It was a busy week yet again. Besides all the "Back from Vålådalen" posts there is a flood of TGO reports. Lets go.



There was only one TGOC article I read thus far, and that was Andy Howell's excellent "A Younger Challenge: Not Only a More Vibrant Event But One With a Bright Future". Its a great piece and makes me want to send in an application for next years challenge.

Hana is fit again and was taken out on a trip up Ogawayama and Kokushidake. Makes me want a four legged companion for my trips.

Comet passed the 300 mile marker on his PCT hike, and asks himself what he was thinking.

Snakeball on the other hand is already a bit further ahead and is walking through the Mojave Desert and wonders if he needs to change his perception of a desert.

Fraser went on a bicycle trip in Glen Derry and if you follow Fraser already you know he shots cracking photos. He pushes the envelope in this report once more.

While Don Meredith did not get to go on a bike trip because of the weather, his packing list looked pretty awesome - Fraser could still learn a thing or two there ;)

Jonas went bouldering in the forests of Northern Germany. Nice green forests and blue skies - when it doesn't rain!

Richard went on a day trip on the North Antrim Causeway Coast and brought back stunning photos.

Roman Dial reports briefly of his week with Andrew Skurka and Mike Brown.

Sam went on a short trip to the East Fork Sage Creek - Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness, exploring caves, making fires and enjoying whisky with conversation. Seems trail happiness is universal.

Die Beuteltiere went on a weekend trip from the Waldeifel to the Ahrtal (Ahr valley), and besides a Dyneema huckePACK there where plenty of encounters with the animals of the region and historical sights.

Colin Ibbotson is back from the Arizona trail and while he takes some time to get back into "real life" you can listen to his thoughts on the trail and check out the photos.


A groovy biotic muffin, made by Joe.

In the gear review section I really enjoyed Robin's "lessons learnt" post where he goes briefly through the various gear he took out on his latest trip.

If you, like me, carry a DSLR into the outdoors, and if you're not as lucky with the weather, you might need something to protect your expensive camera and lenses. Here I found an interesting solution which I am planning to try out in the future.

Phil has a look at the Brasher Neon shoes, which look like a steal for 25£.

Looking for a lightweight raft for white water action? Here's a first look at the Alpacka WitchCraft.

PCT has a look at some sweet merino garments from Chocolate Fish, namely the Taranaki T-Shirt, Fly-Front Boxers and Bunnet. Nice colours and made in the UK, I like that.



Four Dog Stove made some ace looking videos, check them all out here or click play on the video above.

I reckon you have heard about this tiny problem BP has, and therefore I do think you should boycott BP if you drive a car.

Finally, there is the Outdoor fair coming up in Germany soon-ish. I was asked by a few people if I'd come and would join them, but I decided that I rather not go. I hate huge amounts of people, and as I reckon that Roman and Benjamin will do a good job of covering the happening from an UL perspective and I am not up for a race of "Who posts what first" I'll rather relax in Finland.

We arrived save and sound back home. It was an epic trip, and the reports will follow during the following weeks - keep your eyes on the blogs of Roger, Gustav, Jörgen & Martin and Joe. Until my trip report of "The UL Fellowship" will come, I leave you with this impression of the Fellowship crossing into the lands of Morder, ähm, the Swedish Fjell.

After the drama with the plane which didn't go I managed to get to Sweden after all. But as I will depart right away to Oslo you'll need to wait for a write-up from me for a while, and that while you can fill in by reading the underneath trip reports and gear reviews!



Caro & Tomie went to climb the Benediktenwand and brought back beautiful photos and a good report from the Alps.

Chris went to climb the Spear in Japan, together with the Other Englishman, and besides monkeys and Chinese expect stunning photos and a tale of friendship.

Q concluded his trip report from his rainy tour in Corsica, and it does look like it could very well be a place for a great tour. Also have a look at his gear review.

Thomas went on a 24 trip with his friend to Haukåsen and besides an short downpour the had plenty of sunshine and excellent hammocking & tent camping!

Roger walked part of the Blekingeleden, to be exact from Ronneby to Åkeholm, and it looks like spring there =)

Slightly further away Benco went on a winter trip up Mt. Donald, with fantastic views over the ocean and the Falkland Island hills.

Roger from Trinisla went on a weekend walk along the Bjäre, and my is it beautiful in Sweden!

Dondo went on a 24 trip to the Shafthouse and brings back spectacular photos of him rolling boulders through the wilderness.

Eugene went on a trip to Gila West and was seeking enchantment in the land of the Mogollon. It looks like he succeeded, beautiful photos of what sounds like an awesome trip.

Finally, Sam Haraldson gave an account of the BPL Wilderness Trekking School trip he did last week, and everything from snow to sun came along.



In the gear review department, Joe reviewed the Trekmates Amphibian Gore-Tex socks which I also like a lot. They're now on offer in case you're looking for a pair!

Martin from Fjäderlätt has a look at the Six Moon Designs Haven, a two person tent which weighs under one kilo!

And finally, Peter writes an another entry into his gear diary, which are always worth to read.

If you want to be able to go without a lighter or matches into the outdoors, and feel that flint or firesteel are still too modern, give the Bow Drill method of fire lighting a try and check Sticks65 Bushcraft guide before you go out.

And in case you wonder if we (the UL community) are alone with our thoughts, it seems that even the US American outdoor store REI is starting to think about it, as their UL primer shows.

And should you decide to go UL mountaineering, make sure you know what to take into account before calling mountain rescue, as James told us.