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When backpacking I like to pick the treats which nature has on offer along the trail. However, this time I went out with Minna from Arctic Sky to pick berries, search for mushrooms, and then create a tasty 3-course meal out of it!

Disclosure: This trip was supported financially by the Arctic Outdoor project. As you know: I’m keepin’ it real and tell you how it is – I maintain full editorial control of the content published on Hiking in Finland. Read the Transparency Disclaimer for more information on affiliate links & blogger transparency.

We rolled into the Arctic Sky parking lot and I immediately felt like this is a good place. Beautiful wooden buildings, a herb garden on the side, and a traditional Kota being built to gather in in the evenings. Minna welcomed us in, and it almost felt like I entered my own home. Minna and her partner Aarno have built this small resort – ten people can stay here – from 400 year old lumber which they picked up in southern Finland and transported here to the far North, and then continued to decorate their house and the Guesthouse in a wonderful cozy style, from the hand-made woolen socks which you can slip into at the door to the beautiful animal prints which give each of the five guest rooms their names. Yes, you can stay at Arctic Sky, but I was here for an introduction to nordic Herbs and then some searching and cooking some wild food, as part of my Polarlife Outdoors experience.

So after a look through the cozy house we shouldered our packs, grabbed each a woven basket and headed into the woods to find some Mushrooms, pick berries, and hike to a Laavu to prepare our findings into a tasty meal.

We hiked on the Ruijanpolku, a trail I didn’t exist, and which is a rather old and long trail. I might need to return to go backpacking on it some day in the future, but right now I was more occupied with finding tasty mushrooms and bilberries for our desert. It’s funny how I can completely can zoom-in on searching mushrooms, and the hunter & gatherer in me is also one which isn’t happy with having a full basket of mushrooms – I always want to find more ????

After a very successful search for mushrooms, and learning to identify a few new ones (that is one of the benefits of going mushroom picking with someone!) we arrived at a very wonderful Laavu next to a lovely stream. We weren’t alone, though – many dayhikers enjoyed this beautiful spot, eating snacks, drinking tea, and grilling sausages. Also, I made a new friend.

While I was busy snapping the next Konsta Punkka image Minna was busy preparing our food.

The smell of mushrooms which sizzle over the fire in a pan is something so mouth-watering, just the thought of them makes me want to grab my coat and head out into the forest to go find some mushrooms!

But while the mushrooms were frying in the pan we ate our starter, which we prepared ourselves from the things Minna brought along. We garnished it with some of the herbs we picked in her garden, and yes, it was as tasty as it looks!

Then it was time for the main course, our fried mushrooms were served with a vegan nettle pancake and some again we could use the different herbs we picked earlier to garnish it. These mushroom pancakes were so tasty that I ate three of them – just so much to leave some space for the dessert!

A lingonberry mousse in a dark chocolate coat, together with a bilberry sauce which we prepared from the berries we picked along the way. Oh my, this indeed was a sweet finish to an outstanding meal! If you now feel hungry – then no worries, Minna is happy to take you out on a hike like this! When you stay with Minna and Aarno at the Arctic Sky Resort you can pick and choose from a great variety of activities, including the one you just read about! I definitely would recommend going with a few friends or the family, that way you can enjoy sitting in the cozy kitchen in the evenings, play some UNO or another board game, and chat while it slowly gets dark outside!

After all that tasty food and the hike back I got a ride to the Wilderness Hotel Muotka, but not to lay down and rest – nope. I did the most typical thing you can do in Finland: Going to Sauna.

Now while I didn’t much enjoy my river crossings in the Hammastunturi Wilderness, at Muotka I even went to swim in the stream several times! I reckon if a warm Sauna and dry clothes are waiting for you, going into a cold stream is less of an issue ???? Obviously going to chill by a fireplace in the sun afterwards makes a dip in the cold stream even less of a problem.

Practicalities!

I stayed in Saariselkä, which is probably THE place to be when you want to explore the North-Eastern corner of Finnish Lapland – or you stay at Arctic Sky if you want to be enjoy a more silent stay. Besides a dozen or more options for accommodation options – I stayed at the Lapland Hotels Riekonlinna‎ – the village lays right at the border of the Urho Kekkonen National Park and is just a short 2 hour stroll away from the Hammastunturi Wilderness Area. This means you don’t need a car to go outdoors in Saariselkä, as you can walk in a few minutes from your Hotel or log cabin to the start of a trail. Here’s the full list of Hotels and Cabins in Saariselkä, and feel free to use that Affiliate Link when you’re making a reservation!

