Rushing from one place to another, from one attraction to another, one visit aft
er another. I feel so overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by sensations which I am not able to process, by duties, by meetings. Like if the whole world would be about rushing from one thing to another so you never get a small bit of time to actually think, to actually feel, to let the experiences move you forward. And I know that my kids feel the same. Full of sensations, not able to actually sit and process what they are experiencing. Not having time to look forward for things which they will do, because their time is so much filled.
In this mood and time we start to think about how we will spend our summer vacations. We all want to enjoy them, I know that I should be able to enjoy just staying in Czech republic somewhere by a lake in a tent, but it does not fully work for me (Germans call it Fernweh). I know that I would like to switch off this instant flow of inputs and that I want for kids something where they can be with themselves and really relax. I wanted to go to Ladakh in India but I know that it would be just another firework of sensations which we would get as we would have in two weeks quickly rush through the places and I am not sure what it would bring to kids or to me. They would just get another item on their list of things which they did during the summer, but it wouldn't get deep to their minds. I think for a while about Scotland, but too much rain and miggies seems too tough to enjoy it. Then Jan comes with the idea of Sweden and Katka proposes Lapland as a good destination. I am not sure if we can make it, what will do there if the weather is terrible, raining and cold? It seems there is not much how to fill the time otherwise than hiking (oh still this attraction focused thinking), but the plan slowly grows.
We buy flights to Nykopping from Ryanair, night train from Stockholm to Kiruna and from Abisko back to Stockholm. If everything goes well, we will go for a week hike (we have 9 days in the plan just as a reserve) and if not, we will have to somehow survive, maybe renting a car or taking a train to some other destination... Preparations have started. We had to buy big backpacks (my old one after 15 years already has too many holes and Jan had so far none), waterproof jackets, impregnation for shoes, new sleeping bag for Terka, bigger pot for cooking (1 liter is not anymore enough for us 4) and all the food needed for the hike (there are some huts on the way, but it is Sweden and it is in mountains so buying food on the way is not really a variant plus it would loose the wilderness feeling :). We know we could go for travel lunches for hikers which would save us some cooking time, but we decided to choose the standard way and take just the basic ingredients to make our own dishes. We ended up with more than 20 kg of food packed for these 9-10 days. We packed our big backpacks so they exactly fit 20kg restriction for the bottom of the plane, rest of the stuff in 4 hand luggage two of which will anyway end up on our backs.
And how it went? It was awesome. Weather was not particularly great (2 days full of rain out of 7), we saw none of the "attractions" of the place - mooses, reindeers nor aurora, blueberries were quite sour (only in Abisko they got a bit sweeter), mosquitoes really liked our blood, but it was not about any of these things. We were so close with kids, kids were having their backpacks, gone were all their complaints, all their demands. They saw that we have troubles to carry our huge backpacks and they took the trip with its 110 km as their own project as well, they helped washing dishes, building tent, they everyday counted with our 15 kilometers walk (and if they asked what will happen if we don't make it I could always with a calm heart tell them that nothing, because we have 2 extra days for the walk), they were proud of themselves, that they get everyday quicker, they didn't complain when it was raining and even when their feet got wet, they just made a note on that and we were so fortunate that the next day after the r
ain, some sun always appeared to dry our shoes again. There was no signal all over the way which was just so great, you found out that you really do not need anything else in your life than those who are closest to you. We were sleeping long hours in the night, all happily falling asleep at 9 pm and waking up at 7 (also there were some waking ups thanks to the light because the night is only short from 22-4 and very light). We were crossing many moving bridges, springs (also one river where Jan had to take the kids on his shoulders because it was not possible to manage without getting wet shoes and his were the most waterproof), waterfalls, glacier, washing in springs running directly from glacier, looking forward for our 3 cubes of chocolate everyday, seeing a rainbow and in the evening writing diaries, sometimes playing cards. What was for me the most impressive, that after 5 days Terka finally took into her hand in the evening by herself her diary and finished all the days of vacations which were so far blank and she enjoyed it. Finally, she got the time to think about what she was experiencing and her life slowed down.We had time to talk about everything they did during their days.
