SURVIVAL SCHOOL 2010 WINTER EXPEDITION

DAY 1:

19th March 2010

Depart: London

Arrive in Sweden's capital city Stockholm and then catch another internal flight to Ostersund.

Total flight time 3 hours

Travelling time from airport: 1 hour

Upon arrival you will be met by members of Intrepid Expeditions staff. Once the entire luggage has been loaded into the vehicle we take a minibus journey down scenic roads, passing through endless snow-covered forests to Raftalvern. Once we have driven through Raftalvern we take a track off the main road for a few miles until we stop in what appears to be the middle of nowhere. The short walk through the trees will take you to the cabin that will be home for the next few days. The cabin is situated in a remote location used by Intrepid Expedition throughout the winter months. The accommodation is wonderfully basic with no electricity of running water, however it is dry, cosy and warm with a simple kitchen log fire, and gas lighting - with views that defy many others! In most circumstances it will mean we arrive at the cabin late in the evening with a meal waiting and welcoming us, (normally moose), followed by a briefing on the exciting events planned for the following week.

DAY 2:

20th March 2010

Familiarisation and safety brief, Cross Country Skiing, Snow Shoeing, Sauna, chilling out.

DAY 3:

21st March 2010

0900 Breakfast

After a hot, hearty typical Swedish breakfast we will make our way by coach to Vålådalen touriststation where we will meet and greet our dogs. At this point you will have your first contact with the husky dogs and have the chance to familiarise yourself with them, and vice versa. Every participant gets their own team and sledge to be responsible for in the days to come, so there will be no passengers - every person has to be fit for driving his/her own team of 4-5 dogs. We pack the sleds, and get instructions and a debrief on how to harness the dogs and to drive the sled.

The trip starts in a forest that is several hundred years old; we drive through Vålådalen's nature reserve known for its many species of wildlife.

Heading towards Vålåstugan we will travel along the dividing line between the mountain birch forests and the bare mountain region. In Vålåstugan (Vålåvalen) we stay overnight in a cabin. It is said that there is gold in the ground here. Old mine holes bare witness of strenuous quarrying. We melt snow for water and make a fire in the iron stove.

DAY 4:

22nd March 2010

Early morning call at 0700 hours

Getting away on the second morning always takes time; the dogs sense that soon you will all be on your way, at this point it gets very noisy with excitement.

When everybody and the dogs are ready to go, suddenly all the dogs go quiet as they anticipate pulling the sledges through the frozen wilderness. The dogs are so keen it makes you feel humble as to how hard they work for you.

We are now in the bare mountain region, the trip goes on to Helags. We stop halfway at Ljungans shelter for lunch. The cabins at Helags are situated at the foot of Sweden's most southerly located glacier and the highest peak south of the Arctic Circle, 1797 meters above sea level. Helags cabins have modern amenities including a shower and a sauna. Luxury!

It starts to get dark very early, and we settle down for a typical Swedish meal of elk or reindeer stew with rice and maybe a little tea with rum to defreeze.

Tasks will be assigned to take care of the animals for the evening, and after that you can relax under the stars and watch the Northern lights (if available) before settling down for a good night's sleep in the cabin.

DAY 5:

23th March 2010

0700 hours

After a hearty breakfast of porridge and toast, and with the morning chores all completed we will then leave Helags heading towards Sylarna, 1743 meters above sea level. We travel 40-50 kilometres on this day silently gliding across snow covered mountains, admiring the incredible wildlife and scenery. We stop at Mieskentjakke with a magnificent view towards both Helags and Sylarna. Then finally on to Sylarna for the night, this cabin again is comfortable and equipped to modern standards. 

DAY 6:

24th March 2010

After breakfast we travel from Sylarna down towards Stensdalen where we stop for lunch. We are now in the birch forest again, but by this time you will be really working well together, as one with the dogs, putting all the skills that you have learned throughout the week into one last push home. You will end the day at Vålådalen Touriststation for dinner. After the evening meal and all the dogs have been parked and taken care of, and all equipment unloaded, unfortunately this is now time to say goodbye to your dog team. Then it is time to travel back to the cabin by coach to Raftalven for a well deserved nights sleep.

DAY 7:

25th March 2010

After a very lazy lie in and breakfast has been taken care of, the hot tub/s will be moved down to the lake. We will then drill some holes in the ice and fill the hot tub with water pumped from the lake, then stoke up the fires, and whilst all this is going on, try our luck at some ice fishing. A little later on, when the hot tub is ready you can dive in and relax under the stars. If you find that doesn't relax you then maybe the sauna will. This is a great time to unwind and reflect on the week's activities.

1900 hours

26th March 2010