Winter Bushcraft in Sweden – How To Build A Snow Cave

Snow caves or snow shelters are not only fun (if hard work!) to build and a real experience to sleep in, but the knowledge may one day be essential if you find yourself in a winter survival situation.

In this article, we give some basic pointers to consider when constructing your snow cave/snow shelter:

Equipment:

Snow caves can be built with just hands (or with improvised digging utensils such as snowshoes), but a snow shovel will certainly make the process much easier and more enjoyable!

Where to build your snow cave:

Ideally, you should have snow of depth of at least 1.5 metres. If this depth is not available naturally, begin by gathering together snow from the surrounding area into a large pile.

The number of people who will be sleeping in the cave dictates its size – bear in mind that you will be hollowing out a space big enough to sleep the required number. Start with more snow than you think you may need! If you are a large group, you should plan to build a number of smaller shelters.

A good snow cave takes patience, and you should wait at least an hour to give the snow pile time to settle before beginning any digging – the time needed for the snow to begin to bind together may be longer depending on its consistency.

If snow depth is naturally around 1.5 metres, you can look for a suitable site near banks or trees. Choose a leeward spot (away from the wind) if possible for additional protection and be careful to site your cave well away from any danger of avalanche.

Digging out your snow cave:

If the snow is deep, start by digging a trench angled downward into the snow. Excavated snow should be placed on top of the cave. Continue until you have made a trench roughly as long as you are tall.

Then, begin digging your tunnel, making it a little wider than your body width, starting about knee height above the entrance. If snow conditions are suitable, dig the tunnel so that it slants slightly upward, aiming to make the “cave” end of the tunnel about 30cm higher than the entrance end (as warm air rises, this helps to keep warm air inside the cave).

Try to make the tunnel about the same length as your body, then begin to create a space about the same size as your body. Push the excavated snow out behind you into the tunnel and out through the entrance.

Once you have created a whole of suitable size, begin to shape the inside of the snow cave into a dome, aiming for a space large enough to allow you to sit upright comfortably. The shovel can be used in the initial stages, finishing off by smoothing the surface with gloved hands – the smoother the surface, the less likely you are to be made wet (and cold) by drips.

The walls of your snow cave should be at least 30cm thick, both for stability and warmth.

Making the perfect snow cave:

For those special snow cave features, consider some of the following upgrade options!

• Warm air rises, so elevating your sleeping position will help to keep you warm. Building in a sleeping platform will raise you above the floor of the cave.
• Make a small shelf on which to rest a candle – just a single candle can raise the temperature inside significantly.
• Using a ski pole or trekking pole to make a small hole in the top of the cave is very useful for ventilation, preventing buildup of carbon monoxide from breath or cooking.
• Use packs or equipment to block the entrance and keep warm air in.

Safety:

Digging a snow cave always carries with it the risk of collapse, especially if the snow is granular. Build your cave with at least one partner. One person should remain outside at all times during construction to rescue the person digging in the event of a collapse.

Under general conditions, and if properly constructed, once completed a snowcave will not collapse. As night falls and temperatures drop, the snow cave is likely to become more stable.

Always keep your shovel next to you when inside. If there is a storm in the night, you may need to dig yourselves out.

Have fun!

Best regards

The Nature Travels Team

Nature Travels offers two winter holidays in Sweden where it is possible to try building and sleeping in a cave or snow shelter under the instruction of an experienced local guide.

Dog Sledding and Winter Bushcraft is a 6-day experience in the company of a bushcraft guide, combining the challenge and adventure of dog sledding with the chance to learn winter bushcraft skills including shelter building and cooking over open fire.

For those with some experience of ski touring, Ski Touring and Winter Mountaincraft is a private tour with wild camping for groups of min. 4 persons led by a local guide with extensive experience of extended expeditions in harsh winter conditions.

Camping in Sweden – how to choose a tent for your holiday in Sweden

Whether you are on a wilderness canoe tour in Värmland, sea kayaking in the Stockholm archipelago or hiking in the mountains of Lapland, wild camping is a central feature of many Nature Travels Sweden holidays.

