Fjällräven Classic 2014 Press information 1
Fjällräven Classic 2014 - the 10th anniversary! Press Brief
Contents: e Brand (below), e Event (page 2), e Area and the Route (page 2), A quick guide to Classic (page 5), e Numbers (page 10)
For more information please contact: Andreas Cederlund, Event Manager, ph: +46-70-290 1180, andreas.cederlund@ allraven.se
The Brand - About Fjällräven
Fjällräven is one of Sweden’s most classic outdoor companies and also one of the leading suppliers of outdoor clothing and equipment in Scandinavia. e company was founded by Åke Nordin in the small northern town of Örnsköldsvik in 1960 and has always been run with a passion to make it easier for people to spend time outdoors.
Fjällräven’s outdoor clothing, backpacks, tents and sleeping bags are functional and durable products that are appreciated by outdoor enthusiasts all over the world. Some have become true classics over the years, such as the Kånken backpack from 1978 that today is one of Fjällräven’s most sold products. Other examples are the Greenland Jacket, Fjällräven’s fi rst jacket from 1968, and the Expedition Down Jacket from 1974.
It is no exaggeration to say that Fjällräven has been a part of shaping Swedish outdoor life. Together with the Swedish Tourist Association and the Swedish Outdoor Association, Fjällräven’s innovative tents, sleeping bags, backpacks and outdoor clothing contributed towards more and more Swedes starting to spend time in the outdoors during the 1960s and 1970s.
Today, Fjällräven’s products are sold in over 20 countries, both in its own brand stores in New York, Amsterdam and Copenhagen and through retailers. e company also opened its own online store in 2013.
As a company, Fjällräven makes every eff ort to act responsibly towards people, wildlife and the environment and to encourage people to take an interest in outdoor life. Fjällräven Classic and the winter dogsleding event Fjällräven Polar are the company’s two biggest events that are organised with the aim of increasing interest in and spreading knowledge of the environment and outdoor activities.
Fjällräven is part of the Fenix Outdoor Group along with sister companies Naturkompaniet, Primus, Brunton and Tierra. Fjällräven Classic 2014 Press information 2
The Event – About Fjällräven Classic 2014
In August 2005, the starting signal went for the fi rst offi cial Fjällräven Classic. e group of 160 curious trekkers had the same amount of enthusiasm and joy about them as the signifi cantly larger starting fi elds in later years. No one could have dreamed that Fjällräven Classic would grow as quickly as it did – by the fourth year it had reached the maximum capacity of 2 000 participants.
e route between Nikkaluokta and Abisko has long been one of the most popular trekking trails in the Swedish mountains. It passes by the foot of Mt Kebnekaise, Sweden’s highest mountain, and travels through green valleys, past breath-taking mountains, crystal clear rivers and towering peaks all the way up to Abisko Tourist Station. For ten years now, Fjällräven Classic has made all of this a little more accessible by off ering organised logistics, checkpoints, food depots and support along the way. In total 15,481 people have started the trek from Nikkaloukta to Abisko during the fi rst nine years of Fjällräven Classic. Together, the participants who have crossed the fi nish line in Abisko have walked 1 397 770 kilometres. In 2014 we are adding approximately 2 000 walkers and 220 000 km to these totals.
ere is one man who has been with us every year; Filip Hedberg. He has signed up again and plans to be on the starting line in August this year as well – for his tenth trek with us. Filip, like most of the other trekkers we have spoken to, says that it is the fellowship and the experiences that you share with others that make Fjällräven Classic so special. Together everyone experiences the same thing, but in diff erent and very personal ways. It gives a visit to the mountains a greater dimension.
is makes us at Fjällräven very happy. From the fi rst event in 2005 our aim has been to make it easier for more people to experience one of the world’s most beautiful areas. A trek of 110 km gives you time to talk about a lot of things, or spend valuable time quietly in the company of your own thoughts. All variations are possible. The Area and the Route
Kiruna With its 19,447 square kilometres, Kiruna Municipality is half the size of the Netherlands that has a population of over 16 million. In contrast to this, Kiruna Municipality is home to just over 23,000 people who have almost one square kilometre per person. More than 18,000 of them live in the town of Kiruna while the rest of them live in the countryside in about 50 villages.
e city of Kiruna was founded nearly 120 years ago. It grew slowly before its population exploded due to mining. e mine and the company LKAB, now the world’s largest underground mine, employs more than 3 500 people in the region. Fjällräven Classic 2014 Press information 3
But there is more to Kiruna than just mining; it is also a space centre. In 2007, the Swedish Institute of Space Physics in Kiruna celebrated its 50th anniversary. Today there are roughly 500 jobs linked to space operations at the Esrange Space Center, which is located just over 40 kilometres east of Kiruna.
