OSE present our Swedish Arctic ice cap traverse dog sled expedition.
01st Aug 2006
Olly Suzi expeditions present our high Arctic dog sled traverse.From SPRING 2007
From the coast of Arctic Norway across breathtaking mountains into the heart of Swedish Lapland; the OSE Ice cap traverse offers you a unique opportunity to be guided one on one by our expert guide Kenth Fjellborg and drive their own team of sled dogs through the untouched wilderness of northern Scandinavia, enjoying the comfort and safety provided by one of our legendary guides.
Kenth traveled to the North Pole on dog sled in the spring of 2006 famousely guiding prince of Monaco on his historic expediton.
During the 1990s he mushed sled dogs in Alaska, completing the legendary Iditarod race in 1994. While Kenth has been running dogs in many extraordinary places around the world, the route of the High arctic traverse remains one of his all time favorites. The magnificent scenery of the Scandinavian fell world, the crisp arctic air and the deep blue skies of spring make this journey an ultimate sledding and nature experience.
From mid April 2007 you have the unique opportunity to experience the magic of Swedens ice cap, driving your own team of sled dogs in the company of an experienced personal guide. This adventure is carefully arranged to offer participants a high level of comfort throughout the journey, excellent organic local cuisine and fine Mumm Champagne. All you need is a spirit that is longing to experience the wild world up North. We will provide you with the rest!
A big adventure lies ahead. Join us!
Olly and Suzi and Kenth Fjellborg & his team.
ITINERARY
DAY 1 Arrive at Arctic Ocean.
Our adventure begins in Tromsö, northern Norway, where you will be greeted at the airport by Kenth and his team.
Tromsö is the capital of Arctic Norway and is often referred to as the Gate to the Ice Sea - many polar expeditions have begun here.
During the evening an Information Meeting is held where the itinerary is presented in detail and the participants are introduced. Information will also be provided on equipment and safety measures. The meeting is followed by a welcome dinner, after which the evening is rounded off in the Sky Bar. Your accommodation in Tromsö is at a comfortable sea side hotel.
Day 2. The climb.
After a hearty breakfast you transfer out to the starting point for our journey. Here you are introduced to the team of dogs who will be your best friends for the coming days. The athletic Alaskan Huskies from Kenths kennel are bred to run on instinct and desire and know nothing better than embarking on a major expedition.
Before departure you will receive instructions regarding the dogs as well as handle them yourself. You will also learn how to pack and drive your sled and how to handle various equipment and situations in a safe and practical manner.
After enjoying an outdoor lunch the the first leg of our journey begins. During the initial 11 km we climb up to a 780 - meter altitude. Up here plenty of snow will be available even in late spring. Today’s destination is Pältsa Mountain Cabin situated just across the Swedish border. On arrival we will tend to the dogs and
then relax in a traditional wood heated sauna before enjoying dinner in the Pältsa Mountain cabin, which is also our accommodation for the night.
DAY 3 HIGH ALPINE AREA
Today we enjoy breakfast with a view! The high alpine area
surrounding Pältsa Mountain Cabin is magnificent. After serving the dogs some hot soup we pack our sleds and head up towards the tundra. On our second leg of the journey we travel through the largest area of permafrost in Europe. On a clear day you will enjoy 40km panoramic views and when we reach a suitable resting place we stop to enjoy a quick lunch in a spectacular scenery. After lunch we continue towards the big rivers and lakes of Råstojaure.
Today’s destination is Camp Råsto where we stay in cabins sleeping up to 4 persons. In true Lapland style we enjoy a hot sauna before ending the evening with a delicious dinner.
Camp Råsto is well known as being one of the best summer fishing spots in Europe.
The camp is run by one of the Sámi villages in the area. The reindeer herding Sámi people is the aboriginal people of Lapland and a Sámi village can be compared to a tribe or ethnic community. On our sledding journey we pass through the territories of four different Sámi villages. The geographical borders of a village are often constituted by rivers or mountain ranges or another natural borders. On our journey we travel through the heart of Sámi land!
DAY 4 A WORLD OF PERMAFROST
At Camp Råsto the air is crisp and clean and will quickly increase your hunger for breakfast. When we are ready we set off on the third leg of our journey, following the trail downhill in a southerly direction. After 45km we pass below the tree line and the first tree appears. Today we
stop for a trail lunch at a wilderness shelter by the beautiful Lake Kamas. Thereafter we continue along the trail, pa ssing the Sámi settlement of Vouskojaure where the Sámi reindeer keepers gather their herds in spring and autumn.
The next stop on our journey is the village of Kattuvuoma which is the oldest permanent settlement north of Lake Torne. Kattuvuoma is a unique place as it is a village that lacks road connection with the rest of the world but where some people nevertheless has cars. There is a short road connecting Kattuvuoma with a few other smaller villages on the same shore of Lake Torne, but this short piece of road leads to a dead end in both directions and the village can only be reached from the outside by boat in summer and by snowmobile or dog sled in winter. The Finnish speaking settlers that founded this village lived of the land as one traditionally did, by fishing and hunting. in the village of Kattuvuoma you will stay in a private home belonging to relatives of Kenth Fjellborg. After a long day of riding on the runners of your sled, the hot sauna and dinner in the atmosphere of a genuine
Lapland home will be very enjoyable.
DAY 5
When departing from the village of Kattuvuoma by Lake Torne we Continue to the skiing resort of Riksgränsen and check in to the delightful rustic Metrologen lodge just outside the hotel offering a Spa, a renowned restaurant with a wonderful cellar and other facilities.
For this phase of your expedition we offer you the exclusive chance to stay on and spend 2 days heliskiing with one of our expert ski guides in this the highest latitude ski resort in the world.
We also offer the option to continue on to rustic camp of Vakkara in the taiga forests close to the ice hotel.
Whether you decide to fly home on day 6 at the end of the dog sled phase or day 8 we will transfer you safetly back to Kiruna ariport for your flight home.
As with all our expert guided trips OSE guarantee you will be guided by Kenth himself. We will host you for a drinks party in our London studio, help with all your expedition kit requirements including the benefit of our client discount at Snow and Rock and be on hand to tailor each element of the expedition to your requirements.
All specialist clothing, arctic pac boots, fur hats, mitts , sleeping bags, snow suits and cooking kit will be provided as well as free Mumm champagne and Vodka.
We suggest this trip runs with a small intimate group of 4 friends or family.
Please contact us for more details and pricing.