By Àlex S.Casanovas
Ski traverse: Baltic Sea, Oulu-Kemi.
80 kilometers ski traverse in the frozen sea in total autonomy, guided by Àlex S. Casanovas.
Although it requires minimal physical condition, the traverse is technically easy, suitable for anyone with some experience in mountaineering. it is also recommended for people who want to experience something different in a wonderful natural setting.
This is an introduction to the polar environement, highly recommended for people who intend to do a polar traverse in over exposed places like Svalbard, Greenland and Antarctica's last degree. You'll learn orienteering, how to manage with low temperatures, with all that implies, to perform everyday tasks with gloves or mittens. Become familiar with the equipment is vital for survival of any polar traverse.
DATES:
March 10th to March 16th.
March 19th to March 25th.
Minimum people per group: 5
Maximum people per group: 8
PRICE: (included 24% VAT).
Per person: 995,00 €
Clubs and associations please contact me.
THE PRICE INCLUDES:
- Guide service during the traverse.
- All transfers.
- Personal gear: Pulka
- Camp communitary supplies: Tents (x2 people), stoves, pans, plates, cutlery and glasses, thermos.
- All meals and snacks during the traverse.
THE PRICE DOESN'T INCLUDES:
- Flight ticket.
- Visas and/or passport charges.
- Airport taxes.
- Excess baggage.
- Accommodation in Rovaniemi.*
- Own bivouac gear (sleeping bag, mattres).**
- Personal clothing and backpack.**
- Personal insurance (medical, evacuation, etc).
- All kind of drinks (alcoholic and non alcoholic).
- Anything not included in the "Price includes".
* The range of hotels in Rovaniemi is very high. You can reserve your accommodation in Booking.com
** Regarding the personnel clothing, gear and bivouac gear I can advise you what is the best for this traverse. Also is possible to rent an sleeping bag.
I will be glad to answer your concerns and questions here.
*INCLUDED FOOD FOR LUNCH (Please tell me if you are vegetarian or follow a diet).
Mashed potatoes, noodles, meat, fish, sausages, bacon, cheese, soup, Finnish bread, garlic powder, ognion, salt and pepper, tabasco, butter, isotonic drink, berry juice, muesli, cereals, cocoa, chocolate bars, biscuits, chocolate with fruits, nuts, jelly beans, sweets, coffee, tea, powder milk, sugar.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
You need to have minimum too moderate level in ski. You need to be in a good physical condition to enjoy this traverse because you will be skiing around 20 kilometers per day, pulling a 25 kg. pulka (aprox). Temperatures can reach or even exceed -20ºC. If you are not enough fit, I recommend that you start training at least three months before departure. Contact me and I can suggest you a convenient training program.
RESERVATION AND PAYMENTS
- 40% of total activity must be paid at the time of booking.
- The total cost has to be paid 35 days before the start of the activity.
- Payments must be made by bank transfer. We do not accept other types of payments.
- Payments send by bank transfer have to include transfer cost.
CANCELLATION AND REFUND
- Cancellation 35 days prior the beginning date be refunded all except 200 € service charge.
- Cancellation 20 days prior the beginning date will be refunded 75% of total activity.
- 14 days prior the beginning date will be refunded 50% of total activity.
- Cancellations less than 14 days before the beginning date there will be no refund.
Polarguide and Logistics strongly recommend to purchase a trip cancellation and interruption insurance, at the time you pay your initial deposit, as protection against an emergency which may force you to cancel or leave an expedition or activity while it is in progress.
During this week, every night we will have the chance to see Northern Lights, always if suitable weather conditions.
DAILY PROGRAM
80 kilometers ski traverse in the frozen sea in total autonomy.
During the traverse we advance all together as a team where we all collaborate on tasks such as cooking, melt snow or put the tents. Equally we share the burden of the community gear.
For the traverse pulkas weights between 15 and 20 kilos. Pulling a pulka of this weight is not a big effort, has nothing to do with the fact to carry a same weight backpack. The temperature may reach or even exceed -20º C.
We will sleep all nights in a tent**. You 'll learn how to manage with low temperatures, with all that implies, to perform everyday tasks with gloves or mittens for exemple... Become familiar with the equipment is vital for survival of any polar traverse.
Although the low temperatures could be a handicap, the biggest problem with which we can find in the Baltic Sea is the wind, but the wind is also part of learning because in the polar plains and plateaux the wind blows often. However, if the wind blow very very strong and makes it extremely difficult to mount the tent is possible to change the route slightly and go to some shelters that are in some of the many islands that are in the Baltic Sea.
DAY 1 (Arrival in the afternoon).
Arrival in Rovaniemi. Meeting with your guide and transfer to your hotel.
The guide will give the directions for the journey and deliver your personnel equipment to do it.
DAY 2. Transfer to Oulu. Starting the ski traverse, 10 km.
We leave the hotel with the necessary equipment. We'll keep the rest of the luggage in a safe room in Rovaniemi.
After breakfast we take a transport to head towards the town of Oulu, which will arrive in about 2,5 hours. Once in the starting point, we will progress about 10 kilometers before mounting our first camp.
DAYS 3, 4 and 5. Ski traverse, 20 kilometers per day.
During these days will follow a routine which we will keep it the whole traverse. We wake up between 7 and 8 am, breakfast and melt the snow to fill the thermos. Every hour we will do a short stop. At midday, between 13:00 and 14:00 we will have a break to eat a restorative soup with pasta and fill the thermos. Each participant is having a bag with dry fruits, chocolate, energy bars and candy to eat as they wish.
DAY 6. End of the ski traverse, 10 km. Return to Rovaniemi.
After breakfast we dismantle the camp as usual and ski the last kilometers to reach the end of our traverse. Once in land a transport will take us back to Rovaniemi (1.5 hours).
DAY 7 (Flight back at noon or afternoon).
Visit to Rovaniemi. Transfer to the airport.
Free day untill the time to go to the airport.
ACCOMMODATION in ROVANIEMI
You can have a look for offers and reservation at:
