SKIING ACROSS FINLAND (in Finnish – “HIIHTÄEN HALKI SUOMEN” HHS) is the world’s longest guided skiing trek. It lasts 34 days and is about 1,800 km long. Daily journeys are about 57 km on average, varying from 40 to 80 km.
The trek is skied in classic cross-country style. The tracks go mostly along snow mobile routes but in some places municipal skiing tracks can be used. New tracks will also be opened for the trekkers when need be.
The route goes mostly through peaceful forests but also through inhabited areas and even town centres. It also crosses uninhabited wildnesses quite close to the Russian border, wide frozen lakes, and in the very north, the treeless mountains of Lapland.
Varying weather conditions from snow storms to glaring sunshine, from freezing temperatures to the warmth of the springtime sun; these are the extra flavourings of the trek.
HHS in the local UK press
www.burnham-on-sea.com/news/burnham-on-sea-skiing-enthusiast-completes-worlds-longest-cross-count...
Burnham skiing enthusiast is first Brit to complete world's longest cross-country trek
burnham-on-sea.com
A Burnham-On-Sea skiing enthusiast has this week become the first Brit to complete the world's longest cross country ski trek.
Very nice report,I followed all the Facebook reports and photos . I can share your impressions because I did HHS in 2015 ...and than in the following summer I went by bicycle from my door up to the Nordcup and from there down to Helsinki in a similar route like HHS. Such trip are life experiences. But anyway congratulations to the first Brit on HHS 👍⛷
Great Tony! You did it! I liked to ski with you a part of the journey. I hope to see you again on skis or somewhere else 👍
Sorry I did it in 2017
--HIITOPAIVA 33 +2 - APRIL 6, 2019 - REIJO VAPA'S HOUSE
ROUTE: II
DISTANCE: 4K
ACCOMODATIONS: REIJO'S HOUSE
TEMPERATURE: +8C
WINDS: 0M/S
SAUNA RATING: 15/10
SUANA BEER: SANDELS
START TIME: 10:45
FINISH TIME: 12:45
After finishing HHS there is nothing better I like doing than relaxing at Reijo and Sanna Vapa's house in Ii for the weekend. Reijo and I have skied RR and HHS together and it's great to be able to spend time with him, Sanna, and their 8 year old son, Saku.
It's +8C, sunny, and beautiful here so we were able to get a little skiing in at the local track in Ii. And, best of all, have a last makara or two!
Many thanks to Reijo and Sanna for their hospitality.
Jeff
--HIIHTOPAIVA 33 - THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019
ROUTE: NUROGAM TO ARCTIC OCEAN
LATITUDE: NUORGAM 70.4N
DISTANCE: 70K
ACCOMODATIONS: NUIRGAMIN LOMAKESKUS
TEMPERATURE: -02C
WINDS: NORTH 5M/S
SECTION 3 - 717K
TOTAL SECTIONS 1,2,3 - 1740K
SKIS: WAX. IRONED IN KLISTER, VR40, MULTIGRADE COVERED WITH VR40
MY STARTING TIME: 7:35AM
FINISHING TIME: 3:45PM
After a long and arduous Day 32 skiing 82K to Nurogam on Wednesday, the HHS skiers faced one more early start for the 70K Day 33 down the Tana River to the sea on Thursday. Puavo's plan was for everyone to meet at the 58K where we get off the river so we could ski as a group the last 7K climb to the ridge overlooking the Barents Sea. The first skier group started at 6AM and I was last to start at 7:35AM. Nurogam lies on the Finland side of the Tana River, a famous fishing area for Atlantic salmon. Our guesthouse provides guiding services in the summer to these fisherman. In the winter tourists come for snowmobile safaris, northern lights watching, and skiing.
Whereas the previous few days gave us tailwinds, Thursday's weather did a 180 and we had 5m/s headwinds the entire day. Though not exactly strong the winds were a constant impediment and surely slowed down our progress. The snow in much of track was also slower than I anticipated. Temperatures though remained moderate as they have most of the 33 days of skiing and hovered around a little over 0C.
As we approached the 58K mark to get of the river ice the Norwegian scenery became spectacular with sunlit snow covered mountains on both sides of the river.
Those that wanted to swim in the sea picked up their dry clothes and towel and proceeded on the 7K climb to the ridge. After around 1800K it is an awesome feeling to climb the last couple of meters and view the Arctic Sea when you reach the top!