For all our activities featuring wild camping in Sweden, tents are either included as part of standard equipment or are available to hire as optional extras. In most cases, Hilleberg tents are used – a Swedish brand and one of the world’s best-known quality tentmakers. Hiring a tent will not only ensure that you are using equipment suitable for the experience but may also be the most convenient and affordable option. If you do not already have suitable equipment and do not plan to make regular use of your tent after your holiday in Sweden, buying your own may not be cost-effective. Hiring a tent also reduces your luggage when travelling and may also allow you to avoid baggage charges if flying with low-cost airlines such as Ryanair.

However, if you participate in outdoor activities regularly, a good-quality tent is an essential investment. In this article we give an overview of different tent designs and discuss the pros and cons of each, discussing some points to consider when choosing a tent for your holiday in Sweden:

Ridge Tents

The “classic” A-frame tent design, stable in high winds and also less likely to sag in heavy snow if camping in winter, but often rather heavy and bulky and generally not suitable if you will be hiking and carrying your tent for long distances.

Dome Tents

Dome tents have flexible poles which meet at the tent’s highest point. This is a spacious design given ample sleeping and storage area, but are not so stable in high winds so may not be the ideal choice for camping in exposed mountain areas.

Tunnel Tents

Tunnel tents have two or three flexible poles which are used independently. They are usually lightweight and provide ample legroom for taller campers, but can be unstable when exposed to wind from the side.

Traverse Hoop Tents

This design is often extremely lightweight, using one or two interdependent poles. However, traverse hoop tents will also be unstable in side-on winds.

Geodesic Tents

Using four or five flexible poles to make a self-supporting frame, geodesic tents offer an attractive combination of space and stability, but can be heavier than traverse hoop or tunnel designs.

Flysheet first or inner tent first?

Tents which pitch flysheet first have the advantage that the inner tent stays dry when erecting the tent in wet weather. There is also the option of using the flysheet by itself as a tarpaulin if weather conditions are suitable.

Tents pitching inner first generally give more space for sleeping as the inner sheet is stretched more tightly. If conditions are hot and dry, the inner tent can be used by itself.

What to think about when choosing your tent:

It may be useful to consider the following when choosing which tent is most suitable for your active holiday in Sweden:

• What kind of terrain will you be travelling in? Are conditions likely to be particularly windy?
• What time of year will you be travelling? What temperature range are you likely to encounter?
• Does the tent have spaces for cooking and/or luggage storage? Being able to cook in one of the entrances can be useful in bad weather, but bear in mind that tents are not flame-proof and can catch fire very easily.
• How important are the size and weight of the tent? Is luggage space limited? Will you be carrying the tent for extended periods?
• Which of the basic designs described above is likely to suit your needs best?
• How many people will sleep in the tent? Bear in mind that a tent rated as a 4-person tent may nevertheless feel rather cramped when filled with 4 campers plus luggage!

Whichever option you choose, Sweden is one of the world’s top destinations for wild camping, whether you are on a 3-day sea kayaking tour, an 8-day wilderness hiking expedition or a 2-week canoeing holiday.

Happy camping!

Best regards

The Nature Travels Team

Sleeping mats: the basis of a good night’s sleep when camping in Sweden

Sleeping mats are an essential but often undervalued part of your camping equipment. Prices may start at just a couple of pounds, but the old adage “you get what you pay for” is often as true with sleeping mats as it is for any outdoor equipment – economise on your sleeping mat at your peril!

A good night’s sleep is central to your enjoyment of any outdoor experience, and is especially important if you are planning to be out for an extended period, for example on one of our 7 or 14-day self-guided wilderness canoe tours in Sweden. Poor sleep will not only affect your mood, but you may feel tired and listless, be more sensitive to cold and may also find your judgement is impaired.

In this article we take a look at the different types of sleeping mat to help you choose which is most suitable for your camping holiday in Sweden, whether you are timber rafting through the forests of Värmland or trekking in Sarek National Park in Lapland.

