My First Solo Arctic Winter Ski Traverse | Extreme Snow Camping
This is a very special video to me, and l hope it is also special to those of you who have followed my channel from the beginning. This video represents the culmination of my efforts to overcome my fears and develop new skills (More below timestamps).
00:00 – Koltaluokta Shelter
00:10 – Crossing the Lake & Day 1 Camp
00:40 – Freezing Temps from the Start
01:31 – Things Didn't Go as Planned
03:05 – Scary Hurricane Class Wind
05:00 – Making my Own Way
05:16 – Break & Pitching the Tent
07:45 – It's -26ºC / -15ºF
08:11 – Swedish SAR Team -32ºC / -26ºF
08:58 – Fishing Camp / Freezing Day
10:16 – Stor-Rostahytta
11:34 – WalrusMan!
11:50 – Break & Wind Update
12:36 – Awesome Views
13:26 – Leaving Camp
14:05 – Break & Music
14:33 – Mountain Top Camp - 750m / 2460ft
14:44 – White Out!
15:22 – Break at 1000m / 3000ft
15:49 – Wind is Picking UP!
16:11 – Kilpisjärvi is Behind Me!
16:22 – Thank You Eirik and Jan!
16:53 – Snowmobile Ride!
Camera Gear:
Nikon z6 + z24mm f1.8
GoPro 11
Samsung Galaxy s10+
Back in March 2020, l walked my 'first ever' thru-hike, the Southern Upland Way in Scotland • My Southern Upland Way | Part 1 That was also my first time wild-camping (backcountry camping) and my very first set of videos. Ever since then, we've come a long way both in my outdoor and filming/editing skill.
In this video, l ski from Abisko to Kilpisjärvi solo and unsupported ;-) For many, this would be an 'expedition,' but l'd be ashamed to call it that way. To give you an idea of what this ski traverse meant to me, the days prior to starting the trip l almost couldn't sleep. l was both afraid and concerned.
l was afraid of the potentially lethal conditions l could find. l knew l was going to ski over very large open areas where finding cover or shelter would be impossilble. Failing to pitch the tent would likely result in my death.
I was also very concerned about ruining it for my wife. My wife and l love each other and we are very happily married together. l didn't want to turn her into an 'early widow,' somehow forcing her to seek for a new start in life. And then there's my cat. We have a very strong bond and l wanted to keep looking after her. Sure enough, my death would torn my 2 lovely sisters and my parents life.
The morning of my departure, l was close to call my friend Svein to tell him not to come for me. When he dropped me at the Bardufoss bus-stop, we waited for the bus in silence. When the bus finally arrived, my feet felt heavy: l could almost not get onto it. Fear was paralizing me.
Luckily for me, l had learnt earlier on in life that fear is like a compass: it always points at the direction of growth. You can be assured that if you go towards the things that scare you, you'll grow and change, if you don't die in the attempt, of course ;-)
After the bus ride l took a train to Abisko. At the train station, feelings of pride helped me cope with those of fear. The very small station was filled with a group of Indian tourists who were also going to Abisko but to witness the Northern Ligths. l became an improvised tourist atraction. l answered a trillion questions about my trip, how l coped with the extreme cold, etc. They were all noticibly impressed; l felt proud of myself, thus forgetting how scared l was deeply inside.
When we arrived to Abisko, the freezing cold hit me on the face as l got off the train. Surprisingly, the feelings of fear gradually vanished as l fought my heavy pulk out the station. Finally, standing by the lake, it was time to venture myself alone, solo, into the unforgiving Scandinavian wilderness and the Arctic winter. l remember telling myself, "You got this."
Yet, fear was my travel companion for many stretches of the day until the end of day 3 and my experience with the 'hurricane class' wind. Having dealt well with the outrageous wind (I estimate, at least 35m/s) and scary situation, made me feel confident and in control. From then on, l deeply enjoyed the trip, as you'll see me doing if you watch the video.
