BRENNVIK MASSIF PILOT EXPEDITION (JULY)

In this new expedition, we travel to a small mountainous area in the north of Norway to explore the Brennvik Massif. This scenic area which is located close to the wide Vestfjord offers great hikes in the mountains. We will explore trails along beaches, up in the mountains and in valleys with forests. We will also explore areas by boat and with kayaks. We stay overnight in mountain cabins and tents most of the time. Costs are 1275 Euro (9 days).

This is a brand new expedition and we are very enthusiastic. It is a great expedition if you are attracted to mountains, slow travelling and connecting to nature. The scenery is magnificent and the trails are at times challenging, but worth the effort. We like to teach you a lot to give you confidence and an enjoyable time!

THE ROUGH SKETCH OF THE BRENNVIK MASSIF​ EXPEDITION

The walls of the mountains of the Brennvik massif rise out of the sea at the East coast of the wide Vestfjord. Here we find remote beaches, forests close to the sea and huge population of sea eagles. The Brennvik massif is part of  the municipality of Steigen (1000 km2) is located in the north of Norway just above the Arctic Circle. The mountains are steep but not extreme high (1100 meters max), but very impressive. There are several routes that lead to stunning mountain lakes and we plan to stay overnight in tents close to these lakes. In the beginning of July these lakes might be partly frozen and we will have great views.  During this expedition we will explore several routes on different sides of the massif. Some trails go up, others follow the coastline. On other occasions we will use kayaks or boats to places that otherwise could not be reached. We make plans daily based on weather forecasts and your interests and ideas. 

This is a great expedition if you want to get experience in multiple day trekkings and staying overnight in tents or cabins high up in the mountains. You can learn a lot.

FACTS, DATES, COSTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION

Here are the facts of this expedition. Feel free to contact us if you have questions or if you want to discuss your plans. Check also our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for answers on general questions. ​

Dates and booking information

6 July 2019 - 14 July 2019 (9 days)

Expedition name: Brennvik Massif Pilot pilot expedition
Booking code: dutch07D

A similar expedition is also planned in other months. Check the dates!

COSTS 

The costs of joining this expedition is 1275 Euro.

Flights and transfers are not included. Daily expenses like food, drinks, diesel are shared among the participants and the staff. On some days we stay in a cabin. These costs will also be shared. See FAQ for more details about costs.
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LOCATION and how to get there

This expedition starts and ends in a small fishing village named Helnessund in the municipality of Steigen (Nordland) in the north of Norway. There is a good ferry connection from Bodø. This fast ferry (hurtigbat in Norwegian) takes you in approximately 1 hour from Bodø to Helnessund. Daily departures in the afternoon, check the timetable here. It is a 20 minute walk from the airport to the harbor in the city center where the ferry departs.

The nearest airport is Bodø. You can take a domestic flight from Oslo for instance or enjoy a 17 hours train ride from Oslo. Check nsb.no for more information about travelling by train. The so called minipris ticket can be an economic way to travel (only online available and you have to buy it well in advance).

We recommend that you arrive 1 day before the start of this expedition in Bodo and take some time to acclimatize and get rid of travel stress and work stress. We can give you suggestions for hostels or hotels in Bodo if you like. 

LEVEL AND SKILLS

This expedition is suitable for people on intermediate and advanced level of outdoor experience. You need to be in a basic good shape and must be able to do a 2/4 hours hike with backpack in mountainous terrain. If you have problems with your knees then this expedition might be tough. Mountains are steep here. ​There are no alpine techniques involved (ropes and so). You can also join on beginners level, but then you have quite a steep learning curve, but thats no problem if you like it. Feel free to discuss this with us. It is no problem if some activities are new for you. We are happy to learn you the skills needed. Every day starts with a briefing and we discuss plans and what to take with you.

Learn more about level and skills here...
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AccoMmodation 

You will stay on our expedition ship, in (mountain) cabins, expedition tents and a tipi tent. 

It is possible to upgrade to an apartment on days we are not in remote areas (if you need some privacy of time for yourself).
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AVAILABILITY

Yes

Number of participants: Max 6/8.

We like to have an international team for this expedition.

REMARKS

​Great hiking and mountaineering expedition for people that like to explore remote nature areas that are not often visited. We will hike through a variety of landscapes like impressive fjords, dramatic mountains and archipelagos with numerous islands.

If mountain hiking, mountaineering and camp with tents is new for you, then we will teach you everything you need to know.