In a previous article on choosing the right sleeping bag, we discussed that temperature ratings for sleeping bags are often calculated on the assumption that they will be used in conjunction with an appropriate sleeping mat. Your sleeping mat should not only cushion and support your body for comfort but also insulate you from below and is an essential component in keeping you warm while you sleep. Three times as much heat is lost by conduction (i.e. from your body to the ground) as from convection (from your body to the surrounding air).

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a sleeping mat, for example:

• How much the mat weighs and how small it packs relative to its comfort and insulating properties.
• Whether you prefer a firm mat or a softer one.
• Whether you will be using your mat only during summer or year-round.
• What kind of mat you prefer (self-inflating, non-self-inflating or closed cell).
• Your budget and how regularly you intend to use your sleeping mat.

To self-inflate or not to self-inflate?

Self-inflating sleeping mats: A self-inflating sleeping mat has a layer of foam which is contained within an airtight shell. To inflate the mat, a valve is opened drawing air into the foam. After a few minutes, the mat is fully self-inflated and the valve can be closed. When packing, you open the valve and expel the air by rolling the mat and then close the valve to stop air re-entering. Thermarest is probably the most well-known brand for this kind of sleeping mat (and they can even be converted into a chair!).

Non-self-inflating sleeping mats: Non-self-inflating mats, as the name suggests, must be inflated by the user. Air-only mats are unlikely to provide sufficient insulation for any use apart from summer camping, but non self-inflating mats may also be filled with down or synthetic insulation and are then much warmer. Though the mats themselves tend to be thicker than self-inflating models, as they do not have a foam layer inside they may weigh less and pack down smaller.

Bear in mind when inflating your sleeping mat that the moisture in breath can be damaging – water vapour may over time begin to rot the material inside. Some models allow you to use the sleeping mat storage sack as a bellows to avoid getting moisture from your breath into the mat.

Closed cell sleeping mats: This kind of mat does not inflate, but is simply a piece of foam. Budget priced mats tend to be of this design, but are generally best avoided as they are likely to have poor insulating properties, provide little support and may rip and mark easily.

However, good quality closed cell mats, such as the Thermarest Ridgerest, are also available.

Many Nature Travels holidays in Sweden feature wild camping, one of the great joys of the outdoors. While your sleeping mat is central to your enjoyment of your holiday, it is not always necessary to bring your own. On some of our experiences, such as our guided sea kayaking tours, camping equipment including high quality sleeping mats is included, while for other experiences, for example our range of self-guided canoe tours, it is possible to hire a sleeping bag package including bag, liner and sleeping mat as an optional extra.

Whichever option you choose, we wish you sweet dreams and a very enjoyable time camping wild in Sweden!

Best regards

The Nature Travels Team

(Nature Travels clients receive a discount of 15-25% for purchases both online and in-store with Cotswold Outdoor – simply quote the code printed on your booking confirmation when making your purchase. The code may be used for multiple purchases and is valid until 1st April 2010).

How to choose a Sleeping Bag for your Holiday in Sweden

The freedom to camp wild beneath the stars is one of the principal attractions of many of our Sweden holidays, whether you are stretched out at the water’s edge on a timber rafting tour or camping in a tipi in the depths of winter on our Dog Sledding and Winter Bushcraft experience.

Having a good night’s sleep is central to your enjoyment of any outdoor holiday, and in this article we give an overview of points to consider when choosing a sleeping bag.

Rectangular or “mummy” bag?

Rectangular bags are comfortable and spacious, and have the advantage that you can open them out to use as a cover. However, such bags are mainly suitable for use in youth hostels and perhaps cabins in summertime. For camping or lower temperatures, a “mummy” bag will provide much better insulation.

Bags with tapered profiles are also available, offering some of the comfort of a rectangular bag while preserving some of the insulating properties of the “mummy” shape.

How a sleeping bag keeps you warm

A sleeping bag keeps you warm by trapping a layer of air which is then heated by your body. This seems an obvious point, but it is very easy to forget the less obvious implication: it is essential to be warm when you get into your sleeping bag! Your bag will not warm up properly if you get into it when cold.

