Ramblings

The differences between cultures

on July 12, 2016

I often get asked the question with regards to my nationality. In the USA Americans want to know the difference between Americans and Swedes, in Sweden it’s the reverse. I generally don’t try to answer these types of questions as there is no one answer that fits all perfectly. That one answer that can describe the two nations with absolute certainty. That is one of the main things I have learned in my life, living in different cultures and nations: Black and white answers rarely exist, and when they do, it’s usually debatable.

Since this is a generalized question usually made by people wanting to test their own programmed stereotypes, I will do my best to give a generalized, stereotype based answer. The truth is, what I find to be the one main difference between Americans and not just Swedes but most other people I have met is that Americans have a tendency and need to sound and present themselves as experts on any given field. I have tested this general hypothesis on many subjects from the USA and very rarely do I find the one person who doesn’t have that need. Read More

Landscape photographyPhotographyTravel Photography

The Laugavegur Trail – Iceland in pictures

on July 8, 2016

Here are some pictures from the Laugavegur trail in Southern Iceland. I walked this trail in late June through early July. All pictures are taken by be on a Sony RX 100 and edited in Lightroom to bring out the colors a bit more. If you steal my pictures atleast leave a link to my site and let me know where they will be seen. Thanks!

For information about the trail – how to get there, map and general good to new info click here

For information with regards to my gear that I brought along the trail click here

This is the first of several sets that I will release.  Read More

Geartrip planningTrip report

Planning for Iceland part 2 – the gear

on June 27, 2016

Ok, so the first part of this planning process was the actual trip, I find no new info here that is worth adding to the trip planning, (well except that this trip is now a solo trek as my hiking buddy is rather sick). Instead I will focus on what gear I will be bringing and why. Basically I have same setup but I made a few changes this time around. I will start with the complete gear list first: Read More

DestinationsTrip report

Planning for The Laugavegur trail iceland – part 1

on June 20, 2016

In two weeks a friend and I will be heading out to Iceland to hike along the 75 kilometer Laugavegur trail. While the trail is not known for being overly difficult I will be planning to take the full amount of food with me as there are no places to eat along the way. On top of that as we will be there in June there could be some risk for colder nights and still some snow left on the trail. (Though I think the risk is minimal here I will still pack accordingly)

Update: trail now complete and I will update this post with more up to date info for anyone wanting to make the trip themselves.

We plan on stretching the trip out over 5-6 days and spend two nights, if possible, in some of the huts along the way. Sometimes it’s pretty nice to have a hut and warm shower if the possibility presents itself. Read More

Recipe

Recipe: lazy mans backpacking breakfast 

on June 17, 2016

I am a pretty predictable person when it comes to certain things. In the morning I truly prefer routine over guess work. I shower, throw on some deo, same pair of jeans, same style shirt and sweater and same shoes. I limit my guess work so that my mind is on full drive for more important manners in life other than how I look and what shirt matches what pants.. I simply don’t care and don’t want to waste any energy at all thinking about it.

The same goes for my breakfast. I eat the same exact breakfast everyday and have done so far as long as I can remember. This breakfast is so important for my daily routine that I even make the exact same breakfast for when I’m hiking and this simple little recipe can be made in 5 minutes and minimal cost. Read More

Gear

Ultralight camping with kids

on June 13, 2016

To be blunt – traditional hiking gear with kids has got to be the worst idea ever. Or maybe not kids but toddlers and under. I have learned one big truth when hiking with kids: No matter the distance, long or far, no matter how light I pack, in the end I will be hoisting my son on my shoulders and trekking with him as well as all the gear. So I am positive that if my gear alone weighed 20 kilos /40 lbs – I would never bother going out in the wild, as my son weighs an additional 20 kilos. 40 kilos or 80 lbs just wouldn’t be happening.

As it is, I am an ultralight hiker – imagine that. So carrying a 5 kilo pack and a 20 kilo kid isn’t the worst thing on the planet to suffer through. Though, the kid does weigh alot considering that he doesn’t exactly fasten onto my hips like a backpack (lord knows I try to fasten his legs around my hips). In any case I’m not going to lie and say I walk miles and hike for days when backpacking with my little one. Not at all, usually just a short 1-2 mile hike and an overnighter by a lake followed with a camp fire and hotdogs. It’s enough.

Read More

Recipe

Recipe: Pecan chocolate mush bar

on June 10, 2016

I’m weak as hell when it comes to chocolate.. Or most things that require any kind of self discipline for that matter. But chocolate gets me the most, I’m surprised I still have all my limbs or at the least can still walk with the amount of chocolate I consume.. Maybe it’s all the hiking.

In any case what could be better than pecans, dates, walnuts and chocolate? An awesome and simple recipe that really spices up the ordinary dates based raw bars. Read More

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