More windy fjells in the Käsivarsi Wilderness Area, Finland, during my six-week solo ski tour. I was hesitant to leave the safety of the wilderness hut where I stayed during a blizzard that had winds over 20 m/s and lasted three days. (I’ve posted a pic earlier of that same hut in the storm. https://pixelfed.social/p/JakeHikes/791183662872251330) Once the storm wound down, I left but was still on alert that it might gain more power again.

#sonyalpha #tamron #nature #mountains #fjells #hiking #landscape #lapland #outdoors #adventure #wilderness #photography #skitour #blizzard #finland #skitour #käsivarsi

Misty Storelva in Norway, August 2023. We had to cross this river on a cold, wet day. Luckily, we found a shallow—but wide—spot to get across. If we hadn’t, we might’ve had to take a pretty long detour, possibly even retrace our old tracks back toward civilization—something I always try to avoid.

#sonyalpha #tamron #nature #mountains #fjells #hiking #landscape #lapland #outdoors #adventure #wilderness #photography #rivercrossing #finnmark #norway

Looking back on last autumn #landscapephotography #nature #sweden #lapland #Torneträsk

▴ Kiruna Church

Located in Sweden’s northernmost town, Kiruna Church is one of the largest wooden buildings in the country. Built in the early 20th century, its architecture is said to be inspired by Sámi goahti tents. Due to the town’s gradual relocation caused by mining activity, the church is also planned to be moved in the coming years.

#church #sunrise #winter #scandinavia #architecture #cold #travel #photography #travelphotography #urban #lapland #twilight #kiruna #sweden

A rain shower catches the evening sun from the top of the Levi fell in Finnish Lapland.

#lapland #levi #levifinland #visitfinland #weather #nature #goldenhour #summershower

It’s funny how the worst weather, the one that causes the most stress, also gives you the most photogenic shots. This one is from my six-week solo ski tour to the Käsivarsi Wilderness Area in Finland, spring 2023. It’s always a difficult decision—whether to set up camp or push a bit further. The winds can pick up fast, and they can get so intense that setting up a tent becomes almost impossible, especially when you’re solo hiking.

#sonyalpha #tamron #nature #mountains #fjells #hiking #landscape #lapland #outdoors #adventure #wilderness #photography #skitour #weather #solohiking #finland #winterhiking #storm #visibility

My first northern lights in Lapland, Finland. It was less vibrant in person but the starry sky looked just as great.

A7RV FE14GM
14mm 2.5s ƒ/1.8 ISO2500

#sonyalpha #photographer #photography #landscapephotography #landscapephotographer #northernlights #astrophotography #lapland #finland

Fox chilling near Bastevárri in Norway during my six-week solo ski tour in the spring of 2023. In some parts of Finland and Norway, red foxes are hunted because they compete with the endangered Arctic fox. It’s a way to help protect the Arctic fox and give it more space to live without pressure from its larger cousin. In certain areas, there are feeding stations set up that only Arctic foxes can access, and their locations are intentionally kept secret. So if you ever come across one in the wild, please don’t tamper with it—or share its location.

#sonyalpha #tamron #nature #mountains #fjells #hiking #landscape #lapland #outdoors #adventure #wilderness #photography #wildlife #fox #norway

One of the best times of year in the Nordics is late summer, fall, or spring—when the days are still bright, but the nights are dark or just beginning to fall. That’s when you experience these striking lights and long shadows dancing along the sides of the fjells. This photo was taken on August 6th, 2023, at 22:17 during our two-week hike to the Gaissene area in Finnmark, Norway

#sonyalpha #tamron #nature #mountains #fjells #hiking #landscape #lapland #outdoors #adventure #wilderness #photography #nordics
#norway #finnmark

On a break, trying to figure out where we actually are in the Kemihaara Wilderness Area, Finland, during Christmas and New Year's Eve 2023/2024. We got pretty badly lost on this hike and for five days, we only had a vague idea of where we were. But since we always pack food for a few extra days, we didn't have any other emergency except that it started to become mentally exhausting. I would say I'm pretty good at navigating, but in forests, sometimes my inner compass just gets overwhelmed, or I get lost in my own thoughts and forget to be on alert for landmarks.

