Annual expedition puts participants in the right gear for an adventure of a lifetime
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It’s a crisp -11 C in the Jukkasjärvi area of Swedish Lapland, 200 km above the Arctic Circle. I’m doing my best to remain calm as six powerful huskies charge ahead, carrying me behind them on a small sled affixed to skis. The dogs maneuver through narrow snowy paths, coming within a whisker of hitting a tree. As we descend, trees line either side and the path becomes increasingly windy. The dogs are confident, having run this path hundreds of times before. Me, not so much.
The best part? Absolutely no outdoor experience is required. Fjällräven is so confident in its gear (and accompanying team of experts) that the experience is open to people of all ages (18 and over) and outdoor ability levels. The brand aims to prove that with the right knowledge, support and equipment, anyone can enjoy the subzero temperatures and extreme conditions of the Arctic. They proved that with our group — we had a real mixture of participants, some who had never camped before.
I started with a five-dog squad, all capable of running around 40 km per hour. I felt instantly connected to them, memorizing their names and giving them as much love as they would allow pre-journey — their cheerful, excited barks showed they were more interested in running than getting to know me but I was determined to change that. We headed for Lake Väkkärä, and I settled in for the journey as the dogs found their pace, feeling comfortable and confident after 15 or 20 minutes on my sled.
After breakfast we harness our crews, amidst a cacophony of yaps and yelps, the dogs anxiously anticipating the moment they can run, run, run. We set off and I eventually hit one of those pesky trees during a particularly narrow and winding stretch but managed to hold on long enough to drag myself back up onto my sled, my dogs none the wiser. We twist and turn, through the forests and across barren tundra, collaborating as a team and I’m almost sure my dogs are proud of me by the time we reach camp that night.
Over the three days, we learned to control our crew and work as one. We carved out benches in the snow to enjoy a hot coffee over the fire or protect ourselves from the wind during a dehydrated spaghetti bolognese break. We plunged into the icy lake (intentionally) and formed bonds with our comrades on this wild and wonderful journey we found ourselves on. The bond built with my dogs grew strong – we cared for one another in what felt like one of the most desolate parts of the world. I needed them and they needed me.
The Fjällräven gear that kept me comfortable in the Arctic
ltaveroff@postmedia.com