Getting to Saariselkä happens in one of three ways: You drive your car north for a veeeeeeery long time but are mobile there. Useful if you want to drive to different places, but hopefully you’re not alone in that car! The second and best option is to take the train and Bus. Taking the Bus from Rovaniemi to Saariselkä is a short and scenic 3 hour ride, and it really gets you in the mood for the outdoors as you ride past lakes and forests and every so often slow down to let the Reindeer get off the road. Taking an (overnight) train to Rovaniemi from Southern Finland is also very convenient, as you wake up well rested and just a short ride away from your next outdoor adventure. This is also a good way to travel if you want to explore Helsinki before or after a visit in Lapland. Finally, if you come from abroad you also can fly directly to Ivalo, from where you can take a bus or Taxi to Saariselkä.

Saariselkä has for a village its size a variety of different options for eating out, from Anne’s Garden which serves delicious Burgers (great for backpackers who just returned to civilization!) to fine dining at Santa’s Hotel Tunturi and Lapland Hotels Riekonlinna‎ or the tasty Buffet at the Holiday Club. Cafe Porotupa at the market square makes really good coffee (On a side note, I’m always baffled how much bad coffee you get served in a variety of places in Finland, the World Champion in coffee consumption) and also fresh pancakes and cakes. If you rather cook yourself, then the supermarket in the village has everything you need, or if you need to stock-up on dehydrated meals for another backpacking trip then visit the Partioaitta Saariselkä, probably the most-northern Outdoor Store in Finland!

During my visit at Saariselkä I participated in many different Polarlife Outdoors activities, include going to the Sauna and Spa at the Holiday Club, hiking on one of the dozen of trails around the village, visiting the AMAZING Aurora Open Wilderness Hut when you want to see Northern Lights, participate in a wild herbs Workshop, visit a Sauna and going to swim in a stream, or rent a Mountainbike and explore one of the many single track trails and holler with joy when you ride down the fjell! During the next weeks you’ll be able to read more about my adventures in the far north and some of these activities, so consider becoming a Fan on Facebook or Twitter to not miss the next instalments!

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Arc’teryx LEAF Cold Weather System

Spending all your time on money on supplies and gear could be a deadly mistake. Learn survival and prepping skills instead – here’s why…

You’re reading Adapt or die: Why you need more skills and less stuff, originally posted at Graywolf Survival – Emergency preparedness from a Counterintelligence Agent by Graywolf.

What was anyone not thinking?  In fog with no navigation system or marine radio. CHICAGO  —  The Coast Guard located a motor vessel with 49 people aboard after one of the passengers called 911 stating she was concerned that the operator … Continue reading →

On a chilly, rainy summer’s night John and I ventured to the Kananaskis Nordic Spa to see for ourselves what the experience was like. I’d heard many wonderful reports since it opened in the winter of 2018. The spa, fashioned in the Nordic tradition, stimulates your senses with temperature changes (hot, warm and cold pools) along with aromatherapy via the steam room. It’s all set against a gorgeous Rocky Mountain backdrop, only an hour away from downtown Calgary. 

It’s the first Nordic spa in Alberta with one more scheduled to open in Edmonton in 2020 near Fort Edmonton Park. 

This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support.

What you’ll find at the Kananaskis Nordic Spa

Located behind the newly renovated Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge is the 50,000 square foot spa. It features both indoor and outdoor spaces including a three story lodge that boasts massage treatment rooms, locker rooms, a lounge and bistro.

We were there in the evening and only availed ourselves of the locker room and outdoor facilities.

Outside are a variety of saunas including barrel saunas that can seat four to six people, a Finnish sauna and the Banya Sauna. We tried all of them!

There’s also a steam room/aromatherapy room filled with the purifying scent of eucalyptus. Numerous pools across the property include a 12°C plunge pool – which we used four times. It’s very invigorating.

There are a couple of winterized hammocks – big enough for two people. Cozy up and have a nap after all your time in the pools.

At the end of your stay be sure to visit the exfoliation room. Use the scrubbing salts followed by a shower for a feeling that will leave you fresh and relaxed. In total we spent 90 minutes in the spa – and both left feeling rejuvenated and less stressed.

What I particularly liked about the Kananaskis Nordic Spa

I have been lucky to visit a couple of other Nordic type spas – the Nordik Spa – Nature in Chelsea, Quebec and Thermëa Spa in Winnipeg. Both were truly fantastic but…. you had to be quiet.

Sometimes being quiet is great – but at other times – for instance on a girlfriend’s getaway where you’re trying to catch up with friends, it’s a treat to be able to chat. I don’t want people shouting in pools anymore than the next person but I do like to be able to have a conversation without feeling guilty.

Good to know before you go

Guests must be 18 years of age and older.

The Kananaskis Nordic Spa gets particularly busy on weekends and holidays. Check their Twitter page for wait times. At peak times the wait can be anywhere from 2 – 5 hours.

Normally entrance to the spa is $85+ GST per person or $70 +GST if you’re staying at the hotel.

Opening hours are 9 AM – 9 PM Sunday to Thursday, 9 AM – 11 PM Friday and Saturday.

