The Lofoten Mountains Adventure 2018

Lofoten Mountains Adventure

Join professional photographer Arild Heitmann and mountain guide Odd-Are Hansen on a 6 day adventure through the finest mountain areas of Lofoten. This is the trip for those who want to experience the true spirit of the mountain world in Lofoten. We will spend 5 nights wildcamping in some of the most spectacular areas in the world. The locations we will visit is simply world class and mindblowing.

The timing is set to early june, a really good time to hike in Lofoten. We will provide food and transport to and from the airport. We can arrange mountain tents for those who dont have this already.

If you want to return with unique shots and an experience of a lifetime, then this is the trip for you. A small group of only 4 people makes this a unique opportunity.

GUIDED BY ARILD HEITMANN

Itinerary

Day 1
Your airport of choice should be Svolvær or Leknes. Arild will pick you up on arrival and head towards our first location. This trip is special for several reasons. One of the big advantages is that we will be changing basecamps everyday by car. This means we can store gear and food in the car and only carry enough for 1 day at a time. This makes the backpacks much lighter and comfortable.
On this first day we will hike to a lake squeezed in between jagged peaks. From there we will hike up to a summit that gives the ultimate view over one of the worlds finest fjords. Its breathtaking!

Day 2
After a well deserved sleep we will have breakfast and morning coffee before descending back to the car. We will then go into Reine for a visit at the local coffee shop that serves delicious cakes! Then we are off with a boat to  take us to our next destination. We will camp at one of the beaches on the west side of Moskenesøy. Camping on one of the arctic beaches is an unforgettable experience as well as a rewarding one for photography. From the beach we will hike up to a mountain ridge that gives us the best angle on one of Lofotens most photogenic mountains. This is mountain photography at its best!

Day 3
After waking up to the sleepy sound of waves washing up on the beach, we will hike back to where the boat dropped us off. Once back in Reine we will get in the car and drive a little north. From here we will hike up a mountain that gives us a unique view on the biggest mountain lake in Lofoten. The lake pierces through some of the finest mountains in Lofoten and we have the perfect view!

Day 4
Prepare for a steep, but short hike up a mountain that will give you a view that very few has seen. Its a brutal view towards the peak that i consider to be the coolest of them all. Prepare to be amazed by Lofoten rawness!
We are camping just 10 minutes from the car so its an easy hike with our backpacks.

Day 5
Now we move further north to Flakstadøy. We will make a final hike to a lower sumit surrounded by iconic and jagged peaks which also has a great view over the fjord below. Needless to say, the view is exceptional!

Day 6
After breakfast we will hike back to our cars and head for the airport.

Required Equipment

A full equipment list will be provided upon registration. We will provide cooking kits (we can share between us) and mountain tents. You will need to provide the remainder of the kit yourself. The Equipment we provide is mountain tents from Hilleberg & Helsport. You can ofcourse choose to bring your own tent.

You will be expected to carry all of your own kit, including the tent.

We will provide basic food for the trip. This will be Drytech high quality freeze dried food in portion packages. We set up food bags for every day that have enough calories to keep you going throughout the entire trip. There will also be a surprise or two in this regard.

Fitness & Weather
This trip requires a certain degree of fitness. Although there is no actual climbing and no technical routes, the distances and amount of ascent on certain stages can be a challenge for the uninitiated. This route is suitable for hikers who have been up a few mountains. If in doubt please contact us. If you have any ongoing injuries (knee, ankle etc) this route is not suitable.

The month of june is normally a perfect time for mountainhikes in Lofoten. We hope for excellent weather and great light, but in the mountains everything is unstable. The only thing certain is that nothing is certain. We will continue to hike in most weather, it will still be fun! If we get clouded in we have alternative routes going lower in the mountains. In Lofoten there are alternative locations all over.

Frequently Asked Questions

What level of photography is required ?

All of ours tours, workshops and masterclasses are open to beginners as well as professionals. Our only criteria is that you have a great passion for photography, and have the energy and motivation to be on the go every day and night.

Will I see and photograph the Northern lights?

No. Aurora season is from late August to early April. What we will get is soft, golden light that lasts for hours. 

What kind of weather can I expect ?

The weather and climate in northern Norway is renowned for being extremely unpredictable because of it’s many local weather systems. This means conditions can change within minutes and kilometres, also resulting in very dramatic light and photographic opportunities. Lofoten has a much milder climate than other parts of the world at a similar latitude, such as Greenland and Alaska. This is due to the temperature of the water of the Gulfstream. The coastal climate results in mild winters and cool summer temperatures. Traditionally, January and February are the coldest months with an average temperature of -1 degrees celsius. In june however, the average temperatures are aprox 10-15 degrees celsius

What camera gear should I bring?

At the very least, bring your own camera, lenses, tripod and a laptop. A detailed list of recommendations will be provided upon registration. If you are considering upgrading or investing in new camear gear prior to the trip, feel free to ask us for advice.