Christmas In Punta

The winds are still blowing hard in Patriot Hills, delaying the departure from Punta Arenas. Windspeeds can not be more than 20 knots, but at the moment it is gusting more than 30knots and snowing. Webcam from Patriot can be found here: http://thistle.org/wx7/index.shtml As a result, app 50 people are eagerly waiting in PA, and about the same are on the ice waiting to get out. The flight was scheduled for Dec 16, we now are 8 days overdue. So far, there seems to be no window before Dec 26. We spend the the time sightseeing the area, yesterday we went as far south as possible on the american continent; the countryside along the strait of Magellan is beautiful, wind sculptured, rugged and still so colorful. Animals and birds are everywhere, from wild geese to birds of prey, and we even saw sealions playing along the shore. The waiting game is hopefully soon over. Will now go to enjoy some hot chocolate and christmas music on a local café to get some x-mas mood;)
To my family, friends and everyone who reads this blog: Merry Christmas and my warmest regards for the holidays:)

Antarctica Calling

Within days the environment has changed dramatically; I am in Punta Arenas, Chile, waiting for a plane to Patriot Hills, Antarctica. This barren country, home to thousands of both chileans and other folk groups, is more or less the farthest you can go on mainland before hitting the ice capped continent to the south. Although the flight alone to PA took app 19 hours from Spain, it is still more than 3000km to our final destination. Puh... Contracting for ALE, I'm looking forward to 5-6 weeks on the ice, working with medical issues for clients and staff seeking a cold adventure. Currently the weather is to bad so we are shopping, socializing and sightseeing around PA. Today I bought a christmas gift that will be exchanged on christmas eve - our little way of keeping up the tradition...

Rumble in the Jungle

The heat and wetness of the Maldives was in the beginning of November replaced by another form of heat and humidity; The jungle of Brunei. Working as a doc in the jungle is very different to any other environment I have ever been in. Six weeks in different locations, eating mostly army rations, sleeping in a hammock and getting acclimatised to the constant humidity and warm temperatures is something I will always remember as something quite different from the mountainous terrain I normally work in. It is surprising how little hostile one finds the jungle after a while; on the contrary, one learns that these vast rainforests are very rewarding to the person who knows what he's looking for. I have much to learn... The lungs of the earth are massive, home to an amazing flor and fauna and yet so vulnarable. Visiting them in person was a rewarding experience I can deeply recommend.

Diving medicine in the Maldives

A week has soon passed on the Bandos Island Resort, Maldives. This is a stunning island fullfilling all imaginary thoughts one might have about a tropical paradise. Although the weather gods have played with a nice mix of heavy tropical rain, gusty warm winds and scorcing sun, it hasn´t really mattered as the first days were mostly spent either in a lecture room or diving. From today the program has eased up slightly as we start practical excercises. This has also been the first realy sunny day; Perfect;) High season starts in a couple of days, ofte correlated to stabilizing of the weather.
PS: All underwater pics are taken by Maria Jonsson.

High and Low in Zermatt

The "Mountain Emergency Medicine - summer module" was held for the first time in English language in Zermatt last week. Attending was 6 doc´s from 6 countries - a true international team. Themes covered were terrestial rescue, helicopter operations, canyoning, via ferrata and much more. And yes, it was great fun:)

Arête du etellerannet

Per Magne had again a good suggestion. The snow was still deep in chamonix, so again we went towards Annecy to find some alternativ climbing ground. This arete is a classic in the area on perfect lime stone. The approach goes over crazy razor sharp ground with several big caves and holes. The route is 12(8) pitches (5c+), mostly well bolted, but it was good to have a small rack. Another beatutiful day - although not especially high, we had great views to the Mont Blanc range. Tomorrow I leave for Zermatt and the mountain emergency medicine course.

Via ferrata in Thônes

Per Magne is a man of many good ideas. He lives in Chamonix and wants to explore all the steep pleasures of France. As the weather had left a white thick blanket of snow on the upper summits we used the day to vist Thônes, about an hour out of Chamonix. A great day to get some air!

