Smocza Jama. Or Dragon's Den, an ancient cave. Despite the puffing, fire-breathing dragon, there's nothing to be afraid of, as long the dragon is fed enough cattle every week. Either cattle .... or equivalent number of humans.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
August 2017
Smocza Jama, Krakow, Poland
Caving
I had an opportunity to visit a sauna in Poland. Obviously I took the opportunity!
Full story
August 2017
DoubleTree Krakow, Krakow, Poland
Sauna; Swimming (Indoor)
I've been sick, and with painful feet problems for a long time. I wanted to get out today, to test if I can move around. Or breathe outside air. I chose to visit the Elfvik Quarries in Espoo, near Villa Elfvik.
Full story
September 2017
Elfvikin louhos 1, Espoo, Finland; Elfvikin louhos 2 ja 3, Espoo, Finland; Elfvikin louhos 4, Espoo, Finland; Elfvikin louhos 5, Espoo, Finland; Elfvikin louhos 6, Espoo, Finland; Elfvikin louhos 7, Espoo, Finland
Caving (Man-made)
Nepperi is at the center of the big controversy: is the largest cave inside Ring III in Vantaa as currently believed, or perhaps in Espoo?
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
September 2017
Nepperin luola, Espoo, Finland
Caving
Imagine bright, white snow, gently covering a mountain. Now imagine all that snow black, dirty. Melting hard ice, covered by an accumulation of pollution and dust from air. This is reality.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
August 2017
Hintertux, Austria
Skiing; Health; Sauna; Swimming (Indoor)
This is the world's oldest and biggest hotel room. And it is 64 meters underground, in a cave in Arizona. Sadly, we did not have money to for the night (850 USD) but we did get a tour.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
July 2017
Grand Canyon Caverns, Arizona, USA
Caving
Take an outside slide from the 70th floor? Yes please. But, we were a bit disappointed when the slide didn't take us all the way down, just to the balcony one floor down.
Full story
August 2017
US Bank Tower, Los Angeles, California, USA
Sliding
A small announcement in the newspaper -- Mannerheim's bunker to open for visitors. Of course I had to go...
Full story
August 2017
Tamminiemi, Helsinki, Finland
Caving (Man-made); Urban-exploration (Bunkers)
For some reason, one of my favourite places in the greater Los Angeles area is Santa Monica. Maybe it is because on my first trip I stayed there, various fun memories from all my time there. Or the beach.
Full story
August 2017
Santa Monica Beach, Santa Monica, California, USA
Swimming
When Janne and I were in California, we made a pilgrimage to the SpaceX headquarters. In front the building stands a used Falcon 9 booster. Impressive feat of space technology!
Full story
August 2017
Space X, Hawthorne, California, USA
Flying
Janne and I managed to see yet another space shuttle, the Endeavour at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. They also have the one remaining external fuel tank on display.
Full story
August 2017
California Science Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
Flying; History
Getting tired with my foot hurting. Another re-occurrence of the problem in May. For the last two weeks its been hurting again, on several days I've been unable to walk and on others it has been at least disturbing. All tests and X-rays show nothing. So maybe it just hurts...
Full story
August 2017
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Health
Vegas. Glad we visited it briefly. Never been here before. But, all in all, and considering the breakfast options, I think it is time to move on.
Full story
July 2017
MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Food; Travel
I hadn't really known about this, but one of my favourite places in L.A., Santa Monica, played a large role in early commercial aviation. The Douglas Aircraft company was based here, for instance, and many iconic aircraft, DC-3 included, were designed here.
Full story
August 2017
Museum of Flying, Santa Monica, California, USA
Flying
I never thought I'd visit a presidential library in the US. Couldn't imagine anything more boring. But, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library hosts a VC-137C SAM 27000, or more commonly known as the Air Force One.
Full story
August 2017
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, California, USA
Flying
Janne and I are on a trip through California (and few other states). We dropped by the Crystal Cave at the Sequoia National Park.
Full story
July 2017
Crystal Cave, Sequoia National Park, California, USA
Caving
I'm on vacation with Janne, a road trip through western US. Our hotel in Flagstaff turned out to have a sauna. Great!
Full story
July 2017
Flagstaff Hilton Garden Inn, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
Sauna; Swimming
Had plenty of meetings, but now I'm on vacation for a bit. Janne and I are headed to California for an epic road trip. With skis!
Full story
July 2017
Helsinki-Vantaa, Vantaa, Finland
Travel
When I finished my term as a chair, my friends at the IETF gave me a truly wonderful gift: skis tagged with stickers from our meetings and little notes and signatures from everyone.
