year round. They are certified avalanche instructors and hold courses in Friåkning (free skiing) 1 and Pro 1.

Friåkning 1 is aimed at people who are devoted to recreational off-piste skiing, while Pro 1 is for people who ski tour extensively and want to learn about and develop avalanche safety skills.

Read more at summitguides.se

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EPIC GEAR [/ˈepɪk ɡɪə(r)/]

Text: Oscar Hentmark / Photo: Victor Inggårde Epic meaning particularly impressive or remarkable. ”the powder yesterday was epic.” Gear meaning equipment or apparatus that is used for a particular purpose. Like ”I would never survive without my ski touring gear.ʼʼ Together ’epic gear’ forms a noun describing the epicness of the equipment provided by Addnature.

This winter season we’re incredibly hooked on ski touring! So, for the Epic Gear segment, we naturally grabbed the opportunity to nerd out about skis, bindings, boots and all the other essential bits and bobs for ski touring adventures. Knowledge is key, as they say, and so we cosied down for a nice interview with Annika Färjh who, when she isn’t out in the snow, lovingly shares her knowledge in the Addnature shop in Sweden. She passed on pro tips, told us about her favourite gear and even explained what you should think about when it’s time for a ski tour.

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The first time I tried ski touring was at Åre. My friend had started competing in skimo (ski mountaineering) and had really thin skis and a speed-suit. But I followed her up, and since I´m naturally a freerider, I just put ski touring bindings on my big slalom skis and put my slalom boots on. It was so heavy – the worst thing I’ve done, and I swore to never ever go ski touring again…

A short time later I got to try out her gear and all of a sudden it was so effing fun. A whole other experience.

Now I love it more than anything else!

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THE SKIS Annika's face lights up when she talks about ski touring.

And when we ask her what’s important to think about when choosing skis, and what her Epic Gear is, she gets nostalgic.

After my salvation, I went straight out to buy new skis and have been using them ever since. Mostly because they were a bit shorter and narrow in the middle. They’re not super light, but that’s because I need to be more stable in powder and so that I can do some jumps. For me, striking the balance betwewen low weight and stability is the most important thing. Downhill is the most fun, so I choose to focus of that. The lighter the skis are, the more you struggle going downhill, but of course then it’s easier to go uphill. It’s a matter of taste, but I choose to focus on making sure the downhill experience is optimal. Also, if you’re only climbing a peak or two, maybe it's smartest to choose stability over weight.

This season I’m shopping for new ones and have already got my eye on a pair of carbon skis. Carbon skis used to be unstable, but new advances in technology have made them a lot more stable. I’ve checked out a couple of models, but we’ll see what I’ll end up with.

THE SPLITBOARD A new trend that frees snowboarders from the agony of carrying snowshoes when they ride and their board when they climb: what do you think about splitboards, Annika?

They’re awesome! Touring skis and a snowboard, in one.

A board split in the middle so you can tour upwards and surf your board downhill. I ski, but some of my friends have splitboards. Splitboards are so sleek!

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THE BOOTS When you go ski touring, the maneuverability of your boot is essential. Not only do you need a stable boot when going downhill, but also a comfortable shoe to walk in.

Annika shares her expertise about boots: I bought my new ski touring boots for my Japan trip last year.

They’re low and light but still stiff, like 120 flex. Unlike other light models, they work great even on regular skis. Those who do skimo have super light models which are great for going uphill. Mine are a bit heavier so that they’re more stable going downhill, but light enough to make going up fun.

A must for increasing comfort, stability and improving the whole experience is to make sure you mould your boot sole to your foot. My feet get pretty cold so I couldn’t do without this. Adding heated soles works well but buying a pair of boots without moulding your soles is like buying a bed without a mattress.

THE BINDINGS Bindings for ski touring are a bit different. Normally, bindings are used for attaching the boot to the ski, but bindings for ski touring need an added function: because you have to go uphill, they also need to release the heel and lift the toe, sort of like Nordic skis. The ‘walking mode’ in the boot makes them work like regular shoes and allows your ankle to move freely, so you can walk to the top.

So which bindings are the best Annika?

How much walking will you do? If you know you’ll do a lot of walking, then you should aim for a tech-binding with the lowest possible weight. I want to take some drops (jump out from “leaps”) even though I have tech-bindings. So, mine are a little bit more buff.

In a perfect world I’d love to have one set for touring or skimo and one for regular skiing, but I’ve chosen to put myself in the middle so I can do both. A hot tip for people who want the best of both worlds is Salomon’s Shift bindings. I’ll probably put those on my powder skis so I can wear them for both ski touring and lift & slope skiing.

DIN-SCALE The higher the number, the harder it is to get out from your bindings, proportionate to weight. Freeriders/competitive

riders sometimes have a higher DIN (ca 14-16) so the bindings don’t release them in a race. Holiday skiers with the same weight might have 7-8. Lighter bindings generally have a much lower DIN so they eject easier to avoid injuries. Mine go up to 10, which feels adequate, but be sure to check with your insurance company before entering your DIN. It can save you from both injuries and unforeseen expenses.

THE SKINS Skis are, unsurprisingly, designed to allow you to slide down on the snow, which makes it a little trickier when you want to go uphill instead when ski touring. Imagine if there was something that you could attach under your ski to help you go up slippery snow. Like a skin that glides in one direction but ‘grabs’ the snow in the other direction; like an invention where the hairs are stroked forward when the ski moves upwards but grip the snow when they’re stroked the other way; like teeny, tiny claws, that stop you sliding backwards.

Does such a thing exist?

Haha – yes! I usually recommend Pomoca. They’re great. No matter which ones you have, be aware that you should use the protective layer included. Otherwise it’s important that you stick them to themselves and not to each other. If you have a pair of good skins and take care of them, they’ll last a long time. Store them in your armpit or on your belly when you’re not using them: partly so that they’re easily accessible, but mostly so that they won’t freeze together – that can create real problems.

MORE EPIC GEAR So, what else is important when ski touring? And what should you wear?

Safety is always the most important thing! Don’t forget to plan your tour. Have a guide present if you’re not that experienced and don’t forget avalanche safety equipment.

Clothes depend on the weather, but as a rule, don’t wear too much. Generally, I wear a wool base layer, hard-shell skiset, a fleece and then I usually bring a reinforcement jacket such as a down jacket to warm myself up on breaks. As I mentioned previously, I tend to naturally be on the colder side, but since you’re active when ski touring, you don’t need so much clothing. I try to wear breathable and light garments. Don’t wear too much as it will only be heavy, and you’ll get sweaty. Focus on getting the right gear so you don’t have the same dreadful first experience I had and instead get to experience all the amazing parts of ski touring!

