KayakVagabond

the website of Greg Stamer

Archive for November, 2009

Escape Outdoors; Gothenburg, Sweden – Preparations

Posted by Greg on November 14, 2009

Sweden is a beautiful place to paddle. The archipelago delivers a fantastic assortment of islands to camp on, and explore. Being accustomed to the heat of Florida, and recently Israel, I got my first taste of “Winter” for the year.  We were greeted with light snow flurries, wind and cold temperatures as I helped Johan and Peter of Escape Outdoors prepare for the weekend classes (wing and Greenland instruction). This is perfect drysuit weather.  Our first task was to collect supplies and erect a tipi on a nearby island. Complete with a woodstove and furs on the floor, this is a an ideal warming shelter and provides room for eight or more. The tipi will be used for lunch and dinner. With the woodstove burning it is toasty warm inside. Luxury!

pb130013.jpg

In the evening Johan and I donned protective suits, climbing helmets and headlamps to explore a local cave.  From the opening chamber the cave transformed into a serpentine maze of very tight tunnels. Some of the constrictions looked much too small for an adult to get through. “Are you sure we can fit through there”?

pb130021.jpg

pb130026.jpg

pb130027.jpg