destination overview - sane · 2019. 6. 20. · sledding and snowmobiling, and possibly ice...

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Destination: SWEDEN Duration: 8 DAYS Difficulty: CHALLENGING Destination Overview Sweden Sweden is one of the largest countries in Europe, situated between Norway to the West and Finland to the Northeast. The northernmost part of Sweden lies within the Arctic Circle, with extremely long hours of continuous sunlight in summer, and long days of darkness throughout the winter. This is also a hotspot for the Northern Lights phenomenon (Aurora Borealis). The remaining majority of Sweden lies in the northern temperate zone, with just as much of interest in the far south as the far north of this land. Sweden offers rolling plains, sandy beaches, fishing villages, forests, deep valleys and fjords, castles, mountains, glaciers, snow and ice. Not to mention around 100,000 lakes. From the prehistoric people’s lives hunting elk and reindeer, to the sea- faring Vikings, who travelled far, trading and raiding foreign shores, the ancestors of Sweden certainly made their mark. Today Sweden is a thriving nation, which challenges other countries about environmental and sustainability commitments, welfare and more. Jämtland Härjedalen Often referred to as the ‘lungs of Europe’, the county of Jämtland Härjedalen is famous for its clean air, as well as its wonderful flora and fauna. Situated in the middle of the country, the provinces of Jämtland and Härjedalen boast some of Sweden’s finest and most accessible wilderness right on its doorstep, making tourism one of the most important industries of this area. Östersund is the only city of this region, with almost half of the region’s inhabitants living here. The region also has 12 villages of the indigenous, semi-nomadic Sami reindeer herdspeople, with a total of 44,000 reindeer. Terrain: The land will be covered in deep snow with frozen lakes. You may encounter icy patches while skiing etc. UK Survival Training Weekend: 22 nd 24 th November 2019 You are strongly encouraged to join a weekend training course at Ashclyst Forest, near Exeter, prior to the challenge. This training is very helpful for participants on this challenge and will cover important skills required during your time in Sweden. The cost of the training weekend (excluding travel there and back) is included in your challenge cost. Accommodation: Log cabin: 4 nights, Scandinavian tent: 1 night, shelter: 1 night, quinzee (snow hole): 1 night. Difficulty: Challenging Temperatures can drop as low as -30°C. For 3 days you will be sleeping in self-built shelters, warmed by a fire (or candles in the snow hole).

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Page 1: Destination Overview - SANE · 2019. 6. 20. · sledding and snowmobiling, and possibly ice fishing. ... Please note that if you wish to use the hot tub on the last day you will be

Destination: SWEDEN Duration: 8 DAYS Difficulty: CHALLENGING

Destination Overview

Sweden Sweden is one of the largest countries in Europe, situated between Norway to the West and Finland to the Northeast. The northernmost part of Sweden lies within the Arctic Circle, with extremely long hours of continuous sunlight in summer, and long days of darkness throughout the winter. This is also a hotspot for the Northern Lights phenomenon (Aurora Borealis). The remaining majority of Sweden lies in the northern temperate zone, with just as much of interest in the far south as the far north of this land. Sweden offers rolling plains, sandy beaches, fishing villages, forests, deep valleys and fjords, castles, mountains, glaciers, snow and ice. Not to mention around 100,000 lakes. From the prehistoric people’s lives hunting elk and reindeer, to the sea-faring Vikings, who travelled far, trading and raiding foreign shores, the ancestors of Sweden certainly made their mark. Today Sweden is a thriving nation, which challenges other countries about environmental and sustainability commitments, welfare and more. Jämtland Härjedalen Often referred to as the ‘lungs of Europe’, the county of Jämtland

Härjedalen is famous for its clean air, as well as its wonderful flora and fauna. Situated in the middle of the country, the provinces of Jämtland and Härjedalen boast some of Sweden’s finest and most accessible wilderness right on its doorstep, making tourism one of the most important industries of this area. Östersund is the only city of this region, with almost half of the region’s inhabitants living here. The region also has 12 villages of the indigenous, semi-nomadic Sami reindeer herdspeople, with a total of 44,000 reindeer.