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SKIFULNESS IN SKÄCKERFJÄLLEN Text: Martin Nyberg / Photo: Emrik Jansson

Recently, I was lucky enough to take part in a unique ski touring event called “Get closer to Skäckerfjällen”. The event was a collaboration between Haglöfs, Addnature and SJ to raise awareness that sustainability and ski trips can be combined. You can minimise your climate impact by choosing sustainable transport, accommodation, food and gadgets. The tickets for the trip were auctioned off with profits over the starting price donated to POW (Protect Our Winters). So, it was with a slightly better conscience, that I woke up after a good night’s sleep in our comfortable 2-bed train compartment. It was one hour before the estimated time of arrival: the perfect time to have breakfast in the bistro, where I’d also get to know everyone else on the trip.

DAY 1 - THE STORM Our group got off at Åre station; where we were met by our guide Jonte and photographer Emrik. We divided ourselves between Jonte’s car and a taxi, and once all our luggage was packed into the cars, we were ready to go: We started steadily rolling towards Kolåsen.

Everyone had been following the weather reports nervously over the past few weeks. They’d shown plus degrees in combination with rain and strong winds.

Unfortunately, this forecast seemed correct – since the thermometer in Jonte’s car showed 8°C as we turned right in Kallsedet, and the rain soon began to fall. When we emptied out of the cars the parking lot looked more like a newly cleaned ice hockey rink.

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It was lovely to enter the warm entrance of Kolåsens Fjällhotell; where the scent of candles and homeliness hung in the air. Anna and Micke, who have run the hotel since 2003, welcomed us with coffee and cake in the dining room. “It’s Valentine’s Day after all”, commented Anna happily, before introducing everything from the hotel’s rich history to the sustainability profile that they have today. Micke prepares the hotel’s food and the ingredients come from their own farm and animals, as well as carefully selected local producers. I was really touched by Anna and Micke’s genuine passion for sustainability and I felt very privileged to be one of their guests. The wind blew outside the dining room window and suddenly Micke had to run out to chase some rubbish bins that were about to blow across the hockey rink.

”The wind was back and the high morale from yesterday’s breakfast wasn’t present today. Jonte shared the day’s plans, I heard “forest skiing” and “powder snow”. It doesn’t sound that bad after all, I thought to myself whilst taking the last bite of the day’s first sandwich.”

The rest of the day was spent indoors with quick but comprehensive avalanche training. We shared our own experiences and for a moment the mood became serious. The wind outside didn’t decrease and it felt like the whole hotel was rocking. Jonte looked out and said that we’d have to postpone the transceiver search until tomorrow instead. The first day of the trip was finished off with fantastic food and a ski film shown on the projector.

DAY 2 - LILL-ANJESKUTAN The passing storm should have reached its peak overnight and better weather was expected. The atmosphere was high around the breakfast table where lunch sandwiches were made and thermoses were filled up. The warm weather caused trouble for the mountain express (snowmobiling for 8 persons) who couldn’t make their way over the ice. Fortunately, there was a plan B and we were kindly enough allowed to borrow some cars from the hotel so we could manage the transport ourselves.

“Who wants to drive the fire truck?” Micke asked when we were leaving breakfast. “I just need to show how to start the engine!”

Quietly I mumbled that I could drive if no one else

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wanted to. No one else did, and 5 minutes later I sat behind the wheel, searching for the button that started the sirens.

The wind struck my left cheek as we begin the climb up LillAnjeskutan. Everything was white, and I could only see the contours of the person in front of me. 70 altimeters left to the top. I folded up the hood for protection while I struggled to close all the ventilation openings. Still, a strong feeling of well-being washed over me. I really appreciated the contrasts of the mountain: just a little while ago, the whole group had been chatting over the squeaking sounds of their climbing skins against Lill-Anjeskutan’s windblown snow cover.

Once up in the milk-like fog on Lillanjeskutans peak, I wondered if the weather would ever get better. These negative thoughts were interrupted by our guide’s voice: “Climbing skins off! Get your down clothes on and your energy up!” Jonte had an appealing leadership style. Straight to the point, clear with a constant presence and humility. His west-central Swedish origins were perhaps a contributing factor to the whole impression and I felt safe on the mountain in his company.

Jonte – the weather god and guide, pointed with his whole hand, but in a sympathetic and warm way. Just when we started to go down Strydalen, the fog thinned out and the visibility got better. First, Aahkantjahke showed up with its huge vertical cliff wall and within just a few minutes we could see the whole Strydalen. The ride down was much better than expected, the snow was soft and cold, we aimed for Strydalen’s wind shelter and ate lunch. The atmosphere was very high and we enjoyed the silence and the soft afternoon light all the way back down to the road.

DAY 3 - FOREST SKIING & POWDER SNOW The wind was back and the high morale from yesterday’s breakfast wasn’t present today. Jonte shared the day’s plans, I heard “forest skiing” and “powder snow”. It doesn’t sound that bad after all, I thought to myself whilst taking the last bite of the day’s first sandwich.

The day’s third sandwich was eaten on top of Stortuvan. The weather met our expectations and we enjoyed the sun’s presence buried in a wind drive. Unfortunately, the snow was worse than expected, bottomless slush covered with a crispy layer of ice – like a really disgusting marshmallow treat. We split up into pairs so we wouldn’t lose anyone in the woods, but the risk of that felt slight since we could hear each other’s laughter bouncing between the trees as we made our way down.

We thought of the hot tub waiting at Kolåsen and decided to call it a day. We made a mutual decision that we’d had enough for today and put on the climbing skins to make our way home.

DAY 4 – DÖRRSVALEN Yes! On day 4 the conditions were great: clear weather with a light wind and a mountain express departure right after breakfast. We’d planned to go to Dörrsvalen and the mood of the group was at its peak as we made our way through a fantastic birch forest. The trees felt ghostly, they were completely covered with lichens, stuck in the wind direction of the recent storm. The presence of lichens is an sign of clean air and with a strong sense of gratitude I took two extra deep breaths. Thoughts were flowing through my mind as we began to approach the peak of the mountain and an airplane passed at high altitude, offering a jarring reminder of reality. I caught up with Allan, who I hadn’t gotten to know yet. We climbed side by side and I was inspired by his focus on sustainability when he talked about skiing trips with his friends and how they always aimed to have as little climate impact as possible.

After lunch, there were 200 meters left and Jonte urged us to put on the ski crampons and prepare to climb up the icy mountainside. Of course, I didn’t bring the ski crampons since last time I needed them was back in 2010 or something. I realised that I’ve obviously been skiing too little in Jämtland and started to bootpack up the mountain.