When we finished the walk in the 7th day, it felt so easy, last day was like walking for a walk around Prague, all stress and adventure slowly disappeared. But I still remembered many occasions on the way when I was thinking that I am not sure if we can manage, when I felt cold building a tent in the rain and I was hoping for my bed at home, for the safe place where I can hide. I realized a small bit of how tough life in wilderness is. Without any connection to outside world, when you are just dependent on your own powers. It felt impressive, great, but also in parallel a bit scary for someone who is so much affected by civilization. And still we were totally not self sustained. We were not able to fully wash and dry our clothes, we were slowly using our gas bombs, things would need some repair after some time and especially we were using our food reserve from our backpacks - none of these we would be able to fix or refill by ourselves (ok, maybe apart of washing the clothes). 
It was interesting that I managed to keep this feeling of being in wilderness although there were some huts on the way (every 12 km or so), but I just did not take them into account. And the most interesting is that I was able to keep this feeling although it happened to us that we started our walk together with a huge occasion Fjall Raven classics where about 2000 differently skilled hikers were walking the same way in 5-7 days. Fortunately they mainly went quicker then we so we were slowly getting rid of them and we were only meeting few families with their kids (which actually motivated the kids for walking even more). When we found out the day before the start in the train about this race, we were terribly disappointed and were thinking about taking alternative ways and going to mountains but in the end we could not climb mountains with our backpacks and we just walked the way and with the kids it was adventurous enough and it felt in some sense very safe and protected escape to wilderness. If I would be without kids, I would mind way more.
So the conclusions about the trip? Is it possible to walk in Lapland with kids? Yes, it is totally possible. But you have to be prepared and used to heavy backpacks (small kids cannot take much more than their sleeping bag and some clothes) - good news is that you do not have to carry water (or almost none) as there are many springs and all have very good water. You should never underestimate Lapland. It can be very nasty place, full of rain and cold wind, making you feel desperate and lonely. We saw many "racers" especially Japanese hikers who were not well prepared, stopping after ten kilometers with their hurt feet (most probably from new shoes), people flying away by a helicopter, people who took in the end better hut when it started to rain...You can make it quite easy if you would walk from hut to hut sleeping there, but then you loose most of the experience which makes the trip so interesting. Anyway, if you are prepared and like hiking, you do not have to be scared and you will enjoy the awesome time with your kids and partner no matter what the weather is.
Some things we found important to take:
er another. I feel so overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by sensations which I am not able to process, by duties, by meetings. Like if the whole world would be about rushing from one thing to another so you never get a small bit of time to actually think, to actually feel, to let the experiences move you forward. And I know that my kids feel the same. Full of sensations, not able to actually sit and process what they are experiencing. Not having time to look forward for things which they will do, because their time is so much filled.
In this mood and time we start to think about how we will spend our summer vacations. We all want to enjoy them, I know that I should be able to enjoy just staying in Czech republic somewhere by a lake in a tent, but it does not fully work for me (Germans call it Fernweh). I know that I would like to switch off this instant flow of inputs and that I want for kids something where they can be with themselves and really relax. I wanted to go to Ladakh in India but I know that it would be just another firework of sensations which we would get as we would have in two weeks quickly rush through the places and I am not sure what it would bring to kids or to me. They would just get another item on their list of things which they did during the summer, but it wouldn't get deep to their minds. I think for a while about Scotland, but too much rain and miggies seems too tough to enjoy it. Then Jan comes with the idea of Sweden and Katka proposes Lapland as a good destination. I am not sure if we can make it, what will do there if the weather is terrible, raining and cold? It seems there is not much how to fill the time otherwise than hiking (oh still this attraction focused thinking), but the plan slowly grows.