Terrain: The land will be covered in deep snow with frozen lakes. You may encounter icy patches while skiing etc.

UK Survival Training Weekend: 22nd – 24th November 2019 You are strongly encouraged to join a weekend training course at Ashclyst Forest, near Exeter, prior to the challenge. This training is very helpful for participants on this challenge and will cover important skills required during your time in Sweden. The cost of the training weekend (excluding travel there and back) is included in your challenge cost.

Accommodation: Log cabin: 4 nights, Scandinavian tent: 1 night, shelter: 1 night, quinzee (snow hole): 1 night.

Difficulty: Challenging Temperatures can drop as low as -30°C. For 3 days you will be sleeping in self-built shelters, warmed by a fire (or candles in the snow hole).

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Destination: SWEDEN Duration: 8 DAYS Difficulty: CHALLENGING

Challenge Information

The Survival Challenge Set 150km south of the Arctic Circle, we are immersed in the wilderness. The first part of our challenge is about adjusting to life in this extreme environment with expert instruction and supervision about how to get around, how to light and maintain fires and how to construct the shelters we will eventually stay in during the challenge. We will also have the opportunity to try cross country skiing, husky sledding and snowmobiling, and possibly ice fishing. Later in the challenge is our three-day survival phase where our shelter building is put to the test. Moving away from our cabin, we will spend a night each in different types of shelter, including a Scandinavian tent, a natural shelter and a snow hole called a quinzee (temperature conditions permitting). This harsh environment will test your survival instinct and skills but also offers peace, tranquillity and beauty of the wilderness and starry skies. Who accompanies us? You will be accompanied throughout the challenge by a survival instructor, who (with his team) will provide full instruction for all the activities undertaken. You will also be accompanied by a Different Travel UK tour manager. How challenging is it? The trip is rated challenging as you be exposed to below-freezing conditions, you will stay in very basic accommodation and will be participating in physical activities such as digging your snow hole, collecting, carrying, chopping and sawing firewood, carrying water, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snowmobile driving and even just keeping your cabin clean and tidy. It is essential that you are fit enough to participate in these activities. There will always be tasks to do; you will be active for the majority of each day with only evenings as downtime. In addition to fitness, you must also be physiologically well enough to cope with the extremely cold conditions.

Challenge Cost: Self funded: £295 registration fee + £1,700 balance. or Fundraising: £295 registration fee + £3400 sponsorship

What’s not included? Transport to/from UK airport, travel insurance, vaccinations, European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), tips (approx. £25-30 per participant), personal kit.

What’s included? Return international flights (London to Stockholm) inc. taxes, return domestic flights (Stockholm to Östersund), all transfers and transport in Sweden, accommodation in a log cabin, a Scandinavian tent, a shelter and snow hole; sleeping equipment during survival challenge (sleeping bag, bivi bag, foam roll mat); meals; hot tub and sauna (day 7); all activities, equipment and instruction for cross country skiing, husky sledding, snowmobiling. Support team; UK Different Travel tour manager; UK training weekend (22-24 November 2019).

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Destination: SWEDEN Duration: 8 DAYS Difficulty: CHALLENGING

What is the climate like? Between the months of January and April, temperatures vary from 0°C to –30°C. You can expect the temperatures in rural Raftlaven to be colder than the nearest city (Östersund). In January the Östersund temperatures will range from -3°C to –10°C); however it is possible for temperatures to drop to -17°C or lower. In January the sun rises just before 10am and sets just after 4pm. Despite the extremely cold temperatures, due to the dry atmosphere, the air is crisp and energising, quite unlike cold days in UK. You can expect snowfall, overcast days or bright sunshine.

