The Team Sherpa Blog

I’ve had some serious bad luck with my laptop, and haven’t been able to post in here for a while. Now to get back on track, I will write some of my thought about next weekends hike to the Vosges.

We are parting with a group of dozen peoples to the Vosges region in northeastern France.  The weather forecast has promised a nice, but crispy springweather, so I think that warm underganments will come in handy. Fortunately I brougt my own ones from Finland with me.  And I also bought with me the best hat ever. It’s got fur in it, and two ears like those of a spaniel.

Hat is very important equipment in low temperatures, because without it, you lose a lot of bodyheat via your head. Pay attention to the materials and the depth of the hat – the best thing is, if it covers your ears from freezing wind almost totally.

We are lodging in a hut, so tents wont be needed. When I first arrived here in France I slept for the first two weeks in my sleeping bag, and when I finally managed to acquire sheets and a blanket, I didn’t even want to look towards it. It really gets your limbs dull sleeping in the same position for a long time. But now I am fully prepared to use it again. And after a decent hike, I tend to sleep like a log (not that I don’t otherwise), so I probably wont be paying much attention to my entourings. Even my very near entourings, including the bag I’m sleeping in.

For a random hiker – like I see myself – a three season sleepingbag is a good bargain. If I sometimes need to go camping when the temperature is below zero, I can loan a better bag from my friends. For me, trekking is most enjoyable from spring to autumn, or when getting to sleep in some kind of shelter. Maybe I will toughen up, when I grow up a bit. As a person or as a sherpa.

Last time I went for a hike in a snowy area I had put too thin socks on my feet in the morning. That was a total mistake, I would have given a decent amount of money of a pair of wool socks. This time I’ll be wiser, and keep my toes warm and my spirits up.

Next week I’m going to report how our trip went, and post some photos. Until then,

Hanna