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Kittilä - February 2022 - Planning

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  • Kittilä - February 2022 - Planning

    Click image for larger version  Name:	Wayland-at-Jokkmokk.jpg Views:	3 Size:	636.5 KB ID:	2924
    I'm sitting here on a wet day in the UK thinking I haven't really got much to post on this group at the moment. Then I thought, "What about the trip we are planning?"

    Things have been in Limbo for a while because this trip was originally planned for February 2021 before the pandemic closed everything down. For some of you, being able to step out of your back door into proper winter conditions, that might not seem like a big deal, but in the UK we are surrounded by the sea, warmed by the Gulf Stream and to get into deep snow we need to travel.

    For that reason, some of our preparations might seem unusual to you but we need to get our gear into bags and on to commercial flights. I thought some of the challenges involved might be of interest to you.

    First of all, the toboggans need to roll up small enough to get into a standard duffel bag.

    Toboggan rolled up

    This is the second toboggan I have made. The first worked well but was of 5mm UHMWPE and weighed in at 7kg, a significant part of our flight weight allowance. This new one made of 3mm HDPE comes in at just 4.5kg saving a lot of weight allowance which can now be used for something else. It's also a lot easier to roll up, which will be a great help when packing it for the return flight.

    Toboggan Loaded
    For travelling, the two flight duffel bags attach to the toboggan allowing easy access to the gear while on the move. The yellow dry bag in the nose curl is for provisions which we normally pick up locally on arrival. There is a supermarket just a couple of miles from the airport at Kittilä and that will be our first stop.

    For shelter, I have gone for an unusual approach. I prefer cold camping as I feel the admin. is easier, especially when moving from outside to inside shelter. Just my preference, not trying to convert anyone.

    On my first trip I took a light cotton tarp, which worked well enough for shelter but the snow tended to cling and when we entered a thaw freeze cycle, it became stiff with ice.

    Since that time I have been using poly builders tarps like the one you can see in the picture above. Snow does not stick and if there are any weight issues on the return flight, it can be discarded for minimal cost.

    The Wayland Snow Shed

    That thinking has developed into a construction dubbed by my friends "The Wayland Snow Shed".

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    You can see it being tested under temperate conditions here.

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    It is based upon an adaptation of the Adirondack pitch of a square tarp but with two extra panels, one fixed to give more shelter and the other which can be raised or lowered as needed.

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    I weighs little more than the tarp on it's own but it has been cut and taped to form the shelter that just requires a couple of well placed trees to pitch from.

    It can be closed down in bad weather or it provides adequate shelter for sleeping when open, which I prefer.

    With the addition of a bit of snow construction this should prove quite comfortable for the trip.

    That trip just took a major step towards reality last weekend with the booking of the flight tickets. We are looking at a party of seven, with differing approaches and levels of experience and it looks like a good mix.

    I'll post more up on this post as the trip approaches and a full trip report after of course.

    Any questions or thoughts always welcome.
    Last edited by Wayland; 11-06-2021, 09:04 AM.

  • #2
    Love it!!!! Very well thought out - very functional as well.

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    • #3
      Like all things that evolve, it fits a certain niche.

      It's not everyone's style but it works for me.

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      • #4
        Look forward to trip photos of your set-up in action.

        That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

        snapper

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        • #5
          I dig it! neat design. Looking forward to your trip report.

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          • #6
            The design was quite simple. Based upon an 18' x 12' builders tarp.

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            In practice I have found that it can be set up reliably without the support poles in many situations. Just needs the right spread of trees which is usually not too difficult to find.

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            • #7
              Looks awesome I am sure you are excited. I don’t use a stove either. I thought about it a few times, but after having read all the military cold weather experiments, I think (my opinion) stoves are best left to short duration treks.

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Old MukR
                Looks awesome I am sure you are excited. I don’t use a stove either. I thought about it a few times, but after having read all the military cold weather experiments, I think (my opinion) stoves are best left to short duration treks.
                My first trip up there was done without a stove and I thought I would have problems but didn't really.

                Since then I've been on another couple of trips with the same conclusion.

                Some of our party are convinced that they will need the stoves and if that suits them then all well and good but they are struggling with the weight allowances.

                I will be carrying a lot of photographic equipment that takes up a good deal of my weight allowance so I am quite happy to leave a stove out of the equation.

                I've seen people having to dry gear out in hot tents but apart I've not needed to deal with any damp issues. I air out my sleeping kit and boot liners as often as possible but other than that I just manage my clothing so that I do not overheat.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Wayland

                  My first trip up there was done without a stove and I thought I would have problems but didn't really.

                  Since then I've been on another couple of trips with the same conclusion.

                  Some of our party are convinced that they will need the stoves and if that suits them then all well and good but they are struggling with the weight allowances.

                  I will be carrying a lot of photographic equipment that takes up a good deal of my weight allowance so I am quite happy to leave a stove out of the equation.

                  I've seen people having to dry gear out in hot tents but apart I've not needed to deal with any damp issues. I air out my sleeping kit and boot liners as often as possible but other than that I just manage my clothing so that I do not overheat.
                  It is true a stove is not needed if you have proper clothing and sleeping kit- furs/wool, and/or specialized synthetics, and try to keep from overheating as much as possible. I often stress not only wool long underwear, but regular underwear be made of 100% wool as well. Camera kit definitely weighs a bit I did that on one expedition and between camera, charging station, solar panel arrays to recharge, it was ridiculous 😂

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                  • #10
                    I carry a tripod for Auroral photography and fast glass for night photography doesn't come light.

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                    The battery packs you can see in the background here allow me to run the camera off an umbilical while keeping the cells warm in my clothing but they are a lump of weight too.

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                    • #11
                      Wow that is awesome! “The Wayland Snow Shed” your friends are great. I have not read through the whole thread so someone may have asked this but if the prevailing winds change, ie start coming towards the front does it close up enough to protect you from elements? Thank you for sharing.

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                      • #12
                        After seeing how you have to fly to get on to winter conditions I will be happy I only have to drive a few hours!

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Bjorkman
                          Wow that is awesome! “The Wayland Snow Shed” your friends are great. I have not read through the whole thread so someone may have asked this but if the prevailing winds change, ie start coming towards the front does it close up enough to protect you from elements? Thank you for sharing.
                          Yes, the awning drops down to close across the front.

                          The edges aren't sealed but if push comes to shove I carry a roll of gaffa tape with me for quick repairs and that will do the job.

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                          • #14
                            I just read through all the posts. Man that is a lot of camera equipment! I really like your tarp set up/modification. I can’t wait to see some pictures from your trip.

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                            • #15
                              I cannot wait to get out there and try some of this stuff out.

                              We should have been there last year but got locked down instead.

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