Arctic adventures far below the freezing point

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El-Dracho

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Off-Road Ranger III

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Lampertheim, Germany
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Bjoern
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Eldracher
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20111

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DO3BE
On the way on the return journey to southern Norway I get the message from our member @GEO_Fabi.Mhlr that his travel companion has broken down with a broken fan belt and pulley near the Hardangervidda. Thanks to a good friend of mine on the spot I manage to find a garage for them quickly and the garage solves the problem promptly.

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After crossing the Oslo Fjord with a little ferry I arrive at my friends near Oslo. We spend a few nice days together, exchange travel stories. Then it is again time to change wheels and I am off to the ferry to Denmark. In the evening the ferry reaches the port of Hirtshals after a quiet crossing. I fill the diesel tank again, drive through the night and am home the next day. A great trip comes to an end. Many thanks to all for the great experiences and the good time. This was certainly not my last winter trip.

Have you ever been to arctic regions in winter? What is it about such winter tours? Well, if well prepared, such a winter trip can be a real pleasure and for enduring the cold, the overlander is compensated by breath-taking views of snow-covered mountains, fairy-tale winter landscapes or who knows, even by a wonderful aurora borealis. I did not get to see auroras this time. One more reason to come back next winter.

By the way, for all of you who like to go to Scandinavia, I added some useful POIs to the OB Map on this tour. And if any of you have questions about winter travel, feel free to get in touch. Happy to help and share experience.
 

The Deputy

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Brian
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Allison
Sorry to bring up an older adventure, but your journey was epic. Thank you, for taking the time to share it with us here.
 
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El-Dracho

Ambassador, Europe
Moderator
Member
Supporter
Investor

Off-Road Ranger III

13,288
Lampertheim, Germany
First Name
Bjoern
Last Name
Eldracher
Member #

20111

Ham/GMRS Callsign
DO3BE
Sorry to bring up an older adventure, but your journey was epic. Thank you, for taking the time to share it with us here.
Thank you.

We went up north beginning of this year again. Sweden, Norway, up to the polar circle and back. Shorter trip than 2022 but experienced colder temps down to about minus 25F for several days.

Some impressions:

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The Deputy

Rank II

Enthusiast III

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Michigan
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Brian
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Allison
My toes and fingers froze off...just looking at those pictures...lol.

Do you use an axillary heater while driving? A candle would put out more heat than my defender during those conditions.
 
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El-Dracho

Ambassador, Europe
Moderator
Member
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Off-Road Ranger III

13,288
Lampertheim, Germany
First Name
Bjoern
Last Name
Eldracher
Member #

20111

Ham/GMRS Callsign
DO3BE
My toes and fingers froze off...just looking at those pictures...lol.

Do you use an axillary heater while driving? A candle would put out more heat than my defender during those conditions.
The heating while driving in the Puma Defenders work quite well. Plus I use a Webasto heater which warms up the coolant during stops.
 

The Deputy

Rank II

Enthusiast III

443
Michigan
First Name
Brian
Last Name
Allison
Was trying to put my finger on the year of your Defender, hood said Puma, but that older Land Rover 110 badge over the grill said pre-1990. Great looking rig, you keep it in excellent shape!
 
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El-Dracho

Ambassador, Europe
Moderator
Member
Supporter
Investor

Off-Road Ranger III

13,288
Lampertheim, Germany
First Name
Bjoern
Last Name
Eldracher
Member #

20111

Ham/GMRS Callsign
DO3BE
Thank you. It's 2010 modelyear and has now 430k km which is about 265k miles on the clock. Mainly overlanding and including several long distance trips.
 
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