Therefore, if you’re feeling cold before you turn in for the night, jump around and do some exercise and make sure you are feeling warm before getting into your bag. In cold weather, “doing the penguin” can be a good way to warm up (silly, but effective). Put your arms by your sides with your palms facing the floor and your fingers pointing out at right angles. Shrug your shoulders vigorously for a few minutes and you will feel the blood pumping to your extremities. A good way to warm up cold fingers! Having a hot drink while inside the bag is also an excellent way to warm up both you and your sleeping bag.

Should I choose down or synthetic insulation?

Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Down is an excellent insulator and is often the preferred choice for cold-weather bags. It is also much lighter than synthetic materials and has very good lofting properties, meaning that it can be compressed tightly and will still expand well. A down sleeping bag will generally have much better warmth-to-weight ratio than a synthetic bag. A good down bag will have at least 85% down and top quality bags may have 95% or more.

On the down side (!), down bags are generally more expensive than synthetic fillings. They are also unsuitable for wet or humid climates, as they take a long time to dry properly and lose almost all their insulating properties when wet. Your breath contains a lot of water vapour, and burying your head completely inside the bag may make it damp and cold from the inside. It may be better to sleep with your face exposed and wearing a hat or scarf. Ensure that you air your sleeping bag properly the following morning before packing it away for any extended period.

If you are buying a down bag, bear in mind that there are some animal welfare issues to be considered regarding the production and harvesting of down, so make sure your preferred manufacturer uses ethically-sourced fillings.

The technology used in synthetic fillings is improving all the time, and many people choose a synthetic bag as their preferred option. Materials such as Primaloft offer many of the advantages of down with the convenience of a synthetic bag.

Synthetic fillings are normally made from polyester filaments or sometimes fibre-pile. They retain much more of their insulating properties when wet and so are ideal for rainy or humid climates. They are easy to care for and clean and are normally more affordable than an equivalent-rated down bag.

However, synthetic bags generally have the disadvantages of being heavier and bulkier and may also have a shorter useful lifespan.

What do the temperature ratings on sleeping bags mean?

How you feel and react to the cold will vary enormously depending on your body, your energy level, your mood and many other things. The combination of these different factors means that while one person may be warm and comfortable in a particular bag, another person (or even the same person on a different day!) may feel chilly.

Many bags are rated with both “Comfort” and “Extreme” temperatures, which can be misleading. You may find that even if the label on your sleeping bag says “-20 degrees” you would feel very cold indeed using the bag at this temperature!

Bear in mind also that temperature ratings are sometimes calculated differently between manufacturers, and will be based on certain assumptions regarding how the bag is used, such as that you are using the bag with a suitable sleeping mat for insulation from below.

What should I think about when buying a sleeping bag?

When deciding which bag is most suitable for you, you should bear in mind the following:

• What will you use the bag most for? You should choose a bag suitable for the situations and temperatures in which you will most commonly use it. If you only go camping in cold conditions very rarely, a lighter bag can be upgraded by placing it inside an extra bag or using  a thermal liner, but a polar bag will be uncomfortably warm outside the depths of winter!
• If you know that you feel the cold, choose a bag with a rating higher than you anticipate needing.
• Consider whether weight and/or bulk are important considerations. If so, you may want to opt for a down bag, but bear in mind that these are less suitable in damp conditions.

In the next article, we will be looking at options for sleeping mats and sleeping bag liners. In the meantime, sweet dreams!

Best regards

The Nature Travels Team

Winter Holidays in Sweden: How to dress for cold weather

Sweden is having a beautiful cold, clear winter at the moment, with some of the best lake ice for years and temperatures from just below zero down to -30 or more. Winter is a wonderful time of year for a holiday in Sweden, but while the dry air may mean that you feel the cold much less than with equivalent temperatures here in the UK, it’s nevertheless important to dress properly in order to make the most of your Sweden holiday in the snow.

Accommodation in Sweden is always very warm and cosy and you should have no problem staying warm inside, but when you are out and about enjoying your activities, whether you are dog sledding, ski touring or tobogganing with the kids, dressing appropriately is the key to enjoying your winter holiday.