Kiruna enjoys midnight sun for 50 days every summer; from the end of May to the middle of July the sun never sinks below the horizon. e main tourism period, however, is the winter, with Jukkasjärvi Ice Hotel as a key attraction for global visitors.
Kiruna has three native languages with the Swedish, Sámi and Tornedalen Finnish cultures living side by side.
The Sami and Sàpmi Since time began the Sami have lived in a region that now extends across four international borders. It comprises the Kola Peninsula in Russia, parts of northern Finland, the coastal and inland regions of northern Norway and parts of Sweden from Idre northwards. is region is called Sápmi (Samiland). e original Sami area of settlement was even larger, but its borders have gradually been forced back.
e total Sami population is estimated to be 70,000. More than half of the Sami – approximately 40,000 – live in Norway, while approximately 20,000 live in Sweden, 6,000 in Finland and 2,000 in Russia.
Reindeer husbandry is a core Sami occupation, but nowadays more and more Sami are involved in tourism, food production and other sectors. Reindeer husbandry itself has been transformed by new technologies and tourism and other new indus- tries are liable to encroach on the land that is needed for reindeer grazing.
e Sami is one of the world’s indigenous peoples. In 1977 e Swedish Government recognised the Sami as an indigenous people in Sweden. ere is a self-government organ, a Sami parliament, in Sweden, Norway and Finland.
Along the trail of Fjällräven Classic the participants will have contact with the Sami people, their culture, buildings and camps used for reindeer herding. Reindeer are often spotted on the hillsides.
Kungsleden - The King’s trail e King’s Trail is an almost 450-kilometre long adventure that the Swedish Tourist Association constructed at the beginning of the 1900s. Footbridges, bridges and trails make the trail safe and STF huts are never far away. Fjällräven Classic 2014 Press information 4
Along the entire route, the vastness of the region strikes visitors and creates unfor- gettable memories. Deep precipices line lush mountain moors and rippling moun- tain streams become foaming rapids. You can begin and end your hike at Abisko, Nikkaluokta, Saltoluokta, Kvikkjokk, Ammarnäs or Hemavan. Choose an area depending on the type of hiking and landscape you would like to trek through.
e stretch covered by Fjällräven Classic between Abisko and Nikkaluokta is both the most alpine and most popular section of the King’s Trail. Kebnekaise’s white peaks provide an added attraction.
The Fjällräven Classic route
Nikkaluokta (start) e fi rst inhabitants came to Nikkaluokta in the beginning of the 19th century. ey were reindeer farmers, “njargajohtti”, who had lost their herds during harsh winters and were looking for other sources of income. “Nikkolahti” (Nikkaluokta) was the right place. Here they could fi sh and hunt, and therefore it became their home. Nikkaluokta is situated at a junction of three valleys and for a long time it has been the gateway to the magnifi cent Kebnekaise massif.
Kebnekaise Mountain Lodge (checkpoint) Kebnekaise has two peaks, the southern and the northern peak. e southern peak is the highest and is covered with Sweden’s only summit glacier. e height of the peak varies according to the thickness of the glacier. Today, the offi cial height of Keb- nekaise is 2102 metres above sea level. e northern peak is solid rock and reaches 2097 metres above sea level. e checkpoint at Kebnekaise closes on Monday Au- gust 11th at 12:00.
Singi (checkpoint) e Singi Mountain Hut is located where the valleys Ladtjovagge and Tjäktjavagge meet. From Singi you will follow the King’s Trail (Kungsleden), a 440 km long trail between Hemavan to the south and Abisko to the north. e checkpoint at Singi closes on Tuesday August 12th at 12:00.
Sälka (checkpoint) e Sälka Mountain Hut is located at the crossing of Tjäktjavagge and Räitavagge. Enjoy the majestic scenery and the wonderful wood-fi red sauna by the river. e fi rewood you have to chop yourself! Food refi ll. At Sälka checkpoint you can re- plenish your food and gas supplies. e refi ll station opens on Saturday August 9th at 16:00. e checkpoint at Sälka closes on Wednesday August 13th at 12:00.
