Category Archives: Fire&Ice17

Our 2017 trip to climb and ski in Sweden and Iceland

Making the List: 90 Great Canadian Explorers

Posted on February 10, 2020 by TA Loeffler

I am humbled once again to be recognized by the Royal Canadian Geographic Society by my inclusion in their 90 Greatest Canadian Explorers List. Of course, whenever a list is made, many noteworthy, awesome, & deserving folks are left off … Continue reading →

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I’m Always Climbing A Mountain or “How I climb anything is how I climb everything…”

Posted on June 11, 2017 by TA Loeffler

If I said to you that I was following an exercise program with discipline, eating food of the highest nutritional quality, making sure that I’m getting lots of sleep, doing lots of body care, and seeing progress each day, what … Continue reading →

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Fire and Ice 2017: Time Flies

Posted on April 16, 2017 by TA Loeffler

Today we travelled from Vik to Reykjavik. Vik means bay so when you see Vik in a name it likely is on a bay on the coast. This is the famous hole in the wall near Vik. We reached this … Continue reading →

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Fire and Ice 2107: More Ice than Fire

Posted on April 15, 2017 by TA Loeffler

It was another full day exploring the sights between Vagnsstaðir and Vik. We spent much of the day marvelling at the ice in all of it’s forms. Glacier tongues, lagoons, and crevasses drew our attention over and over again. I … Continue reading →

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Fire and Ice 2017: You Gotta Know when to Fold ‘Em

Posted on April 14, 2017 by TA Loeffler

Hey Hey, as they say in Sweden. This will be quick. We’re down safe, we’ll fed, and ready for bed after getting up at four followed by a 13 hour climb. We reached out turnaround time without reaching the summit. … Continue reading →

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Fire and Ice 2017: Brief Update

Posted on April 13, 2017 by TA Loeffler

A day filled with lots of ice! Glacier ice A busy day moving across southern Iceland to be in place for the big climb tomorrow. Up at four am so hitting the hay. More tomorrow after a big big day … Continue reading →

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Fire and Ice 2017: Transitioning to Iceland

Posted on April 12, 2017 by TA Loeffler

After a appetizer visit to Stockholm, we spent much of the day transitioning to Iceland. Keflavik Airport kept us longer that we wanted but once released, we headed for a point of land that allowed us to look west to … Continue reading →

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Fire and Ice 2017: Trains, Trams, and Sunken Ships Oh My

Posted on April 11, 2017 by TA Loeffler

As we returned to trees and rocks and pastures and forests this morning out the train window, Marian and I reflected on our Northern Sweden experience. We shared our highs, lows, and things we learned. Life in Stockholm initially seemed … Continue reading →

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Fire and Ice 2017: Transition from Mountains to Villages

Posted on April 10, 2017 by TA Loeffler

Today is a transition day from the mountains through villages to the train that will take us far from snow and ice for a few days. We took the scooter from Kebnekaise to Nikkaluokta this morning. It took about an … Continue reading →

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Fire & Ice 2017 Day 9: Kiruna to Stockholm

Posted on April 10, 2017 by TA Loeffler

Today after our overnight train ride, we will explore Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. Did You Know? Volvo, a Swedish company invented the 3-point seat belt system, and instead of patenting it to make their own company a lot more … Continue reading →

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Fire and Ice 2017: Up Close and Personal with Some Ice

Posted on April 9, 2017 by TA Loeffler

Today was an ice day. We skied down the scooter track a ways and then cut right to ski up to an ice filled canyon. First, though, we had to find a snow bridge over an open stream. As we … Continue reading →

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Fire & Ice 2017 Day 8: Kebnekaise to Nikkolauda to Kiruna

Posted on April 9, 2017 by TA Loeffler

Today we will head out from Kebnekaise Mountain Station to Nikkolauda. There, we will catch a bus that will take us to Kiruna. There, we will catch a train to Stockholm. Did You Know?

