The Arctic’s Magical Winter Landscape: Pastel Skies & Fogbows

In this clip from the Adventure Diaries Podcast, Ash Routen shares his awe for the Arctic's winter landscapes and the subtle magic they hold. He describes the sun casting light low across the horizon, making the snow sparkle like a carpet of diamonds. The Arctic in midwinter, with its pastel-colored skies and unique phenomena like fogbows, feels otherworldly. It's a pristine, remote environment that takes on a distinct beauty during winter, creating an almost magical atmosphere.
Ash talks about his experience dog sledding in Finland's Arctic Circle and reflects on the changing light of the short days in such northern latitudes. There's something undeniably captivating about these winter landscapes, and the Finnmark region of Norway, where he’s trained, offers an incredible Arctic-like experience-sometimes even colder than Antarctica in summer.
Ash also delves into the practical side of preparing for such expeditions, emphasizing that while there may seem to be a low barrier to entry, having strong foundational outdoor skills is critical. His polar training in Finnmark involved adapting general mountain and camping skills to more specialized winter conditions, like cross-country skiing and winter navigation. He underscores the importance of transferring basic camping craft to specialized environments but cautions that more experience is necessary if you plan to travel on more treacherous terrain like sea ice or glaciers.
Routen also points out a growing trend in the polar expedition world-people with little outdoor experience quickly advancing to major expeditions in Antarctica. While these individuals may be highly motivated and able to secure funding, Ash emphasizes that with proper training and preparation, anyone with solid outdoor skills can enjoy these breathtaking environments.
For the full conversation with Ash Routen and more insights into the world of polar expeditions, visit AdventureDiari....