Fortunately, I wasn’t the only one with skis on my back, everyone was packing up and we were leaving the ice behind us. We had time for another sandwich before we pulled the climbing skins off our skis and finally got to ski. The snow was relatively fast and we were truly grateful for the playful lines on our way down the mountain. The last part down through a sparse forest allowed some really playful skiing before we reached the valley. We had some fika (Swedish pastries), put on our climbing skins and walked back to the mountain express. Once we were indoors at Kolåsens mountain hotel, we packed our stuff and hit the showers before it was time to go. The taxi was due to arrive in an hour and thanks to Anna and Micke everyone was able to eat before we got back to Åre and the night train that took us home.

The great thing about ski touring, besides all the fika, was everyone’s presence and the time available for conversation and reflection. Skiing brings us closer together, and by making the trip sustainable we had to discuss what choices we could make in order to continue doing what we love.

*“Skifulness – accident prevention by finding happiness in less dangerous terrain”

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Nengal 3L PROOF Kurbits Parka Made to be worn all day in harsh conditions, this year’s models come in a brand new Kurbits-influenced pattern.

A folk-art originating from our birthplace Dalarna, Sweden.

Kurbits is traditional ornamental motifs used to decorate mainly wooden objects. In our updated version we were inspired by the bold colors and the shifting floral patterns, and from that we created our own modern variety.

36 Dalarna Sweden Est.1914

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BACKCOUNTRY SKIING FOR BEGINNERS Text: Julia Möller / Photo: Emrik Jansson

Look out over the untouched fields of snow and revel in the thought of not having to spend forty minutes in the lift queue and how you’ll avoid thousands of skiers on the piste – backcountry skiing has won us over to its side of the mountain. Here you will find incredible nature, get a great workout and have the unique feeling of being the first to ski that spot.

service, found his way to the backcountry.

Our Swedish mountains have the perfect conditions for fantastic backcountry skiing, and when the powder snow is at its deepest, many more trains to Åre are laid on. And it was in Åre that Robert Tusseus, a sommelier whose passion for skiing and cycling got him a job at Addnature's customer

After four years in Åre, Robert feels at home among the mountains. Read on to find out about his three favourite runs in the area for those who want to try out backcountry skiing.

TVÄRÅVALVET - PRISTINE RUNS NEAR CIVILISATION – Many people have probably been to Åre but have not yet discovered the place through backcountry skiing. Here, alongside Åreskutan, there’s beautiful snow with many opportunities for nice runs with great variety. The advantage of Tväråvalvet is that you get untouched snow near civilisation, although this can be challenging if you don’t have much experience. Discover the large open spaces or the mighty gorge. You get to Tväråvalvet from the top of Åreskutan or with a tow lift from Ullådalen.

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- The feeling of skiing down after walking to the top is almost indescribable. You deserve the run, a happiness that stays with you all the way down and long afterward. Two hours up and one ride down gives you so much more than 10 turns in the lift and on the piste.

BJÖRNEN – HEADLAMP-LIT BACKCOUNTRY SKIING – In Björnen there is a marked path that will take you through dense forest.

The reflectors make it possible to do this in the dark, and it’s great fun using only your headlamp for illumination.

Because you make your way through narrow passageways, it’s also a perfect place to practise your technique, such as turning your skis 180 degrees one by one. The tour starts at Lokattliften and goes through the forest to the top of Förberget. A tip for those of you who have never done a summit tour before: the ski centre in Björnen offers guided tours and equipment to try out for beginners.

THE FRONT SIDE OF GETRYGGEN THE GATEWAY – The front of Getryggen can best be described as the gateway to backcountry skiing, as it’s the perfect place to start your career. It's both beginner and family friendly and there are endless runs. If I recommend five, you’ll find another three between each of them. The tour starts from Storulvån mountain station and you go up at the widest part of the front of the mountain and then choose your own lines. Aim for the mountain station and you won’t get lost. The top of Getryggen is flat, so here you can open the coffee thermos and enjoy the view between runs.

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A BRILLIANT GUIDE Text: Julia Möller / Photo: Phil Allison & Emelie Voltaire

A winding trail of light leading to the top of the mountain, a lone bright spot in the night forest or a ray of illumination over a toiletries bag in a mountain cabin – the headlamp is a favourite in handsfree equipment, transforming the darkness from a difficult obstacle to a mere challenge. Today, headlamps almost exclusively use powerful LED lights and there’s one for almost every activity and type of terrain.

Let Hooked shed some light on your search for a new headlamp or give you a bit more information on the lamp you already have.

BRIGHTNESS Anyone who’s ever been on the hunt for a new headlamp has come across the word ‘lumen’. Lumen is a measure of luminous flux and describes the total luminous flux emitted by a light source in all directions. Higher numbers of lumen aren’t always synonymous with the brightest light; how the light distributes the light is also significant.

Think about how bright of a light you need; on roads with streetlamps, a lower lumen value is needed than if you run in the darkness. Generally, a light source with a higher lumen value will consume energy faster, therefore, consider the relationship between the lumens and how long you want to be out. The faster you move forward, the more powerful a lamp is and the longer the light cone required – otherwise, you’ll easily catch up with the light.

LIGHT SCATTERING Light scattering is at least as important as brightness. A wide light spread is well suited for tent set up or map reading. Focused light scattering is very helpful when you want to look far and determine the direction of the run or look for the fuses along the climbing path. The most versatile headlight is one that mixes wide and focused light optimally when you’re in motion.

Nowadays, there are also smart headlamps with technology that lets the lamp itself detect where you’re looking and how close the object is and adapts the beam accordingly.

You don’t have to use your hands and won’t get blinded when you look down at the map.

BATTERY Also, consider what type of battery you want. You should never have to worry about the battery running out and it should be easy to swap when outside. USB charging is easy, but offers less power, whilst real batteries provide higher power.

Rechargeable batteries can be replaced when you’re outside whereas some special batteries can’t be replaced; so, choose replaceable and carry extra batteries in your backpack.

Battery life becomes more important the longer you plan to be out, and factors such as minus degrees reduce battery life. In winter, it’s therefore a good idea to have an external battery in your backpack or jacket, which you can keep protected from the cold. Of course, when the battery is mounted on your head, it shouldn’t feel heavy and burdensome.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS EVERYONE IS TELLING ME THAT I HAVE TO HAVE A SUPER-STRONG HEADLAMP. IS THAT TRUE? This depends on how afraid of the dark you are! All joking aside: how strong a lamp you need depends entirely on what type of running you intend to do; how technical the terrain is and how fast you run. If you’re a person who runs quickly on technical trails, you should have a lamp with over 1000 lumens, but if you mostly run on asphalt or exercise tracks, 200 lumens is probably enough. It’s also important to decide if you want a lot of light because you feel unsafe in the dark, or if you want light to see where you’re running. If you want to feel safer, you should, of course, choose a stronger lamp.