Where will we stay? You will be based at a simple, rustic log cabin for three nights at the start of the trip, and one night at the end. The cabin has no electricity, just a wood burner, basic kitchen with no running water, dining table and beds (dormitory style rooms). You will also spend three nights in shelters you will build as a group, including a Scandinavian tent, a natural shelter and a snow hole called a quinzee (subject to temperature and weather conditions). In each of the shelters, watch will be kept during the night to stoke fires and maintain warmth, or keep candles lit during the night you stay in the quinzee. During the survival phase you will sleep in a warm sleeping bag within a bivi bag, on a roll mat (all provided). What is the food like? Breakfast and dinner each night at the cabin is cooked by pairs of team members in a rota, using the ingredients provided in the store cupboard and freezer. Lunches will be provided and prepared for you by the support staff or on shorter days you may bring a sandwich and snack with you. During the survival phase you will eat freeze-dried meals for 3 dinners, 2 lunches and 3 breakfasts. Freeze-dried meals are dehydrated meals in foil packs which can be rehydrated quickly by adding the requisite amount of hot water. You should supplement your meals with additional, high-calorie snacks. Specific dietary requirements can be catered for if you advise us before the trip.

What about hygiene & toilet facilities? The log cabin has two outside long-drop toilets. During the survival phase of the challenge, you will be situated in the wilderness where there are no toilet facilities available. You will need to find a secluded place to go, bury your waste and put any used toilet paper in a nappy bag (or similar), to dispose of responsibly on your return to the cabin. Your guides will give you a thorough briefing on toilet procedure and etiquette. There is a separate shower building near the cabin which has a portable camping shower bag which you can fill with warm water and hang up to wash using melted snow on the last day of the trip. Due to the amount of firewood required to melt enough snow for washing, it is not feasible to expect to be able to shower every day. Please note that if you wish to use the hot tub on the last day you will be required to wash before entering. You are asked to only use natural or biodegradable soap and shampoo to avoid contamination of the ground or nearby water sources. Lush.co.uk products are particularly good. You are advised to bring a large pack of baby wipes to maintain your general hygiene during the trip. NB It is important that you take particular care regarding toilet hygiene and clean your hands with sanitizer after using the toilet and before cooking or eating.

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Destination: SWEDEN Duration: 8 DAYS Difficulty: CHALLENGING

Health and Fitness

Who can take part? You must be aged at least 18 to participate unaccompanied. It may be possible for you to participate if you are aged 16 or 17 years old if you are accompanied by a parent or guardian – please contact us for advice. There is no upper age limit. An ideal candidate for the trek would be someone who enjoys being out of their comfort zone and trying something new. How should I prepare? If you do not already regularly exercise it is advised that you start a general fitness training program before departure to ensure your best chance of enjoyment on the trip. This could include walking, swimming, running, cycling, gym workouts, team sports, boot camps etc. You can download a number of free apps, which will help you train and track your progress. E.g. MapMyWalk, C25K (couch to 5k run), MyFitnessPal. Health Declaration We require a medical form to be completed by everyone upon registering, and any pre-existing conditions, medications used and other medical issues must be noted. If you have declared any medical conditions you will need to have your form signed by your GP. Any conditions that develop must be declared and a new medical form completed and signed.

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Destination: SWEDEN Duration: 8 DAYS Difficulty: CHALLENGING

Itinerary

Day 1: (Sunday 26th January 2020) London – Stockholm - Ostersund We will fly from London to Stockholm then take a domestic flight north to Östersund, 150km south of the Arctic Circle. We drive for approximately 1 hour from the airport to our basic but cozy log cabin in the wilderness where we have a light evening snack and an orientation around the cabin (e.g. location of toilet facilities etc.) Breakfast and dinner each night at the cabin is cooked by pairs of team members in a rota, using the ingredients provided in the store cupboard and freezer, so this evening the first two pairs will need to plan the menu for breakfast and dinner the next day. Meals: Dinner Overnight: Log cabin. Day 2: (Monday 27th January 2020) Cross country skiing and quinzee (snow hole) construction After breakfast we will prepare a snack lunch to take with us for the day then have an important safety and cold-injuries briefing. After the briefing we will be fitted with our cross country skis and head out to explore the surrounding area on a track through the forest (no previous experience required). We return to the cabin this afternoon where we will take part in some fire lighting skills training which will be important for the days to come. Later, we walk or ski to the area where we will start constructing our quinzees (snow holes) which will be our home for a night later in the week. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Log cabin.

