Not a day goes by without Discovery Channel airing at least three survival shows. Enthused by these shows, Arjen started planning a ‘survival’ excursion to Sweden. In preparation we both attended a course last year, where we learned to make a fire and to build a shelter.
This year, however, it was going to be the real thing. Me, Arjen and his brother-in-law Johan, set out for a week of outdoor camping near Kloten in Sweden.
Click on ‘read more’ to read the rest of the story and to see the pictures I took.

Cold!

The weather forecast mentioned that it would be as cold as -1C in the night. So I took the necessary precautions, I bought a new sleeping bag that would be comfortable up to -3C, I packed a pair of long undies and some extra clothes. But then the day before we left it was really really hot in Holland, and for some reason then you start thinking.. “well I probably won’t need those extra clothes, and that pair of long underwear can stay home for sure, and I definitely won’t need the inside shell of my ski jacket….”.
Well I can tell you, the temperature dropped to around -10C the first nights and during the first morning in the forest it even started snowing. Waking up in those circumstances the first thing that came to mind was: “I have to take a picture of this before it melts”. I can tell you that walking around in your underwear in ice cold shoes holding an ice cold camera is not a very good idea!

Fishing

Arjen thought it would be a good idea to catch a fish for dinner. He brought some hooks, 70 meter of wire, and a very heavy piece of lead, requiring a couple of large pine cones and a twig as a float. It was very amusing to see Johan and Arjen try to fish, but it didn’t result in any dinner.

The Landscape

The landscape was amazing. Especially when the wind subsided and the evening sun came through.