Tag Archives: SUL

Omberg

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Two summers ago I did a hike with André from Omberg to Gränna. I have been back to Omberg a couple of times since then for day trips but I haven’t got around to do an overnight stay. So when me and Jens decided to go for a two-day trip this weekend I suggested Omberg. Jens thought it was a good idea, and on saturday afternoon he picked me up in Jönköping.

I am still testing out my SUL-kit and for this trip I was going to use the Serenity NetTent for the first time. Jens was also eager to test some of his new gear, including his HMG Echo shelter and a brand new Roberts sleeping bag he got the week before.

Omberg is a forest covered mountain next to lake Vättern about half an hours car ride from Jönköping. The mountain is an Ecopark with both roads and smaller trails running all over the park.

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Crystal clear water in Stocklycke harbour.

We started our hike on the south side of Omberg and went for a quick look at the ruins of Alvastra kloster. After this we followed the beach line through the forest and soon ended up at Stocklycke harbour. An old harbour used to ship timber from the woods at Omberg.

By now the weather was fantastic and the surface of Vättern was completely still, making visibility in the water perfect. The first real summer day of the year!

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My Imo pack is starting to get some mileage now. A fantastic little backpack!

After this we walked down to a small bay named Oxbåset. To get down to the water we had to do a pretty steep climb along a ravine, but it was all worth it when we finally got to the water.

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Enjoying the view at Oxbåset.

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Oxbåset.

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The sun was shining and we stopped for a while and cooked some coffee. After a slow start of the summer the sun threatened to burn our skin so we soon decided to move on.

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Pitching the Gatewood Cape with Serenity net at Älvarums udde.

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My gatewood Cape and Jens HMG Echo II at Älvarums udde.

In the evening we arrived at Älvarums udde and made some dinner down by the waterfront watching the sun settle. After this we pitched both our shelters with a view over Vättern.

The night was calm and I could sleep inside my net tent with the front door open towards the sea. Giving me a view over the last sunlight over Vättern before I fell asleep.

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View over Vättern from Hjässan, Ombergs highest point.

The next day was a short affair. We made quick breakfast, broke camp and went back in the same direction as we arrived the day before. Halfway we decided to go up to the top of Omberg, Hjässan, to enjoy the views over the surrounding landscape.

From there it was a short walk down hill untill we were back at the car. Satisfied after a short trip in stunning surroundings enjoying fantastic weather.

All pictures in this blog post by Jens Fagerberg.

Solo hiking Västanåleden – A first try at SUL Hiking

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The majority of my hikes are shorter weekend trips on any of the trails close to my hometown. It’s only during my summer holidays that I have time for week long journeys to places like Norway and northern Sweden. With this in mind I have started to work on a lighter kit custom tailored for the needs I have on my shorter trips in the woods around Jönköping. So after spending the spring purchasing new equipment it was now time for a first trip trying to go SUL – Super Ultra Light that is 🙂 

In this post i will do a short trip report and also try to sum up the experience of my new kit and talk through some of the new items i used.

Hiking Västanåleden

Västanåleden is a short round trip hike in the beech forest south of Gränna. The trail shares tracks with John Bauerleden that connects all the way down to Jönköping. Both of these trails are familiar to me and just last year me and André took a short overnight trip at this trail. I decided to walk the southern part of the trail as these are the ones I like most. As this would be a rather short route I would also have time for some detours along any of the other trails crossing my path.

I started out just outside the small village of Röttle and decided to take a short walk down to the harbour. On my way I passed the waterfalls and the remains of the old Jerusalem mill. Down by the harbour I took a small pause and then headed back up to the trail.

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Röttle river waterfalls and the remains of Jerusalem Mill

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First impressions – KS Ultralight gear Imo Pack

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KS-Ultralight-Gear-IMO-Pack_2015-04-17_17-03-43_DSC00365 The Japanese post service sure knows how to haul stuff! Received my Imo Pack today, Friday after a five day transport from Japan to Sweden.

I’ll try to sum up my first impressions of the KS Ultralight gear Imo Pack here. Later on I will have to follow up with some reflections after taking the pack to the trail.

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Being sick makes you poor…

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…in more than one way with the loss of income. But also that I tend to buy stuff when I have the extra time to look at stuff. So here we go! A new tent is on its way from HMG, or Hyperlite Mountain Gear. I ordered a UltaMid 2 and some accessories… Now I definitely need to get better 🙂

The UltaMid 2 is basically the larger version of the DuoMid from MLD, Mountain Laurel Designs. The UltaMid is preferred by many when you’re actually going on a trip with two persons. The DuoMid is thought of like a palace for one and a little cramped for two, the main question being – where do we store our gear? You basically have two options, either placing it outside or under your sleeping mat. None of the the two is something I want to do as I’m carrying a quite expensive DSLR and the fact that it’s not that practical. The UltaMid 2 on the other hand promises what the name tells you, a tent for two… Just look at the pictures below from Hike It Like It

UltaMid 2-person:
Weight : No Guylines 16.6oz (470g) – With Guylines 17.6oz (499g)
Width: 83”
Length: 107”
Height: 64”
Square Feet 63

HMG’s Cuben Fiber UltaMid pyramid tent provides maximum coverage at minimum weight. The UltaMid is constructed using ultralight, ripstop, waterproof and non-absorbent Cuben Fiber for four season use in all environments, from the hottest desert to the mountains in winter. The UltaMid is available in 2-person and 4-person sizes. It uses your trekking or ski poles at the center for support. Features: a pair of vents at the apex, ample tie out points and a waterproof zippered door. HMG’s UltaMid has been tested and proven in extreme conditions to be stable and dry in wind, rain and snow.

Here are some videos of the UltaMid 2 and DuoMid.

 

What’s left now to complete the tent is a inner-net to keep the bugs out which is needed most of the time here in Sweden if it’s not cold. Been looking at a few different options that vary quite abit in price from 60USD to 295USD. S2S cheaper but heavier net or the one from MLD that’s built for the DuoMid.

Another option is getting some lightweight bivy bags with built-in mosquito nets. There are a few that’s interesting but from previous experience I’d rather skip the bivys…

Waiting for a new book

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I’m home and sick so what else can you do besides feeling sorry for yourself? To help gg_covermyself getting better I bought a new book by Andrew Skurka – The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide: Tools & Techniques to Hit the Trail.

You can read more about it here and see some of the content.

I have a “bad” feeling about today that if I don’t get any better… It’ll hurt my wallet…! Damn you I-need-this-to-lighten-my-backpack-thoughts….

HMG UltaMid anyone?