This expedition takes place in areas that are completely off-the-beaten-track.

gear and preparations

This expedition is organized north of the Arctic Circle. So, you need warm clothing, good shoes and outdoor gear like sleeping bags and more. You receive a detailed packing list after you made your booking. This packing list tells you about the things you need to have and also gives you a lot of practical information. In case you do not have all the gear or if you do not want to invest, you can rent gear from us, like backpacks, sleeping mattresses, snowshoes and more.​​​
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EXPLORING A MAGNIFICENT COASTLINE 

We will use our kayaks and expedition ship eXplore1 to explore islands of archipelagos close to the Brennvik massif. We plan to put up a basecamp on one of the islands, catch ofcourse some fish and cook on a fire on a remote beach. From the islands we have unique views of the jagged mountains. For sure we will get good chances to observe giant sea eagles and other birds. The water is crystal clear with sandy bottoms and the sea often turns turquoise. It is perfect for some snorkelling and get a good view on marine life.

If kayaking or fishing is new for you we are happy to teach you the basics. Did you know that most birds are not scared off by kayaks, so we can get quite close to them as long as we just float and be silent. 

EXPLORING A VARIETY OF STUNNING LANDSCAPES

During this expedition you will explore different areas with unique scenery. One day we are up in the mountains with lakes and maybe a herd of reindeer. The other day you are wandering in swampy valleys, crossing rivers and enjoying waterfalls coming down the mountain. In those valleys there is a good chance for observing moose, foxes and hare. The forests are mostly pine or birch and you can drink the water thats coming off the mountains. 

It is no problem if things like hiking up mountains, kayaking, navigation and outdoor life in general is new for you. We are happy to tell you all about it. Every day starts with a briefing and we discuss plans and what to take with you.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE AREA

nature around the brennvik massif

So, here is some information about the area that we explore during this expedition. The Brennvik massif is located in the municipality of Steigen.  Steigen is 1000 km2 big and has a variety of landscapes and terrains.

The coastline 
The coastline is characterized by dramatic jagged mountains that reach sea level. The coastline has many sandy beaches and very typical are the birch and pine forests that almost meet the sea. There are many islands and islets close to the shore, but also further away. The water is crystal clear and is full of life. It is a great playground for kayaking or (if you dare) some Arctic snorkeling with a drysuit. Some of the archipelagos are nature reserves or bird sanctuaries. There is also a lot of history and remains of older times. There are interesting fjords to explore and just a hike up a hill and get a view over the wide Vestfjord with the Lofoten islands in the background is a treat for your eyes and camera.

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The mountains of Steigen
The mountains are steep, but there are trails that also can be done in wintertime (we take crampons or snowshoes with us). The views are magnificent and there are cozy cabins in the mountains and also in the lower areas that we can use for staying overnight. Most of the mountain lakes freeze in the winter time and offer possibilities for ice fishing.


The valleys and forests
The valleys in Steigen offer great opportunities for hikes on sea level, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. If the temperatures are above zero the valleys can be quite wet and swampy with many small streams to cross. So hiking is quite adventurous out here. There are a lot of waterfalls and most of them will be frozen in the winter. Encounters with foxes, moose and reindeer are quite common. Pine and birch forests are inviting for a hike and we like to stay overnight in tents or (heated) tipi in wild surroundings. 


Glaciers, nature reserves, and national parks
In the south of Steigen, we find the Helldalsisen glacier and this area is part of the Sjunkhatten national park. There are no roads here and the area can only be visited by boat. 

Historical sites
Steigen has quite some interesting things to see of the iron age, the times of the Vikings and more recently fortifications from WWII.​
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MIDNIGHT SUN

During this period you can experience 24/24 hours daylight. The midnight sun never sets. There are no northern lights.
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facts about the WEATHER AND CLIMATE here

The temperature in this period is between 5 and 20 degrees Celsius during this period.  The lowest temperatures are around zero in the mountains occasionally. The warm Gulf stream provides a mild climate.

​Weather changes quickly in the Arctic, so we have to be prepared for all kinds of weather. Because our plans are depending on weather conditions we make daily plans for our activities. So you need a flexible mindset and expect that the plans we make can change due to weather.

Water temperatures are around 10 degrees Celsius. So you need a drysuit for sea kayaking. You can also rent the suits from us. 

wildlife in the area

There are not many people living in this area (2500 in 1000 km2) and there is a lot of wild nature. So, this makes it a perfect place for encounters with wildlife. Remember it is not a ZOO and we have to be lucky, silent and determined.

There is a huge amount of the giant sea-eagles living in Steigen and they can be spotted in the mountains and also near the coastline.  We will certainly spot these amazing birds. 

Moose and (wild) reindeer can be spotted in the forest, valleys and sometimes close to the beaches. While driving we have to be careful, because they can cross the roads. 

Well, there is more to see for example foxes, hare, lynx, grouse, and seabirds.

Near the coast and on the islands we might see seals, otter and sometimes small whales or dolphins. When we are out on the sea with our small expedition vessel we even might see killer whales, but we have to be very lucky for that.​ that.
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MAP OF THE AREA

Here is a map of the area in which this expedition takes place.  Take a close look and you get an idea of the natural environment, distances and possibilities.

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