What’s important to note is that the lamp's strength usually affects its battery life. A strong lamp can give you huge amounts of light, but you run the risk of running out of battery in the woods. A powerful lamp also needs more or larger batteries, which affects comfort and flexibility.

So, the most powerful lamp is not always the best choice.

I WANT TO BE ABLE TO USE MY HEADLAMP FOR SEVERAL ACTIVITIES, NOT JUST RUNNING. Very wise. But then you’ll need to pay more attention to battery time – ensure that it’s enough for other activities that may require light for a longer period. Also, remember that it should be easy to replace batteries in the field. If a battery pack that requires charging from a wall outlet runs out on a hike, it’s not good. However, if you have the option of using ordinary batteries or charging with USB, you can have more batteries on you or an external battery pack to charge from.

Other features to keep an eye out for are a red light that doesn’t affect your night vision and a wide general light position, which gives greater dispersion if you need to light up the entire tent. Using the headlamp as a tent lamp works great. Try putting the headlamp in a plastic freezer bag with a frosted surface, the light will spread more.

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO SET THE INTENSITY OF THE LIGHT? The amount of light needed to illuminate the road or path in front of you is significantly more than you need when looking at the map or your mobile phone. Therefore, it’s good to be able to easily lower the brightness. Many lamps are also so powerful that you risk temporarily blinding

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yourself; if you can lower the brightness with a push of a button, you won’t upset your pals and reduce the risk of accidents (the sight of two people blinding each other into a frontal crash sounds potentially comic, but usually ends in serious injuries). Being able to adjust the light as needed also allows you to extend battery time.

DO I NEED A SPECIAL HEADLIGHT FOR WINTERTIME? Battery life for all types of products is drastically diminished by the cold. The fact is: a battery-powered headlight worn on the head gets cold – but you can help extend battery life if the battery pack is at the back by putting your cap over instead of under the headlight. If you know that you’ll be out in the cold a lot, it may make sense to look for a model that has a battery pack with a long cord so that you can keep it in your jacket pocket, your backpack or in a belt at your waist. Some models come with an extension lead that allows you to move the battery from the main position to sit at the waist.

10 QUICK FACTS ABOUT HEADLAMPS 200 lumens provides sufficient light for roads and exercise tracks 500 lumens provides enough light for most forest paths 1000 lumens provides enough light for fast running on technical terrain How the light is distributed also affects brightness A high lumen value often affects battery life Battery life and what kind of battery the lamp uses become more important the longer you’re outside A red light is good for camping as it doesn’t interfere with your night vision The headlamp should sit comfortably and not move on your head The strap should be easily adjustable and compatible with a cap or headband The protection class indicates water resistance, but most sports lamps can withstand our climate

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GET A GRIP ON WINTER RUNNING Text: Olof Strömbäck / Photo: Emrik Jansson

Icy and snowy weather doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doomed to run on the treadmill all winter. With the right gear, you can continue running outdoors, even though the trails and streets might be covered with ice. Let's go through the most common traction solutions so that you can get as good a grip as possible when out running this winter.

WINTER TRACTION DEVICES Winter traction devices are a cheap investment that provide a relatively secure grip. There are basically two types of winter traction devices. The first and most efficient version has sturdy steel spikes that are linked by a chain. They look a bit like crampons and enable you to run with good traction on the ice.

There are also other models of winter traction devices that have smaller spikes. These are often cheaper and a good alternative, although they don’t offer as secure a grip as those with larger spikes. They do, however, feel safer on icefree sections. Whichever winter traction device you choose, always be careful when there’s something other than ice under your feet. If you’re a trail runner, you also need to watch out for roots and rocks, which are extra slippery and difficult to get traction on.

Winter running requires sharp winter traction devices that grip the ice. Cheaper models can cause you to slide over the ice instead of penetrating it and will not provide the necessary traction. Look for winter traction devices made specifically for running.

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STUDDED SHOES Outfitting yourself with winter traction devices is a good way to get into heavier winter running, but if you run regularly, we suggest investing in a pair of studded shoes. For those of you who are a bit handy, you can also put the studs on yourself. However, this is quite fiddly and you need to be careful to get it right so that you don’t damage your shoes.

The advantages of studded shoes compared to winter traction devices is that you don’t have to put the traction devices on the shoes every time you run (nor remove them afterwards). Traction devices can also move around a bit when running, which quickly gets annoying and disruptive.

Modern studded shoes adapt to the surface you’re running on, which means that you have traction even on areas of bare ground – a function you miss out on when you put the studs on yourself. Studded shoes are more expensive than winter traction devices but provide a better running experience. With a pair of high-quality studded shoes, you can maintain your normal running pace and form even on slippery surfaces. They also work great for nordic mountain races in the summer, given that these races take part mostly on grass or dirt trails and don’t include long segments of rocks.

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HOMAGE TO MATERIALS Text: Oscar Hentmark / Photo: Emelie Voltaire

This is a standing ovation, a genuine thank you and a nostalgic tear of joy flowing down the cheek, in text form. There are many things we love, but two things that we’re completely crazy about are merino wool and shell clothing. So, when given the opportunity to point the spotlight at something that truly deserves it, these are our chosen candidates. Why not take the opportunity to celebrate both?

MERINO WOOL – THE MATERIAL THAT TAKES MULTIPURPOSE TO ANOTHER LEVEL Imagine a material that’s warm in the winter, cool in the summer, soft against your skin, fast-drying, odour-resistant and biodegradable. Then imagine that it’s suitable for hiking, training, summer nights, ice-cold winters and sitting around the campfire. Sound too good to be true? Think again…think MERINO WOOL! We have no choice but to salute this perfect material that, in all honesty, isn’t matched by any other material on the market. Clothing manufacturers all over the world are doing everything they can to create a similar synthetic fibre or find a material with similar features – but time and time again, they fail. Nothing can compete with this natural material.

This is a homage to the material that we hold closest to our hearts – literally. It’s perfect for base layers, underwear, socks (and also as a midlayer too!) But how it is so great?

To find the ultimate material that keeps you warm in the winter yet cools you down in the summer, we have to learn and get help from nature; specifically, from one particular animal. In New Zealand (and also in other parts of the world) you’ll find the merino sheep. These hardy beasts face freezing cold in the winter and extreme heat in the summer – just like us! In the winter time they grow a double layer of wool to retain warmth in chilling temperatures. What’s special about merino wool for us is that we can do the same – gain an extra layer for warmth, without losing breathability.

That’s because merino consists of ultra-thin fibres which also make it super comfortable and smooth against your skin. Win-win!