Once there we had congratulations and toasts all around and everyone shook hands and thanked Puavo for getting us there safely. Then, most skied down to the shore and either swam or watched (I'm a watcher) skiers strip down and wade into the sea.
Some jumped in and some were less adventuresome. I dipped my finger in and assured myself it was too cold to swim (and anyway, who knows what's lurking underneath the surface ready to consume unsuspecting skiers like me!)
At the sea we can ski no further and the official ski trek and kilometer countingwas over and we were all given the opportunity to be towed by the snowmobile back to the top of the ridge. I considered this "free ride" but then saw most of the group ski back. So, I did too!
During the evening, we had a farewell dinner and the awards banquet. Everyone received a personalized wooden plaque. There were very nice tributes to Paavo's efforts and thanks to all who assisted this year. Puavo, Jussi, and Masa can be proud of their efforts in helping us all complete a safe and successful journey. It was a very nice way to end HHS. Jeff
PS. Jussi told me that he will take a break before starting to plan the tenth anniversary HHS in 2021.
Thanks Jani. I really enjoyed our time together. You are King of the HHS Double Pole Club. I've got two years to work on my technique!. And, as you have noted, we have videos from Arola. We'll keep in touch. Maybe even more videos to compare "double pole notes".
Thanks Jane and Chris. Will share memories when I return.
Congrats on a great accomplishment Jeff. I am in awe.
Congrats Jeff. It was nice To see again after 2012. We make a bag of skiing memories We all can remember at home. I share one... You are very interested in everything related skiing but especially double poling was a topic during few days. We discussed about it many hours, watched YouTube video made by Aukland brothers, did some practical exercises on the certain shape of terrain. And Best of all, Jussi videorecorded us, Tor-Erik, you and me doing double poling in the cottage in Arola.🍻
Congratulations on completing your journey across Finland, and thank you for providing these wonderful daily reports. Safe travels home.
Congratulation , beatiful photos and impressive reports.Thanks Jeff, I've got a deep memory while followed daily on the HHS website👍👍👍
HIITOPAIVA 32 - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019
ROUTE: SEVETTIJARVI TO NUORGAM - 70.4N
DISTANCE: 82K
ACCOMMODATIONS: NUORGAM HOLIDAY VILLAGE www.visitnuorgam.fi
TEMPERATURE: 0C
WINDS: SOUTH 4m/SEC
SKIS: SKIN
MY STARTING TIME: 8:45
FINISH TIME: 4:30PM
After orientation on Tuesday evening and hearing again about how bad the weather can be in this part of Lapland, and how even when it's terrible it can get much worse,we were all a little nervous. But, the predictions from both the Norwegian and Finnish weather sites were for good conditions including southerly winds, no snow, and morning temperatures slightly below 0C. Fortunately all predictions were correct and our 82K to Nuorgam though not easy went fairly smooth. Fifty or so miles on cross country skis is never an "easy day" but strong winds and blowing snow can easily make it a miserable day. The sun dld not come out until later in the afternoon which also helped keep the mild temperatures from slowing the track down too much.
Ben, Diana, Tor Erik, Upe and I left Sevettijarvi 2 1/2 hours after the first group and did not catch them until we were over 60K into the day. We all agreed that skin skis were the way to go and they worked quite well in the 0C conditions.
Day 32's 82K can be broken down as follows:
10K over lakes and woods, 30K climb to the tundra plateau, 25K descent to an 8K lake crossing, 7K climb to ridge over looking Nuorgam, 2K very steep descent to Nuorgam and our guesthouse on the Tanna River. As we ascended to the plateau the small birch tree forests became less and less dense until they were pretty much non-exsistant at the top and 40K into the day.
At 70N latitude and harsh environment the only trees are what I would call "scrawny" birch trees which do have a name in Finnish translated as "tortured birch trees". Adding to the torture is some kind of larval infection which I suppose adds to their pain.
On a long day like that I consumed all four ham, egg, and cheese sandwiches I carried with me as well as half a giant chocolate bar and two thermos of juice. I was very happy after the last 7K climb to the 80K mark and the vertical decent to our guesthouse in Nuorgam.
Nurogam is a town of 100 people located 70.4N the top of the EU and sits on the Tanna River, a famous Atlantic salmon fishery.
