2015 Trip – Day 6

Distance Average Speed Maximum Speed 59.6 km 12.5 km/h 29.2 km/h Sophia and Marina spent a day at the farm, but not before Sophia had helped to harness my dogs for a day of solo driving on more difficult trails. First drove toward Tilsa, but took scenic route via top of Koivuvaara, down bear canyon and then along canyon trial which starts where power lines cross Tilsa road.  Coming back along that trail saw day trip teams coming up power

Continue reading

2015 Trip – Day 5

Distance Average Speed Maximum Speed 41.4 km 10.8 km/h 23.0 km/h Morning spent visiting nearby Reindeer Farm.  Quite interesting, but doesn’t mean that I will now be happy to meet reindeer in the forest as they will still cause problems controlling the dogs. For afternoon trip, six dog team provided for me and the same four dog team as before for Sophia.  Headed for Kylkeinen via swamp south of farm and then (after briefly turning round) downhill to power lines. 

Continue reading

2015 Trip – Day 3

Distance Average Speed Maximum Speed 30.9 km 9.9 km/h 26.2 km/h Left farm at around 1100.  Similar teams to Monday with seven dogs for me and four for Sophia.  Weather good, but probably a little warm (perhaps 4°C).  Fallen snow was getting heavier and tending to jam in the brake mechanism.  Sometimes almost impossible to release brake and Sophia found this particularly difficult. Drove to North edge of range near Road 20 and then back toward Janisvaara on main trail. 

Continue reading

2015 Trip – Day 1

Distance Average Speed Maximum Speed 27.4 km 14.3 km/h 24.4 km/h Arrived late last night, and after seeing Timo and eating Salmon soup went to sleep in hut next to sauna.  Perfectly acceptable accommodation with bathroom and ‘one up – two down’ bunk bed .  Whilst eating, Bent made some disturbing comments about the future availability of lead dogs suitable for me.  As will be seen, these concerns are likely misplaced. Got to breakfast just after 0900.  Agreed that we

Continue reading

2011 Trip – Day 7

Distance Average Speed Max Speed 45.0 km 9.3 km/h 20.4 km/h I was taken by Jussi to near Koti-Lahnanen to join the snow mobile trail. The journey North was uneventful apart from yet another snow free section, this time about 900m! I diverted to Tilsa for lunch and dropped my bag near the trail to lighten the load for that leg. Headed North again and found a new trail leading through forest to Kortesuo swamps. It had just been driven

Continue reading

2011 Trip – Day 6

Distance Average Speed Max Speed 40.6 km 11.7 km/h 28.5 km/h After a late start, Jussi drove me to a road crossing on the snow mobile trail near Saija.  The trail was in excellent condition.  I turned onto the lake and followed Asko sticks along Kylmäluomajarvi  to the laavu.  I then returned along the snow mobile trail.  I crossed Harjajarvi (turn right at big rock) and lunched at the kota. The rest of the run was mostly OK, but about

Continue reading

2011 Trip – Day 5

Distance Average Speed Max Speed 38.0 km 6.7 km/h 31.3 km/h Note:  Max speed may actually be erroneous recording made whilst travelling in truck. Gad, what a difficult day.  Jussi used his huge lorry to drive me to Timo’s mother’s cabin which certainly seemed very nice.  Jussi and Mrs Jussi headed off to open a trail across the lake, but just as I was about to set off and follow them they returned to say that there was too much

Continue reading

2011 Trip – Day 4

Distance Average Speed Max Speed 30.4 km 9.1 km/h 24.4 km/h In the morning I saw an animal walking across the lake.  I speculated that it might be a fox and Timo later confirmed that this was the most likely. I managed to leave Kÿlkeinen by 0930, but attempts to go South across Hämeenvaara proved impossible.  Eventually I returned to the kennels and dumped my bag.  I then headed to Jänisvaara for lunch and at about 1500 drove North to

Continue reading

2011 Trip – Day 3

Distance Average Speed Max Speed 46.2 km 8.5 km/h 22.8 km/h Left Jänisvaara at 1000 and headed for Kÿlkeinen.  The going for the last 2 km was extremely difficult.  The dogs went round the edge of the lake in deep snow and were all very tired by the time we arrived. At 1600 I left towards Tilsa and then up the snow mobile trail which was firm but very rutted.  I returned down the Old Tilsa canyon.  The last few

Continue reading