In this article we outline some basic advice for dressing for the cold – it is not necessary to spend a fortune on specialist equipment to keep warm, though good quality outdoor clothing will almost always perform better and last longer than budget-priced gear. Nature Travels clients receive up to 25% on in-store and online purchases with Cotswold Outdoor, so why not treat yourself to some new kit before you set off?

The Layer Principle

The advantage of layering is that you can easily adjust your clothing to achieve a comfortable temperature depending on your level of activity and weather conditions.

Base layer:

A good-quality base layer is one of the most important parts of your outdoor wardrobe (“base layer” sounds much cooler than “thermal underwear”!). The base layer manages moisture, wicking sweat away from your body. One important thing to remember is not to have any cotton material next to your skin. Cotton absorbs sweat and chills you.

Good synthetic base layers are available, but merino wool is one of the most popular materials. There have been some animal welfare concerns connected to the practice of “mulesing”, cutting around a sheep’s rear end to prevent disease, so it is important to ensure that your merino wool comes from an ethical source. If in doubt, ask the manufacturer or supplier of your chosen base layer.

Your base layer should have long-sleeved top and long-johns. Merino underwear is also available.

Mid-layer:

The function of the mid-layer is to insulate you from the cold, trapping and heating air close to your body. A good winter fleece or woollen sweater is ideal as a mid-layer.

Shell layer:

An effective shell (or outer) layer should keep out the wind, rain and snow. Suitable shell layers include windproof fleeces, softshells, mountaineering jackets, etc. For winter conditions in Sweden, a good mountaineering or ski/snowboard jacket is often ideal.

Breathability and ventilation are important considerations – a shell layer with zips under the arms and/or on the sides can make it much easier to regulate your temperature, preventing sweat from building up, making you damp and chilling you.

On Your Legs

On top of your (non-cotton) underwear and base layer, you should have a good warm, windproof, snow/waterproof pair of trousers. Ski pants are ideal for many winter activities, including dog sledding and snowshoeing. Again, zips down the side allowing greater ventilation can be enormously helpful. It’s also good if the trousers are elasticated at the ankles or can be fastened by other means to keep out the snow. A pair of gaiters can also be useful for this purpose.

If you do not have or do not wish to buy dedicated winter/ski trousers for your trip, an effective “budget” alternative can be to use warm tracksuit trousers (over a suitable thermal base layer) with windproof and waterproof rain trousers over the top.

On Your Hands And Feet

Extremities such as fingertips and toes can feel the cold very easily. A good pair of windproof and snow/waterproof gloves is essential in cold weather. Cold hands and feet can not only ruin your experience of the winter wilderness but can also be potentially dangerous. Mittens are warmer than gloves with separate fingers. If you don’t wish to be restricted by mittens all the time, overgloves which convert standard gloves to mittens are an ideal solution and offer greater flexibility. If out on an extended tour such as one of our dog sledding holidays or snowshoeing expeditions, make sure you have a spare pair of gloves with you. Gloves are easily lost and the consequences may be very serious.

Socks should be thick and woollen or synthetic (non-cotton). One solution recommended by Torkel, an experienced expedition leader and guide for our Snowshoeing in Wolverine Country and ski touring tours, is to use a thin (non-cotton) sock next to the skin with a plastic bag over it and a warm woollen sock on the outside. The idea is that the plastic bag will contain any moisture and keep the outer sock and boot dry. Always carry spare pairs of socks if out for more than one day.

The 3-season hiking boots commonly used year-round in the UK are not really suitable for the sub-zero temperatures of a Swedish winter. Your boots should be  waterproof/snowproof and properly insulated (with some room to trap and warm air between the boot and your feet) with a good grip to give you stability on ice and snow. This is one piece of equipment which many clients may not have as standard, and if you are not planning to do activities regularly in winter conditions, you may wish to hire suitable boots for your experience rather than buying. Boots and other winter equipment (such as snowscooter overalls, a very warm option for dog sledding) are either included or can be hired as optional extras on many of our winter experiences in Sweden.

On Your Head

A lot of heat can be lost through the head, and a thick woollen or fleece hat is important in regulating your overall temperature. Windproof hats can be even warmer, and it is useful if the hat can be adjusted to cover your ears.