Full story
July 2017
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Equipment
Cool. Got a certificate in the mail from the caving course earlier in the summer :-) and clearly they were focused on things that needed improvement on my side, like responsibility and safety.
Full story
July 2017
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Caving
Patrick and I share the same hobby: skiing in as many different places around the world as we can. We had run into each other in the Internet and chatted often. But I had never met him. In spring 2016 I finally got an opportunity to do that *and* go skiing in Killington for the first time.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
May 2017
Killington, Vermont, USA
Skiing
Most people visit the Askola potholes or devil's churns (hiidenkirnut in Finnish) as a part of a school trip. Me too, but it's been a long time since then. I remembered almost nothing.
Full story
May 2017
Askolan hiidenkirnut, Askola, Finland
Hiking
The Finnish Speleological Association arranged a basic caving course in Turku in June. The course started from the basics, like crawling. A slide to teach crawling! And walking, for that we had another slide.
Full story
June 2017
Luolavuoren luola, Turku, Finland; Ispoisten ranta, Turku, Finland
Caving; Swimming
Long meeting... but for once, I had a free Sunday morning, so I went to the sauna and pool at the Prague Hilton. Hot... spacious and well-maintained sauna.
Full story
July 2017
Hilton Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
Sauna; Swimming
I had an opportunity for a brief visit to the Bozkovské Dolomitové Jeskynĕ or the Bozkov Dolomite caves. The cave system is 1060 meters long and hosts the largest underground lake in Czech Republic.
Full story
(TGR version)
July 2017
Bozkov Dolomit Caves, Bozkov, Czech Republic
Caving
Late arrival... quick dinner... and then onto testing the wellness area at Dresden's Hilton hotel. Usually, hotel saunas are simple, but not this one!
Full story
July 2017
Hilton Dresden, Dresden, Germany
Sauna; Swimming
I'm between Czech Republic and Germany, on my way to a conference. Late night arrival... tired. But, the sauna at Hotel Grunt rescued me.
Full story
July 2017
Hotel Grunt, Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic
Sauna
This is an exceptional opportunity that only opens once a year. Janne and I are crawling in the cave, guided by friendly cavers from the Swedish Speleological Association. We get to see amazing things, from stalactites to "Inre Sjön", a small lake (or rather, a pool) a kilometer into the cave.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
June 2017
Lummelunda, Gotland, Sweden; Kanalen, Lummelunda, Gotland, Sweden; Bryet, Lummelunda, Gotland, Sweden; Galgbergsgrottan, Visby, Gotland, Sweden
Caving
Earlier this week I was on caving at the Lummelunda caving week. Afterwards... I needed some refreshing. Sauna to the rescue!
Full story
June 2017
Lummelunda Vandrarhem, Lummelunda, Gotland, Sweden
Sauna
On a Friday night I was at the airshow in Kaivopuisto.
Full story
June 2017
Kaivopuisto, Helsinki, Finland
Flying
I was just going to walk around in rain, but the sign for ice swimming caught my attention.
Full story
June 2017
Allas, Helsinki, Finland
Swimming (Outdoor); Sauna
... and we started from the basics, like crawling.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
June 2017
Cumulus Hotel, Turku, Finland
Caving; Training
It is a bad sign if you get a frequent customer card from the local military surplus store. Or the "Frequent Pig" card as they call it.
Full story
June 2017
Varusteleka, Helsinki, Finland
Caving; Equipment
Earlier this week I took some of my colleagues to see the interesting Högberget cave, near our office. I also took some measurements, and drew a map.
Full story
June 2017
Högberget, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Caving
I had an opportunity to get an upgrade for my room at the Tallinn Hilton Park the other day. I don't usually care for upgrades, but this one had a perk: a sauna!
Full story
June 2017
Hilton Tallinn Park, Tallinn, Estonia
Sauna
I was searching for a place to visit this Sunday... with pretty much the only requirement being that a teenager would be interested in going. We ended up going to Kasaberget in Kirkkonummi.
Full story
June 2017
Abandoned warehouses, Strömsby, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Kasabergetin luola, Strömsby, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Caving; Urban-exploration (Buildings,Ruins); History
I was looking for a quick, interesting exploration for Saturday morning, and finally drove up to Kalkkikallio caves (Limestone Hill caves) in Vantaa. Kalkkikallio is a rock hill area on the other side of the Ring III road from the IKEA store. The hill is next to a secluded, quiet area of houses.
