Last November, while competing for a spot in Fjällräven Polar, I got to know nine amazing girls from all over the world. We decided to join forces to reach our dream together and called ourselves the ‘Worldwide Polar Girls’, but unfortunately only three of the ten girls succeeded. Because Fjällräven was very enthusiastic about our initiative, they decided to invite all ten of us to come and hike the Fjällräven Classic in Swedish Lapland this summer. What a surprise!
All ten of us shed a few tears at the thought that we would get to meet each other after all. And after nine months of online friendship, suddenly the time has come: tomorrow. Tomorrow we meet at the airport in Stockholm to travel to Kiruna together and set off on this adventure. So special!
The Fjällräven Classic
Now I can hear you thinking “So what exactly is this Fjällräven Classic?”. The Fjällräven Classic is a 110-kilometer hiking adventure in the northern tip of Sweden along the famous ‘Kungsleden‘ trail. The event is organized every year by the outdoor clothing brand of the same name and attracts 2000 participants from all over the world. Anyone is free to sign up, but you have to be quick. Tickets sell out incredibly fast every year!
The route
This special adventure takes you from the starting point in Nikkaluokta to the finish in Abisko. Along the way you’ll pass Kebnekaise, among other things (you don’t have to climb it, but of course you’re allowed to), and if you’re lucky even reindeer! You also pass checkpoints where you get a stamp (mandatory!) along the route via Singi, Sälka, Tjäktja, Alesjaure and Kieron. It’s recommended to hike the trail in five days and to set up camp just past the Kebnekaise mountain station (also lovingly called the ‘dance floor’), Sälka (with a sauna!), Alesjaure (also with a sauna!) and on the last night just past the Kieron checkpoint.
The rules
If you cross the finish line after 5 days, you’ve earned a real Fjällräven medal! Provided you’ve stuck to the rules, of course. One of the most important rules is: leave no trace. Don’t leave your trash anywhere, and clean up other people’s when you come across it. Be kind to nature, and nature will be kind to you. You’re required to sleep in a tent. The cabins you pass along the way are only for emergencies. It’s also forbidden to take shortcuts by boat, and you get time penalties if you don’t carry the required gear (such as a compass). You can read more rules on the website.
Elevation
For me it was quite a scary idea: walking 110 kilometers with a big backpack on your back. So I went looking for a way to compare the trek to something I had already done. On Outdoorinfo, an outdoor website from the Netherlands, where I live, I came across the graph below that shows the elevation of the trek really well.
The climb from Nikkaluokta to the highest point of the trek is 600 meters. From there it’s mostly downhill. Something you definitely shouldn’t underestimate, because descending is sometimes harder on your body (especially your knees) than climbing.
Preparation
So once you know you’re going on a trek like this, how do you prepare? To start with: good, waterproof boots. The most important thing on a trek like this is keeping your feet dry. Check! Also make sure your boots are properly broken in. Check! Luckily we get to borrow the most important gear, like a tent and sleeping bag, from Fjällräven, so I can’t give advice on that, but below I’ll go through my packing list, so you have an idea of what’s in my backpack!
Finally, I’ve started working out quite fanatically. I’m rather.. Lazy. I love hiking, but the other 50 weeks of the year I’d rather sit on the couch gaming than stand in the gym. So I started doing strength training. Squats, sit-ups, arm curls, etc. I think it’s going to pay off big time soon.
Packing list
Last but not least: so what’s in my backpack? Lucky me, I have quite a bit of gear left over from my previous Fjällräven adventure. That made packing a lot easier for me. The tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, gas stove and fuel are provided to us on location by Fjällräven; normally you’re responsible for these yourself!
- Fjällräven Abisko backpack 75l + rain cover
- Fjällräven Eco Shell jacket (windproof and waterproof)
- Fjällräven Keb Fleece
- Fjällräven Eco Shell pants (windproof and waterproof)
- Fjällräven Abisko Trekking Tights
- Fjällräven dry sack 70l
- Aclima merino wool long sleeve
- Quick dry t-shirt
- Foldable cap against the sun
- Toilet roll with matches
- Small pan
- Water bottle
- Thermos flask
- Hestra fleece gloves
- Barts wool beanie
- Thermal underwear
- Thermal base layers to sleep in
- Quick-dry towel
- Mosquito spray
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Paracetamol
- Duct tape
- Mug
- Spoon
- Small inflatable pillow
- Sunglasses
- 2 multifunctional Buffs (to wear as a headband, scarf, hat, etc.)
- GoPro + power bank
- Teva sandals
- Lowa Gore-Tex hiking boots
- Trekking poles
- First aid kit (mandatory)
- Magnetic compass (mandatory)
- 3 pairs of merino wool socks
- Lots and lots of chocolate, instant coffee and energy bars
- Pocket knife
- Sports tape
Ready or not, here we go
It’s going to be a really exciting week, because I’ve never done a multi-day hike before, but I’m so looking forward to meeting my Polar Girls. To be continued!
Next stop: nature..