Day 3: (Tuesday 28th January 2020) Snowmobile safari* Today we set off for our snowmobile safari, approx. 1 hour drive from our cabin. Upon arrival we will be fitted for helmets and have a safety briefing. Dividing into pairs, we will practice handling the snowmobiles before setting off for a 5-6 hour round-trip through the forest, with each person taking turns driving. We stop for a hot lunch halfway through the day at a small hut before returning to the snowmobile centre and back to our cabin. After dinner we will continue building our quinzee. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Log cabin. Day 4: (Wednesday 29th January 2020) Husky sledding This morning you will travel approximately 20 minutes to a nearby lake where you will meet your husky dog team. After a short briefing and introduction you will each take your own dog team (4 dogs per sled) for a ride around the lake before gathering around an open fire for a hot lunch. If time permits there may be an opportunity to try some ice fishing. Once we return to the cabin we have a briefing on safe handling techniques for knives and axes, which will be vital for our survival skills phase later in the week. Later, we pack our bags for three nights and travel to a remote location where we will prepare the ground and erect a traditional Scandinavian tent complete with log burner. During the night we will split into pairs to take an hourly night watch to keep the log burner stoked and keep everyone comfortably warm. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner (freeze dried). Overnight: Scandinavian tent.

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Destination: SWEDEN Duration: 8 DAYS Difficulty: CHALLENGING

Day 5: (Thursday 30th January 2020) Shelter building Today we learn and put into practice some new skills by building a natural shelter only using the surrounding trees and foliage. Full instruction will be provided and you will learn important survival skills. Construction will take most of the day. Depending on the weather conditions we will light a fire and move in to our shelter for the night in time for dinner. If the temperatures are too severe we will sleep in the Scandinavian tent for another night, once again taking it in turns to stay awake and stoke the fire. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner (all meals freeze dried). Overnight: Shelter. Day 6: (Friday 31st January 2020) Quinzee construction (snow hole) Today we complete the construction of our quinzee (snow hole), digging out the interior and carefully shaping it with spades and ice axes to carve a domed ceiling and two entrances and a ledge for the candle. Inside the temperature will reach a relatively warm 0°C. Late this evening we will move into our quinzee, place our candle and get settled in for the night. Placing candles not only provides light but also has an important function of indicating there is sufficient oxygen present so we each take an hourly ‘candle watch'. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner (all meals freeze dried). Overnight: Snow hole.

Day 7: (Saturday 1st February 2020) Free day, hot tub and sauna After waking up very early this morning we say farewell to our quinzee and return to the cabin for breakfast. The rest of the day is free to enjoy some more skiing along the marked trail, or explore the local area on foot. It’s also important to ensure that all the fires in and around the cabin are kept burning so we can have a warm shower in the shower room then enjoy a traditional Swedish sauna and hot tub later in the evening. Tonight we have a celebratory dinner in the cabin, cooked by our survival instructors. Meals: Breakfast (freeze dried), lunch (freeze dried), dinner. Overnight: Log cabin. Day 8: (Sunday 2nd February 2020) Raftlaven / Stockholm / London We depart from the cabin for the transfer to Östersund airport (approx. 1 hour) for our flight back to London via Stockholm. Meals: Breakfast. Notes: *You must have a full driving licence to be able to drive a snowmobile. If you do not, you will still be able to be a passenger but will not be allowed to drive. The day-to-day program is subject to temperature, weather, general conditions and the ability of the group. While we do not anticipate any changes to the itinerary, we cannot be held responsible for changes made due to unexpected circumstances. Ultimately the safety and health of the group takes priority in all circumstances.

