The outdoors as a classroom They come from all corners of the world, and have completely different backgrounds. But outdoor expert Johan Skullman makes sure that Fjällräven Polar is an educational experience for all the participants. An adventure that is built on knowledge, routines and team spirit. wor ds:k a r in wa l l én pho t os:h å k a n w ik e & nick l a s bl om
Barren mountain tops and magical auroras, eager sled dogs and snow-covered expanses. Fjällräven Polar is a 300-km long adventure and a lifetime dream for many. However, it is nothing like a comfortable holiday where dogs and guides do all the work. But neither is it a survival experience with frostbite and exhaustion as part of the package. Under the guidance of outdoor expert and previous career army officer Johan Skullman, participants create routines for how to spend time in an Arctic winter landscape, with showing respect for nature being a key part of the experience. This is where conditions and inspiration for a continued life in the outdoors are created. “If there is anything I have learnt over the years I’ve spent with Polar, it is that nothing is impossible. People come here from different backgrounds, different cultures and with completely
fjällräven polar
different experiences. But every day that passes sees them gaining in confidence and starting to work together more and more as a team. It is truly a fascinating, educational journey. Everyone starts with a whole day in Stockholm, where the 26 participants from a dozen or so different countries gather for their first taste of what is to come. Theory on frostbite and the principle of layering, among other things, is interwoven with workshops that teach participants how to use their equipment. Right from the beginning, routines are introduced – the order in which things should be done, why it is important to keep your energy reserves up, how to approach things in difficult weather. But one thing is fundamental on sled-dog expeditions. “We always take care of the dogs first. Not until you have taken care of them, fed them and seen that they have water and anything else they
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