A scarf or multi-purpose “Buff”-style headwear is a versatile piece of kit that can be used both to keep your neck warm and also to cover your face and nose.

Finally, ski glasses or goggles will not only keep the wind out of your eyes but also make it much easier to see where you’re going! If you wear glasses and are planning activities such as dog sledding, contact lenses can be a more convenient solution during your holiday – using goggles will be more comfortable and you will have fewer problems with fogging.

Down Jackets – ideal for breaktime

Down jackets are excellent for cold nights around the campfire and during rest breaks. However, they are likely to be too warm when active. As down is so light and compresses very well, down jackets are ideal for carrying in your pack for use in the evenings or when standing still for extended periods. As with merino wool, there are some ethical considerations regarding the sourcing of down for your chosen clothing. For more information, see clothing manufacturer Patagonia’s article on down at http://www.thecleanestline.com/2008/04/up-with-down.html. Synthetic alternatives such as Primaloft are also available.

There are many ways to enjoy the beauty of the Swedish winter landscape, whether you are looking for a traditional winter family holiday in the snow or the challenge and excitement of an extended dog sledding tour. Dress appropriately and you will be able to enjoy your Swedish winter holiday to the full!

Camp fires – how to enjoy your fire safely

A camp fire is the centre of social life in the Swedish outdoors, a focal point for conversation, a place to cook and eat, a source of heat, and a hypnotic and endlessly fascinating thing to watch. Without a camp fire, life in the outdoors is a colder experience in all senses of the word. A fire at the end of a long day out in the wilds will lift the spirits and soothe the body.

Wild camping and the freedom to light camp fires is one of the great joys of any outdoor experience in Sweden, and one of the many things which attracts visitors to this vast and beautiful country. But with this freedom comes important responsibilities – the responsibility to guard effectively against the risk of your camp fire spreading out of control, and the responsibility to take only what you need and in the least damaging way from the local environment. Sweden’s forest resources may seem endless, but their ecology is fragile. In northern and mountainous regions where temperatures are low for much of the year and available daylight limits the growing season, trees just a few centimetres high may be surprisingly old and ecosystems can take a very long time to regenerate after any damage.

Potential for the most dramatic problems comes from the risk of forest fire. While natural fires are vital to the fertilisation and regeneration of some forest ecosystems, as with everything in nature, it is maintaining a balance which is important. Large fires can have an enormously damaging impact on local wildlife, in some cases destroying whole populations of threatened species, and the ecology of the area can take decades to recover. In addition, of course, they can pose an enormous risk to human life and property.

While the UK has had a rather damp start to the 2008 summer season, Sweden by contrast has been basking in the sunshine, with above average temperatures and an extended dry period. This is good news for visitors (our early season canoeists had some truly wonderful weather for their tours in May!), but with the sun and the lack of rain comes the increased risk of forest fire. This has already led to serious problems in some parts of Sweden. As we write, large fires caused by the extended dry spell are raging in the northern province of Hälsningland.

The potential for forest fires was illustrated dramatically recently when one of our clients was unfortunate enough to have a problem with his camp fire during a canoe tour, resulting in the complete destruction of his sleeping bag, rucksack, camera and clothes and melting the paddle for their canoe. He and his travelling companion acted quickly to bring the fire under control, narrowly avoiding a much more serious incident, and to their great credit then spent what must have been a most uncomfortable night at the spot to ensure that the fire was completely out before returning to base the following day. Fortunately, the key to their hire car, which had also almost completely melted, was still functioning!

With this in mind, here are a few hints and tips for enjoying the warmth and comfort of your camp fire safely and limiting your impact on the local environment during your experience in Sweden:

When not to light a fire

Observe any local or temporary restrictions regarding the lighting of fires. During particularly dry conditions when there is a high risk of forest fires, local restrictions may be imposed prohibiting the lighting of fires. Check notices and local information for the latest situation. Certain protected areas such as national parks and nature reserves may also have their own rules regarding the lighting of fires and use of forest resources.