Full story
June 2017
Kalkkikallio, Vantaa, Finland
Caving
Can you drive by something for 20 years, and not be aware of the wonders just few meters from the road? You can. I had not heard about the Bemböle watermill ruins.
Full story
June 2017
Bembölen vanha mylly, Espoo, Finland
Urban-exploration (Ruins); Caving (Man-made)
This is how we do picnic in Finland. Rain, hail, cold, jackets, sulking under what cover we might find.
Full story
June 2017
Vallisaaren niityn bunkkeri, Helsinki, Finland
Other; Caving (Man-made)
This week I'm working in Kista, and it seemed like someone had hogged all hotel rooms not just in Kista but Stockholm as well. I was lucky to get one night in a hotel in Kista, and now another night in town in one of the few remaining rooms in the city.
Full story
May 2017
Elite Palace Hotel, Stockholm, Sweden
Sauna
Yesterday we went to the Solamäki caves (Solamäen luolat) in Siuntio. We found a crack system, with a large cave hall by Finnish standards, and many interesting small cracks.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
May 2017
Solamäki, Siuntio, Finland
Caving
Plenty of snow. Greatest snow! Biggest snow. How is skiing in Quebec today, on the third week of May?
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
May 2017
Mont Saint-Sauveur, Quebec, Canada; Mont Saint-Sauveur Versant Avila, Quebec, Canada; Mont Habitant, Quebec, Canada; Ski Chantecler, Quebec, Canada
Skiing
I'm wet. Cold. Sweaty. And have 16 hours of travel ahead of me. Auberge and Spa Beaux Rêves' sauna to the rescue!
Full story
May 2017
Auberge et Spa Beaux Reves, Quebec, Canada
Sauna; Swimming
I am making turns on a fresh norwegian moss, when I see something strange. A dramatic outgrowth of moss on a rock? No, it was art wrapping! The Woven Stone by Lise Wulff, a norwegian ecoartist. And a cave underneath!
Full story
(TGR version)
May 2017
Woven Stone, Hemsedal, Norway
Skiing; Caving
The swelling has dissipated, the redness has reduced, and I am no longer in pain.
Full story
May 2017
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Health
Foot barely walkable today 😟 doctor thinks it is not broken, but something else. Hurt it briefly when putting on ski boot on Saturday. Was fine then, worse now.
Full story
May 2017
Aava clinic, Helsinki, Finland
Health
This morning I woke up and asked myself what would be the most stupid thing I could do today. Can you bike to a ski hill, on your ski boots? Turns out the answer is yes. Although maybe not advisable...
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
May 2017
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing; Biking
On my way back from Hemsedal, I ran into a sign for a meteorite crater near the highway at Nesbyen. The Gardnos meteorite crater is the site of a 200-300m meteorite colliding with the earth 500 million years ago. It must have been quite a hit...
Full story
May 2017
Nesbyen, Norway
Meteorites
Suffering... with no sauna after skiing. Skogstad hotel to the rescue!
Full story
April 2017
Skogstad hotel, Hemsedal, Norway
Sauna; Food
Norway: No wet rain, no darkness, no sign of summer
Full story
April 2017
Hemsedal, Norway
Skiing
On Sunday I needed some exercise, and decided to take a walk in the area of Pitkäjärvi in Espoo. I picked a route that would allow me to visit the Nepperi cave and took my drone just in case I needed to peek from the sky at some point.
Full story
April 2017
Nepperin luola, Espoo, Finland
Caving
Dead cats were blended into margarine and fed to humans. We're going to a secret, abandoned tunnel to meet the ghosts of the cats. But it won't be easy to get there.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
April 2017
Undisclosed Finnish location, Finland
Urban-exploration (Tunnels); Caving (Man-made)
I'm on a business trip in Kista, Sweden (probably a frequent occurrence from now on). I've previously reported about the sauna in this hotel, which I had a chance to use today. I also tested their 34th floor sky bar today. Was almost entirely empty on a weeknight, but at least they had a decent Toast skagen (traditional Swedish toast with shrimp). Recommended for small hunger.
Full story
April 2017
Scandic Victoria, Kista, Sweden
Travel
We went out on Easter Monday, for an "hour long walk". Turned out no one looked at the map, distances, or time, or took into account time for driving or gathering gear. So, we walked for three hours and returned home probably five hours later.
