Ruskovilla 2023-2024

STRATEGY AGAINST COLD When it comes to layering, I prefer merino wool for layers closest to the skin. The properties of wool are known to be unbeatable, particularly in winter conditions. It is important that moisture is transferred away from the skin and movement feels light and comfortable. Merino wool’s thermal insulation properties are brilliant thanks to the curly texture, and organic wool contains no chemicals harmful to the skin or the environment. In addition, wool is naturally dirt-repellent and neutralises odours, which is pleasant in camping conditions. Even if you use a sledge to transport equipment when ski touring, the total weight matters, since you need more equipment and food anyway in the winter. I always start planning by considering the problem points I have with winterwear. My thighs and buttocks get cold easily, so I decided to try Ruskovilla’s outdoor baselayer because of the double-layer reinforcements from the knees up to the waist – extra warmth exactly where needed. I also choose short underpants in merino wool , as I have heard that wool shorts over wool pants are an effective extra layer in extremely cold conditions. For the top, I choose an outdoor shirt, because the high collar and the wind flap under the zipper effectively protect the neck from the wind and also prevent the ice-cold zipper from touching the chin. The hem, longer at the back, provides additional protection when wearing shell pants with a normal waist, which always feels a little low in winter. I am not familiar with wool fleece as a material, but the thermal properties of soft brushed wool knit sound good. It also warms my heart to know that wool fleece is a 100% natural product, so that no microplastics are released into nature, and no chrome dyes or heavy metal salts have been used. Since my face is also sensitive to cold, I also take along a merino wool beanie and tube scarf , as well as protective head wear that seems like a good alternative to a neck warmer that gets wet easily.

TOUR AROUND OF KEBNEKAISE Our skiing trail runs counterclockwise around Sweden’s highest mountain, Kebnekaise. The trail is like an all-encompassing mini package of mountain hiking, where you can experience everything from mountain birch groves to the embrace of the fell at the altitude of 1,100 m and, from there, to the pass between the mountains. The weather often changes unexpectedly and shapes the landscape in special ways. Sometimes it feels like skiing inside a marshmallow as the colour of the pink sky is reflected on the soft shapes of powder snow. On another day, everything is so white that you can only see subtle outlines of the mountain wall, but not where they start and end. Then again, a clear and still frosty day lifts your mood as high as the sun that has finally emerged, but when the wind starts blowing the snow and turning the pass between the great mountains into a wind tunnel, you come to life in a completely different way. However, when you are dressed correctly, you can endure almost anything that nature wants to offer. EXTRA LAYERS Outdoor baselayers work really well. Merino wool feels pleasant under the shell garments when skiing, and the long sleeves of the outdoor shirt, and hem at the back, protect my skin and I do not need to pull them down constantly. On the fourth day, when we start to climb upwards from Nallo, and our route runs in the shade all morning, it feels like extra insulation for the thighs would be in order. I put on short underpants during the break and they provide extra warmth so well that I feel fine with them on, even on the next day as the wind goes up to 10 m/s. This is also the first time I put on the protective headwear, which is a perfect fit and stays in place, even though I keep moving its opening over my face with thick gloves on. You appreciate such small details immensely when the conditions start to get challenging. When the sun goes down, the temperature falls below -20°C on many evenings. Even though I wear the outdoor shirt and pants all day, I keep them on when sleeping – they feel comfortable to wear even

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