Lazy dayz

The last days has been spent mostly on Elevation 1904, a great little restaurant opposite Chambre. With wifi, good coffee and pleasant music and great staff it works excellent as a field office in Chamonix. The last days has been spent on developing the forthcoming Scandinavian Diploma in Mountain Medicine. A lot of work is still to be done, but it´s gradually taking shape. Right now I´m working on the winter module program - potential diplomats: you have a lot to look forward to! Sitting inside for two days give a bit restless feet. Today I walked from the midstation of Aguille de midi to Montenvers; Mostly a photoday while at the same time getting some air. Recognise the mountains? Per Magne is keen on doing some stuff, we´ll see what the forecast brings - there´s a lot of snow up high already.

Live pictures from Arolla!

Here´s som live footage from the DMM course. Warning: Strong contents - do not try this at home!!!!;)

Chamonix meeting point

I arrived in Chamonix yesterday afternoon. Now staying in Ragnar´s appartment, I look forward to some days of catching up with some "office work". It rains in the valley, which means snow up above. Not great weather for touring, but as always it will get better. Last night I had dinner with Per Magne and Reidun. While we had some beers later in the evening, suddenly Oyvind, Hasse and Lars Erik enters our pub. The world is certainly small! What was starting as a quiet evening therefore ended on a crowded dance floor after several pitchers.

I have bought a back-up phone; for SMS and other short messages I´m now available on +33 632 936 465.

DiMM course Arolla

During 5 days in the Swiss alps, the last course in the UK Diploma in Mountain Medicine curriculum was held in Arolla, a parallell valley to Zermatt. In the charismatic hotel Mont Collon we held base, under Andy´s supervision. Graham led the guides as usual, the staff consisting of Steve, Nigel and u.t. It was a pleasure to see Brian again and along with Andy, the two created medical scenarios in the field. Heatstroke, cardiac problems and a sprained ancel were some of the problems that had to be solved. Two of the nights were spent in mountain huts, spending the day before and after to practice different alpine skills. All were drilled in crevasse rescue, prussiking and other rope techniques. As usual, with Brian on the team, the week ended in the piano bar. Another good week logged;)

Lost phone!

I have lost my mobile phone.
I´m only available on mail for the time beeing.

Crossing the Swiss Alps

My first stop in Switzerland was in Samedan, to visit Manuel Genswein. We had nice day bicycling around the engadin area and had lunch overlooking St Moritz and the Bernina range. He promised me wildlife, and we really got it when we walked into a heard of steinbock. Although it is now hunting season, these majestic animal let us get pretty close as long as we kept a low profile. It is truly amazing how they move in rough terrain - as expert climbers the jump from rock to rock without failing a single step! I also got a nice roundtrip on the Rega base, and over some glasses of wine the ideas are forming for the next JOSMAR. On saturday I took the Glacier express to Sion, by that crossing most of Switzerland from Zürich in the north to the south-western border. It will now be good to have a full week in the mountains!

Gol´s new playground

There is a new crag in Gol. Well, it´s been around for a couple of years, but it´s new to me. Last weekend I had a good session with Bjorn, Per Ola and Jorgen, some of the developers of the crag and responsible for several new great routes. In between cleaning and climbing routes we got to drink a lot of coffee and celebrate Leo´s birthday with Markus and Nina; He´s now 3 years old!

Spanish lessons, tango and more snow

Starting on my spanish course, I moved to the town of Bariloche. Joanna at the Patagonia School brushed dust of some old grammar I haven´t heard of since high school. Small but tough, she guided me and a new friend from New Zealand through the week. Though very short, a week is enough to at least understand basics which was immensly helpful. The rain eventually became snow. With Ramon I enjoyed some beautiful skiing days the last week, although short due to school. Of the extra-curricular activities the school offered was a tango lesson. Feeling pretty good by the end of the night having learned the 8 basic steps, I was heavily put in place watching a couple dancing in St Elmo, Buenos aires on my return. To bad I didn´t have time to practice either tango or spanish any further...