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Destination: SWEDEN Duration: 8 DAYS Difficulty: CHALLENGING

A-Z of the Arctic Survival Challenge A is for Arrival. At the time of writing, British citizens need a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival into Sweden. C is for Clothing. You are recommended to invest in good quality clothing which can be worn in layers (base layer, warm layer, shell layer) which can be added and removed easily to manage your temperature and the climate. Your clothes should be made of technical fabrics designed to wick sweat away from your body which keep clothes dry and smelling fresh. Merino wool, nylon, polyester, polypropylene and bamboo fabrics are all effective technical fabrics. Salopettes are very useful for this trip and you should bring Gore-Tex waterproofs (jacket and trousers) to protect you from the snow, especially when building the quinzee (snow hole). Never bring cotton clothing. Cotton clothing can be hazardous to wear in cool conditions because when sweat is absorbed by cotton fibres (rather than forced to evaporate as with technical fabrics), it leaves clothes damp. Damp clothes make you cold and uncomfortable and could even leave you vulnerable to hypothermia on a cold day. You can find good quality technical clothing in all reputable outdoors stores. Check the garment label to ensure your garments contain 0% cotton. Don’t forget swimwear for the sauna and hot tub! C is also for Communications. Good phone signal and 3G access is usually possible during the trip, particularly at the airport, snowmobiling centre and log cabin; however access will vary depending on your home network, roaming capabilities, contract type and mobile handset..

D is for Discount. When you book you will receive a 15% Cotswold Outdoor discount voucher and a 10% Nomad Travel discount voucher for use at their travel clinics. D is also for Drinking and Hydration. Fresh drinking water is supplied in large containers during your days spent at the log cabin. During the survival phase, you will need to melt snow for all your water requirements. Bottles. In addition to one to two 1-litre water bottles (e.g. Nalgene or GSI), you should also bring at least one 1-litre flask which can be used to hold warm (or cold) water. Highly recommended options include the Thermos Ultimate MKII or the Hydro Flask. You may wish to bring two flasks. Dehydration. Despite the cold temperatures dehydration is a potential risk caused by the active nature of each day and due to moisture being lost simply by breathing. Hot drinks. Tea and coffee is provided plus a small selection of fruit tea but you may wish to bring your preferred drinks such as decaf, herbal tea, specialist tea or hot chocolate. You may also wish to bring a small amount of powdered milk if you prefer to drink hot drinks with milk during the survival days. Electrolyte tablets. It is recommended that you bring a small number of electrolyte tablets (e.g. Nuun, High5, PowerBar etc.) to add to your drinking water. These flavoured tablets dissolve in water and add a range of salts, sugars and minerals to your drink which helps prevent dehydration before it begins. They are also a great addition for those people who find it difficult to drink plain water or dislike tea and coffee.

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Destination: SWEDEN Duration: 8 DAYS Difficulty: CHALLENGING

E is for EHIC. Countries within the European Union currently have reciprocal health agreements with the UK, meaning that with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) you are entitled to free or discounted medical care when travelling in all the EU countries. Please ensure that you have a valid EHIC card, or apply online. There is no charge for an EHIC card. Please visit the following website for further information. http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC (correct at the time of writing). E is also for Electricity. There is no electricity at the log cabin. If access to electricity during the trip is important to you, you are advised to bring one or two portable power packs (power bank or battery pack) which when fully charged allow you multiple charges of USB-powered devices such as phones. You should buy a power pack with a minimum capacity of 15,000mAh and these are widely available online. Top tip: Keep spare batteries and electronics in a pocket during the day and sleeping bag at night as the cold drains power. E is also for Environment. The Swedish wilderness is an extremely fragile environment. We are environmentally conscious and aim to minimise our impact as much as possible to help protect and preserve this beautiful environment.

• Never discard toilet paper, litter, fruit peel, cores or seeds on the ground; although they may decompose eventually they are unsightly and may attract animals.

• Be considerate of your team mates.

• Use biodegradable toiletries where possible.

• Bring biodegradable toilet paper for use at the long drop toilets.

