I've read oudoorsmagic for a few years now but this is my first ever post in the OM forum and was quite interested in the TGO section that I just discovered.
I must admit that I've only just recently started buying TGO again so I've missed numerous back issues. If you've covered an article on Arctic Norway then please ignore this post.
But if not, why not??? I think the last article I saw for Arctic Sweden was an October(?) 1998 article by Chris Townsend on a section of the Kungsleden Trail.
Like OM's recent article on Swedish Hiking, Norway is equally (if not more) spectacular. Coincidentally I just returned from a 2 week backpacking trip around the mountains of Narvik - not far from OM's Kiruna report location!
With my airline tickets coming to around £265 (it's possible to do it for £200), it's not overly expensive and within six hours of taking off from Manchester, you've landed right in the mountains with some of Europes biggest wilderness a short bus ride away. Surely this place has the ingredients of a good TGO article doesn't it?
I've made a few trip reports on my own website (www.mountain-walking.org.uk) about all my trips in Norway and am currently typing up my most recent walk. Whilst my writing skills probably aren't up to the standards of your magazine, I'm sure I may be able to contribute some of my slides & negatives for the areas visited.
So what do others think? Is Norway/Sweden simply out of fashion with UK hillwalkers (who prefer cheap alcohol destinations to great wilderness locations) ........ or ........ would these countries appeal to UK walkers if only they had enough publicity over here?
To see it both in winter and summer is a must.Not starting a sales pitch,but having had the great fortune of visiting the land of the midnight sun,its got it all,the canoeing on some of its natural rivers,with grades for all,to include running the man made log runs,as for trekking and xcountry sking,the hut to hut trails are endless,with great grub in the occupied huts.The biggest national park in Europe Jotunheimen is outstanding,total escape with something for everyone.As for going well north in winter ski it, or a dog team is a must. As anthony states totaly spectacular,and as wild as you want it all year round.
My last article on arctic Sweden appeared sometime in 2003. The article was a general one about Sarek and the whole surrounding region.
I have written occasional articles about Norway, including the arctic, but I have to admit it has always been hard placing material on Norway and Sweden. In 1992 I walked the length of those countries. That walk is the only long one I've done that's never appeared in a book - publishers seem to fall asleep at the mention of Scandinavia. I only ever had one article published on it too - in TGO in 1993. Selling articles on the area is hard too.
During the 90s I worked as ski tour leader in Norway and spent 2-3 months there every winter. My last trip was leading a group from Inverness Nordic Ski Club last March in the Finse area.
I really don't understand why Norway and Sweden aren't more popular here.
For anyone who likes Norway Slingsby's Norway: The Northern Playground has recently been republished and is an excellent read.
Ref: I've heard it's really expensive to get to and to stay there. Is this still right?
Getting There, I flew with BA Manchester to Oslo 11th June till 26th June Ticket Price #117 return
Then I had a connecting flight to an airport called Harstad-Narvik with SAS-Braathens. Ticket Price #149 return.
I had a look on the internet and I can get the BA Ticket Price down to #101 rtn if I'm not fussed about dates. SAS-Bratthens, I could get a ticket for #90 rtn without looking too hard. Of course there's Ryanair to Torp airport on the other side of Oslo - my friend did that for #22 rtn.
There's also Norwegian Air Shuttle to consider, they offered some tickets for #70 rtn for the internal flight.
Links: British Airways www.ba.com SAS www.scandinavian.net Norwegian Air Shuttle www.norwegian.no
Once I'm there, I wild camp - so staying costs are free. But if you want to stay in a mountain hut, reckon on paying 100 - 150Kr per night with membership (You need this to get a Key for unlocking the huts) at about 400 Kr. Take a look at Narvik's Mountain Touring Association's website www.narvikfjell.no
Food is fairly expensive up there (25Kr for six bred rolls), so I take what I can with me (mostly dehydrated stuff). Because of import restrictions I buy any fresh food once I'm up there.
The exchange rates on my bank statement were about 12.5NOK to the point and 13.9SEK to the pound for my last trip.
I hope this dispells any myth that Scandinavia is really expensive. It all really depends on how you do your trips.
Yes, Sweden is a fantastic destination for anyone who likes outdoor pursuits at any level. If you would like any more info on the country and the different regions have a look at www.absolute-sweden.co.uk This is by a tour operator 'Discover The World' who specialise in travel to Sweden. Might be of interest. Maria Chilvers - Marketing Manager - Haglofs