Merino garments work perfectly for daytrips or expeditions,

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both because of their low weight and since they don’t need washing nearly as often as clothes made from other materials. That means you can pack fewer pieces and save even more weight. The material repels bad smells so if you’ve been active you can just hang it out to dry. Sweat and other smells disappear, and they’re soon good as new.

They’re also fast drying. So, if they get wet during your hike, they’ll still keep you warm. What more could you wish for?

Merino wool fabrics come in different thicknesses and an easy rule to go by is that they follow the seasons – so you can plan by the time of year. Thick ones have a weight of around 260 g/m² and are best suited to winter, thin comes in at about 200 g/m² and is suitable for year-round use and super thin – at approximately 150 g/m² – works well for summer adventures. But the wonderful part is that they work best together. If you’re cold (as previously mentioned), just throw on another layer. You can, for example, select your wool-weight based on your activity. Skiing socks should be around 260 g/m², base layers 200 g/m² and t-shirts and running socks 150 g/m².

So, whether you’re buying underwear, base layers, midlayers or socks, chose merino. It’s worth every penny.

And let’s salute the merino sheep that so kindly share their amazing wool. Thank you!

SOFTSHELL – ITS TIME TO SALUTE THIS SOMEWHAT HIDDEN GEM It’s also past time we paid homage to this somewhatoverlooked softshell. It hasn’t really got the attention that it deserves before, so now’s it’s time. Technically, it’s not a material; more of a garment-type – but one that’s heavily used by people who want to get the most out of their clothes. No matter whether you’re talking jackets or pants, its time for softshell to step into the limelight!

If you like to get moving outdoors, you need a jacket or a pair of pants that protect you from the elements whilst regulating your body heat after exercise. Softshells are perfect for daily use no matter what activity. It doesn’t matter if you’re biking or climbing, you’re going to get warm. To avoid overheating, you need a jacket that ventilates excess body heat. And that is the kind of feature that defines the softshell; it breathes and adapts to give freedom of movement. It offers, like the merino wool, the amazing ability to adapt to your environment while at the same time resisting more snow and rain than you’d think. Which leads us to the other side of the spectrum: hardshell.

You can hear the difference between softshell and hardshell in their names: soft shell and hard shell. You can compare them to a turtle and a lizard: The turtle’s hard shell protects it against everything but is pretty stiff and offers no ventilation. Perfect for when you’re dealing with rain and water as it’s not supposed to leak.

The lizard's skin, on the other hand, doesn’t just protect against temporary and light showers; it’s also thinner, more supple and elastic so the lizard can climb around on peaks, stones and slopes. The turtle is safe and protected, whilst the lizard is versatile and flexible.

Hardshell jackets are suitable as skiing jackets and or raincoats; providing an outer layer when the weather is at its worst. If you enjoy taking the lift up the mountain, having some coffee and skiing down again, a hardshell jacket gives your behind better protection when you’re sitting down. And if there’s a snowstorm, rain or extreme wind, it protects you from all of that. The softshell is versatile and is best suited to all activities, no matter what time of year. Great, right?

A lot of experienced climbers, tourers and cyclists combine a midlayer and/or a softshell jacket under their hardshell jacket. That, of course, depends on how cold it is and it’s perfectly easy to pack away the hardshell when the sun comes out of the clouds.

A softshell is everything and everywhere. It’s that best friend that will follow you to the end of the world. They come in different forms but they all have that same spark of magic; allowing you freedom that you can't help but love. So, THANK YOU softshell for existing and for everything you do! You deserve all the attention in the world.

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WINTER COMMUTERS Text: Olof Strömbäck / Photo: Emelie Voltaire

Cycling or running to work in the winter is a bit of a challenge but certainly not as tricky as it may sound.

Dress smartly, get some good gear and you’ll be ready to beat the cold and snow. Our colleagues Nina and Emil rise above and beyond snow chaos, traffic delays and cancelled departures. They’re committed winter commuters, and they’re here to share some tricks that will help you defeat winter too.

EMIL – RUN COMMUTER AND SHOP ASSISTANT IN THE ADDNATURE STORE IN STOCKHOLM

a bit of time for yourself which can be quite nice. Especially if you've had a stressful day.

What's the best thing about commuting in the winter?

- Winter is the most fun time to run. There’s something special about the cold air. You get a better feeling in your body and feel more hardcore.

What are the biggest challenges?

- When it's slippery or raining a lot, it's not that fun. You also have to wash your bike more often as salt and dirt eat away at it if you don’t look after it.

What are the biggest challenges?

- The slippery ground and the cold, but if you like to run in the summer, you’ll also enjoy running in the winter.

What’s your best tip for anyone thinking about starting winter commuting?

- Layer up with a base, mid and outer layer, and buy a good pair of gloves. Equip your bike properly and always wear a helmet.

What’s your best tip for anyone thinking about starting to winter commute?

- Wear wool! You can handle at least minus 10 celsius with a wool baselayer set of 200 g/m² and a windbreaker. However, don’t overestimate the cold, you’ll warm up after a while. Be prepared to freeze the first kilometre, that’s ok. Another tip is to have a pair of work shoes ready at work, so you don't have to carry them in your running backpack.

What’s the most important thing a new winter commuter needs?

- Baselayers, underwear, socks and a buff in merino wool.

You’ll also need gloves. Wear two pairs and take off one layer when it gets too hot. This is much better than buying thicker ones as they’ll get too warm after a while. Also, invest in a running backpack of about 15 litres.

- When it comes to shoes, anything from Icebug is great for winter running. Be sure not to choose their orienteering models if you’re going to run around town. Spikes work okay but studded shoes are best. You’ll be able to wear the shoes for several seasons – so even though the shoes are relatively expensive, they’re a modest investment when you consider how much use you’ll get out of them.

NINA - BICYCLE COMMUTER AND CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF What's the best thing about commuting in the winter?

- Since there’s less traffic and fewer people out there, you get

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What’s the most important thing a new winter commuter needs?

- Clothing for winter biking, especially gloves. When it’s not snowing or raining, I usually wear a lightly insulated jacket that protects against the wind, and when it rains, I wear a shell jacket. As a mid layer I usually wear a fleece and a t-shirt in merino wool or a tank top underneath.

- Good gloves are important. I like Sealskinz and when it’s really, really cold it’s nice to have lobster gloves.

- Since I don't like cycling shoes, I ride in a pair of waterproof hiking shoes instead. You can also use special winter bike shoes or regular bike shoes with overshoes if you prefer.

Under my helmet I wear a thin cap that goes down over my ears – and sometimes I team it with a tube scarf. I also have a pair of GORE lined pants made for winter use.

- Bike lights at both the front and rear are important. Invest in high-quality lighting that can withstand the cold. Install some mudguards and use studded tyres when it starts to get slippery.

