Dog Sledding and Winter Bushcraft
Duration: 6 days
Dates/Period: New Year tour 28.12.10-02.01.11.
Price: £1470/person
Accommodation: 1 night at bushcraft lodge, 4 nights in log cabins and/or traditional tipi.
Required: general good health and level of fitness, minimum age 13.
Bushcraft and survival skills have become extremely popular in recent years, in large part thanks to the television programmes of Ray Mears.
Winter bushcraft is about learning to make and cook over camp fires, identify the tracks of wildlife in the snow, navigate with map and compass, build shelters and use basic tools such as knives and axes.
The study of bushcraft is enjoyable, hugely rewarding, and a valuable skill for comfortable and safe enjoyment of the outdoors.
Combine the excitement and adventure of expedition dog sledding with an opportunity to learn and practise bushcraft skills, including cooking over open fire and identifying tracks of wildlife in the snow.
Dog Sledding and Winter Bushcraft is a New Year husky holiday in the company of bushcraft guide. It is an ideal tour for solo travellers, couples, groups of friends or active families with older children who love the outdoors.
Your husky sledding and bushcraft experience begins with an evening at the bushcraft camp in Gällö, relaxing with a wood-fired sauna and lakeside hot-tub and looking ahead to your days in the mountains of Jämtland. The following morning you will meet your dog team and be instructed in how to harness the dogs and handle the sled, before heading off into the hills. Each participant will drive their own dog sled with team of 4-5 Alaskan Huskies.
Over the next few days you will become a confident and skilled musher, as you learn the ways of your dogs and become more adept at handling the dogsled. Accommodation is in a combination of cabins and (if weather conditions permit) traditional tipi with wood-burning stove. You also have the option to build a snow-shelter for the night.
You will have the chance to learn the art of cooking over open fire using a "Dutch oven" (a heavy metal pot) and in the evenings explore the winter landscape around your camp on home-made snowshoes and learn a little about the thousands of stars in the sky above you.
During your tour your days on the trail will be a combination of point-to-point sledding and the chance to travel fast, light and luggage free on a dog sledding day tour from your base, before spending the afternoon searching for animal tracks in the snow and learning to identify the signs left by some of the animals which inhabit the area. Tracks you may see include elk, ptarmigan, pine marten and capercaillie.
By the end of your dog sledding and bushcraft tour in the mountains of Jämtland, you will have learnt to handle your own dogsled, forged a strong bond of friendship with your dog team, and acquired some essential skills for making travelling in winter conditions comfortable and enjoyable.
Interested in summer bushcraft? See also: Bushcraft Canoe Tour on Revsund and Family Bushcraft Adventure
Not sure which of our dogsled tours is best for you? You can compare our range of dog sledding holidays in Sweden here.
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For the latest news and discussions on outdoor experiences in Sweden visit our blog at www.wildsweden.co.uk
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Comments on Dog Sledding and Winter Bushcraft:
"Everything superseded our expectations...[our hosts] made our holiday, they were so welcoming, kind and informative. I cannot praise them enough. This can also be said of Wilbur, the gentleman whose dogs and sleds we used. My family and I feel like we have made new friends rather than recieved a service from a provider." Tony, January 2010
"I have never felt so well-prepared for a holiday. You gave lots of relevant information and it was all correct. In particular the help with travelling to and around Sweden was excellent. [The highlight was] everything about the dogs! But also an unexpected New Year's Eve party arranged by the musher and the chance to meet local Swedes and learn about their village and customs...We had a fantastic time on the trip (best holiday we have ever done!!!) and just quickly want to sing the praises of Mikke, Vilbert and Geerd, who were our guides. They were truly brilliant and we are missing their company, and the dogs of course..." Jo and Dave, New Year tour 2008/2009
"Extremely happy with the trip, especially the dog sledding, and the guides were brilliant. It was also nice to have a few different activities to do and the bushcraft fitted in well and we really enjoyed it. Once again, the instructor was excellent. It was exactly what we where looking for." David, New Year tour 2008/2009