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robert
In NEWS ENGLISH

MLAU 2021 cancelled

Hi everyone,

the Swedish Government announced new measures in the fight against Covid-19. These measures will come into effect December 14th and replace any regulations currently in place in individual provinces. Unfortunately for the MLAU and many other races, the authorities decided to prohibit competitive sports events. I have discussed this with all of our Swedish partners who have helped so much in the planning so far and the conclusion is that, under these circumstances, the Montane Lapland Arctic Ultra 2021 needs to be cancelled.

We all knew it could happen but I believe both ultra event organisers and athletes like to think positive and that anything is possible. It’s especially disappointing because so many athletes, our sponsors and local partners have really embraced the idea of this race. But no use in looking back. We will try again for 2022 and I am sure it will be great!

If you would like to travel to Överkalix to get in some winter training, you can. Tourism is still possible in Sweden. You would be able to get time on trails and of course you can enjoy some activities like visiting reindeers, snowmobiling, guided snowshoe tours and others. Once I have more information, I will pass it on to you.

Rimfrost Adventures will continue to have the Survival Course. So, anybody booked for that, you can still do the course.

I will travel to Överkalix this winter for trail work. That way, in March I should have the full details for 2022. That’s also when I want to be able to take entries for next winter. In the meantime, I will try to find out when the Yukon Quest will start in 2022. Then I can set the dates, both for the MYAU and MLAU. The rough idea is to have the race in the Yukon early February and then Sweden early March.

Thank you for having been part of this journey. I hope that you all stay safe during this continued pandemic. 2021 should be the year we get some stability back in our lives. So we can plan and prepare for adventures that we know will to take place for sure.

Stay tuned! I will continue posting news here on this page and also on our website.

Best regards,

Robert Pollhammer

robert
In NEWS ENGLISH

Introducing you to Överkalix Camping – Start/Finish/CP #4

Today I want to introduce you to Överkalix Camping where we will be hosted by Sofi Holmgren and her team.

Överkalix Camping has got a campground with 85 tent sites, 20 spots for caravans and 11 great cabins of different sizes. It is located right next to the Kalix River, giving you some stunning views!
In the summertime there is a heated pool, outdoor fitness, playground for the kids and plenty of space to explore – if you ever want to check Överkalix out with your entire family in the warmer months of the year. Like Jockfall it is also a perfect place to use as a base for winter adventures in and around Överkalix.

During the Montane Lapland Arctic Ultra, Överkalix Camping will be one of the places where athletes and crew will stay. Furthermore, it is where our race will start February 7th and it is right next to the so called Folkets Hus Överkalix, where we will have our checkpoint #4, the finish of the 185 km and a few days later also the finish for the 485 km race.

robert
In NEWS ENGLISH

Firepot official partner for expedition meals

I am very happy to announce that the British company Firepot will be the official partner for expedition meals at the Montane Lapland Arctic Ultra.

I have tried out quite a few brands over the years and most of these were okay. Firepot meals stand out. They are exceptional!

Athletes who sign up for the race get a 15% discount on any orders via the Firepot website. Also, athletes can place an order with free delivery to Sweden. The meals will be received by us and are then either available for pick-up at race headquarter or delivered to the participant’s accommodation.

robert
In NEWS ENGLISH

SOTO new MLAU sponsor

SOTO was founded in 1978 in Japan and introduced to the world market in 2010. Since then, they have been awarded five coveted industry awards for their flaming devices. Dedicated to generating and integrating the “Blue Flame” in every flaming device conceived, SOTO’s engineers have devoted their lives to creating products that reach a maximum sustainable flame in the least possible amount of time. Devices that can be trusted to function in extreme cold and chilling winds. Every effort is made to provide the highest safety and technical standards at all phases of production, resulting in an enhanced outdoor experience for end-users of SOTO’s products.

At the SOTO stove I recommend for the Montane Lapland Arctic Ultra is the Stormbreaker. I have seen quite a few good stoves over the last few years but the quality of the SOTO Stormbreaker is unique. When you get it out of the box you immediately can tell that someone put their heart and soul into developing this product and that there was no room for compromise on anything. It’s pretty amazing!

The SOTO Stormbreaker comes with some unique features, e.g. a dual-purpose jet that works with liquid gas and gasoline. So, no fiddling around if you need to change your fuel source. It is very powerful and yet efficient. Cookware sits low to a burner head that has of over 300 micro flames. It is stable, packs compact and does not need pre-heating. When you pump it there is a mechanism that shows you when there is sufficient pressure.

The SOTO Stormbreaker will be available as a rental stove for the MLAU. For detailed information, please in our section on available rentals.

For information in German, please check out: sotooutdoors.de

robert
In NEWS ENGLISH

From Överkalix to Mars!

After having joined us already several times in the Yukon, Dr. Mathias Steinach from the Center of Space Medicine Berlin and his team will also travel with us to Överkalix.

The Center of Space Medicine Berlin is a research facility which is dedicated on research of medical and physiological changes of the human in extreme environments such as high altitudes, hot and cold climates, fields of sports and exercise physiology and eventually space medicine with low and zero gravity. The Center of Space Medicine is a combination of working groups and was founded in the year 2000, at the renowned Charité in Berlin, Germany.

Dr. Steinach has already been able to make some very interesting discoveries. Coming to Överkalix will allow him to collect more data and continue his research.

Via email I will send out more information to all athletes who have so far signed up or expressed interest in the race. This information will contain details on what Dr. Steinach is looking for, how data is collected and how the athletes who are part of the study will get access to some very interesting feedback.

robert
In NEWS ENGLISH

Introducing you to Jockfall – CP #2

With this post I would like to introduce you to Jockfall which is checkpoint #2 at the Montane Lapland Arctic Ultra.

It is simply beautiful! Great people, an amazing restaurant with super good food, very nice cabins and facilities.

In the summer it is one of Sweden’s best places for salmon fishing. Also, it’s a great starting point for mountainbiking, hiking and canoeing. In the winter it is perfect for snowshoe hikes, snowmobile tours, ice fishing and many more adventures.

Photography by Ewen Bell

robert
In NEWS ENGLISH

Things to do in Överkalix: Meet Hilda and Petter

Apart from providing you all with the information you need for a great race, I will also use the next couple of months to introduce you to some of the things that you can do in Överkalix and surrounding area before or after the race. Maybe you have for friends and family members who travel with you but are not in the Montane Lapland Arctic Ultra? The activities and place I will inform you about will be great for them, too.

Like myself you probably associate Swedish Lapland with the Sami culture and reindeers. A great place to get really up close to some reindeers is at Kaati’s Reindeers & Design. Hilda and Petter are waiting for you! Your host Anna-Lena Kaati will be more than happy to tell you anything you could possibly want to know about these beautiful animals. Also, she has got a small shop at her place that sells very nice souvenirs.