How much do time margins differ from summer commuting?

- It depends on whether it’s snowy and slippery. If it’s not slippery it’s actually faster to get home, because there’s less traffic in winter. But if it’s very icy or snowy, then it’ll take longer. In the summer it usually takes me about 20 minutes to get home and in the winter it’s more like 30 minutes.

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EQUIPPING THE ADVENTURER OF TOMORROW

Isbjรถrn is not a fashion trend or a studio brand. Isbjรถrn is a lifestyle brand and what we do, we do for real! We want to inspire and encourage young families of today to enjoy and explore the outdoors with their kids. With our Isbjรถrn gear, we aim to make sure that the outdoor experience will be a positive one and maybe a starting point of a longlasting relationship.

We hope that the love and respect for the outdoors will stay with the kids when entering into their adult life. In that way we truly build the adventurers of tomorrow. It is as simple as that!

SUSTAINABILITY IS KEY

We all know that the production of garments affects the environment. For every garment we can produce in recycled materials, we are very happy and proud. We continuously strive to make our garments in materials thoroughly tested and approved for not being hazardous to the environment. Our garments endure tough times when used, but can still be handed over to a smaller sister, brother or a friend. Not only once, but twice and even three times. In that way we can together limit the use of natural resources. That is being environmentally friendly according to us!

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GETTING STARTED WITH CLIMBING Text: Olof Strömbäck / Photo: Emelie Voltaire & Oscar Hessling

Until a few years ago climbing was thought of as an extreme activity for intrepid adventurers. But with more and more climbing gyms opening, it’s easier than ever for beginners to get started. Are you eager to get into climbing, but not sure where to start? Maybe you’re looking for a new type of workout, or perhaps you’ve recently watched the movies Dawn Wall and Free Solo and can't wait to experience your own climbing adventure. Hold on to that flash of inspiration and keep reading, as we’re about to give you some great tips on how to get started with climbing.

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HOW TO GET STARTED The easiest way to get into climbing is to either join a friend who already climbs or sign up for a climbing course. You can also go to the nearest climbing gym and try bouldering, a climbing discipline that requires no prior knowledge. Bouldering and top rope climbing are the most common ways people get into the sport, so let’s start by having a closer look at these two disciplines.

BOULDERING Bouldering is a type of climbing which can be done both indoors and out and which doesn’t require ropes, instead using pads or mattresses to break your fall.

You’ll never go higher than 6 metres above the ground, so the risk of injury is low. It’s easy to get started and all you need is a pair of climbing shoes and a chalk bag.

HOW DOES BOULDERING WORK? A bouldering route, or ’problem’, is a series of holds in the same colour that leads all the way up to the top of the wall. At the lowest grip you should see two pieces of tape marking the start of the route: this is your first hold. You’ve completed the problem once you have successfully placed both of your hands on the top hold.

TOP ROPE CLIMBING Many climbers begin their career bouldering, but top rope climbing is also a great place to start. With top rope climbing, the rope is secured at the top of the route and runs down via an anchor from the top of the wall. The rope is attached to your harness and goes all the way up through the anchor and down again through the belay person’s belaying device. Just like in bouldering, you climb a series of holds of the same colour all the way to the top.

WHAT PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE IS REQUIRED FOR TOP ROPE CLIMBING? Take a course at any local climbing gym and you’ll learn everything you need to know in just a few sessions before taking two exams: a theory test and a practical climbing test. If you pass, you’ll be allowed to belay other climbers in any climbing gym in Sweden. The course also gives you an excellent opportunity to find a climbing buddy.

If you learned to climb in another country and would like to belay in a Swedish climbing gym, you need to do a practical climbing test (uppklättring) to demonstrate that you have the required knowledge.

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CLIMBING TECHNIQUE TIPS Climbing is physically demanding, but no matter how strong you are, there’s no substitute for having proper technique. Having the right technique enables you to save strength so you can climb for longer and execute more difficult routes. The following techniques are good to know right from the start: CLIMB WITH YOUR FEET Push from your feet instead of trying to pull yourself up. If you let your arms do all the work, you’ll get tired quickly, even if you have very strong arms. It’s better to push yourself up with your legs and rely on your feet, which brings us to the next point; TRUST YOUR FEET If you don't trust your feet, your arms will still do all the work. It will initially feel unnatural to stand on small holds several metres above the ground, but when you notice that you actually have better grip than you think, you’ll quickly get used to it.

STAND ON YOUR TOES Get used to standing on your toes instead of standing on the foot hold with the side of your foot against the wall. With your toes against the wall you can turn your foot freely without slipping off the wall.

STRAIGHT ARMS Keep your arms straight while considering your next move. If your arms are bent, you’ll need to tense your muscles and this will quickly drain your stamina. Move your hands to another hold or bend your legs so you can stretch out your arms.

VISUALISE THE ROUTE/PROBLEM Climbing is a lot of problem solving. If you visualise your way up to the top and plan how you’ll get from hold to hold, you’ll increase your chances of completing the route – it’s much harder to get an overview once you’re already on the wall. If you already have the possible moves in your head, it’s much easier to make the right decision.

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RULES & ETIQUETTE In every climbing gym there are rules for safety and general climbing etiquette. Check which rules apply in your gym so you avoid rookie mistakes and feel more confident. Below we’ve compiled some general pieces of advice (you could also call them rules!) that are good to know when visiting a climbing hall for the first time.

DON'T WALK WHERE ANYONE CAN FALL Be aware of what’s going on above you and don’t walk where there’s a risk of someone falling on you.

TAKE TURNS Look around and see if anyone else wants to climb the same problem and leave room for the person currently climbing.

If you don’t complete the problem, let someone else have a try. Also, be sure to check if your problem crosses the route of adjacent ones. If so, people already on the wall have priority.

WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE When people scream and swear every time they fall off the wall or fail a problem, it brings down the mood in the climbing

hall. If you stay cool and don’t take your failures so seriously, you’ll contribute to a much more positive atmosphere in the gym.

KEEP YOUR SHIRT ON A climbing hall is not a suitable arena to show off your abs.

Don’t climb without a shirt.

FEAR OF HEIGHTS Feeling a little uneasy when climbing high above the ground only goes to show that you’re taking it seriously. Some feel hardly any discomfort at all, while others get dizzy only a couple of metres above the ground. As you climb more often you’ll soon feel secure in your harness and get used to falling.

Fear of heights is common even among experienced climbers. The Swedish mountaineers Annelie Pompe and Fredrik Sträng are two great examples of prominent adventurers who both have to contend with a fear of heights, despite having climbed several of the world's highest peaks.

You’ll learn to handle your fear faster than you think once you start regularly facing it – in small doses, that is!

