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 (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Crack,Basic)
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,Water,Waterbody-Pool)
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 (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool,Thermal-Bath)
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 (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Crack,Basic)
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 (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Boulders,Basic)
"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
Today I was Pata Degerman's travel and adventure photography lecture at Helsinki's Partioaitta. Cool lecture, he's a great speaker, and had many stories and good advice.
Full story
October 2018
Partioaitta, Helsinki, Finland
Photography
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 (Indoor,Outdoor,Waterbody-Pool,Water); 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,Water,Waterbody-Lake,Beach)
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
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(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
Korkbergetin lohkareluola, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Boulders,Basic,Boating,Surveying)
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
Torholan luola, Lohja, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic,Surveying)
Lazy Saturday, and all nearby caves have already been visited! Janne and I decided to visit a rock painting in the lake shores of the Hvitträsk lake in Kirkkonummi.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
November 2016
Hvitträsk cliff, Kirkkonummi, Finland
History; Hiking; Urban-Exploration (Historic-Sites)
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,Water,Waterbody-Pool)
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 (Man-Made); Urban-Exploration (Bunkers)
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
Vargberget, Nauvo, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Crack,Basic)
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,Water,Waterbody-Pool)
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 luolat, Nuuksio, Vihti, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Crack,Basic)
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
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(Suomenkielinen versio)
August 2016
Mätikän luola, Masku, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Crack,Basic)
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.
Full story
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.
Full story
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!
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
August 2016
Saas Fee, Switzerland*; Eispavillon, Saas Fee, Switzerland**
Skiing*; Caving** (Glacier,Basic,Showtour)
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!
Full story
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(Suomenkielinen versio)
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.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
August 2016
Hintertux, Zillertal, Austria
Skiing; Hiking; Travel; Sauna
I don't often relax, but when I do, it has to be muddy. Wet. And underground.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
July 2016
Kluterthohle, Ennepetal, Germany
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic)
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.
Full story
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(Suomenkielinen versio)
July 2016
Pirunpesänkivi, Nokia, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Other,Morphology-Erosion,Basic)
Hulubergsgrottan. Sipoo, Finland. Tiny hole, only crawable. And now filled with dirty water. What could be more fun to explore?
Full story
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(Suomenkielinen versio)
June 2016
Hulubergsgrottan, Sipoo, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic)
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.
Full story
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(Suomenkielinen versio)
June 2016
Torholan luola, Lohja, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic,Training,Surveying)
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.
Full story
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(Suomenkielinen versio)
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!
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
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.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)
May 2016
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland*; Saunalahden onkalo, Espoo, Finland**; Suomenojan siirtolohkare, Espoo, Finland**
Skiing*; Caving** (Basic,Rock,Morphology-Crystallization,Rock-Gneiss); Caving (Basic,Morphology-Boulders,Rock,Rock-Gneiss)
Taking sports seriously. Or Siriously. Sirious Sports is an adventure place in Pyhtää, Finland. They have skydiving and surfing simulators.
Full story
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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.
Full story
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(Suomenkielinen versio)
April 2016
Rosvoluola, Salo, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Crack,Basic)
Have skis, can carry snow, will ski anything. First descent of Paraguay's highest mountain, Cerro Tres Kandu.
Full story
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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.
Full story
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March 2016
Michlifen, Ifrane, Morocco; Jbel Habri, Ifrane, Morocco
Skiing (Outdoor,Snow,Hiking,Horse); Climbing (Mountain,Volcanoes); Riding
Tampere. A great destination for the winter vacation. But can you take the city bus to the slopes? Yes you can.
Full story
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(Suomenkielinen versio)
February 2016
Mustavuori, Tampere, Finland*; Tampereen rinteet Hervanta, Hervanta, Tampere, Finland*; Hirvi-Simunan luola, Lempäälä, Finland**
Skiing*; Caving** (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Boulders,Basic)
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!
Full story
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February 2016
Torholan luola, Lohja, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic)
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.
Full story
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February 2016
Cervinia, Italy*; Small cave, Cervinia, Italy**; Small cave, Cervinia, Italy***
Skiing (Outdoor,Snow,Lifts)*; Skiing*** (Outdoor,Underground,Snow,Lifts); Caving** (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Boulders,Morphology-Crack,Skiing)
I am envious of Tero, because he managed to ski on horse shit. I still haven't managed that.
Full story
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(Suomenkielinen versio)
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.
Full story
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January 2016
Kekestetö, Hungary*; Palvolgyi Cave, Budapest, Hungary**
Skiing*; Caving** (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic,Showtour)
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.
Full story
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(Suomenkielinen versio)
December 2015
Korkbergetin lohkareluola, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Boulders,Basic)
My sorry life, episode two.
Full story
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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.
Full story
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December 2015
Päällysluola, Rokokallio, Vihti, Finland*; Kuusijärvi, Vantaa, Finland**
Caving* (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Crack,Basic); Sauna (Smoke)**; Swimming (Ice,Water,Waterbody-Lake,Beach)**
He spends his days in meaningless office tasks, like shifting papers around or destroying planets. But he also has a dream... of skiing.
Full story
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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.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
December 2015
Högberget, Kirkkonummi, Finland
Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Erosion,Basic)
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.
Full story
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(Suomenkielinen versio)
December 2015
Engelberg, Switzerland
Skiing; Caving (Rock,Rock-Granite,Morphology-Crack,Basic); Sauna
Chamonix is open, and there's powder! And under all that light powder, there's ... rocks.
Full story
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December 2015
Chamonix ski areas, 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!
Full story
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November 2015
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
What's the point of working so hard that you cannot do the things you love? I feel like I'm far too busy. To add insult to the injury, this week I'm visiting one of the greatest ski destinations in the world, Sapporo, but there isn't yet any snow, and even if there were, I would not have time to go to the mountains.
Full story
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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 (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic,Showtour)
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.
Full story
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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; Urban-Exploration (Ski-Lifts)
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 (Man-Made); Urban-Exploration (Bunkers)
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; Urban-Exploration (Ski-Lifts,Buildings)
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); Urban-Exploration (Buildings)
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)