I'm going for 7 days with car hire to look and doss about up there, see the Northern Lights, that sort o' thing - East and North of Tromso; 16 - 22 February. Has anyone got any fine ideas about what to do and see? Any good 1/2 day walks or similar they'd recommend? I do have some ideas myself (! ) but would be keen to learn more.
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no idea mate - but have a great time, take loads of pictures and tell us what it was like - oh yes, and wrap up warm!!!! 
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I've been seeing other people's picture for too many years now and since NASA say this winter (now) is the best year for ages, I'm diving full length into the overdraft to realise a long held dream. Accommodation is .... well, there isn't any in Tromso. And that which I did find starts at well over £100. No room in the inn, almost no hostel beds, even they're £50+ and booked out; I'm not jesting and I spent maybe 3 days researching this. It's camping for me. From Tromso, Abisco in Sweden, Ivalo in Finland, then 'round by Kirkeness and back 'round the top of Norway back to Tromso. Flight £300 Car £300 for 5 days. Fuel similar cost to ours. Food - as litle as possible. I don't drink which is just as well as I am told it's horrendously expensive. The Scandinavians are wealthy people, especially the Norwegans (no 2). Tromso at night: -6. Inland: -20
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 I'd be looking at cross-country ski trips rather than walks at that time of year... If you don't fancy camping in the snow you can perhaps get a camping hytte, the local campsite has them (common Norwegian thing): http://www.tromsocamping.no/public.aspx?pageid=79237
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 I'd be looking at cross-country ski trips rather than walks at that time of year...
Yes, me too. I've not been further north than Narvik, not quite up to Tromso, but I really wouldn't expect to get very far on foot before about May. If you don't nordic ski then I guess snowshoes could be some help.
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Can't wear ski boots. The whole angle they force you into places too much pressure on the front of the patella and within 10 minutes I feel nauseous. Yes, my knees really are that bad! Interesting - there are indeed a few cabins such as the one you linked at £52 for the night whom I emailed yesterday and they do have a berth. Thanks. I've bought a leviathan of a sleeping bag off he classified too to keep me snug. I'm now going to contact some of the more interesting places and events going on with a view to photographing and writing about them.
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| Edited: 31/01/12 17:29 |
cross country ski boots are different - a lot more movement, but also take a lot more energy, its like running... with skis
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I'll look into it, but running - the last time I ran was 24 years ago. I did say my knees are in very poor condition!
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 I don't know the area, but regarding the northern lights, it's best to keep your wits about you. I missed my first chance to see the northern lights because I was asleep, and the person I was with did see them, but didn't wake me up. It was over a week later, when I was on my own, that I finally saw them for myself. So... get yourself somewhere dark, preferably without any moonlight, and if you're the sort of person who sleeps right through the night, then you'd best set your alarm to wake you up at two or three-hourly intervals, so you can pop your head out and see what's happening. On the other hand, if you make yourself a massive hot brew before turning in for the night, it's quite likely that you'll have to wake up a couple of times for a pee... and that's as good a way to see the northern lights as any! Then again... only the other week people were taking photos of the northern lights off the east coast, near Newcastle.
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As Panda said cross country skiing boots are totally different to downhill ski boots and not as uncomfortable, but it is a very physical sport that uses the muscles in all the body. But I would definitely advise on taking or hiring snowhoes, or if you're feeling lazy hire a snow mobile for travelling around. Regarding accomodation there are also plenty of cabins to sleep in which are free, but you have to have bedding and food. There are wood burning stoves to heat the place and plenty of chopped wood nearby. Also outdoor fire areas for cooking if you don't carry a stove.
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It was close run thing: Newcastle or Tromso. I've seen them, fleetingly, for maybe 1-2 seconds, many years ago on a hill facing north outside Helmsley where I used to live. Very cool!
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| Edited: 31/01/12 21:14 |
 Campsites are generally not open in February, and, away from the very few ski resorts, neither is any other kind of accommodation. Going up there at that time of year is not a trivial thing to do. It may be very very cold - minus 30 is not at all unusual in February, the roads may or may not be open and you'll certainly need to have excellent snow tyres and/or chains. Even if the roads are open, if the weather is bad, you may have to wait until a convoy is formed before you'll be able to proceed. They may form convoys only once or twice a day. Without skis, snow shoes (and knowing how to use them) or hiring a snow-scooter (plus knowing how to drive one and having all the necessary arctic gear) you won't be able to leave the ploughed roads. Do you really, really want to go that far north at that time of year just to see the aurora? It's been visible from Scotland in the last few days.
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| Edited: 01/02/12 09:33 |
Live a little. Mine's an adventure. Have stories to tell your children / grandchildren. Do things others only ever read about. Try not to piss into the wind when I'm standing next to you.
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| Edited: 01/02/12 09:41 |
Good luck
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Abisko has a very low rainfall, so I guess not deep snow? There's a hut/shelter, open-fronted, very roughly 2 - 3 hours down the Kungsleden, which you might get to? Was there in 2010, but continued a few miles further to camp. There's also a hut going the other way, towards the Troms Border Trail, and I think is is free, too. Much walking in trees to get to ít tho - it's by a big lake. Very roughly 2-3 hours from road, about 3 - 5 miles from Abisko. Plenty of firewood at both.
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