Full story
April 2017
Hiidenkirnujen ryhma, Sipoonkorpi, Sipoo, Finland
Hiking
I've been meaning to start a hobby of taking long walks... I need to get to much better shape. Partially inspired by the new sports watch I got, which reminds me when I sit still too long, and knows how many steps I've taken during the day. I'm also excited that the biking season is soon starting, hopefully with warmer temperatures than today (-1 C).
Full story
April 2017
Nokkalan Majakka, Espoo, Finland
Walking; Food
A few weeks ago I got a present from my IETF friends: a Mavic Pro drone. Thank you! We've already played a lot with it, me, Olli, Janne, and many of our friends, with everyone having loads of fun with the device!
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
April 2017
Peuramaa, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland; Sahara, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing; Equipment; Flying
Today's evening excursion was to an abandoned railroad tunnel. The tunnel is 600 meters long, and in the middle of everything, at a place I've been many times, but I had never heard about the tunnel before.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
April 2017
Undisclosed location, Helsinki, Finland
Urban-exploration (Tunnels); Caving (Man-made)
Welcome to the US, the land of lawyers and liability wavers! I had to sign a long liability waiver for just getting the ski pass for the day. Not seen that for mere tickets, though it is of course standard for hiring guides and the like.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
April 2017
Granite Peak, Wisconsin, USA
Skiing
I'm staying at the Chicago Swissotel for a conference. There was a break in Internet connectivity while we were setting up our network, so I decided to visit the sauna and pool at the 42nd floor of this high-rise hotel.
Full story
March 2017
Swissotel, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Sauna; Swimming (Indoor)
Sometimes skiing isn't just about the skiing. I can also be about hot springs in the middle of the backcountry skinning trip. We climbed Mt. Niseko Annupuri (1308m), skied the backside of the mountain and found an onsen, a Japanese hot spring.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
March 2017
Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan
Skiing; Swimming
Finally, the long awaited trip to Japan is starting. Janne and I are sitting on the Finnair plane at the Helsinki-Vantaa airport, and ready to fly to Tokyo, and then continue on to Sapporo, and finally Niseko. There are two bus trips along the way, but hopefully we'll get there without problems.
Full story
March 2017
Helsinki-Vantaa, Vantaa, Finland; Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan
Travel; Skiing
I ended up going around Kauniainen's Gallträsk as my activity today. The day had been sunny, but the night wasn't bad either, nice evening views. I also included the underground sports arena on my tour, and got to walk long tunnels and stop by the climbing wall in the tunnels as well.
Full story
March 2017
Gallträsk, Kauniainen, Finland
Walking; Climbing (Wall)
Sunday. Nothing particular going on, but a pressing need to get some exercise. The sun is shining, so I decided to hike around the Laajalahti area in Espoo.
Full story
March 2017
Laajalahti, Espoo, Finland
Hiking
Janne and I often visit Tampere on his winter vacation from school. We did that again, and again went to explore some caves. This time in Kangasala.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
February 2017
Lempokiven luola, Kangasala, Finland; Ohtolan Pirunkallion luola, Kangasala, Finland
Caving
Bird Horniness Swamp Eye cave. A great name, at least. But is the cave great?
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
January 2017
Lintukiiman Silmäsuon luola, Nummi-Pusula, Finland
Caving
"Can you take my skis to the clothes check?" "Why not, we also take baseball bats." Dressed in a black suit, I'm on my way to a bar, to Zach's birthday party in Sotkamo. With boots and skis... my hotel is at the top of the hill.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
February 2017
Vuokatti, Finland; Sotkamo, Finland; Paljakka, Finland; Vimpelinvaara, Kajaani, Finland
Skiing
"It is not about your experience with backpacks, it is about PEOPLE DYING". The ski patrol's inexplicable rule prohibits me to take my backpack to the ski hill in New York.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
February 2017
Thunder Ridge, New York, USA
Skiing
We took an airplane. A train. And hiked. For this? A kid slope half the size of my home slope in Grani. But it turns out we got to ski a route down liike no other: down the railroad tracks. And collect seven more ski areas.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
February 2017
Obergoms, Switzerland; Realp, Switzerland; Gemsstock, Andermatt, Switzerland; Nätschen, Andermatt, Switzerland; Oberalppass, Switzerland; Sedrun, Switzerland; Disentis, Switzerland
Skiing
This is a brilliant idea. The Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn doesn't just take you to the ski slopes, it also serves beer and after-ski music on the way there. Even on the 9:30am train.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
February 2017
Nätschen, Andermatt, Switzerland; Oberalppass, Switzerland; Sedrun, Switzerland; Disentis, Switzerland
Skiing; Afterski
The sky is dark, but I can see lights behind. Suddenly a small object flies through the air. A small man. I think.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
January 2017
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing; Equipment
Uh... my skis are delaminating. They already were doing it a bit earlier, and that got fixed in Skiservice. But they warned that the skis are not going to last long. I'm trying to glue the skis back together, lets see if it works.
