Preparing For The Cold

Last year I visited Lapland but never did I know the temperatures would actually lower to -33 degrees this time. Our second week of the trip we decided to go on a snowmobile trip, when the evening set the temperatures got extremely low. Even with decent gear we got to a point were we felt too cold and had to go back to warm up.

Yes, it was as cold as it looks. But with warm clothes and a blanket it was very enjoyable

During our adventure I got to see how important it is to prepare for the cold. If one of your group is not there is no other option than go back and warm up. Once your torso gets cold your body will need to transfer blood from parts of your body like your feet and hands to the important organs of your body. This is why it is very important to keep your whole body warm. Things I would suggest to take with you are wool socks, thermal pants and tops, a balaclava, good winter boots with a bit space for warmth, hand and feet warmers, a good jacket and under jacket, a hat and last but not least good gloves but not the ones that seperate your fingers.

The temperatures in Norway are a lot higher but with the wind and altitude it can feel even colder

If you are into photography I would also suggest taking an extra pair of good gloves as a second layer. Once you are out in the cold it is very important to listen to your body. It is very easy to get affected by the cold and to suffer from frostbite when the temperatures are 33 degrees below zero. The most important thing is to make sure your feet stay dry.

Luckily, as the people in Lapland have been dealing with the cold for so long there are multiple cottages for everyone to enjoy. Beside being able to use the wood and build a fire in them they are absolutely beautiful for photography and if you are lucky you can even see the Northern lights dancing above them!

A perfect place to warm up after a cold day in the snow