Laplandica

…in Norway today and, with his work in enlightening the world of climate change and potential global catastrophe, we living in Lapland are experiencing what can be, at least on a short term observation, a change in winter. At this writing, there is more snow than “normal” on the ground in the forests at the Arctic Circle in Jokkmokk. Not that I’ve made exacting yearly accounts of snow depth while living here, but last week was probably the first time I tackled snow depth with my snowblower four out of six days. Strangely enough, a snowboarding competition that was to be held on the Dundret Hill in Gällivare had to be cancelled because of too little snow.

Perhaps with reporting on this unfamiliar condition we are having, it is important to point out that the scotch pines and spruce are heavily ladened with snow. Usually, we have some 20-30 cm (less than a foot) of snow on the ground just before Christmas and have had some mild temperatures that bring wind blowing the trees clean of snow. This hasn’t happened.

The season changed from late fall to a justifiable winter with three days of constant snow and continued collecting to some 60-65 cm (appmx. 18-20 inches). This amount has mostly clung to the bows of the trees and there has been frequent finds of stout tree bows breaking off and falling to the ground.

For myself, after living on the same property for 30 years, I found the top of one scotch pine on the ground and several arm thick branches for the first time. Other places nearby, whole trees have given up and laid themselves to rest due to the weight of the snow. And, looking at the house roof, I’d say that I have to start shoveling off the snow two-three months earlier than normal this winter. A task I share with many who I’ve spoken with and share the same opinion concerning the winter and what’s happening with the sub-arctic climate.

Fortunately, snow in Lapland is as common as getting up in the mornings and only promotes a conversational topic when a little different. It’s still beautiful, but thanks to so many people like Al Gore, there’s a change happening out there. (Someday, I gotta hike past some glaciers in Laponia and compare them with my pictures from twenty or so years ago…if they’re still there!)

Photo: Palkat Glacier, Sarek National Park 1978

PS- I’m becoming keenly aware of the carbon emissions that my snowblower spits out. I guess I’m a bad person. Perhaps moving to a “less snow” place in the world would be beneficial to the climate and I also wouldn’t have to spit out tons of smoke from wood heating? Hmmm…an interesting thought to ponder on…