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EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING Clothing with good freedom of movement is essential for climbing. It’s also good if your clothes are on the durable side, as rough climbing walls can quickly wear the fabric. Choose clothes you’re fine with getting chalk on.

The first time you climb you can rent the equipment you need. Once you start climbing more, you should invest in your own equipment, even if you only climb occasionally. This applies especially to shoes. It’s much more fun to have your own gear, and shoes adapt to your feet and become more comfortable over time. It’s important as a beginner to have good shoes you can rely on, so that you have the optimal conditions to practice correct technique right from the start. Renting shoes is alright for your first couple of sessions, but they can be a bit smelly and won’t be as good as shoes you buy yourself.

For top rope climbing you also need a harness, rope brake and a fuse carabiner. The rope will be provided by the climbing hall.

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INTRODUCTION TO ICE CLIMBING Text: Claudia Adamo / Photo: Terese Asplund

At the end of every summer, when the outdoor climbing season had come to an end and Lotta Frank packed the last length of rope in its bag, she always used to feel sad. Going without outdoor climbing for half a year just felt too long. So she and her boyfriend started to look for an alternative solution – and five years ago they signed up for their first ice climbing course.

Since then they’ve returned every year, and now Lotta wants to inspire more people to take their first steps on the ice.

I always long for winter. The warm rock faces and nature of summer are lovely but it’s something really special to be out in the wild when it’s quiet and white. Being with friends in that calm environment is absolutely magical.

It's hard to describe that feeling; it's something you have to experience yourself.

I have several strong memories from climbing, but for me, it’s about the overall experience. To be in a wonderful environment together with friends, in a nice encouraging community and to feel that I'm making progress in my climbing. Every year, I dare to challenge myself a little more and tackle more technical routes.

My dream destination for ice climbing remains Rjukan in Norway. It’s an incredible place where the ice looks different every year. There are hundreds of glaciers of differing levels of difficulty and you can climb from morning to evening without ever getting bored.

Taking a course in ice climbing is very important as it’s a completely different discipline and mindset to rock climbing. To be allowed on the course, you have to fulfil certain criteria; you must know how to belay and repel and have previous experience of climbing.

WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU NEED TO START ICE CLIMBING? A harness, which shouldn’t be padded as padding

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�On the ice, breathing is most important to me; all doubts are forgotten if I just breathe. Focus on the next step and how to proceed instead of the discomfort�

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absorbs water. Alpine boots and crampons that have been tried out together, so you know they fit together. You need a technical ice axe, climbing helmet, impregnated rope, carabiner, loop and ice screws.

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING MOUNTAINEERING BOOTS AND CRAMPONS? Mountaineering boots are a pair of sturdy boots made for alpine terrain and are similary to ski boots in how rigid they are. You need to be able to push your crampons into the ice and it’s important to have stable shoes that support your entire foot. For mountaineering shoes, you need crampons with a bracket at the front that fits the toe and a buckle that fits into the heel. These type of crampons are called automatic. Crampons come in different forms, so make sure they’re made for your particular purpose. For ice climbing, you need crampons with aggressive points on the front that allow you to grip on to the ice.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MOUNTAINEERING ICE AXE AND A TECHNICAL ICE AXE FOR CLIMBING? Mountaineering ice axes are lighter and have a straighter shaft so you can use them as a stick when walking in alpine terrain. The head is thicker and more robust. They’re commonly used for extra support on alpine excursions.

Technical ice axes are heavier and the shape is designed to create better momentum when you push it into the ice.

The blade is thin and pointy, which makes it easier to get it into the ice. Technical axes come in different shapes so it’s important to test them out yourself to find one that suits you.

TIP: When you’re putting down your ice axe, be sure to put the blade in the snow and not the shaft so that the shaft

doesn’t get cold.

HOW DO YOU DRESS WHEN ICE CLIMBING? I dress based on the layer-on-layer principle. I usually start off being a little cold, because during a long approach it’s important not to get sweaty. In my opinion, the best temperature for ice climbing is between minus five to minus ten Celsius. Then I wear my base layer and an outer shell layer. When it’s minus 20 degrees, I wear a fleece sweater over the wool base layer and a thick down jacket. I climb in thicker finger gloves with synthetic lining. I have to be able to use my hands, for example, to tie knots as I climb. I use the same finger gloves when I belay but switch to thick mittens while waiting for my friends to climb.

TIP: Practice technique and prepare climbing with gloves on so you don't have to take them off. Once you remove them, be sure to put them inside your jacket and they’ll warm up.

DO YOU HAVE A KEY GARMENT YOU DON'T CLIMB WITHOUT? I would never ice climb without a wool baselayer. It always keeps me warm even when I get sweaty.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO FEELS NERVOUS ABOUT ICE CLIMBING? Read about ice climbing and take a course so you feel safe.

The most important thing if I ever feel fear is to trust my own knowledge. On the ice, breathing is most important to me; all doubts are forgotten if I just breathe. Focus on the next step and how to proceed instead of the discomfort – thinking about the dangers when climbing and what might happen gets you nowhere. This applies to all types of climbing.

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�With the saltwater on my lips and the cold water around my hands, I feel alive�

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CITY STREAMS: KAYAKING IN STOCKHOLM Text: Julia Möller & Julius Copcutt / Photo: Julia Möller

Say ‘kayaking’, and most people think of freckles on noses and glimmering archipelagos in the summertime.

But the Strömstararna canoe club proves that kayaking is a year-round sport that can also be done in the middle of Sweden's largest city, a stone's throw from the Parliament House and the Royal Palace.

Zindy Johansson has paddled rapids from Norway to Nepal, but it’s in the white water in her own backyard that she spends most of her time. For her, paddling in Stockholm makes everyday life in the city just that little bit sweeter.

- With the saltwater on my lips and the cold water around my hands, I feel alive. In the kayak, all the stress from the day simply evaporates.

Zindy describes the paddling as the ultimate bad weather sport.

- It doesn't matter how much it rains, the paddling just gets better the wetter we get.

It’s when the ice settles on other paddling streams in Sweden that the paddling season in Stockholm really begins; this is when Strömstararna put their kayaks in the water by the clubhouse on Skeppsholmen and paddle the short distance to Stockholm's stream. When the gate to the stream is open, there are lovely waves and plenty of opportunities for technical practice.

- The stream is a short rapid, which means that the element of adventure is absent. However, you can paddle down the stream if you carry the kayak upstream and start above it.

It’s also possible to practise on technical elements such as traversing and movement in flowing water.

Strömstararna was founded in 1978 by Göran Glivberg, who had then recently completed a paddling course in Åre.

