Photography of a boreal forest in Lapland with a ski trail and me skiing it with a heavy backpack

The Bear's Trail / Karhunkierros

A Solo ski trek to the Arctic Circle

Trip report

Preview

My first solo multi-day ski trek!

6 days to ski 82 km in the Oulanka national park, in Finland, to try to reach the Arctic Circle and Lapland on Karhunkierros, the Bear's Trail.

No resupply points, only tent campsites in snow or simple wooden huts and lean-to shelters to spend the nights.

First half on a groomed trail, second half fully off-piste.

Freezing temperatures all along in late winter with a phenomenal quantity of snow.

"I am so grateful right now. This is one of those moments."
— Somewhere along the trail (episode 4)

Watch

Episode 1's thumbnailEpisode 1: (end of the) First day
Episode 2's thumbnailEpisode 2: Fun descents, magical forest and first rapids
Episode 3's thumbnailEpisode 3: Meeting the Oulanka river and sleeping in a tent
Episode 4's thumbnailEpisode 4: Icy rapids and deep powder
Episode 5's thumbnailEpisode 5: Wildest area
Episode 6's thumbnailEpisode 6: Arctic Circle?

Conditions

Ideal. Cold and sunny the first days, then slowly warming up to just above freezing with clouds and snowfall.

"Is that paradise? It sure looks like it…"
— Somewhere else along the trail (episode 1)

Clothes

On the move Base layer
  • Warm and highly breathable merino base layer (top + long johns)
    Aclima WoolNet Hybrid
  • Light merino boxer shorts
    Aclima LightWool Shorts
  • Light merino socks
    Aclima Liner Socks
  • Mid-warm merino socks
    Aclima Trekking Socks
  • Light merino beanie
    Aclima Lightwool
  • Light merino buff
    Aclima Lightwool
  • Merino liner gloves
    The Heat Company Merino Liner Pro
Mid layer
  • Light fleece
    Fjällraven Ked Fleece Hoodie
Outer layer
  • Shell jacket
    Fjällraven Keb Eco-Shell Jacket
  • Warm shell ski trousers
    Halti Striker II DX
  • Winter hiking boots
    Salomon Climashield Waterproof
  • Warm Gloves
    Hestra Fält Guide Gloves
  • Shell Gloves
    The Heat Company Polar Hood
At camp Base layer
  • Warm merino base layer (top + long johns)
    Aclima WarmWool
  • Warm merino socks
    Aclima WarmWool Socks
Mid layer
  • Light jacket
    Fjällraven Keb Padded Hoodie
Outer layer
  • Down jacket
    Fjällraven Expedition Pack Down Hoodie
  • Warm shell ski trousers
    Halti Striker II DX
  • Hiking boots
    Salomon Climashield Waterproof
  • Warm Gloves
    Hestra Fält Guide Gloves
In bed
  • Warm merino base layer (top + long johns)
    Aclima WarmWool
  • Warm merino socks
    Aclima WarmWool Socks
  • Warm merino beanie
    Aclima Warmwool
  • Merino liner gloves
    The Heat Company Merino Liner Pro
  • Sleep Mask
    Colocastle Sleep Mask
  • Down socks
    GooseFeet Gear Down Socks (+ 50% down fill)
Other worn items
  • Cross-Country Downhill Skis
    OAC Skinbased XCD BC 160
  • Trekking poles
    Decathlon MT500
  • Sunglasses
    Ombraz Classic armless
  • Satellite communicator
    Garmin inReach Mini 2
  • Headlamp
    Nitecore NU25 UL 400
  • Power Bank 1
    Nitecore NB10000 Gen 2
  • Power Bank 2
    Nitecore NB10000 Gen 2
  • Compass
    Suunto A-10 NH
  • Map (1:25000)
I am not sponsored by, or affiliated with, any brand.

Pack

Base weight: 10,25 kg

The Big Three
  • Backpack 55 L waterproof pack
    Durston Kakwa 55 + Nylofume Backpack liner
  • Tent
    Durston X-Mid Pro 2 + TOAKS V-shaped Pegs + custom Tyvek footprint
  • Sleep system
    • Quilt 1 and sheet
      Zenbivy Light bed 10ºF + in Sea To Summit eVent Compression Drysack M
    • Quilt 2
      Enlighted Equipment Revelation 20ºF + in Sea To Summit eVent Compression Drysack S
    • Mattress
      Amok Equipment Fjøl Winterlight R-5
    • Pillow 1
      Cocoon Air-core UL
Bushcraft
  • Puukko
    Jani Paadar
  • Fire Blower
    Winomo Fire blower
Food
  • Bottle 1
    Smarwater 1.1L
  • Bottle 2
    Smarwater 1.1L
  • Bottle 3
    Platypus SoftBottle 1.0L
  • Hypotonic Electolyte Blend
    Waterdrop Microlyte
  • Stove
    MSR PocketRocket Deluxe
  • Canister x3
    Jetboil 230 g
  • Pot with handle
    TOAKS Pot with bail handle 1600mL
  • Bowl
    Sea To Summit X-Seal & Go (no lid)
  • Lighter
    Bic Mini
  • Cup lips protection
    Snow Peak Hot Lips
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Waterproof dry bag
    Silva Waterproof dry bag 12L
Electronics
  • All electronics have to be worn close to the body to prevent them to freeze and lose their power, see Other worn items
Hygiene
  • Toiletry kit
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Pee bottle
    Nalgene 16oz wide
  • Poop kit
    Lixada Titanium Shovel + CuloClean Portable Bidet
Safety
  • Safety kit
    Pocket knife (Victorinox Signature), whistle (Fox 40 Classic), repair tape, sewing kit, mattress repair kit, dyneema cord (2.5 mm, 8 m), waterproof matches
  • First aid kit
Comfort
  • Pillow 2
    Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow Cinch
  • Swedish cloth
  • Seat pad
  • Thermometer
    Elitech RC-5+
  • Hand and toe warmers
Filmmaking
  • Phone
    Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • Tripod
    Camolo Phone Tripod Horizontal
Plane covers
  • Plane backpack cover
  • Plane ski cover