Tomorrow is another 70K day as we reach our destination, a rocky beach on the Barents Sea
Jeff
Suomen pohjoisin lomakeskus - Nuorgamin Lomakeskus, Utsjoki (Teno)
nuorgaminlomakeskus.fi
Nauti joutenolosta, monipuolisesta tekemisestä, tasokkaasta majoituksesta ja hyvästä ruuasta ympäri vuoden. Erilainen, avaran arktinen luonto sekä l&a...--HIITOPAIVA 31 - TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019
ROUTE: PARTAKKO TO SEVETTIIJARVI
DISTANCE: 50
ACCOMMODATIONS: GUESTHOUSE AT SEVETTIJARVI
LATITUDE 69.30N, LONGITUDE 28.35E. ELEVATION 340FT
TEMPERATURE: 0C ALL DAY
WINDS: SOUTH 2M/S
MY START TIME: 9:35
FINISH TIME: 2:00PM
SKIS: WAX - THIN ICE KLISTER BASE COVERED WITH VR40 AND RODE MULTIGRADE.
The schedule for Day 31 was to be onboard the bus at 8AM for the 90K ride back to Partakko where we ended yesterday after the ski across Inarijarvi. By the time we started at 9:35AM I think it was -2C or so. It was to be relatively free skiing today and all the skiers took off as soon as the groomer took of. The faster skiers pretty much skied behind Toni and Puavo's groomer and the rest followed close behind to our sausage cookout at the 25K mark. With light winds from the south and an icy corn snow track the day was really a "rest" day and an easy double pole 50K ski.
I really look forward to the sausage cookouts as it gives everyone a chance to sit around the fire together, relax, and enjoy the day and everyone's company.
Ben, Diane, Upe, Tor Erik, and I arrived here around 2PM and immediately had a welcoming beer, coffee, and sandwich followed by the sauna. Incidentally, typically we are served lunch meats at breakfasts and also use those to make sandwiches for the trail. My sandwiches are typically ham, cheese, margerine, tomato, and hard boiled egg. On a 50K day I'll make two and usually eat one. For tomorrow's 82K day I'll make four and eat three on the trail. I'll also bring 1.5 liters of juice and a large chocolate bar. On today's apre'ski meat tray we also had smoked horse. It tasted just like sandwich meat! I haven't seen horse at our local deli. Maybe I have to ask for it! Maybe not.
Below is an excerpt from "Lonely Planet" about the town or area we are currently in:
The road east from Kaamanen heads along the shore of spectacularly beautiful Inarijärvi to the village of Sevettijärvi (Skolt Sámi: Ce’vetjäu’rr), in the far northeast of Finland. It’s a remote area that merits exploration.
Sevettijärvi is a major village of the Skolt Sámi, who resettled here when Finland was forced to cede the Petsamo area to the USSR in 1944. About 300 Skolt live in and around Sevettijärvi, which has a church (Orthodox, as the Skolt were evangelised by the Russians back in the 15th century), a shop and bar (Sevetin Baari), and a school, whose dozen-odd pupils are taught in the Skolt language. There’s also Kolttien Perinnetalo, a delightful little museum with photos, crafts and explanations of the poignant Skolt history.
Sevettijärvi’s namesake lake offers good fishing, as does the Näätämöjoki and, of course, Inarijärvi. Sevettijärvi also has some excellent, remote, long-distance hiking trails.
Tomorrow is the BIG day as far as everyone is concerned. We ski 82K or 50 miles to Nurogam on the border of Norway. It's sort of 40K up to a barren plateau and then 20K down to a lake that we will cross. Then it's 7K up over a ridge to Nurogam to ski our last day down the Tanna River to the sea. 82K is 10hours of skiing. Weather will be around 0 with winds will be from the south/southwest all day at more than 2-3m/s. Day 32 will be a long and memorable day.
Jeff
Day 30 on Inarijarvi
Day 31- perfect conditions. Weather on the plateau tomorrow looks promising
Go Jeff!!
