Nordkalottleden | 1

I thru-hiked the Nordkalottleden from 24th August to 20th September. In Chapter 1, l hike from Kivikkjokk STF (after the boat river crossing) to Kurejaure wind shelter where l have a break.
Follow me on this awesome hiking trail through Norway, Sweden and Finland most remote areas in what's called "Europe's Last Wilderness"... A 800km/500miles challenge only for true adventurers! By far the toughest trail l've ever walked. Meet the Nordkalottleden, the Arctic Trail!
All Chapters PLAYLIST:
• Nordkalottleden
SUPPORT my next project here: ko-fi.com/alwa...
INSTAGRAM: / alwaysforwardyt
Camera Gear:
- Nikon z6
- Nikkor z 24mm f1.8
⏱ TIMESTAMPS ⏱
00:18 - Who am l?
00:45 - Nordkalott... what?
01:44 - The Weather may Finish this Hike
02:01 - Boat Ride - Chapter 1 Begins!
02:48 - Saucony Xodus 11
03:41 - Testing the Umbrella
04:00 - First Cabin
05:29 - Enjoying the Cabin
06:34 - New Style of Video
07:20 - Day 2 Update in the Cabin
09:43 - Day 2 Begins!
10:55 - Wind Shelter Break
12:12 - Nice Views
12:55 - Update in the Wind Shelter

[@erik_normark]

Great work Antonio! Nice to hear you tell us about your trip and experience. Thanks, all the best!

[@alwaysforwardyt]

Thanks for the encouragement Erik! 😊 I hope l can film properly next time l visit Sweden 🇸🇪 😍 Take care, ATB!

[@bkpktrekker4086]

Erik. Is there any chance Bardde would be possible to climb around Seotember 20th or is snow a given. Loved your video of the trip and if i could do it, it'd be the highlight of my trip. IF weather were good id descend north slope to make a circuit, if not I'd climb and descend on south side.

[@alwaysforwardyt]

The Nordkalottleden videos will be different than the 'cinematic' videos l've been publishing. Chapter 2 (Sunday at 5pm London time) has more visuals and less talking than Chapter 1. l think the later chapters will get better than these first ones. It took me a while to find the balance between putting the mileage and filming... ln any case, l hope you enjoy them all!

[@geezer8484]

This is going to be great to watch. I would class this as a proper expedition, heading north for 500 miles into winter. It must have felt daunting and scary at the start. Really looking forward to the rest of the episodes. I know from the trailer there are some real dangers ahead!

[@alwaysforwardyt]

Thank you! Truth is 'uncertainty' made it quite of a psychological challenge. I had never been to those latitudes at that time of the year. Knowing the winter was approaching and having no clue as to how bad or sudden it would present itself made things a bit scary. To make matters worse, l didn't have any winter mountaneering experience so imagine... learning as l went along! 😅

[@NorwayHikesTrails]

Nice Antonio. Thank you for sharing. You have a wonderful week. Take care and catch you on the next one

[@alwaysforwardyt]

Thanks for watching 😊 You have a great week, too. Stay safe!

[@lauriesmith7848]

Brilliant Antonio 👏 👏 👏

[@alwaysforwardyt]

Thank you! Happy you enjoyed it!

[@lauriesmith7848]

@@alwaysforwardyt as Always Antonio Always Forward 😁

[@alwaysforwardyt]

@@lauriesmith7848 😅 Always, yes, that's the spirit! 💪😎

[@jameslogan8193]

Nice one, Antonio. Totally agree with Yoda. What was the verdict on the umbrella ? And I'm amazed you haven't poked your eye out with the spork in your cup - it looks super dangerous !

[@alwaysforwardyt]

Thank you! l have mixed feelings about the umbrella. It's not for 'gram counters,' that's for sure. It's a luxury, literally. You don't need it but, at times, you love to have it. // 6:24 I thought the same when l saw myself drinking the coffee like that 🤣 I like to live at the edge James! 😆

[@rolflundin6204]

Hi again Antonio. Nice to follow you again. This first part I have done twice and hardly met anyone

[@alwaysforwardyt]

Hello Rolf, nice to hear from you again! 😊 Thanks for following my adventure. // Yes, this area isn't busy, we were around 6 people taking the boat, l was the only NKL hiker among them. Minutes later I was on my own. Very quiet hiking 😊

[@thegroove2000]

Well done fella.

[@jfinlay1]

Hi Ant. Loved Part 1 and wondering how your feet and shoes will manage especially if the snow arrives. Great quality and balance of humour thrown in although in this video you looked a little more serious. Probably matches your anticipation of what could lie ahead. All the best. The water temp continues to drop here. Swim on Sunday was 12C but brown fat kicked in after 500m of swimming I went from feeling cold to feeling warm. Amazing.

