Overland Scandinavia

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I spend a lot of time in northern Sweden in the summer so cannot comment on winter too much suffice it to say that from my chums up there it can be very wet and sometimes snowy -an overnight fall of 1 metre is quite normal. Most, if not all cars have a heater point as most shops/hotels and car parks have electric points to plug into so the car does not freeze up. Never seen one in Uk but might be a useful addition. at the time you are going.
Up north the snow can linger into june on the mountains but certainly into April. There was still snow on the border in August this year although none on the roads. Norways roads are good but don't go in a straight lines as you can see from the map, which cuts your average sped down considerably. Speeding fines are very heavy. In fact Norwegians caught speeding in Sweden think their fines are good value for money :D:D.
Esbjerg is a long way down for Norway, if you pm me I can get you to Gothenburg which reduces the drive to the border by about 4 or 5 hours and possibly cheaper. You also don't have to cross the bridge to Sweden which I think now costs about 50 euros :eek:.
Green lanes in Sweden are really the forest roads and can be rough although not excesively so for a LR. Always watch out for the arge rocks covered by grass in teh middle. Remember forest roads are often only used by very heavy forestry vehicles when they can be very challenging.
No real restrictions on camping, in sweden you can camp anywhere for 24 hours. If it is obviously near or on a farm or dwelling then it is polite to ask. Camp sites early on in the year may be closed apart from areas where winter sports dominate.
Instead of Norway coastal route try up through the centre of Sweden via Ostersund, Lycksele and Sorsele to Mo-i-Rana on the Swedish/Norwegian border. Then trip across the Sami peoples land to Finland and Russia.
One tip is to visit Lidl or Aldi and stock up on beer and whisky this always helps lubricate the locals. With Whisky at £50 a bottle for something like Glenmorangie it could be very much appreciated as a thankyou for helping with a breakdown :beer2:. Good value for money are reindeer skins for sleeping on instead of mats. I have done it on tundra in the mountains and they are very warm.
All the best
 
£50 for a bottle of whiskey!!!!!!!!!!! Cruel. As per Foss, thanks for the update Pikefly. Very useful info.

Ryder - you could just take 5-year old? - no conditions?:). Reckon you must be doing something right with Kai - a real credit. Will get you to remind our kids how lucky they are when they turn into spotty teenagers and start blaming us for their downfall, awful life and times stuck on the road (uuugggh! with their parents!) - we're getting them while their young enough not to know any better meantime (he! he!).
 
Foss/all,
Have been doing a little bit of research. Found this useful post on Hubb - very old but still relevant/interesting. Lots of stuff on routes, dirt tracks, road conditions, ferries which are all probably still relevant today. Appreciate the UK ferry gone. Otherwise much else should be unchanged. Gets interesting around post no. 18 onward but all of it interesting. Further on some recommends for contacts for more detailed route/possible off road info. Reckon alot of these contacts including Hubb probably still around to ask questions. Lots of photos/links etc.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/route-planning/uk-to-norway-advice-needed-1901
 
Hiya
good work-some weekend reading then!
I've found a good book by the same publishers as the Morocco guide I got. You may have seen it already-Trailblazers-Norways Arctic Highway; not sure how much of the other Scandinavian countries it covers yet. I also got a Norway/Denmark/Sweden Michelin paper map which has been useful for working out a rough route...I find it a bit easier to work with at first rather than digital versions.
I'm also in the process of planning the fitting of on Eberspacher Hydronic 5 pre block/in cab heater so Ill keep you posted when Ive found a good deal...
 
Have a look at Hubb link versus your map when you get the chance - a detailed recommended route has been included. Not sure if it follows the same path you are planning.

Have been looking at books/maps online but we’ve got nothing yet – need to get ourselves to a good bookshop to get better view of what we want. Will let you know how we get on.
 
More bedtime reading - another useful link - this time re: cold weather camping/clothing/staying warm - might be useful
Cold weather camping - The HUBB

Was trying to find out how to dry wet clothes in cold weather/snow -anyone got any ideas? (apart from obvious - not getting clothes wet or washing them in the 1st place).
 
More bedtime reading - another useful link - this time re: cold weather camping/clothing/staying warm - might be useful
Cold weather camping - The HUBB

Was trying to find out how to dry wet clothes in cold weather/snow -anyone got any ideas? (apart from obvious - not getting clothes wet or washing them in the 1st place).

Place in baking bags and store in the engine bay
 
More bedtime reading - another useful link - this time re: cold weather camping/clothing/staying warm - might be useful
Cold weather camping - The HUBB

Was trying to find out how to dry wet clothes in cold weather/snow -anyone got any ideas? (apart from obvious - not getting clothes wet or washing them in the 1st place).

Nice one-god it looks cold!!!

Ref the drying wet items-do you have 240v power in yours? I had the same thought & was thinking of some sort of small heater/warm box about 1000w. Not sure how I would make it or find one to buy yet though.
Could try this...& manufacture some form of vent to let the condensation out...the first 12v tumble drier!! Now there's a copyright!

Campingaz Powerbox 28L Deluxe Cooler & Heat Box on eBay (end time 28-Dec-09 13:57:20 GMT)

Failing that, make sure everythings around the camp fire before bed-if you can stand the smell of the smoke!
 
Had a look -they also do air-o-dry clothes dryer - about £40 on the market. Decided maybe no. Instead have been learning:

Use protective wets and change out of them each night to change into them next day. Good warm, layered, dry clothing under. (ie. reckoning finally is to don't get clothes wet and probably don't wash them without drying facility to hand e.g campsite)

Winter is usually a dry time and although the clothes can freeze the water will evaporate off them almost as quickly as in summer. The darker your clothes the quicker they will dry. Adding a cup of salt to your load will prevent the clothes from freezing too! (learn something new every day).

Cotton absorbs and holds water, moisture and odours more easily - takes forever to dry - nightmare for drying in wet climes and smells - can't wear for 5 days in a row. Also more awkward and needs care (creasing, rips, shrinks more easily and weighs more).

Better to go for synthetics, nylon. Micro poly fleece - good quality wear no water/wet absorbtion occurs - water/stains bounce off/wipe down.
(have to say I bought an expensive fleece this year from Millets and was dubious but wow what a difference - there is something in you get what you pay for - while OH sodden wet fleece and cold - rain bounced off and kept me warm and dry - don't know what made out of but was magic)

Wear clothes that don’t need to be washed as often. Wear clothes you can wash in a sink and will dry in minutes—not hours. Polyester is great, it feels like cotton, is breathable and is easy to find. Nylon is great for pants instead of jeans, as they dry in no time, won’t wrinkle and aren’t bulky.

(Plus - practical dark coloured tshirts/shorts/socks/trousers – even if dirty – won’t look so bad – can sponge down if needed - worked for us in desparate times this year).

All obvious stuff to many but feels good to list and digest.
 
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