Plan your hike in the mountains!

Are you longing for an adventure in the mountains this summer? Here are some things to consider to make your hike in the mountains a success!

Companions

Do you want to hike alone or go with friends, family, or a partner? If you hike alone, you only need to consider your own needs. But if you have company on the trip, it’s best to adjust the difficulty to match the person with the least experience. Taking a new (or inexperienced) partner on a few weeks hike in Sarek might not be a great idea and could shake up the relationship… The same applies to hiking with children or if someone has an old injury. Adjust the trip accordingly to avoid stressful and potentially dangerous situations!

Route

Plan your route according to your own (and your potential companions) abilities. What prior experience do you have? Any injuries to consider? Are you short on time? There are many factors that can complicate things, and a route that is too advanced and too long can become unnecessarily demanding. We recommend always scheduling an extra day per week. Even in summer, the weather in the mountains can change rapidly. You may need to spend an extra night in a tent or mountain hut.

We recommend always scheduling an extra day per week.

When planning your route, use maps and guidebooks. Calculate the distances and plan what feels reasonable. Guidebooks can be extremely helpful in describing potential major rivercrossings, which can become quite challenging after rain in the summer.

It is also helpful to study possible alternative routes in case things do not go as planned. How can you get out quickly? To a road or an area with a cell signal. Maybe there are beautiful day trips you shouldn’t miss?

Weather

The weather in the mountains is always changing. Summer weather can be 5 degrees Celsius, fog, and heavy rain for days, but also incredibly hot. It’s important to make sure that your equipment can handle everything needed for all types of weather. That means both high sun protection, and warm gloves and a hat.

After warm periods and lots of rain, mosquitoes also appear. Mosquito-free periods in northern Sweden are early in the season. Just before Midsummer, if the spring has been cold, and from mid-August to September.

Equipment

Going through the equipment you plan to bring with a bit of preparation is a very good idea. You might discover that something needs to be repaired or that some of your clothes suddenly have become too small… Last-minute purchases rarely turn out well; it’s better to calmly have time to try out any newly bought items.

There are a few things you should be especially careful about. Shoes and boots are one thing; making sure they are broken in before the trip will save you a lot of blisters and pain. Likewise, test the stove you plan to bring, so you know how it works and that you have the right fuel to go along with it.

Food

Eating well and enough on a trip is crucial for your mood and recovery. Plan for big meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and plenty of snacks throughout the day. Also, bring extra food, maybe a bag of nuts and a freeze-dried meal in addition to your planned meals in case something happens.

The body needs carbohydrates, protein, and don’t forget fat!

When it comes to food, everyone has their own preferences. Some may like freeze-dried meals, others dry everything themselves. The body needs carbohydrates, protein, and don’t forget fat! You or someone in your group might have an allergy to consider. Many of STF’s mountain huts and mountain stations sell food, which can make provisioning easier. You can view the store selection on STF’s website. Planning and preparing your food at home before the trip saves a lot of mental effort when you’re out hiking.

Safety

A lot can be said about safety on a trip. And much can be prepared! Leaving a travel plan with someone at home is a very good idea. It should include the names and numbers of everyone heading out, a route plan with possible alternatives, and the date you intend to return. And make sure to have the discussion at home first, with the person who will act as contact, what to do in case you don’t check in on time.

Bringing a personal emergency beacon (such as a Garmin Inreach or SPOT) is also a good idea. Make sure you learn how it works before heading out. And discuss with your potential contact person when and how often you can communicate. Bringing a power bank for your phone is also useful, as well as checking where there is reception. All STF mountain lodges have an emergency phone that goes directly to the police. There are also cabin hosts on site during the season who can help you in emergency situations.

It’s important to be aware of your own and your hiking companions’ possible past injuries, illnesses, and allergies. And to bring enough medication or first aid supplies.

Good luck with your planning!

Text: Cathrin Larsson

Do you have any questions?

Please send us an email to info@laponiaadventures.com
We are happy to help and will answer you as soon as we can.