Diana and I 🤩
--HIITOPAIVA 30 - MONDAY, APRIL 1, 2019
ROUTE: UKONJARVI TO PARTAKKO
DISTANCE: 58
ACCOMMODATIONS: UKONJARVI HOLIDAY VILLAGE www.ukolo.fi
TEMPERATURE: 0C NOON
WINDS: SOUTHWEST 8M/SEC
SKIS: WAX, IRON IN BASE, ADD TOKO GREEN BINDER, COVER WITH VR40
SAUSAGE COOKOUT: 10/10
MY STARTING TIME: 8:40
FINISH TIME: 3:20
As a day on Inarijarvi is 58K on a large open lake and there is nowhere to go for shelter once you are skiing, the direction of the wind has a huge affect on the course of the Hiitopaiva. Winds were predicted to be from the west and southwest all day and quite strong sometimes at 8M/S. When I went to breakfast this morning at 6AM the sound of the wind in the woods was quite loud and I was very concerned/fretting that it might be a very tough day. Fortunately the winds, though quite strong, remained pretty much from the southwest and pushed us across the lake most of the time. Snow conditions on the lake varied from blown corn to wet snow to almost no snow when skiing on the snowmobile route.
As I'm quite tired at the moment the following is my edited 2017 version of today:
"This morning the first group started at 7:10 and skiers followed as they saw fit. The plan was for everyone to make it to the 45K sausage cookout site by noon. And, they did! Jussi towed a sledge with everything needed for cooking Finnish sausages including firewood, skewers, coffee, mustard, etc..
The Finnish method of sausage eating is:
1. Buy some precooked large sausages. I'd like to read the ingredients in these things but it's probably best that I can't read Finnish.
2. Put them on a stick
3. Heat them over the fire until they split open
4. Take off stick. Hold in a napkin. (No bread or roll!) Cover with sweet brown mustard.
5. Eat
I did violate this sacred order today by bringing bread and cheese and making a sort of a giant cheese dog. It was so good I may do it again tomorrow when we have our third and last sausage cookout.
After sausages, it was only a relatively easy 13k of double poling to our bus pickup at 4:00. The bus returned us 90K to our guesthouse in Ukonjarvi. Tomorrow we go back to where we finished today in order to ski 50K and prepare for the famous 82K second last day. Jeff"
PS. Jussi did have some calmer atmospheric conditions later in the afternoon to fly the HHS drone. These videos will be published soon on the HHS Facebook page.
--HIITOPAIVA 29 - SUNDAY, MARCH 31, 2019
ROUTE: KAUNISPAA TO UKONJARVI
LATITUDE: UKONJARVI -68.44N, 27.28E. ELEVATION 430FT
DISTANCE: 52
ACCOMODATIONS: UKONJARVI HOLIDAY VILLAGE www.ukolo.fi
TEMPERATURE: -8C 8AM, -1C NOON
WINDS: NORTH 2M/S
SKIS: BASE IRONED IN COVERED WITH VR40 AND VAUGHTI ORANGE. WORKED OK.
Today it was up at 6AM, breakfast at 7AM and boarding the bus at 8AM for the 15 minute ride to the top of Kaunispaa where we started the ski day to Ukonjarvi. We are back on the regular HHS schedule after our three day "free ski" at Saariselka. Tomorrow is the the 58K crossing of Inarijarvi. Weather today was -6C or so with mild headwinds and some snow during the day. Beginning with a 3K drop down the mountain, our track took us back up a 2K climb to the top of the adjacent tunturri, Palotunturri or Burn Mountain. The sun was bright and skies blue most of the day day for our entire route through some beautiful Lapland forests. Our snowmobile driver, Toni, did a great job of grooming this snowmobile route. The two very steep descents along the way were very skiable. Once we got to the 23K point the route was downhill for another 10K to Ivalojoki or Ivalo River at around 33K. After 7K on the river we were in downtown Ivalo, climbed the river bank, and stopped by the Ivalo Hotel for coffee and carrot cake. Then, skied the balance of the 52K back to the guesthouse at Ukonjarvi on snowmobile trails and roads.
Tomorrow, Hiitopaiva 30, is one of the "big" days as we spend the entire 60K on Innarijarvi, the largest lake in Finland. The temperatures will be -5C at 8AM going to -1C by noon. Winds however won't be quite so favorable. Depending on the forecast they will be W or SW at up to 6M/S. We are going north. Could be a problem! We'll see.
Skiers are to be prepared with windproof pants and jackets. One of the highlights of the day besides finishing will be the traditional stop at an island at 40K to roast Finnish sausages on the fire. Our following snowmobile will carry our packs with jackets, clothes, etc. for the cookout and Toni will make a fire, coffee, and provide reindeer skins to sit on. It's a lot of fun.
Jeff
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