F is for Food. Meals are provided as stated in the itinerary although there may be the option for you to arrange your own freeze-dried meals. Please ensure that you notify us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking. Dietary requests may not be possible to cater for without advance arrangement. The majority of special diets, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc., can be catered for but please note that we cannot guarantee that food preparation will have taken place in a contamination free environment. Snacks. It is important to bring a selection of high calorie snacks to supplement your meals; particularly during the survival stage of the trip as there is very limited access to shops to purchase snacks or additional food locally. Please don’t just bring sweets and chocolate which can get sickly; you are advised to also bring calorie-dense savoury snacks such as cheese, jerky, salted nuts (especially almonds and macadamias), biltong, Peperami, etc. to ensure you have a wide variety to choose from. Other snacks you may wish to bring include dried fruit, high calorie energy bars (e.g. Mulebar, Clif bars), cake bars etc. Please do not bring snacks you haven’t tried; only bring things you enjoy.

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Destination: SWEDEN Duration: 8 DAYS Difficulty: CHALLENGING

F is also for Footwear. You must bring a pair of warm, waterproof snow boots. Hiking boots are unsuitable and will not be warm enough. High altitude mountaineering boots may also suffice but will be more expensive than snow boots – ask us for advice. Reputable snow boot brands to look out for include Sorel, Columbia and Seeland etc. Appropriate winter boots will often have a comfort rating of -20°C or below (e.g. Sorel Caribou, Columbia Bugaboot, Salomon Nytro GTX etc.). You are recommended to try on lots of pairs of boots at a specialist outdoors store such as Cotswold or Ellis Brigham where the staff can advise you on the correct boot and fit for your needs. You are recommended to carry your boots in your hand baggage in case there are any problems or delays with your luggage You should also bring some comfortable shoes (e.g. slippers, camp booties or clean Crocs) to wear around the log cabin. Socks. It is important that the socks you choose are warm, high quality, non-cotton and will not slip down in your boots which causes blisters. Never wear cotton socks which absorb sweat making them damp and more likely to rub against your feet, causing blisters. Socks containing Coolmax (a brand of polyester) or nylon have wicking properties which means that it pulls sweat away from the skin for it to evaporate. Good brands to consider include Bridgedale, Smartwool and Brasher. Bring a fresh pair of socks for each day. Zinc Oxide tape. If your boots start to rub against your feet, you can apply zinc oxide tape to the hot spot to stop a blister developing. If a blister does occur, you should apply a Compeed plaster.

G is for Gloves. You should bring good quality waterproof Gore-Tex warm mittens and liner gloves, or very warm waterproof Gore-Tex gloves (e.g. ski or mountaineering gloves) and liner gloves. A pair of leather gloves is recommended for handling hot pots while cooking, stoking the fire etc. You might also like to bring a warm woollen or fleece pair of gloves to wear at night in the shelters, around the cabin if it is cold, and for travelling etc. H is for Health. You are advised to seek medical advice at least 8 weeks before travelling to ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For general information on vaccinations, visit http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk but your GP or travel health professional should be the first stop for an in-depth consultation tailored to your medical history. Different Travel regrets that we cannot provide medical advice or recommendations on vaccinations you should have. Emergencies and Evacuations. In the unlikely event of a serious illness or accident, the local team will ensure you are transferred as swiftly as possible to the nearest hospital which is in Östersund, just over 30 minutes’ drive. The nearest doctor is approximately 20 minutes’ drive. First Aid kit. You should carry a small first aid kit with you for your own personal use. E.g. personal prescription medicine, painkillers, plasters, blister plasters, antihistamines, lip balm with SPF, antiseptic cream etc.

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Destination: SWEDEN Duration: 8 DAYS Difficulty: CHALLENGING