Tjäktja (checkpoint) Now you have passed the highest point of the King’s Trail, the Tjäktja Pass, at 1140 metres above sea level. e trail now descends 600 metres down to Abisko. e checkpoint at Tjäktja closes on ursday August 14th at 12:00. Fjällräven Classic 2014 Press information 5
Alesjaure (checkpoint) e Alesjaure Hut off ers a magnifi cent view and a hot sauna. Your closest neighbour is Alisjavri Sami Village. Food refi ll. At Alesjaure checkpoint you can replenish your food and gas supplies. e refi ll station opens on Sunday August 10th at 16:00. e checkpoint at Alesjaure closes on ursday August 14th at 18:00.
Abisko Tourist Station (fi nish) e fi nish at Abisko Tourist Station is located in the Abisko National Park, which has several places well worth seeing. From the station, you can see both the U-shaped silhouette of Lapporten and impressive views of Lake Torneträsk. e fi nish at Abisko closes on Friday August 15th at 13:00.
A Quick Guide to Classic
Safety tag All Fjällräven Classic participants must have a Safety Tag attached to the top of their backpack so they can be identifi ed. e Safety Tag also serves as an aid to attract attention in the event of an emergency.
Hiking Pass Each participant must carry a Hiking Pass during the trek. An offi cial will note the start time and fi nish time in the pass. At each checkpoint the Hiking Pass is stamped with a unique stamp. At the fi nish the pass will be checked for all check- point stamps.
The Route e route is marked with painted rocks and posts. e orienteering along the route is easy. Often the summer route runs parallel to the winter trail that is marked with special “trail crosses”. Where the summer and winter trails diff er, the winter trail is not recommended for summer walks.
Food and Gas Refi ll Food and gas supplies (no petrol or methylated spirits) may be replenished at check- point Sälka and checkpoint Alesjaure. e refi ll station in Sälka opens on Saturday August 9th at 16:00 and the refi ll station in Alesjaure opens on Sunday August 10th at 16:00.
Checkpoints At every checkpoint you will fi nd Fjällräven Classic offi cials in big tents that have 24h service. It is the participant’s responsibility to get their Hiking Pass stamped by an offi cial. Fjällräven Classic 2014 Press information 6
Guest Book At every checkpoint there will be a guest book so that participants can provide in- formation on what time they passed the checkpoint.
Sleeping Accommodation Participants are free to camp anywhere they want along the route. However, they must respect the safety distances (due to the fi re risk) when camping next to the cabins of the Svenska turistföreningen (Swedish Tourist Association) e check- point offi cials have information concerning safety distances.
Shortly after checkpoint Kieron, participants will reach Abisko National Park. Camping and campfi res are only permitted in designated areas within the park (around the Abiskojaure Cabins and at a special tent location near Nissanjåkk, fi ve kilometres south of Abisko Tourist Station). ese regulations must be observed. Camping outside these areas is strictly forbidden.
Waste Disposal and Littering All waste produced during the trek must be carried in the specially provided Trash Bag, which can be disposed of at the fi nish. It is strictly forbidden to litter or leave waste along the trail or at the checkpoints. Everyone is encouraged to primarily use the toilets available at checkpoints and shelters along the trail. If you cannot wait until the next checkpoint, faeces should be covered with stones and toilet paper should be burnt.
Trekking with Dogs Dogs are to be kept on a leash at all times.
Water Drinking water can be found in streams and tarns along the walk. Avoid water from small pools of still water.
Sunrise and Sunset In the middle of August the sun rises at approximately 04:00 and sets at 22:00.
Safety & Medical Care e majority of the Fjällräven Classic route has no cell phone coverage and no access for land vehicles. In the case of an injury or illness - contact the offi cials at a checkpoint.
e route normally has no diffi cult or dangerous passages. Caution is recommended in the case of fog and during or after heavy rainfalls as this will result in elevated water levels in streams. Eat and drink well to ensure you have enough energy and to avoid headaches.
Be careful with hygiene when taking care of wounds, use plenty of clean water and soap to rinse wounds or when treating blisters. Fjällräven Classic 2014 Press information 7
A nurse or doctor will be available at each checkpoint and at the fi nish. ey are equipped with a limited amount of fi rst aid products and medications. e staff at each checkpoint can also contact the fi nish in Abisko in cases related to medical care.