Full story
January 2017
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Equipment
What's it going to be, Tero? Shall we fly tomorrow morning for a day trip to Kazakhstan? Or for day and half in Bulgaria? We opted for the latter, because that Tero disliked the ten hour wait at a Moscow airport.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
January 2017
Vitosha, Sofia, Bulgaria; Borovets, Bulgaria
Skiing
The pump in my windshield wipers failed. I drove around for a week, while periodically opening the window and spraying water to the windscreen.
Full story
January 2017
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Car
I have finally visited the refurbished Leppävaara swimming pool centre. Generally, a very positive experience! So many new pools!
Full story
January 2017
Leppävaaran uimahalli, Espoo, Finland
Swimming; Sauna
I was contemplating going hiking when Jarmo sent me a message; he was going skiing to Vihti. I decided to join, and I'm glad I did. The late afternoon and evening lights and colours on the hill are great.
Full story
January 2017
Vihti ski, Vihti, Finland
Skiing
Today's morning was too slow to do anything else than to scramble to the car to get to a local museum before it closed at 4pm.
Full story
January 2017
Tarvaspää, Espoo, Finland
History
Nippy a bit? Swimming at a lake when it is -18C.
Full story
January 2017
Kuusijärvi, Vantaa, Finland
Sauna (Smoke); Swimming (Ice)
At first I thought it was just an oversize advertisement. Then the ski lift took me inside it. I kept wondering what they would do to the lift, it the ski area suddenly switched to advertising M&Ms. Or worse yet, how about insurance or toilet seats?
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
December 2016
Lenzerheide, Switzerland; Arosa, Switzerland
Skiing
The world's leading eskimos meet every winter in Davos to collaborate in shaping global, regional, and industry igloos. Well not really, but to my surprise the skiing in this village mostly known for the political and business elite is quite decent.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
December 2016
Parsenn, Davos, Switzerland; Jacobshorn, Davos, Switzerland
Skiing
The sign in Malbun caught my attention: "lustkurven", lust for curves. I think they meant the skiing.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
December 2016
Malbun, Liechtenstein
Skiing
I want to take you to a special place. Janne and I have spent there over 20 days by now. And every day of exploration rewards us with more finds. It is nearby. An old friend. But did we know all of its secrets before? I certainly didn't. Caves in Finland are small. What if I told you about a complex system of caves, with hundreds of meters of tunnels and fifty entrances, including one that you can drive a boat in?
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
December 2016
Korkberget, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Caving
Really funny. More drawings on natural stones, really nice graphics this time. This is in Torhola cave in Lohja, Finland.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
October 2016
Torhola, Lohja, Finland
Caving
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
November 2016
Hvitträsk cliff, Kirkkonummi, Finland
History; Hiking
Really funny. More drawings on natural stones, really nice graphics this time. This is in Torhola cave in Lohja, Finland.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
November 2016
Torhola, Lohja, Finland
Caving
I was on a work trip in the wonderful city of Kista, Sweden. I stayed at the Scandic Victoria. Our days were packed, but even if I came back very late from dinners, I wanted to do a quick test of the sauna in this fancy high-rise hotel. On floor 22, they have a gym and a sauna.
Full story
December 2016
Scandic Victoria, Kista, Sweden
Sauna
It is darn cold outside. Storm. Better go inside to the Hesburger, because they have an indoor half-pipe. The world's only burger place with one! Also, as far as I know, the only full-size half-pipe indoors in the world! Or is that only half-size, ha!
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
November 2016
Vuokatti, Finland
Skiing
I wish I was a gardener, watering plants is so relaxing. Or a ski patroller, spraying the snow on the slopes. I also wish that I'd have a wall socket in my home for "snow" in addition to "power", "Internet", and "vacuuming".
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
November 2016
Bucheon, South Korea
Skiing (Indoor,Snow)
When I travel, I try to find places where I can go to a sauna. It relaxes me... Last week I was in Seoul, South Korea, staying at the Conrad. This new hotel has a very nice gym & pool & spa area on the 8th floor. The pool is free of use for hotel guests, but the sauna costs 39,000 local (about 35€) to use. Nevertheless, I needed the relaxation. Badly.