I is for Insurance. The Different Travel Company will do everything possible to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip however unexpected things can occur such as your cancellation, delays, medical problems and baggage loss etc. The purchase of travel insurance for our treks is mandatory and you are advised to organise this at the time of booking to ensure you are covered immediately. You can find details of policies from Campbell Irvine Direct here: www.campbellirvinedirect.com/differenttravel. Please note: most travel insurance policies protect you before departure too so it is advised to buy insurance as close to booking as possible to protect the loss of your registration fee as a result of cancellation due to injury, illness etc. It is your personal responsibility to ensure that your own travel insurance covers you for all the activities included in this challenge ESPECIALLY snowmobiling, but also cross country skiing and husky sledding. K is for Kit and Accessories Head Torch. This is a vital piece of kit. Petzl is one brand which makes good quality headlamps but there are many head torches available from other companies. Please ensure you take an LED torch as ones with bulbs are not bright enough. Bring your head torch with fresh batteries inside it, and take a full set of spare batteries. Do not bring a wind-up head torch as these are unreliable. Sunglasses. Snow is highly reflective of UV radiation and failure to protect your eyes can result in snow blindness (a painful, temporary loss of vision due to overexposure to UV rays). Snow blindness is preventable by wearing sunglasses, preferably polarized. Towel. At the cabin you can melt snow for a wash, so a highly absorbent but lightweight and fast drying trek towel is recommended.

L is for Language. Swedish is the official language of Sweden. It is a northern Germanic language. Although most Swedes speak good English, it is always good to make an effort to communicate in the local language. Here are some helpful words and phrases to get you by: Hello Hej (informal) Goodbye Hej då Yes Ja No Nej Sorry Förlåt! Please Snälla / Tack Thank you Tack (thanks) / Tack så mycket (thanks very much) L is also for Luggage. 1) Suitcases are unsuitable for this trip. You should bring a large waterproof kit bag (approx. 70 litres) to hold the items needed during the three-day survival phase of the trip (e.g. sleeping bag, warm clothes etc.). Some example kit bags include Mountain Equipment Wet and Dry Bag, and North Face Base Camp duffle bag. Please shop around.. 2) You should also bring a small bag or holdall which you can leave behind in the cabin during the survival stage to store any items not required. 3) Finally, you should also bring a small day pack (15-20 litres size) which you will carry yourself during the activities each day. 4) Waterproof dry bags (e.g. Exped dry bag) are recommended for use inside your daypack to keep your belongings dry and protected from the elements. It should be large enough to line the entire backpack. 5) You should bring a combination padlock to secure your luggage.

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Destination: SWEDEN Duration: 8 DAYS Difficulty: CHALLENGING

M is for Money. The local currency is the Swedish Krona. The exchange rate is approximately 11.4 to the Pound (as of January 2019). It is possible to purchase Krona outside of Sweden, or you can withdraw cash from an ATM at the airport. Please note that there are very few opportunities to make purchases during the trip. You can use credit or debit cards everywhere. If you wish to withdraw cash from an ATM at the airport please contact your bank in advance to inform them of your travel plans and check transaction fees. We recommend that you bring a credit card for use in the event of an emergency. Tipping. Tipping is not mandatory but a tip is appreciated at the end of the trip. Around £25-£30 cash (Pounds or equivalent in Krona) per participant is a guideline but consult with your tour manager and discuss with the group to decide on an appropriate amount. Spending money. Due to the remoteness of the challenge the only places to spend money are at a petrol station between the cabin and the airport, a petrol station near the snowmobiling centre, and at the café/bar at the snowmobiling centre. Credit/debit cards are accepted everywhere. P is for Photocopies. Remember to photocopy of all your documents (insurance details, flight numbers, passport, credit/debit cards etc.) and take a copy with you during the trip, separate from the original copies. You should also scan and email these documents to yourself and leave a copy with a trusted family member or friend. If you lose any of your documents you will then have access to a copy with you and online. You may also wish to upload your documents to cloud storage such as Dropbox or Google Drive.

