Description
Strip back life to the essentials required to spend a week in a remote part of Sweden experiencing nature in its rawest form. Develop your ability to ‘thrive’ in the wilderness whilst learning new skills which will see you paddle across vast lakes and sleeping on un-inhabited islands. Watching amazing sunsets and sun rises you will be left with memories that will stay with you forever. If you wish to do some wild swimming you will find the waters refreshing and invigorating.
This canoe expedition will use the ancient craft of a ‘first nation peoples’ from north America – the Open Canoe. We will embark on a journey through the beautiful and picturesque Stora Le National Park. We will endeavour to cross into Norway and spend the first night on an un-inhabited island. Each day we will continue our journey taking in the stunning scenery and exploring the many islands as we go, stopping on a different island each night until we arrive back at the campsite in Ed.
Experience: Novice
the package
Day One (Saturday) – Departure day – You will make your way to the airport where we will meet at the check in area. Fly to Gothenburg where we will take the bus to the train station and the train to Ed. The campsite is approx a 10 minute walk from the train station. We will be camping beside the Stora Le on a campsite the first night which is situated close to the town of Ed, if you wish to eat out that night there are a few restaurants to choose from in town. In the town there is a supermarket where you can purchase your food for the week (this will be packed in barrels and taken with us). During our time at the campsite, some lessons may take place for those who require it.
Day Two (Sunday) – Breakfast – Dismantle tents etc and pack kit into canoes. Leave the campsite and paddle from our current location exploring islands and stopping for lunch. We will then continue our trip and choosing a location for our next overnight camp.
Day Three (Monday) – Breakfast – Dismantle tents etc and pack kit into canoes. Leave the campsite and paddle from our current location exploring islands and stopping for lunch. We will then continue our trip and choosing a location for our next overnight camp.
Day Four (Tuesday) – Breakfast – Dismantle tents etc and pack kit into canoes. Leave the campsite and paddle from our current location exploring islands and stopping for lunch. We will then continue our trip and choosing a location for our next overnight camp.
Day Five (Wednesday) – Breakfast – Dismantle tents etc and pack kit into canoes. Leave the campsite and paddle from our current location exploring islands and stopping for lunch. We will then continue our trip and choosing a location for our next overnight camp.
Day Six (Thursday) – Breakfast – Dismantle tents etc and pack kit into canoes. Leave the campsite and paddle from our current location back to the campsite in Ed. Sort out all the equipment and return it to the centre followed by packing of personal kit. If you wish, you can end your trip with a nice meal in town.
Day Seven (Friday) – Return Day – Memories made. Pack away all personal and camping equipment and get ready for the journey home. Take the train from Ed to Gothenburg followed by a shuttle bus to the airport ready for the return flight.
Skills Required
Although you can attend this expedition as a novice it is not advised due to the environment, it would be sensible and beneficial to have some kind of experience and knowledge of wilderness living. The environment we will be travelling through is remote and exposed to the elements, therefore difficult to recover people back to the campsite if required. you will be “fending” for yourself over the duration of the trip. If you are considering this expedition I highly recommend you attend the Natural Survivor weekend course “Survival Bushcraft & Wilderness Living Skills”. This course is designed to give you the essential skills required to safely embark on an expedition of this kind.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Specifically on this trip we will attempt to cover the following:
An introduction to paddling the Open Canoe using traditional skills
Development of Open Canoe Skills to enable us to paddle large open waters and cover distances of up to 20km each day.
Safe use of Knives / Saws and Axes for food preparation, fuel preparation
We will try our hand at fishing which will, if caught, be gutted filleted and cooked on an open fire for all to taste.
Water preparation and purification
you will have a qualified survival instructor with you at all times so there will be opportunities to learn some new skills.
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
Campsite in Sweden for the first and last night.
Daily National Park Fees
Bus transfers from airport to Gothenburg central train station and return
Train from Gothenburg central to Ed and return
Transporting of canoes, equipment and personnel to start point of expedition
Canoes / Paddles / Bouancy Aids / Barrels to keep equipment dry
Instruction on Canoe Paddling techniques
Instruction on survival skills
All in-country transport
NOT-INCLUDED
Flight to and from Sweden
Meals
Personal Insurance
KIT LIST
Mandatory
- Personal Holiday Insurance to include activity type
- Individual First Aid Kit
- Antibacterial Hand Sanitiser
- Small gas stove & Pots for cooking
- Knife Fork Spoon Plate/Bowl Cup
- Whistle
- Bushcraft Knife
- Small Folding Saw
- Warm clothing (fleece etc)
- Spare clothing (sensible for the environment/activity)
- Waterproofs
- Tent / Hammock
- Sleeping bag
- Insulating Sleeping mat
- Water Bottle 1L minimum
- Head torch (Spare Batteries)
- Wash kit
- Insect repellant spray
- Any medication you require
- Sunglasses / Hat (for summer)
OPTIONAL
- Thermals / gloves
- Small Hand Axe
- Notebook and pen
- Camera
SUMMARY
This is a true once in a lifetime trip to undertake an amazing Canoe journey in a pristine and unique wilderness environment. Not only will you leave with lifelong memories of your adventure, you will also have a fantastic experience of Sweden and the opportunity to de-connect and re-wild yourself as we leave behind the stresses and strains of everyday life and are really able to focus on those things that matter in the here and now.
