Finland. Arctic Circle 2011 trip, Bodge and Muddy Boots

[Bodge]

We have just got back from the Arctic Circle hiking centre. The trip was inspired from 'Docs solo trip' from last year.
there will probally be plenty of pics soon but just thought I'd share this one.

Taken at around midnight with my 2mp Sony DSC-U30.
Muddy Boots has a ton of photos too so we will sort out some of the best and get them posted up with some details of the trip.

[Mesquite]

Look forward to seeing them and the write up Bodge

[jungle_re]

top picture - look forward to hearing about your trip

[MartinK9]

Welcome back, look forward to your write-up.

[Twodogs]

Yarr nice one Bodge

[Wayland]

Looks good, can't wait to see more.

[Bodge]

Just to ad a few pics.

We had an hour to kill at Helsinki.

One of the many log stores.

A typical communial fire circle.

A shot of the river.

Day 2 on our first trail.

A view from the trail.

A quick brew up

The path from the river to one of the Lavvus (lean to shelter).

The opposite shot of the previous.

We supplemented our rat packs with these local delicacies.

This shelter had a resident kettle.

Me.

A river trout caught with my hobo hand reel (by FISH).






[IMG]http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e274/bodgeb
/DSC03325.jpg[/IMG]

One of the woodstores.

Dry composting toilet.

And the interior for those who are interested.

An ant hill, around 100cm high, massive ants in huge numbers were everywhere you looked.

Did I mention there are lots of trees?

Another Lavvu, another view.

This is a day hut, no sleeping allowed except in emergencies, a small fire place and a few provisions and candles left by previous users.

Interior shot.

This is the path to and from the day hut. This area is peat bog as far as the eye can see. The photo was taken around 10pm. The duck boards are essential as stepping off them for research purposes results in a sinking feeling to above the ankle or higher if
one stayed there.


I have more photos, but Muddy Boots has some great snaps so will wait to see what he puts up.

[MartinK9]

Bodge, fantastic pics, looks like you two had a great trip.

What were the temperatures like?

Any problems with insects?

[Twodogs]

Bodge, your selling the dream baby

Twodogs

[Bodge]

Bodge, fantastic pics, looks like you two had a great trip.

What were the temperatures like?

Any problems with insects?

Hi Martin, it was a great trip. We had temps of up to 18 degrees in the day (sun permitting) and down to about 4 degrees at night. All in all much like March in Blighty. Insect wise, The mozzies were just starting to appear and we both had a few bites despite using repellents (more on this later when we do a kit comparison shoot out). I think we timed it perfectly as in a couple of weeks the mozzies will be out in force and as the area is mainly bog I can forsee much insect activity.
I packed my mozzi net at the last minute and am very glad that I did. Once the smoke from the fire died out in the wee small hours we were at their mercy. Dave hid in his Nanock -10 with the hood up, I think he needed a drain tap at the bottom to cope with the sweat.

[Bodge]

Bodge, your selling the dream baby

Twodogs

Ditto for you mate, your trip looked great.

[sasquatch]

Nice one, thanks for sharing the pics and selling the dream as Cliff said! Great to see you caught some fresh trout with the hobo fishing set, I'll bet you were well chuffed with that! Awesome pics...

[Badger74]

I'm sold, just wondering how to get a pass from SWMBO.

[addo]

You lucky lucky ....ers. I could look at those pictures all day.

Glad all went well and you got back safe.

One day.....

[addo]

I'm sold, just wondering how to get a pass from SWMBO.

Tell me about it

[MartinK9]

Hi Martin, it was a great trip. We had temps of up to 18 degrees in the day (sun permitting) and down to about 4 degrees at night. All in all much like March in Blighty. Insect wise, The mozzies were just starting to appear and we both had a few bites despite using repellents (more on this later when we do a kit comparison shoot out). I think we timed it perfectly as in a couple of weeks the mozzies will be out in force and as the area is mainly bog I can forsee much insect activity.
I packed my mozzi net at the last minute and am very glad that I did. Once the smoke from the fire died out in the wee small hours we were at their mercy. Dave hid in his Nanock -10 with the hood up, I think he needed a drain tap at the bottom to cope with the sweat.

Cheers Bodge.

[Barn Owl]

Great photos.

[woodspirits]

brilliant bodge, brilliant!. looking forward to the stories

[morch]

Great post with fantastic pics, cheers for sharing them. Looks like you had a great trip

Dave

[Tank]

Welcome back guys. Looked like you had a good time. will catch up with you guys at NW. Great pics looks stunning.

[Muddy Boots]

Thanks for posting those Bodge.

I've got about 240 pictures and will post the best as soon as I can get photobucket to work.

It was an absolutely awesome trip. I think to the guys that helped and got involved in the planning or lending of kit many thanks.

The Finnish people we met over there were without exemption some of the nicest folk you could wish to meet.

Within an hour of landing at the Hiking Centre we were gifted enough fishing bait for a week.

The Laavus were all immaculately clean and well maintained. It was developing into a theme at one point as we never lit a fire for the first couple of days as every time we landed at a Laavu there was one ticking over in the fire place.

The scenery was incredible also and as you can see from the sunsets they were breath taking.

We walked on average between about 7 to 8k a day and had a dedicated rest day to practice a few bushcraft skills.

It's amazing how well everything works over there. fire lighting is a piece of cake with plenty of Silver birch and old man's beard.

I can't wait to head back for another visit.

Looking back I can't remember a low point in the hole week and I remember lots of laughs and just a fantastic place.

I'll crack on trying to post up some pictures and I'll bring the Laptop to the next North Wood meet for a formal debrief if anyone is interested.

[Twodogs]

Nice one Dave looking forward to seeing the photos

[MartinK9]

Thanks for the update Dave, and yep bring the laptop.

After all you had to sit through ours last year....

[nolightweight]

Nice one, gents. Looking forward to the pics and the talk through.

[zeBarOOn]

This looks like an epic trip!

Just wondered, was it an organised thing or did you just plan your route etc in the UK?

Cheers

Joel

[TinkyPete]

Nice one Bodge and Dave,

Looks like you had a top trip cann't wait to hear about it.

[Andy2112]

Nice one Kev and Dave, look forward to more pics.

[Davey569]

Good stuff fellas. Keep it coming!

[addo]

Nice one Dave. Look forward to the rest of the pictures.
I'll try and get down for the NW Meet for the debrief.

[Muddy Boots]

This looks like an epic trip!

Just wondered, was it an organised thing or did you just plan your route etc in the UK?

Cheers

Joel

The route was planned on the ground pretty much. we had no fixed agenda in terms of places to see and visit.

The Arctic Hiking Centre is very easy to navigate your way around. All the Laavus and have clear maps and there are sign posts all over the place. Most of the routes through the wood are either marked with way markers or when it is muddy / boggy you are walking across duck boards.

I'll post up pictures and helpful links if you fancy giving this one a go.

It is well worth it but I wouldn't entertain going over the next couple of months as the mosquito season is just kicking off.