Pure Explore

Abisko Alps

The Abisko Alps are situated approximately 10 km south of Abisko. Too far away for most day tourers. We’ll set up our tent camp amongst the mountains (most likely between Tjåmuhas and Ballinbogicohkka) and we’ll get to experience the harder aspects around camping in winter conditions: staying warm, dry, satiated and hydrated. But hopefully also all the wonderful aspects, too! To be able to step right out into the mountains in the morning, do your evening toilet under the northern lights, team companionship and get to enjoy guaranteed untouched ski runs.

The summits in the area are fantastic for skiing. Later in the season they are a popular target for heliski operators, and one of our reasons for running this trip comparatively early is to avoid helicopters. The verticals are approaching 1000m, and if conditions allow we may be able to do multiple descents per day. The summits are mostly technically easy and most of the skiing will be around 20-35 degrees.

Pure Ski Touring only hires IFMGA Mountain Guides

What is a Mountain Guide?
A Mountain Guide is a specially trained and highly experienced professional who is certified by authorities or mountain guide associations. They are considered experts at a high level and are hired to instruct or lead individuals and small groups in mountain environments that require this advanced expertise. The profession of mountain guide originated in the mid-19th century when alpine climbing became recognized as a sport.

IFMGA Certification
The title IFMGA Mountain Guide is reserved for individuals who have received full certification through their country’s national mountain guide association, whose curriculum and training are approved by the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA). Certification is obtained through a rigorous examination process that includes rock climbing, alpine climbing and ski mountaineering. Certification usually takes between three and seven years to complete.

Swedish Mountain Guide Organisation
The Swedish Mountain Guide Organisation (SBO) is Sweden’s only professional organisation for mountain guides. SBO trains and examines guides and offers further training. The organisation promotes the interests of its members nationally and internationally and administers information, fees and meetings. The requirements for authorisation are high and include technical skills, teaching and leadership skills. SBO cooperates with other organisations and is a member of the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA), which gives Swedish guides the right to work internationally according to the federation’s standards.

Our IFMGA Mountain Guides at Pure Abiskoalperna is

Josef Westerlund

Ski touring in an untracked wilderness

More and more of us want to not just climb summits, but to do this further off the beaten track, in the wilderness far removed from roads and where there are no huts or lodges to rely upon. You have to count on spending a whole day simply to get into the wilderness to the foot of the mountains. Just like the historical polar expeditions we employ dog sleds for our transportation both ways. Once we arrive close to the foot of the high summits we construct our Base Camp with separate accommodation and mess tents.

Winter time camping places stringent demands on all equipment. For this reason, we exclusively employ Hilleberg roomy and storm-proof tents. We also use blow-up sleeping mats and warm sleeping bags to ensure we can enjoy comfortable nights. Out in the wilderness it’s vital to have proper, civilised meals and for this reason we take with us spacious mess tents with standing height and our own chef who’ll prepare our meals.

Expedition life is unique in several ways. It’s a remote journey, both geographically, but also spiritually. It’s just you, nature and the weather, a feeling of complete freedom. Here all ski touring is done on nature’s terms. To live remotely, beyond any trace of urban normalcy. To live in a tent without access to showers and toilets. To follow nature’s lead and ascend high summits, perhaps even first ascents, this is now possible thanks to our new offering Expedition, which this winter is set for the remote Abisko Alps.

Accommodation

We travel by dog sled to our Base Camp where we construct our tent camp. We sleep in Hilleberg Nammatj 3 GT tents which are stable, storm-proof and roomy. Our mess tents are Hilleberg Atlas tents with full standing room without floors giving us ample opportunity to dig out space for tables and seats. We remain in the same camp location for the duration of the expedition, centrally, and at the foot of the mountains. Proper meals are vital and we have our own chef with us taking care of all cooking, but will appreciate any assistance given. Everything is more fun when done together. There is zero mobile coverage in the area, but we have a sat phone with us. For the return journey our dog teams will pick us up and run us back to Abisko. In Abisko, we’ve booked space for showers and change at Abisko Mountain Lodge, after which we’ll get to enjoy warm soup and freshly baked bread in their restaurant. Following that we depart with the sleeper train southwards.

Travel

This trip is based on the assumption that guests take the sleeper train from Stockholm C to Abisko Östra, return. We have pre-booked beds in private sleeping compartments.