How to make a fire

When lighting your fire, please make sure you observe the following guidelines:

1. Choose a suitable place for your fire, with a base of gravel or sand. It should also have easy access to water in case you need to put the fire out quickly. Check the wind strength and direction – sparks can carry some way and ignite the surrounding forest or grassland.

2. You should not light your fire on a bed of peat or moss, which burn very easily. Peat fires can smoulder and burn underground for a very long time, and may still be burning below ground level even when the fire seems to be out from above. Similarly, you should avoid lighting your fire in any earthy, forested area. You should also avoid lighting your fire near to anthills or old tree stumps, both of which may catch fire very easily.

3. Do not build large bonfires – this is a waste of resources and extremely dangerous. Keep your fire small, focused and controlled (this also makes it much better for cooking on if you are planning to make food on your fire). Dig a shallow hole in which to make your fire or make a circle of stones around the fire to contain it. Do not use wet stones, which can crack and explode when heated. Also, do not light your fire on or next to flat rocks. This chars and may crack the rock and looks very unsightly, and the marks will remain for a very long time.

4. If there is a strong wind, do not light a camp fire.

5. Do not burn rubbish of any kind on your fire. Even cardboard and paper is difficult to burn completely and will leave an unsightly residue. Burning paper can be carried into the surrounding trees by small gusts of wind. Do not try to burn plastic or food waste. Please take everything with you and dispose of it correctly.

6. When collecting fuel for your fire, it is permitted to use small branches, twigs and pine cones which are lying on the ground. Bear in mind that dead wood provides an extremely valuable habitat for a wide range of species – more species of insect can be supported by dead wood than live wood – so avoid larger branches and stumps. Just because they are no longer on the tree, doesn’t mean that they are not still extremely important to the local ecology!

7. You must not take any material from live trees or damage them in any way.

How to put out your camp fire

Do not leave the campsite before the fire is completely extinguished – it must burn down completely before you leave. Use water to put the fire out, then poke it to extinguish any embers. Use a small trowel to dig up the earth under the fire to ensure there are no embers or smoke remaining.

What to do if your fire gets out of control

If you can, call the fire brigade immediately. In Sweden, the number is 112. It is important to stop the fire spreading in the direction of the wind. Take some bunches of branches from pine or juniper trees (these are better than leafy branches). Wet the branches if possible. Use the branches to sweep the burning pieces towards the fire while pressing the branches against the ground to put out the flames. Clear brushwood and twigs out of the way and remove moss from the path of the fire. DO NOT beat at the fire with large strokes, as this will spread sparks.

What to do if your clothes catch fire

Get down on the ground and roll over and over. If someone else’s clothes catch fire, lay the person on the ground and smother the flames with a blanket or jacket. Protect their face by covering from the head downwards. Bear in mind that some fabrics, e.g. nylon, can catch fire and melt and may increase the risk of injury.

Use cold water to cool burning clothes and soothe burn injuries. If clothes are stuck to the skin, do not try to remove them. You should keep affected skin in cold water for at least 10 minutes.

General camp safety

You should never have an open fire or any glowing coals inside or near your tent. Have a knife to hand to cut your way out in case of emergency.

If using a camping stove, wait until any unused fuel and utensils are cool before packing the stove away or pouring the fuel back into the bottle.

A last word…

A camp fire on a long Swedish summer evening (or a short winter one if you’re winter camping!) is a wonderful experience. If you follow the simple guidelines above when collecting your fuel and lighting your fires, you will be able to enjoy your fire safely and ensure a supply of fuel and a pristine environment for those who come after you.

Happy camping!

Best regards
The Nature Travels Team

Nature Travels offers a wide range of outdoor experiences in Sweden, most of which offer wild camping. In the summer, we offer a range of self-guided canoeing holidays and guided sea kayaking expeditions, all of which include wild camping. In winter, it is possible to experience the joy and challenge of winter camping on our Go Camping by Dogsled, Winter Mountaincraft in Jämtland, Snowshoeing in Wolverine Country and Dog Sledding and Winter Bushcraft experiences. For information, please see our website at www.naturetravels.co.uk