In the realm of Arctic mountains and fjords, Active Tromso AS provide the most breathtaking and enjoyable adventure possible. In a genuine expedition atmosphere, this is Active Husky Sledding in spectacular landscapes through Northern Norway, Sweden and Finland. Mushing your own sled pulled by a happy and excited team of experienced Alaskan Huskies.
You will be given full instructions on how to harness the dogs and attach them to the gang line, and you will learn the commands needed to steer the dog team. This will make you feel confident mushing your own dog sled for the following 6 days in the Arctic wilderness. We will teach you how to set up and break camp in Arctic conditions which you will find essential skills throughout the trip and proud to take home.
BOOK NOWMeet Your Ultimate Expedition Guide
Tore Albrigtsen entered in the world’s longest sled dog race Iditarod, where he attended and finished in 2006. Nine years earlier, like a true pioneer, he went the same course on skis with one dog. He’s skied across Greenland & climbed some of the world’s highest peaks. He is a man who never sticks out his head for attention or fame, although his track record suggests that he could certainly do just that. He ran both Ultra Marathons and ordinary Marathons. One time Tore ran The Nordmarka Forest Marathon in Oslo and after finishing he boarded a flight to Tromso to run The Midnight Sun Marathon that very same night. With more than 30 years of experience in extreme challenges and long distance sled dog racing Tore possesses natural leadership qualities. He puts the safety and wellbeing of others before his own. Any challenge of nature is first and foremost about Safety! Tore Albrigtsen is a Certified Instructor for glaciers, mountaineering and kayaking.
Example Itinerary:
This can vary due to weather conditions and will be chosen with safety being paramount.
On arrival in Tromsø, we pick you up at the airport and travel 35 minutes to our base in the Mountains where you will be warmly welcomed by your Norwegian guides and family. We will give a full brief into dog sledding and camping in Arctic conditions as well as meet your expedition team mates. You will then meet the dogs who will be with you on the journey through the beautiful Arctic wilderness for the next 6 days. Followed by an evening of authentic Norwegian food and stories of adventures in Arctic Norway.
We wake early for breakfast so we can pack the equipment, including the sledges and the dog teams. We drive 2 hours through scenic fjords and mountains towards Signaldalen. The husky teams are prepared and we take off on the first days journey up to the highlands. The journey takes you through frozen pine and birch forests then off trail through the mountains and peaks. This is one of the more physically demanding days, occasionally pushing the sled up hills helping your husky team through steep climbs. Depending on conditions, a location is chosen for our first camp. You will unharness and secure the dogs, set up camp, feed the dogs before cooking and bedding down for your first night in the wilderness and amongst nature.
After a good nights sleep, its worth a look outside the tent early, to find windswept landscapes and sweet natured waking dogs. We make breakfast within our tents, followed by breaking camp and packing the sledges. We harness the excited dogs and depending on the conditions the next part of the journey is planned. Heading up towards the Ice Valley the journey takes us through varied breathtaking scenery, over frozen lakes and amongst the peaks, the trees are gone and replaced by open wilderness. Reaching the top we’re met with some thrilling off trail downhill slopes with enticing viewpoints. Upon finding a suitable camp, we unharness the dogs with a sense of pride and achievement and set up camp for our second night. Hopefully a little more experienced and finding fun in utilising your new outdoor skills. Including collecting water from a buried river, undoubtedly some of the finest and most refreshing to quench your thirst!
After breaking camp you can’t help but look forward to those precious moments when harnessing the dogs. They have grown to know you and recognise you are one of their pack. Harnessed up, the dogs howl and yap with excitement of pulling the sledges, we continue our journey off trail high within the mountains. Driving through deep snow conditions, over buried lakes and meandering rivers we travel through Norway towards the Swedish border. At this point a few routes could be followed. Should shelter be required, we may decide to follow the base of the mountain range, towards the picturesque forests often referred to by previous customers as Narnia! Finding shelter amongst the birch trees and close to a river for water, we camp for the night.
Now heading towards the Finnish border, we follow the river, a wide and long flat stretch surrounded by valleys. A surreal experience knowing what is below, probably a meter of ice above a flowing river, covered by deep snow that your four legged team find a natural course to pull ahead. After a long day of sledding we finally arrive at Treriksrøysa, where Finland, Sweden and Norway meet. One can decide here, which country to set up their tent! Not forgetting you may find yourself camping on the lake. Feeding the dogs is a rewarding time, being able to show your gratitude for the extraordinary work they do. Followed by dining alfresco in the wilderness! conditions permitting.
Excited and perhaps just a few aches, some technical challenges lie ahead, we drive through deep snow, downhill forests trails, rolling miniature valleys and inclines. An opportunity is taken to stop at a very special place for lunch enabling us to get up close to the frozen landscape, to either appreciate or be curious. Setting off again in this spectacular Norwegian wilderness we continue to practice the skills we are now more confident with. We reach a sheltered area within the forest to gather wood and bark to create a fire for the last night of the journey. We settle down to a warm fire and cook our final dinner as a team, sharing our experiences and achievements. It dawns on us, how proud we all feel of ourselves and our dog teams.
We wake in the knowledge of the technical decent we are about to embark on. Maybe a little nervous but can feel the energy of the dogs who know they are on the home stretch. It’s the last day to harness up the team and pack our sledges. We drive slowly with all we have to give on the breaks. The strong dogs and the much lighter sledges test our competence and new skills to the max. Excited and full of adrenalin, we find ourselves in Narnia once more! Crossing the rivers we finally reach our journey end. Saying goodbye to the dogs is a difficult moment but a proud one.
We are then transported back to Tromso to the hotel, where you can enjoy the first shower in a nearly a week,and head out for a celebratory dinner with your team mates.
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport.
Information
Price: 12,500 NOK, approximately £1,150 GBP with current exchange rate – Plus flights. There are flights from Gatwick Airport to Tromso running on Friday to Friday and are approximately £175 – £250. (except Easter week, you will need to travel one day before and potentially pay extra) We recommend you first try Norwegian Air.
This price includes: Transfers to and from airport, All food during expedition, All camping equipment, hotel room on final night, your expert guides, sleds, your team of Huskies and all outer clothing provided for an expedition in the Arctic environment.
Not Included: Meals outside of expedition, Base layers, sunglasses, sun-cream and wool socks. (Recommended, 2 sets of thermal base layers, 3 pairs of thick wool socks).We will send all participants a kit list on booking.
Fitness Ability: A medium level of fitness or above is required but no experience is necessary.
Expedition Availability 2015:
Friday to Friday: April 3rd – 10th, 10th – 17th, 17th – 24th, 24th – 01st May 2015 and 1st – 8th May 2015
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For general enquiries or questions on availability, please either email info@tomorrowbear.com or use our enquiry form below. Should you be booking your place, we will then advise you to check flight availability to Tromso (TOS). Once dates are confirmed, we will send you a booking form.
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