News
BAC Staff Venture into Lapland
Thursday 17 April 2008
Seven brave explorers from BAC headed to the Finnish Lapland over Easter time for a proper winter cross-country expedition.
Little knowing what to expect apart from snow and cold conditions. And we weren’t to be disappointed. Over a meter of snow on arrival and a brisk minus 10 celcius to start the journey. Cross-country skiing with traditional equipment wearing wellies and a pair of planks (fiberglass army skis) plus a 70 liter pack on your back is every bit as difficult as it sounds. But our team did surprisingly well the first day being mostly practice journeying on the flat following readymade tracks.
All in all we spent two nights in wilderness sleeping in tents in minus 28 degrees – some might even call it a little bit chilly. We also got to sleep in a warm teepee style wooden Laplandish hut open for all skiers seeking shelter and warmth. The expedition took place in the beautiful Pallas-Olos National park near the town of Muonio. It took us 18 hours in the minibus even before we got to start our journey. I am sure we all enjoyed the experience immensely and survived with just a few minor injuries: one dislocated shoulder, one twisted neck and one pulled muscle in the groin. Main challenges on the journey were cooking, getting water, cross-country skiing and keeping warm in the freezing temperatures. But to reward you there is the ever so beautiful views everywhere you look and the peace and space ofLapland. The most special moment for me personally was one clear night looking up to the sky and seeing the magical northern lights. Bright yellow and moving mystically across the sky only staying with us for a brief moment before disappearing.
By Taina Nordgren