S is also for Sleeping bag. A very war m sleeping bag will be provided for the survival phase of your challenge (3 nights) but you will need to bring a light weight sleeping bag for use the other nights in the log cabin. A 2-season (approx. 5ºC comfort rating) sleeping bag will be sufficient for this as it can get quite warm in the cabin. Some examples of suitable sleeping bags include: Vango Venom 200, Vaude Sioux 400, Fjallraven Move in Bag, Mountain Equipment Starlight I Extra Long, Snugpak Travelpak 2 etc. There are many more available so please shop around. S is also for Sleeping bag liner. A silk sleeping bag liner is recommended to complement your sleeping bag as it adds an extra layer of insulation to keep you warm if it’s cool. If it’s too warm you can sleep under your sleeping bag liner with your sleeping bag unzipped. A sleeping bag liner also protects your sleeping bag from dirt, sweat and damage. Silk sleeping bag liners are quite expensive if purchased on the high street, so consider eBay where you can purchase directly from the manufacturers (usually Vietnam or China) at a fraction of the price. Make sure you look out for ‘pure silk’ sleeping bag liners, not ‘satin’ (which is usually low quality and synthetic). S is also for Sleeping mat. Foam sleeping mats are provided for the survival phase but you may wish to bring an additional mat for extra comfort. This is totally optional.

Last updated April 2019.

Page 12: Destination Overview - SANE · 2019. 6. 20. · sledding and snowmobiling, and possibly ice fishing. ... Please note that if you wish to use the hot tub on the last day you will be

Destination: SWEDEN Duration: 8 DAYS Difficulty: CHALLENGING

Suggested Kit List

PLEASE NOTE: This list is just a guideline and is not exhaustive; it does not take into account your personal

preference or requirements. If you have any questions about this kit list please contact [email protected].

*Please wear your snow boots on the aircraft or carry them in your hand baggage in case of delays with your luggage. You may also wish to wear one full winter outfit so you are warm upon arrival. *Please consider eco-friendly toiletries. Consider shopping at Lush (www.lush.co.uk). **Please consider bio-degradable options.

Essentials Hygiene Optional

Flight e-tickets Shampoo+ shower gel* Camera + spare batteries

Pre-departure information Toothbrush + toothpaste Video camera + batteries

Passport and copy Antiperspirant deodorant mp3 player + headphones

Driving licence (for snowmobiling) Wet wipes** Luggage organisers/bags

Travel insurance information Toilet paper (1 roll)** Adaptor (European) for hotel

EHIC card Hand sanitizer Snow goggles

Credit card(s) / ATM card Small travel towel Watch

LED head torch + spare batteries Hair brush or comb

Sunglasses (100% UV) Nail brush (optional) Luggage

Mobile phone + charging cable Feminine hygiene products* Large waterproof kit bag

Portable battery pack / powerbank Small kit bag/holdall

Whistle First Aid Kit Daypack (25-30 litres)

Prescription medicine Dry bags

Clothing and Footwear Paracetamol + Ibuprofen

Winter snow boots (e.g. Sorel)* Muscle rub (e.g. Deep Heat) Eating and Drinking

Shoes/Crocs/slippers for cabin Plasters 2x 1-litre flask e.g. Thermos

Thermal/warm socks (1 a day) Blister plasters 1-litre water bottle (Nalgene/GSI)

Underwear Zinc oxide tape Plastic mug with handle

Non-cotton thermal top x2 Lip balm with SPF protection Plastic spoon + fork or spork

Non-cotton thermal bottoms x2 Sun cream (high SPF) Energy snacks

Warm fleece / long sleeve mid-layers Imodium (Loperamide) Your favourite hot drink (e.g. hot

Non-cotton short sleeved t-shirt Rehydration (e.g. Dioralyte) choc, decaf) - optional

Fleece-lined softshell trousers Anti-histamine tablets/cream Electrolyte tablets (optional)

Waterproof salopettes Indigestion remedy

Warm jacket (down or Primaloft) Antiseptic cream (e.g. Savlon) Sleeping

Waterproof jacket + trousers Moisturising cream Ear plugs – essential!

Warm hat + a spare Decongestant (optional) Pyjamas for cabin

Buff x1-2 (www.buffwear.co.uk) Throat lozenges (optional) Sleeping bag liner

Warm mittens or warm gloves Scissors/tweezers (optional) Sleeping bag (5°C comfort)

Liner gloves Spare glasses/contact lenses Pillowcase for cabin

Leather/gardening gloves (for handling hot pots) Hand warmers e.g. Hot Hands

Basic foam sleeping mat (optional for extra comfort)

Swimwear