[@alwaysforwardyt]

Hey Jim! Great to hear from you. I'm happy you enjoyed Part 1. I spent 28 days of constant uncertainty, often trying to ignore my fears. That is very remote land and l didn't know what to expect... what would be waiting for me round the corner. I swam in a couple of lakes. The water was freezing! You must really love that lake swimming you do... 😄 Take care!

[@kristianszalans2985]

I am enjoying your videos, thank you! On a lighter note, I would trust you because you are not kidding, seriously! ;D

[@alwaysforwardyt]

Thank you! l'm happy you're enjoying them. l know it's 14 episodes, but they are around 15min each... In case it helps, this a link to the Nordkalottleden playlist: shorturl.at/ajxGL l hope you enjoy the series! See you on the trails! 😉

[@22veteranflyfishing]

Nice video Just found your channel and I subscribed to it.

[@alwaysforwardyt]

Great, thanks for the support (and for your service) 😉

[@bkpktrekker4086]

i love your videos, thx for sharing. I start Nordkalottleden August 25 in Kilpis and will finish in Abisko where I'll take the Kungsleden to Kvikkjok. Shops and STF are open till the 18th of September so I should get finish around that time. There are two side trips i would like to make IF weather is good. 1. Gappohyta to climb Baddas 2. Parta to climb Bardde. Can you give me a packing list? i usually don't trek in winter conditions. My questions are 1. should i bring 2 pairs of long pants or just 1 and a pair of shorts with arm and leg cycling warmers? Was it ever warm enough for shorts, 2.im bringing a layer system a. outer gortex hardshell b.fleece jacket c. lightweight down jacket Is that enough? i have a puffy mountain hardware down jacket but its too hot to trek in. raingear a lightweight. rainpants lightweight rain/windbreaker base layer a.merino wool top b.merino wool bottom shirts 3x cycling Jerseys socks smartwool, 3x underwear, 3x gloves 1 pair of very good mittens or 1 pair of off mark gloves weight is an issue of course, especially on day 1 but im used to it. with food on day one ill probably be ,,18kg. I assume water is readily available. i don't want to bring too much but not too little. I generally sleep warm. Thx.

[@bkpktrekker4086]

i also am in Spain. Can you reccomend the best dehydrated food and where to buy it? thx

[@alwaysforwardyt]

Sorry, I'm walking the Nordlandsruta. I'm at Ritsem now, first time with network, I'm preparing my resupplying food. Sorry l can't help you. ATB for the Nordkalottleden!

[@alwaysforwardyt]

Hi there, I found some time for you. In general, my Nordkalottleden gear was similar to that l brought to the Scottish National Trail (check my 2 video reviews). 1. I brought 1 pair of Montane Super Terra trousers and a pair of rain trousers from Berghaus (horrible zipper). The overtrousers weigh 239g, really not lightweight. I broke them on the trail and I'm very careful with my gear. I wouldn't take 'feather like' lightweight waterproofs to the Nordkalottleden. It's a tough trail. Now, on the Nordlandsruta, I've already done 2 holes to my overtrousers in 2 weeks (same ones from Berghaus). 2. Make sure the fleece jacket/pullover is breathable. You need what's called an 'active mid-layer.' Look at 'Alpha material, ' l find garnets made of that material to be very good fit active usage. Initially, I didn't like my Arc'teryx mid-layer, but now I love it. Look for something similar (225g size L). You want to have a 'belay jacket/pullover.' Something you'll only put on when you stop for a break. I favor synthetics (primaloft gold) because you can use them when wet (e.g. when your base layer is soaking wet. Chances are it will at some point, trust me). Puffy jacket only for insulation. Just for sitting, sleeping, etc. I had a 440g puffy with me. l wished l had had a 650g one (the one l nos took with me, RAB Neutrino Pro). I missed having a thicker base layer just for the tent. I had a 200g one, now l took a 300g one. Yes, water is always available. Last night we had to drink from a swamp. All good. *Suggestion: Do get 2 pairs of lightweight 'overshoes' (like the ones you see me using on my "Nordkalottleden - Chapter 6"). When you want to go outside your tent and everything is wet, you put them on (with or without socks) then you use your running shoes. I didn't bring them with me. l brought a pair of fancy camp boots from Outdoor Research: mistake. They get wet easily. Everything is wet here. Best of luck! Have an awesome adventure and do get back to let me know how it went! 😉

[@thegroove2000]

The little places you find on thy way with the wood heaters are they free?.

[@alwaysforwardyt]

Some are free, some have a fee. The official ones are the ones you have to pay to stay: STF (Swedish) and DNT (Norwegian).

[@thegroove2000]

@@alwaysforwardyt Thanks.

[@alwaysforwardyt]

My pleasure!