Laplandica

…was my first thought after reading today’s article in Norrbottens Kuriren about two backpackers who were stranded along the shores of Akkajaur. It’s difficult to judge the situation from just reading the newspaper or personally listening to each person’s viewpoint. The scene involved two hikers, perhaps not the most experienced, a man who dropped them off at a “gold medal of a stupid place” and mountain weather in September. The situation points out some important things to think about.

Recently, I wrote that you don’t play games with nature and mountain weather in Laponia in September. At the lower regions, and near to mammoth warmer waters like Akkajaur, the area will probably be wet, cold, often foggy and totally unwelcoming. As they would have hiked to higher levels, and especially in Norway, they would have reached an altitude difference of approx. 150 meters. Enough to have been in snow country. Helicopters from mountain rescue, though highly competent, will not fly in bad or unstable conditions.

With a few days of rainfall, Bádur Stream, Tarradalen, would be treacherous to cross.

Orienteering and sound map reading is vital! Consider following a poorly marked trail in fog when visibility is about 2-20 meters. Understanding of how to read and interpret maps is essential for pre-journey planning or, if unknowingly faced with a boat driver who doesn’t know the area himself, get your bearings while on the spot and understand what the terrain/situation up ahead will offer.

Just because there’s a red line showing a trail on your map doesn’t mean this will be an easy thing to follow. Same with bridges or shelters marked on the map. Bridges can have been moved for the winter (Sarek for example) or washed away, shelters can be locked reindeer breeder’s huts and windbreaks may be in terrible condition. For the mountain unit of the National Environmental Board, the maintenance demands on trails, shelters, signs and information is seemingly harsh and they have less resources to use for maintaining to expected standards. In fact, some paths are consciously, but “unofficially”, being dismantled to discourage use. Let’s look at an example of a marked trail in the Tarra Valley on the way towards Vaimok cabin…

Hmmm…According to the map, this is supposed to be the trail.

Ah…This must be the marked…bridge?

Nope-Here it is! I found it! Uh, where is it?

Is a guide really necessary?

I’ve been asking myself this question many times. During the past few years, the trend has been in promotion of “Laponia guides” and “guided Laponia tours”. I have difficulties in visualizing a group of people following someone, hopefully local, and paying a sizable sum to follow behind that person. But, then, those trying to make an income from being a guide would argue with me.

I feel that guides may not be necessary if tourists and backpackers have learned about necessary tools they should have for an enjoyable trip and lifelong useof these tools. Through small hands-on courses, a novice backpacker can learn how to plan his/her/their backpacking trip, map reading and orientation, mountain safety and weather, equipment and techniques etc. and have ownership over this knowledge for the rest of their lives…using these tools when needed.

Perhaps, with this incident, which could’ve been a tragedy, the term know-before-you-go is wise and that skills can be improved on with professionally conducted outdoor education? So, Stay safe out there!