#sonyalpha #tamron #nature #mountains #fjells #hiking #landscape #lapland #outdoors #adventure #wilderness #photography #kemihaara
#finland #xmas #newyear #skitour #navigation #maps #compass #winterhiking

Can’t quite remember the exact spot where I took this, but it’s somewhere in the Käsivarsi Wilderness Area during my six-week solo ski tour. Fun fact: Käsivarsi means ‘arm’ in Finnish—because if you look at a map of Finland, it kind of looks like the country has one arm reaching out. We used to have two… but then WWII happened.

#sonyalpha #tamron #nature #mountains #fjells #hiking #landscape #lapland #outdoors #adventure #wilderness #photography #skitour #solohiking #winterhiking #winter #finland #käsivarsi

Landing strip marks left by either a Willow Grouse or a Rock Ptarmigan. These marks are quite common in Lapland. Willow Grouses typically inhabit lower areas with downy birches, while Rock Ptarmigans are usually found higher up in rocky areas. They are close relatives and can be easily confused, as can their tracks.

#sonyalpha #tamron #nature #mountains #fjells #hiking #landscape #lapland #outdoors #adventure #wilderness #photography #wildlife #birds #skitour #winterhiking #birdwatching

Another photo from our 12-day excursion to Varangerhalvøya National Park, Norway, in April 2024. We enjoyed stunning vistas and fantastic weather throughout the trip. As seen here, the partly cloudy and snowy conditions, combined with the sun peeking through, created a very photogenic environment with incredible lighting.

#sonyalpha #nature #mountains #fjells #hiking #landscape #lapland #outdoors #adventure #wilderness #photography #varangerhalvøya
#skitour #norway #finnmark #winterhiking

King of the hill, on the border of UKK national park and Suomen Latu Kiilopää area in northern Finland.

Looking forward to these kind of views again. A sea of endless space and calmness, just being.
Also looking forward to running into some of these guys again, either standing tall regally or fleeing clumsily because ohmygosh-aaah! :) What a fascinating animal.
As I tried to take a picture of this particular reindeer, I followed it over the top of the hill, where it led me to a sort of hidden gorge. Well, 'hidden' is a big word. 'Gorge' is also a big word. But it was a large crack in the earth, not visible from the path, that I would have missed without my reindeer guide. On the bottom of the kuru was still some ice, dry like cardboard, Some startled partridges made their presence loud and clear. Big mossy rocks lined the crack, making it easy to climb down. It all felt so untouched, like I stepped into a world that had been isolated for ages. I know this is not the case, but the feeling is nice anyway.
Looking forward to all of this.
Patience...


#finland #suomi #suomenlatu #kiilopää #reindeer #lapland #lappi #tunturimaisema #inarisaariselkä #saariselkä #luonto #nature #naturephotography #hiking #retkeily

My friend acting as a pathfinder in the Kemihaara Wilderness Area, Finland, in January 2023. When hiking with multiple people, it's always nice to take turns opening the tracks. If it's really deep snow and conditions are difficult, we take very short turns. This way, you can preserve your energy, focus on your well-being, and avoid frostbite or other injuries.

#sonyalpha #nature #mountains #fjells #hiking #landscape #lapland #outdoors #adventure #wilderness #photography #teamwork #skitour #forest #finland #kemihaara #winterhiking

Windy fjells in the Valtojoki valley in the Käsivarsi Wilderness Area, Finland, during my six-week solo ski tour.

#sonyalpha #nature #mountains #fjells #hiking #landscape #lapland #outdoors #adventure #wilderness #skitour #photography #solohiking
#winterhiking

A crisp October morning in the Pulju Wilderness Area, Finland, in 2023. I was surprised by snowfall during this hike and didn't have skis with me, which made movement sluggish and difficult. There was approximately 15-20cm of snow.

#sonyalpha #nature #mountains #fjells #hiking #landscape #lapland #outdoors #adventure #wilderness #snowfall #solohiking #finland #pulju