In exceptional cases, such as serious injury/illness, helicopter evacuation is possible. To minimise helicopter traffi c in the area, or in the case of bad weather, evacuation in non-emergency cases may be postponed until a suitable time can be established.
Abandoning the trek If a participant abandons the trek, they will still have to walk to Abisko or return to Nikkaluokta. Contact must be made with an offi cial at a checkpoint or in Nikkaluokta. Participants may also call the contact phone number at +46 (0)73 832 41 20.
Fjällräven offi cials will remain in Nikkaluokta after the start of the trek. Participants returning to Nikkaluokta may contact these offi cials to arrange the transport of their luggage from Abisko to Scandic Hotel Ferrum in Kiruna.
Luggage is transported twice daily, meaning that luggage may not arrive until the following day.
Time limit ere is no formal time limit for participants to fi nish the Fjällräven Classic. However, the staff along the trail are relieved at regular intervals during the week.
e fi nish in Abisko closes at 13:00 on Friday 15th August. After this time participants can obtain their last stamp and medal from the reception at the Abisko Tourist Station.
Finish e fi nish in Abisko has 24h service and it is possible to check out luggage at any time. ere are hot showers and a sauna (fees apply).
The Fjällräven Classic medal All participants completing Fjällräven Classic will receive a gold medal at the fi nish.
Trekkers Inn At the fi nish there is an outdoor pub, Trekkers Inn, that provides food, drinks and music. is is the given hang-out for participants of Fjällräven Classic.
Mandatory equipment • Tent* or part in tent alternative waterproof sleep coverage or wind sack • Stove* and fuel* • Sleeping mattress (minimum 5 mm thick, at least as long as your back) • Sleeping bag (not sleeping bag cover) • Map and compass • Fjällräven Classic Trash Bag Fjällräven Classic 2014 Press information 8
• Hat • Gloves • Long sleeve top of thermal material, e.g. down, fl eece or wool • Long underpants for a dry change • Windproof pants • Wind/waterproof jacket with hood • First aid kit* (elastic bandage, blister pads, compresses and tape)
* Equipment (marked with *) may be shared with another participant. At check- points and the fi nish the maximum time diff erence allowed between participants sharing equipment is 15 minutes.
Accommodation Accommodation has to be in tents during the event. e distance that is required for safety reasons between the tents and the Swedish Tourist Association’s cabins and the camping restrictions in Abisko National Park have to be respected.
Participants are allowed to: • Seek shelter in the cabins at an emergency situation • Utilise the sauna at Sälka and Alesjaure • Obtain provisions in the cabins’ shops • Visit the restaurant in Kebnekaise and the café in Alesjaure.
Participants are not allowed to: • Sleep in the cabins • Cook in the cabins • Borrow equipment from the cabins
Boat transport Boat transport is not allowed during the event.
Littering It is absolutely prohibited to litter or leave waste along the trail, at the checkpoints, at any of the mountain cabins or at wind shelters. It is advisable to burn toilet paper.
Stamps Stamps obtained in the Hiking Pass from all checkpoints along the trek must be presented at the fi nish.
Violation of the rules
Mandatory equipment: Lack of mandatory equipment will result in a time penalty of 24 hours for each missing item. Fjällräven Classic 2014 Press information 9
If the time diff erence at a checkpoint or fi nish is more than 15 minutes between two participants sharing a tent or stove, it will be considered as lack of mandatory equip- ment, resulting in a 24-hour time penalty.
Littering: Breach of the littering rules will result in an immediate disqualifi cation from Fjällräven Classic and the off ender will be prohibited from participation in any future Fjällräven events. Furthermore, littering will be reported to the police as it is a breach of the Swedish Environmental Code.
Other violations of the rules: Other violations of the rules also lead to the participant not receiving a Fjällräven Classic medal at the fi nish. Fjällräven Classic 2014 Press information 10
The Numbers
72 h 53 min is the average time it takes to trek from Nikkaluokta to Abisko
1 year 2 months is the age of the youngest participant
79 years is the age of the oldest participant
160 000 portions of freeze-dried food has been eaten
30 nations have been represented in Fjällräven Classic
46 percent of all participants are not Swedish
68 percent of all participants are men
223 300 cups of coff ee have been served
125 years is the total time that has been spent on the trail
40 laps around the globe have been walked
14 percent of the participants have done it before (2009-2013)
1 tonne of reindeer meat has been served
120 volunteers work with Classic every year
14 741 participants have made it to the fi nish