Full story
November 2016
Seoul, South Korea
Sauna; Swimming (Indoor)
Fortune favours the unprepared, as long as you pick the destination in the right Korea. I didn't know where I was going, or even if there'd be snow, but suddenly I was at the 2018 winter olympics village. Country #53.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
November 2016
Yongpyong, South Korea
Skiing (Outdoor,Snow,Grass)
Apparently you *can* arrive at the airport 25min before intercontinental departure and still make it. Weather, taxi failure, clearing my own car from snow, stuck behind a fallen truck on the highway, not leaving enough time for these troubles, etc. Phew.
Full story
November 2016
Helsinki-Vantaa, Vantaa, Finland
Travel; Flying
I'm packing for a business trip to Seoul. I have the formal clothing needed for my meetings, i.e., t-shirts... and USB charger... very heavy stuff. And a boatload of equipment in case I'll manage to find some ice climbing, hiking, or skiing. I'll need three checked bags just to haul all this stuff, and I still have to leave my caving gear out because it won't fit :-)
Full story
November 2016
Seoul, South Korea
Travel
I'm tired for working too hard on an upcoming business trip, but I'm also happy that two long weekend ski trips early next year are coming together.
Full story
November 2016
Jorvas, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Travel
This lazy Saturday's program for me and Janne was to visit some of the bunkers and moats around Helsinki's WWI defence structures. There are plenty of these structures, sadly all slowly rotting away. Historic sites, officially almost forgotten and certainly not cared for.
Full story
September 2016
Pirkkola, Helsinki, Finland
Caving; Urban-exploration
Nauvo is a large island in the archipelago south of Turku, Finland. Varberget is a set of small caves on a cliff ridge that rises on the island.
Full story
(TGR version)
September 2016
Varberget, Nauvo, Finland
Caving
Another visit to a sauna in foreign land! This time in 杭州市 or Hangzhou, China! The sauna was in the Courtyard Marriott hotel that I stayed at. A bit dark and basic, but still large, and most importantly, the temperature was high enough and you were allowed to pour water to the heater!
Full story
October 2016
Courtyard Marriott, Hangzhou, China
Sauna; Swimming (Indoor)
Third time's a charm! I finally managed to ski down from Breithorn. Two failed attempts... and what a wonderful third one, with a high speed ski run down. So much fun to pass the climbers on a long trek, me going at 80 km/h while screaming from the top of my lungs as I passed them :-)
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
August 2016
Breithorn, Zermatt, Switzerland
Skiing; Climbing
Today I had an unnatural 0700 wakeup so that I could enjoy Nuuksio morning and caves with Janne before taking off to a trip later.
Full story
October 2016
Vähä-hauklammen luola, Nuuksio, Finland
Caving
We had a disturbing visit to a cave today. Somebody had not only blocked access to this cave, but also smeared vaseline all over the cave, spread broken glass, and so on. Sigh.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
August 2016
Mätikän luola, Masku, Finland
Caving
As a saunablogger, I had to report that I've been to sauna in a new city: Shenzhen, China. The sauna was in the Pavillion hotel. Not a great sauna, but I'm glad I went anyway. Turning on the temp setting made the experience better.
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August 2016
Hotel Pavillion, Shenzhen, China
Travel; Sauna
I've been accidentally flying the Finnair A350 on short routes, without knowing I'd be on it and expecting the usual A320s. But this week I was on the A350 for the first time on long-haul flight, Helsinki-Hong Kong-Helsinki.
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August 2016
HKIA, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Travel
The Swiss are clever innovators. The latest example of this that I saw were the lift towers in Saas Fee. Floating in mid-air, not standing on ground like regular towers. Anti-gravity in action!
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August 2016
Saas Fee, Switzerland
Skiing; Caving (Ice)
It is late May, and Saint-Sauveur is one of the only two open ski areas in the east. And I've already been to the other one, Killington. And what's more, all the ski crazies are here!
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May 2016
Mont Saint-Sauveur, Quebec, Canada
Skiing; Sauna
I wanted go far this summer, ski the untried countries. But it was not to be, because work. And because Peru was cancelled.
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August 2016
Hintertux, Austria
Skiing; Hiking; Travel; Sauna
I don't often relax, but when I do, it has to be muddy. Wet. And underground.
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July 2016
Kluterthohle, Ennepetal, Germany
Caving
I guess we can blame ourselves, as we were looking for the wormhole. We didn't realise the world would change if we went through it. Lost in time for a while, but managed to return back to our universe by going through the wormhole again.