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Fire and Ice 2017: Lots of Ice (and some fire)

Posted on April 9, 2017 by TA Loeffler

Today we said good bye to our ski expedition teammates. They rode out to Nikkaluokta by scooter, scooter being the Swedish name for snowmobile. Many folks ride between Kebnekaise and Nikkaluokta by scooter taxi while others ski or hike the … Continue reading →

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Fire & Ice 2017 Day 7: Kebnekaise Climb

Posted on April 8, 2017 by TA Loeffler

. Today is the big day. We will try to make our way to the highest point in Sweden, the summit of Kebnekaise (2099 m.). Did You Know? Haparanda in Sweden, and Tornio in Finland, are so close in proximity … Continue reading →

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Fire & Ice 2017: Safe in Kebnekaise

Posted on April 7, 2017 by TA Loeffler

After following the red crosses of the Kungsleden for six days and nearly 100 km, we are enjoying celebrating at Kebnekaise Mountain Station. We had some fantastic weather and some horrible weather. We had to push hard some days but … Continue reading →

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Fire & Ice 2017 Day 6: Kebnekaise Mountain Station

Posted on April 7, 2017 by TA Loeffler

Today we say good-bye to our ski teammates and meet our climbing ones. We’ll do some preparation for our climb of Kebnekaise (2099 m.) as well as rest and make everything ready for the climb. Did You Know? Something that … Continue reading →

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Audio Post

Posted on April 6, 2017 by TA Loeffler
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Audio Post

Posted on April 6, 2017 by TA Loeffler
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Fire & Ice 2017 Day 5: Salka-Kebnekaise

Posted on April 6, 2017 by TA Loeffler

This will be an exciting day as we will see Kebnekaise (2099 m.), Sweden’s highest peak, for the first time. We will be trying to spot the route up that we will use when climbing the peak. Today we ski … Continue reading →

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Audio Post

Posted on April 5, 2017 by TA Loeffler
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Fire & Ice 2017 Day 4: Tjakta-Salka

Posted on April 5, 2017 by TA Loeffler

Today the rhythms of our ski days should be set as we make way from Tjakta mountain hut to Salka mountain hut. Did You Know? In Sweden, the traditional Christmas visitor is the “nisse” or “gnome”, a short, good-humoured sprite … Continue reading →

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Fire & Ice 2017 Day 3: Alesjaure-Tjakta

Posted on April 4, 2017 by TA Loeffler

Today we ski from Alesjaure mountain hut to Tjakta mountain hut. The huts were are using are maintained by the Swedish Tourism Association and help make the Swedish outdoors more accessible to everyone. Did You Know? “Lagom” is an important … Continue reading →

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Fire & Ice 2017 Day 2: Abiskojaure-Alesjaure

Posted on April 3, 2017 by TA Loeffler

Today’s plan is to ski from Abisko.jaure-Alesjaure. We are learning all about the Letter “A” Did You Know? Between 300,000 and 400,000 moose (“Alces alces”) roam the Swedish woods. The moose is also considered the most dangerous animal in Sweden. … Continue reading →

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Fire & Ice 2017 Day 1: Abisko Mountain Station-Abiskojaure

Posted on April 2, 2017 by TA Loeffler

Today’s plan is to ski from Abisko Mountain Station to Abiskojaure mountain hut. It will be our first day out so we must take very good care of our feet since they will be adapting to the large volume of … Continue reading →

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Fire and Ice 2017: Headed Out

Posted on April 1, 2017 by TA Loeffler

Marian and I skied a bit of the rout for tomorrow for today and we’re excited, nervous and now ready to go after a flurry of activity. Our packs are heavy and the next few days will be tough but … Continue reading →

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Audio Post

Posted on April 1, 2017 by TA Loeffler
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Fire and Ice 2017: Our Ski Route…

Posted on April 1, 2017 by TA Loeffler

This map shows our entire ski route from Abisko to Kebnekaise and then finishing in Nikkaluokta.  We will be carrying some of our food supplies in our backpacks and acquiring some items along the way.  Out backpacks will weight between … Continue reading →

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Fire and Ice 2017: Arrival in Abisko, Sweden

Posted on March 31, 2017 by TA Loeffler

Hello from 68 Degrees North! After 45 hours of almost continuous travel, we arrived in Abisko midday. Going directly from the plane to a sleeper train reminded us how civilized train travel is. The extra space and ability to walk … Continue reading →

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A Invitation to Fire & Ice 2017

Posted on March 27, 2017 by TA Loeffler

Marian and I are off on another adventure and we’d like to invite you to come along. We are calling the expedition, “Fire and Ice 2017” and we’re off to points north of here in Sweden and Iceland. The name … Continue reading →

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