If you get hungry, no worries. The Two Trees Bistro – called the “social hub” of the spa serves small plates and sharing platters along with herbal teas, espresso drinks and even better – wine and craft beers. 

Visit the Kananaskis Nordic Spa website for more information.

If you want to enjoy an overnight getaway with the Nordic Spa just minutes from your bedroom, book the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge. With new nicely renovated rooms, you’re in for a treat. And there is so much to do in this part of Alberta, no matter what the season.

Further reading on things to do in Kananaskis Country

• 8 Things to do in Kananaskis Country in Winter
• Kananaskis Hikes: Don’t Miss Family-Friendly Troll Falls
• Hiking in Kananaskis: The Wasootch Ridge Trail

Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards.

 

 

 

The post A Relaxing Visit to the Kananaskis Nordic Spa, Alberta appeared first on Hike Bike Travel.

Those mylar emergency blankets you all love are crap. Here’s a story of my experience with them in Africa, how they can still be useful, and what I use instead.

You’re reading The mylar emergency blankets you love SUCK – but there’s hope, originally posted at Graywolf Survival – Emergency preparedness from a Counterintelligence Agent by Graywolf.

Security overload leads to apathy. How often do you hear a car alarm go off and roll your eyes hoping the owner would disable the blasted thing before the incoming headache comes a knocking? The primary objection I have to such systems is they work too well. Every week I hear an alarm being triggered […]

This is just the start of the post Security Information Overload: From Panic to Apathy & the Remedy. Continue reading and be sure to let us know what you think in the comments!

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Security Information Overload: From Panic to Apathy & the Remedy, written by Thomas Xavier, was created exclusively for readers of the survival blog More Than Just Surviving.

Every year, about 170 people die in the US due to carbon monoxide poisoning associated with generators, furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, and other fuel-burning consumer products! That’s why every household …

The post Best Carbon Monoxide Detector of 2019 was written and published on 24/7 Home Security.

Below is the first page from the Wild Edible Plant of the Month Club ID Sheet for Ostrich Fern, which is a fantastic and easy to identify wild edible plant available across all of North America.

Considered a rite of spring in Maine, the harvest of wild
Ostrich Fern fiddleheads is a tradition deeply rooted in America’s
Northeast.  Fortunately, the Ostrich Fern
grows throughout much of the eastern and northern states, as well as all
throughout Canada.  It can also be
planted as an “edible ornamental” in almost any landscaping, as long as shade
and water are monitored. (This is something I HIGHLY recommend.)

I have made a concerted effort, over the years, to curate
quite a selection of edible landscaping plants around my home, and the Ostrich
Fern outnumbers every other plant by at least double.  I feast on fiddleheads for weeks every spring
by simply stepping out on my front porch and harvesting my landscaping!

“Fiddlehead” is, of course, a term that refers to the
tightly furled frond that resembles the ornate head of a fiddle.  This fiddle and the stem below it is
edible.  Fiddleheads can be harvested
until they unfurl, but they are best when tightly packed.  The stem is some of the best eating, so be
sure to harvest that as well.  The
average size at time of harvest is typically between 2 and 6 inches in length,
from the top of fiddle to the bottom of stem.

When identifying the Ostrich Fern, there are five main
features to check:

1. There is a deep “U” shaped gutter in the middle
   of the inward facing side of the leaf stem.
2. The stems are smooth and hairless, NOT fuzzy or
   hairy.
3. Look for presence of the fertile spore-bearing
   fronds that grow erect in the middle of the plant.  Although they aren’t present on every plant,
   they will be present on some of the plants nearby.  These will typically be brown in color and remain,
   even throughout the winter. They are often still standing from the previous
   season when the fresh fiddleheads emerge.
4. Both ends of the fern frond taper and the
   leaflets at the base of the leaf are very small (usually 1-inch or less).
5. The newly emerging fiddleheads are covered with
   a tan, papery sheath.

The compound fern leaves can grow to be four feet long and
are one of the most beautiful leaves in the forest.  In fact, I’ve recently pressed a few between
two weighted boards that I plan to frame and hang in my living room.

Ostrich Ferns are dimorphic, which means they have two forms of leaves.  The first is the large green Ostrich frond that everyone associates with the plant.  This one is the sterile leaf.  The second is the smaller, thicker, erect frond that grows in the center of some (not all) plants.  While the other leaves wither away, these erect fertile spore-bearing fronds can be found all through the summer, fall, and winter.

Like learning how identify & cook with Wild Edible Plants? Consider joining us over at http://www.wildedibleplantofthemonth.com. Download the FREE FORAGING CALENDAR by clicking the link below.

Remember, it’s not IF but WHEN,

Creek

The post How to Identify Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) appeared first on WillowHavenOutdoor Survival Skills.