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July 2016
Pirunpesankivi, Nokia, Finland
Caving
Hulubergsgrottan. Sipoo, Finland. Tiny hole, only crawable. And now filled with dirty water. What could be more fun to explore?
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June 2016
Hulubergsgrottan, Sipoo, Finland
Caving
We often have just coordinates. While Finnish caves are small, they are often also non-obvious, mere collections of holes under boulders. Would be nice to have a map, to even know if we're in the right hole.
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June 2016
Torhola, Lohja, Finland
Caving
Brussels has run out. They do not have enough for themselves, let alone for Greece. The Eurocrisis is getting worse. We're out of snow.
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April 2016
Yeti Ski, Brussels, Belgium
Skiing (Outdoor,Plastic)
The morning was warm and sunny both in Canada and US, as it should be in mid-May. Ted was planning to have a sunshine-filled ski day. But by the time we reached Killington, it was snowing. Winter conditions!
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May 2016
Killington, Vermont, USA
Skiing
Wappu, or first of May is a huge celebration in Finland, traditionally celebrated by hiking to a hill and drinking alcohol. This is very different from other festivities in Finland, where the part about the hill is omitted.
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May 2016
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
Taking sports seriously. Or Siriously. Sirious Sports is an adventure place in Pyhtää, Finland. They have skydiving and surfing simulators.
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April 2016
Sirius Sports, Pyhtaa, Finland
Surfing; Skydiving
Salo, southern Finland. More than an hour away by car, and we've been in the forest for an hour now. The cave is nowhere to be found. I have coordinates, but in the wrong coordinate system and Google isn't co-operating to interpret them in the right way.
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April 2016
Rosvoluola, Salo, Finland
Caving
Have skis, can carry snow, will ski anything. First descent of Paraguay's highest mountain, Cerro Tres Kandu.
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April 2016
Cerro Tres Kandu, Paraguay
Climbing; Skiing
I had an accident on a horse, skiing an ancient volcano in Africa. As people do. Broken ribs and a horseshoe-shaped bruise on my side. But I did manage to ski the remaining ski areas in Morocco. And ski down with the broken ribs.
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March 2016
Michlifen, Ifrane, Morocco; Jbel Habri, Ifrane, Morocco
Skiing; Climbing; Riding
Tampere. A great destination for the winter vacation. But can you take the city bus to the slopes? Yes you can.
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February 2016
Mustavuori, Tampere, Finland; Tampereen rinteet Hervanta, Hervanta, Tampere, Finland; Hirvi-Simuna, Lempäälä, Finland
Skiing; Caving
Caves in Finland may be small, but fortunately also claustrophobia-inducing. Caves are also not well known, but this one has an actual road sign and a parking lot!
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February 2016
Torhola, Lohja, Finland
Caving
I like caves and skiing, of course, but it is rare that the two mix. But in Cervinia there's small cave that you can ski through. If you dare.
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February 2016
Cervinia, Italy
Skiing; Caving
I am envious of Tero, because he managed to ski on horse shit. I still haven't managed that.
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January 2016
Kaivopuisto, Helsinki, Finland; Tähtitorninmäki, Helsinki, Finland
Skiing
Sun shines on Påminne, the southernmost ski area in Finland. The hill was in bright sunshine under a blue sky, even if the parking lot, the beginning of the lifts, and the rest of Finland was under cloudy skies.
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January 2016
Paminne, Aminnefors, Finland
Skiing
It was a cold night in HEL, -29 degrees at the Helsinki-Vantaa airport. I felt like I needed to go south to find better skiing weather.
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January 2016
Kekestetö, Hungary
Skiing; Caving
Imagine rocks thrown together, all sizes all the way up to house-sized boulders. Korkberget doesn't get more than a brief mention in "Caves of Finland". But it is one of the biggest caves in our area, and quite a maze.
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December 2015
Korkberget, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Caving
My sorry life, episode two.
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November 2015
Snova Shin-Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan
Skiing (Indoor,Snow)
There are usually no great views from caves, at least not of the sunset. Except at Rokokallio.
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December 2015
Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland; Kuusijärvi, Vantaa, Finland
Caving; Sauna (Smoke); Swimming (Ice)
He spends his days in meaningless office tasks, like shifting papers around or destroying planets. But he also has a dream... of skiing.
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December 2015
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
I thought there are no caves in Finland, but there are some! This weekend's adventure was to visit the specially formed Högberget flow-erosion cave.