Train
The sleeper train departs Stockholm Central Station in the evening of the first of March, and arrives at Abisko Östra late morning the following day. At Abisko Östra we’ll meet up and provide lunch and coffee. Following that we head to our start point where we repack, change and travel onwards by dog sled into the wilderness towards our Base Camp in the Abisko Alps. The same dog teams will take us back to Abisko on departure day.

Itinerary:
SJ Sleeper train, Mar 31, Stockholm C – Abisko Östra, 18:11 – 10:40 (+ 1 day)
SJ Sleeper train, Apr 6, Abisko Östra – Stockholm C, 16:47 – 09:22 (+ 1 day)

The demands from camping in winter conditions (keeping warm, sleep, food preparation, drying equipment etc) can make this a tough trip. The actual touring is technically easy to moderate. We’ll cover around 850m-1,500m of ascent per day. Ratio: max 6 guests per guide.

Very good fitness is required, capable of sustaining an ascent rate of 400m/h
Off-piste skiing in all conditions, on slopes up to 35 degrees
Experience with ski touring technique and equipment, how to walk and kick-turn with climbing skins
Camping experience, ideally in winter conditions, a plus
Age limit 18 years old (16 years old if accompanied by legal guardian)

Mandatory Expedition

Skis with touring bindings
Climbing skins, contour-cut to your skis
Ski boots
Ski poles with baskets of a diameter of at least 6cm
Ski crampons (Harscheisen)
Avalanche transceiver (not analog), shovel, probe. Check batteries.
Helmet
Avalanche backpack with inflatable airbag, 30-45l capacity
Shell jacket and trousers. Wind-, and waterproof.
Mid-layer in wool or fleece
Base layer, top and long-johns. Wool or synthetic
Thick, insulated jacket, down or synthetic
Thinner insulated jacket
Insulated trousers (ideally with full side zips)
Ski socks, wool, x2
Thick pair of socks
Winter boots
Underwear, wool or synthetic, x2
Gloves, one pair of thick, one pair of thin
Mittens
Hat and balaclava or Buff to cover your face
Sleeping bag liner
Sunglasses and goggles
Sun cream
Water bottle
Thermos
Head torch
Travel insurance
Hand sanitiser
Personal snacks (chocolate, nuts etc) for touring

Good to have, Expedition

Thin windproof/soft shell jacket
Soft shell trousers
Day wear/civvies (to be left at the ski lodge)
Normal shoes (to be left at the ski lodge/hotel)
Camera
Mobile phone and charger, power bank
Toiletries bag
Ear plugs
Blister tape

Reserve

Package
- Bed in a tent for two
- 25 000 SEK
- Estimated 2160€
  Excluding train journey
- Bed in a tent for two
- 28 000 SEK
- Estimated 2450€
  Including train journey

Included:

5.5 days’ ski touring with certified IFMGA mountain guide
Avalanche safety training with certified IFMGA mountain guide
Ski touring technique skills with certified IFMGA mountain guide
Equipment orientation with certified IFMGA mountain guide
Expedition orientation with certified IFMGA mountain guide
Pure Ski Touring’s goodie bag
Dog sled transfer, Abisko – Base Camp, return
Accommodation, Abisko hut, 1 nights
Accommodation, Base Camp, 4 nights
Bed in Hilleberg Nammatj tent
Sleeping mat x 2, plus winter sleeping bag
Hygiene/toilet tent
Our own chef preparing our meals, 5 days
Breakfast, 5 days
Lunch/lunch packs, 5 days
Dinner, 5 days
Coffee and sandwich, Abisko (arrival day)
Shower at Abisko Mountain Lodge (departure day)
Warm soup and freshly baked bread at Abisko Mountain Lodge (departure day)
Rail travel, Stockholm – Abisko Östra, return
Bed in sleeper compartment, return
Transfer, Abisko Östra, return

Our accommodation tents are Hillebergs Nammatj 3 GT where we sleep two people in a three-man tent. Our mess-tent where we take our meals and socialise is a Hillebergs Atlas tent. If you wish to bring your own sleeping bag, let us know on your booking form under the section “Additional notes”. If you wish to have your own tent, let us know this, too, under the section “Additional notes” on the booking form.