We buy flights to Nykopping from Ryanair, night train from Stockholm to Kiruna and from Abisko back to Stockholm. If everything goes well, we will go for a week hike (we have 9 days in the plan just as a reserve) and if not, we will have to somehow survive, maybe renting a car or taking a train to some other destination... Preparations have started. We had to buy big backpacks (my old one after 15 years already has too many holes and Jan had so far none), waterproof jackets, impregnation for shoes, new sleeping bag for Terka, bigger pot for cooking (1 liter is not anymore enough for us 4) and all the food needed for the hike (there are some huts on the way, but it is Sweden and it is in mountains so buying food on the way is not really a variant plus it would loose the wilderness feeling :). We know we could go for travel lunches for hikers which would save us some cooking time, but we decided to choose the standard way and take just the basic ingredients to make our own dishes. We ended up with more than 20 kg of food packed for these 9-10 days. We packed our big backpacks so they exactly fit 20kg restriction for the bottom of the plane, rest of the stuff in 4 hand luggage two of which will anyway end up on our backs. 
And how it went? It was awesome. Weather was not particularly great (2 days full of rain out of 7), we saw none of the "attractions" of the place - mooses, reindeers nor aurora, blueberries were quite sour (only in Abisko they got a bit sweeter), mosquitoes really liked our blood, but it was not about any of these things. We were so close with kids, kids were having their backpacks, gone were all their complaints, all their demands. They saw that we have troubles to carry our huge backpacks and they took the trip with its 110 km as their own project as well, they helped washing dishes, building tent, they everyday counted with our 15 kilometers walk (and if they asked what will happen if we don't make it I could always with a calm heart tell them that nothing, because we have 2 extra days for the walk), they were proud of themselves, that they get everyday quicker, they didn't complain when it was raining and even when their feet got wet, they just made a note on that and we were so fortunate that the next day after the r
ain, some sun always appeared to dry our shoes again. There was no signal all over the way which was just so great, you found out that you really do not need anything else in your life than those who are closest to you. We were sleeping long hours in the night, all happily falling asleep at 9 pm and waking up at 7 (also there were some waking ups thanks to the light because the night is only short from 22-4 and very light). We were crossing many moving bridges, springs (also one river where Jan had to take the kids on his shoulders because it was not possible to manage without getting wet shoes and his were the most waterproof), waterfalls, glacier, washing in springs running directly from glacier, looking forward for our 3 cubes of chocolate everyday, seeing a rainbow and in the evening writing diaries, sometimes playing cards. What was for me the most impressive, that after 5 days Terka finally took into her hand in the evening by herself her diary and finished all the days of vacations which were so far blank and she enjoyed it. Finally, she got the time to think about what she was experiencing and her life slowed down.We had time to talk about everything they did during their days.
When we finished the walk in the 7th day, it felt so easy, last day was like walking for a walk around Prague, all stress and adventure slowly disappeared. But I still remembered many occasions on the way when I was thinking that I am not sure if we can manage, when I felt cold building a tent in the rain and I was hoping for my bed at home, for the safe place where I can hide. I realized a small bit of how tough life in wilderness is. Without any connection to outside world, when you are just dependent on your own powers. It felt impressive, great, but also in parallel a bit scary for someone who is so much affected by civilization. And still we were totally not self sustained. We were not able to fully wash and dry our clothes, we were slowly using our gas bombs, things would need some repair after some time and especially we were using our food reserve from our backpacks - none of these we would be able to fix or refill by ourselves (ok, maybe apart of washing the clothes). 
It was interesting that I managed to keep this feeling of being in wilderness although there were some huts on the way (every 12 km or so), but I just did not take them into account. And the most interesting is that I was able to keep this feeling although it happened to us that we started our walk together with a huge occasion Fjall Raven classics where about 2000 differently skilled hikers were walking the same way in 5-7 days. Fortunately they mainly went quicker then we so we were slowly getting rid of them and we were only meeting few families with their kids (which actually motivated the kids for walking even more). When we found out the day before the start in the train about this race, we were terribly disappointed and were thinking about taking alternative ways and going to mountains but in the end we could not climb mountains with our backpacks and we just walked the way and with the kids it was adventurous enough and it felt in some sense very safe and protected escape to wilderness. If I would be without kids, I would mind way more.