White water kayaking was a relatively new sport at the time, and the kayaks were four metres long, compared to today's two metres. The club then organised several major slalom competitions and paddle events, including during the Water Festival in the 90s. Although competitions in slalom are still organised during the spring flood, nowadays the club mostly concerns itself with relaxed pleasure paddling.

- A Saturday or Sunday in the spring-winter when the sun is low and the light hits your face under the bridge vault,

that’s hard to beat. Being able to paddle and take a sauna after work or paddle during your lunch break is a real luxury and the paddling community is like a big, welcoming family.

It’s simply the perfect combination of being outdoors, adrenaline and community.

Getting a kayak into town isn’t easy, so most paddlers are members and the clubhouse isn’t far away from the stream.

To become a member, you need to take a beginner's course, although if you just want to try it out, the club can arrange that and provide a roll course. The club’s community isn’t just fun and accessible, it’s also important from a safety perspective.

- White water kayaking is a risky sport and the stream is shallower and contains more rocks than you might imagine.

The basic safety rules are to always wear a life jacket and helmet, and dress according to weather and temperature.

You’ll need to know how to get out of the kayak if it capsises, and you should never paddle alone. We always paddle together, and more experienced paddlers help the less experienced with routes and making good choices. In difficult passages, parts of the group can also station themselves on the river bank and stand ready with heaving lines if someone gets into trouble.

As with other sports, a lot of practice is required, and it takes many hours in the water to develop as a white-water kayaker. Because the sport is so dependent on external conditions, some logistical work is required. Zindy says that for Stockholm-based paddlers that means a lot of weekend trips to find rapids and waves elsewhere.

- Most white-water kayakers in Sweden paddle for fun, and there are a whole bunch of paddling events around the country that are free to participate in. Many clubs also arrange joint trips and paddle tours during the season.

Regarding paddling in Stockholm: if the city could arrange a fast standing wave and the possibility of freestyle training, that would be revolutionary.

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TEAM ARKSOULS ADDNATURE – WHAT KIND OF PERSON RUNS IN A WETSUIT AND SWIMS WITH THEIR SHOES ON? Text: Olof Strömbäck / Photo: Jonathan Foster

Addnature loves swimrun and is a proud sponsor of Team Ark Souls Addnature; which consists of Helen Wikmar and Isabella Hedberg. The pair only met for the first time this spring. But, thanks to their impressive performance at ÖTILLÖ, they qualified for the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Championship in the autumn of 2019 where they won bronze. So, who are the people behind these accomplishments and what drives them to stay at the top? Meet Team Ark Souls Addnature.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO SWIMRUN? HELEN: I was inspired by some friends who were doing swimrun. I thought it looked so cool and free, if a little crazy at first. I thought to myself, what are they doing? Who runs in a wetsuit and swims with their shoes on? It looked comical.

The swimrun community also felt less stiff compared to other sports. It felt welcoming and open, which made the sport easier to try for myself.

ISABELLA: For me, it started with seeing an online stream of the ÖTILLÖ, then I tried swimrun for the first time with a friend. Back then I didn't even have a wetsuit and swam a distance of about 150 metres – it felt like swimming across the Atlantic! But I was sold: I loved the feeling of being in nature combined with running and swimming.

HOW DOES YOUR TRAINING LOOK AT THE MOMENT AND HOW DO YOU FIT YOUR WORKOUTS AROUND EVERYDAY LIFE? HELEN: I always have my training bag ready and try to squeeze my workout in whenever I have some free time.

If I have a meeting at work, maybe I’ll go for a run with my colleagues afterwards. If the children want to play at their friend’s place after school, then I usually take the opportunity to swim for an hour or so. With training, I do whatever comes to mind and I sometimes switch swimming for running if I feel like it. I do what I think is fun. I'd rather not have a program because I'm afraid it'll get boring. I do a crawl course once a week, but that’s all that’s planned in advance.

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ISABELLA: I have a ’bi-weekly life’, meaning every other week I treat myself to all kinds of training with many workouts.

Then I can do long, adventurous runs on the weekend. It’s more difficult to fit a good workout around my childrens’ schedules during the week, but I get up at five and I’m in the gym or swimming pool as soon as they open. For these weeks, the longer workouts consist of running laps on a nearby trail near my house so that I can come home to the kids if needed. I love to train and do it as much as I can.

Isabella and Helen have only known each other since last spring and recount with a twinkle in their eyes what it was like when they first met.

HELEN: Bella showed up in my running team and I remember being almost provoked by how strong she was. It was about six in the morning and she didn’t show any signs of effort or discomfort at all.

ISABELLA: Helen and I merely said hello and exchanged a few words when we first met. The running team was super friendly and everyone was very welcoming, but Helen has said in retrospect that she thought it was ’provocative’ that I ran that fast at six in the morning when she was still half asleep.

Helen planned to participate in ÖTILLÖ in Hvar, Croatia in the spring of 2019 with her former teammate. With only days left before the competition that could take them to the

World Championships, Helen's teammate became ill and she was left without a partner. That's when Isabella came into the picture.

HELEN: That girl from the running team popped into my mind and I thought to myself how awesome it would be to have her in my team. So I texted her and asked her if she wanted to join me.

ISABELLA: I got a message from Helen asking if I wanted to race with her in Hvar. We hadn't talked since we ran together that morning, but I believe you should try to say yes in life, so I said yes before I even managed to consider all of the practicalities.

Helen and Isabella won bronze at ÖTILLÖ Hvar, which qualified them for the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Championship 2019.

HELEN: My former teammate Emma and I raced at ÖTILLÖ in 2018. We felt that we could do better and decided to come back and give it another shot in 2019.

Isabella: For me, it was such an incredible thing to be able to stand on the starting line at ÖTILLÖ. It's something I've had as a goal for almost five years and the biggest thing I've done since giving birth to my children. It was an incredible experience to be able to do it with Helen and that we got such a good result was the icing on the cake.

Although the competitive instinct is deeply rooted in both Helen and Isabella, they emphasise that it’s primarily the joy of the sport, rather than the achievement, that is their main driving force.

HELEN: I can't perform if I enter a competition only to place well. I prefer to focus on the joy of it and do the best I can. That's my mindset. If I don’t enjoy it, I'm no good.

At the same time, I’m driven by achieving a high ranking and I’m competition-oriented; that's what motivates us to give our everything. We like to push ourselves, we like to fight and we like to do hard stuff for a long time.

ISABELLA: The competition was on a Monday so I wrote ”Monday party” on the paddles to be able to focus more on the fun. When Helen and I compete, we sometimes sing when we run. We’re obviously competing and pushing ourselves to the maximum, but we also want to enjoy it.

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How do you train in summer?

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Klättermusen Carrying Systems Maximum Safety, Minimum Impact

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Support POW by becoming a member www.protectourwinters.se 68