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December 2015
Högberget, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Caving
You have to take six lifts to get to the top. And we were late, because travel. But it turns out you can also stay late. By the time we started our final 2km vertical descent, it was already dark.
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December 2015
Engelberg, Switzerland
Skiing; Caving; Sauna
Chamonix is open, and there's powder! And under all that light powder, there's ... rocks.
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December 2015
Chamonix, France
Skiing
Sunday morning and the first snow! Well, a bit of white here and there. But a time to open the season in my local hill in Grani!
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November 2015
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
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October 2015
Mt. Moiwa, Sapporo, Japan
Skiing (Outdoor,Grass); Climbing
I like caves, but feel suspicious of touristy tours. They usually leave a bland feeling, too easy, too packaged. Not so with Ruby Falls in Chattanooga, Tennesee!
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October 2015
Ruby Falls, Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
Caving
No Abierto. The police has blocked the road. For a moment, we accepted our fate and considered having lunch. Or going riding in the nearby ranches. But we quickly recovered, and started searching for a shortcut that would allow us to bypass the police.
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August 2015
Lagunillas, Chile
Skiing
When skiing or hiking at a new place, suitable maps are essential. These maps can be hard to come by, however, and most GPS maps do not contain information about walking paths, ski slopes or lifts. OpenStreetMap, however, has a lot of good information, and I have been using it in off-piste skiing, finding ski areas, and hiking around the world.
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August 2015
Los Arenales, Araucania, Chile
Skiing; Climbing
That moment when you realise that the ski area you were going to ski at next week is closed due to the volcano erupting. The obvious next question is, of course, if I was packing skins.
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August 2015
Ski Pucón, Villarica, Chile
Skiing; Climbing
There are references to it in the Internet. And a sole road sign point to it. But it is nowhere to be found.
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August 2015
Los Arenales, Araucania, Chile
Skiing; Climbing
It is a hot summer. Perfect time to test avalanche gear?
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August 2015
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Equipment
Hi! I am from the United Nations. I have a tank, but it is small, white and not scary at all. Honest! I also have skis, beautiful light blue skis.
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August 2015
Hämeenlinna, Hämeenlinna, Finland; House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor,Grass)
A blown-up bunker. Debris. Darkness. Bats. Concrete rising to the heights. Walls hanging where they should not be. An ideal climbing place, if it wasn't for the grim past of this place and the morbid pictures of soldiers.
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June 2015
Humboldthain Flaktürme, Berlin, Germany
Climbing (Wall); Caving
Avalanche pack, check. Skis, check. Mule, check. I am sitting on a mule, on my way to the ski slopes in Oukaïmeden in the Atlas mountains of Morocco.
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February 2015
Oukaïmeden, Morocco
Skiing; Climbing
"Avalanche!" Just a second later the avalanche hits us, moving at the speed of a high-speed train. I scream and try to fight, but it does not seem to have any effect.
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January 2014
Chamonix, France
Skiing
Have ice axe. Will travel to London to go ice climbing. My cab driver thinks that is the weirdest thing he has heard his customers do. I think that if it is true, then his rides have been pretty boring.
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May 2015
Vertical Chill, London, United Kingdom
Climbing (Ice)
Week and a half in Hawaii in a meeting, properly dressed. For some reason people stared when I visited the beach.
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May 2015
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Skiing (Outdoor,Sand); Surfing; Climbing; Hiking
Last week I was in Moscow to talk about the benefits of open Internet. And, of course, I wanted to check out the local skiing scene. Fortunately, as I was leaving, СНЕЖ.КОМ offered indoor skiing on the way to the airport. Country #48 is therefore Russia.
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April 2015
Snej.com, Moscow, Russia
Skiing (Indoor,Snow)
This is how we do ski lifts in Finland. I wanted to give you a taste of one round of the 24-hour ski competition in Ylläs, Finland. As if doing 30+ miles of vertical in one day wouldn't be enough.
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April 2015
Ylläs, Finland
Skiing; Sauna
I bet you have not heard of Volvo skis. I did not either, nor has the Internet. But today I am testing blue Volvo 740 skis that feel almost brand new, and taking them to the ski hill on my blue Volvo 740 car.
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April 2015
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing; Equipment
Argentina is too big. It is winter, but getting to the slopes in Las Leñas takes a two-hour flight and four hours of driving. My weekend is too short for that, as I have be back in my meetings in Buenos Aires soon.
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April 2015
Pinamar, Argentina
Skiing (Outdoor,Sand)