Some things we found important to take:
- Food - it is the most essential thing under the sun. As you know from any other trip with kids. Life and days rotate around the main topic - food. If you have enough food to always feed those hungry necks, you will be fine, if not, your trip is from the beginning going to be impossible. It is important to always have a good answer to "I am hungry". As I said, we had in the beginning more than 20 kg of food (big part of fresh stuff we ate the first day) and anything we ate we always split to exactly 4 parts which worked out well. We cooked warm food 3 times a day - Breakfast: 1.5 liter pot full of oats porridge - (5 packages of oats and 2 packages of dried milk taken for 10 breakfasts) with dried apples, nuts (around 3 big packages), cranberries, 100% date paste and avocado sirup. Lunch - we had various of things, we took 6 potato porridge, we had 2 fresh leeks, tortellini, red lentils and tomato paste in tube (we add for cooking then some dried milk), 2 tins of peas (that was not reasonable but kids love them), tuna, sterilized sweet red cabbage and sweet red beetroot in plastic packages etc. so we had awesome lunches - the best is pink or purple potato porridge (mix instant porridge with cabbage :) For dinners we typically made kuskus or pasta with soup (you take some soup like goulash or potatoes soup and add kuskus inside so it becomes a porridge some leek on top and it is quite tasty after all :). In between we had for each day a bar (nut or 100% fruit one, for kids 8 small fruit pure (ok, also too much weight, but you want to have something to make them smile), knackebrot and two packages of the seeds traveling bread, spread and hard cheese (600g in the beginning) and 400g of hard salami. And then the highlight - we had 5 chocolates which means a half per day, so every afternoon, each of us got 3 cubes of hazelnuts chocolate (the last one which was saved as we finished earlier we could not avoid to eat in Abisko in only 2 adults... which was actually the only extra food we got above our totally fair 1/4 shares during the hike) :). In Abisko we had awesome potatoes with meatballs and other cool things like salmon with potatoes and peas which you can enjoy when you do not have to carry all those things on your backs :-).
- Waterproof jackets and shoes - trousers will dry, but without a good jacket do not even try to go to Lapland, you do not want to have wet, frozen and sick kids. We thought we have good shoes, but we should have check better, good shoes are helpful. If there would be a bit more water in the springs to cross, we would have some troubles (although there are many bridges, you still have to sometimes get a bit wet after the rain fills springs :) We found essential also gloves (waterproof would be even better) and a headscarf.
- Motivation - important thing was, that kids took the trip as their own goal, every day they just checked what is the expected distance and then checked if we are already at half. They were so proud of themselves when they made one day 20 km. But be careful, do not destroy your kids too early. We did not mind to stop at 4 or 5 PM when we knew that we already walked our distance, and played cards or cooked, because otherwise they would not be able to walk after first two days anymore. And as much as we found Fjall raven classics race annoying, it definitely helped with motivation, because they saw that some of the "racers" are slower than they are. And meeting few kids with their parents was also good.
- Having a time reserve - we found important that we had extra time so we never had to hurry (and that is most probably why we made it quicker than we expected). We were relaxed, not forcing anyone to walk more and kids just walked because they wanted to make it.
- No signal - let your family (grandparents, etc.) know that you will not be in reach, so nobody gets stressed what is happening...
- Entertainment? - Enjoy time with each other, it is nice to be so close, especially with your kids. We talked about everything although a lot of time was filled with telling fairy tales to Maki (6 years), but fortunately Terka helped a lot and when you walk outside with clean head, you find out that coming up with new stories is quite easy and quite enjoyable (if you can breathe under your backpack weight). Btw..."Wenn Sie möchten, dass Ihre Kinder intelligent sein, lesen sie Märchen. Wenn Sie möchten, noch intelligenter sein, Lesen sie mehr Märchen."– Albert Einstein –...On top we had a gum for jumping, cards, diaries and crayons with papers and activity books for the train (good that we took it since we got 11 hours delay on the way to Kiruna) which turned out to be enough to entertain us for the time we needed. Oh, I should not forget that kids had also each one of their LPS creatures, with which they intensively played especially in the train and in the end of the way they were building houses for them.
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