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Ulkoiluvaatteet ja -varusteet sekä näiden itserakentelijoille tarvikkeet ja kankaat.
Outdoor clothing and equipment, as well as accessories and fabrics for self-builders.
Weekend Autumn Trip Guide and Gear List
Before the snow comes in September-November, SOOPA organizes day trips and weekend trips to nature spots in the Oulu region. During the fall, we also try to make a weekend trip to some more distant destination. For example, we have been in the Syöte National Park, Rokua ice age terrains, on Riisitunturi and Korouoma gorge valley. There may still be a hint of autumn colors left on the autumn trip. You can also often see the wonderful, shining white mornings after the first frosts or snow.
Can I participate in SOOPA’s autumn trip?
Even if you don’t have hiking and camping experience yet, it doesn’t matter. Because the autumn trip is a beginner-friendly event and camping in a group is a safe way to gain experience. Many have started their backpacking hobby with SOOPA’s weekend trips. On the hike, depending on the fitness level and wishes, you are divided into small groups of about 2-6 people, who move through the terrain independently along the routes they have planned and agreed upon. The aim is to form the groups in such a way that each group also includes experienced hikers. On the weekend trip, you will stay overnight in tents, shelters and wilderness huts.
Especially those who join SOOPA’s autumn trip for the first time should familiarize themselves with general hiking instructions before departure. Although that text have been prepared for SOOPA’s long, week-long hikes, you can also get great tips and instructions for day trips and weekend trips. The instructions include, among other things, tips on hiking in a group, packing and equipment, as well as information on possible problem situations while hiking and how to solve them. Even for more experienced hikers, the instructions may give new ideas for a more pleasant hike.
What level of fitness is required for an autumn trip?
Normal basic fitness is sufficient for an autumn trip, i.e. you can walk 10-15 kilometers without carrying a load and 5-10 km with a 15 kg backpack. However, the aim is to get people of the same fitness level into the groups, so there is usually a group for people of all fitness levels. It is also important that the shoes you take on the trip should fit and be worn in. This way you will avoid cracks and your feet will be better able to cope with the efforts of the trip.
Payments
SOOPA’s weekend trips and long hikes are only for SOOPA members. So fill out the membership form and pay your membership fee before leaving. Pay also the participation fee.
The participation fee covers:
– transportation to the excursion destination
– the final sauna, if it is mentioned in the announcement
– the final meal, if it is mentioned in the announcement
The participation fee does not cover:
– accommodation costs (we sleep in tents)
– insurance
Terrain
On autumn trips, we often walk on prepared paths, so it’s easy to get around. You still need waterproof shoes or plastic bags inside the shoes. If they wish, the groups can also travel outside the paths, if the group knows how to use a compass and a map. However, for a weekend trip, we recommend walking on the trails. In autumn, the days are short and by walking on the trails, the group has time to travel a much longer distance and see more of the destination’s scenery.
Weather conditions
The weather for day and weekend trips is very predictable according to the weather report. That’s why the equipment choices are usually successful, and there is no need to carry extra equipment for all possible weather situations. The temperatures on the autumn trips have varied between -15C and +10C. In autumn, in addition to rain, there can also be snow or snowy rain. A big challenge on an autumn trip is to keep yourself and your equipment dry, because there is no drying effect of the sun.
Overnighting
On the autumn trip, we stay in a tent for at least another night. That is a good opportunity for beginners and first timers to practice camping for longer hikes. We try to choose the destinations for autumn trips in such a way that, in addition to tents, there is often also the option of staying overnight in a open shelter or wilderness hut. The group can also decide to rent a reservable hut for a night. The group will then pay the costs of the hut by themselves.
Walks
The trip is on foot and, depending on the group, the distance is 6-16 km per day. Group hiking differs from solo hiking in that the group’s pace is often much slower than that of a solo hiker. The group’s normal pace is 1-2 km per hour, including breaks. Experienced and fast groups move 3-4 km per hour. By using marked trails, the group can speed up their pace. In general, rides to the hiking destination can be arranged so that those who want a longer hike are left further away and those who want a shorter hike closer to the destination.
Food arrangements
For cooking, the hiking group matches food pairings. The food pairing includes 2-3 hikers. One cooker is needed per food pairing. SOOPA has a few cookers available for rent. Usually your own cooker are used. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are needed every day on the trip. The food pairing agree and buy the hiking food independently. An often effective way for a weekend trip is for the first person to buy breakfast, lunch and dinner for the first day, and the second person for the second day.
Meals on day and weekend trips
Day trips
The easiest way is to cook meal in to a food thermos at home. That way you don’t need a cooker and kettle with you. If you need two meals, eat twice from the same food thermos. In addition, pack sandwiches and snacks. with you. If there is a campfire on the day trip, bring a sausage or other campfire food.
Weekend trips
You don’t necessarily need to take the lightest and driest things with you on a weekend trip. You can easily carry fresh food, sausages and cheeses with you.
Your own food
- Snacks, e.g. dried fruit, nuts, crisps, sourdough bread, energy bars
- Small meals, e.g. ready-made sandwiches
- Treats, e.g. chocolate, candy, cookie bags
Common with food pairing
- Fri, Sat dinner, e.g. mashed potatoes (powder) and beef
- Sat, Sun breakfasts, e.g.: 2x3dl oatmeal + 1 tsp salt. Top with 2-4 tablespoons of butter
- Sat, Sun lunches, e.g. 2x pasta + tuna
See additional instructions on hiking food.
Water for drinking and meals can usually be taken from natural streams without purifying. Do not drink water from still waters! If in doubt then boil water before drinking.
Tips
- Install the 112 Suomi application and a map application on your phone
- A good volume for a backpack for a weekend trip is 40-60L
- Backpack’s weight on a weekend trip should be 8-15kg
- At temperatures below +10 degrees, avoid cotton (it works in summer, but not in damp autumn)
- Pack the clothes in 1-3 waterproof plastic bags
- Make ready-made sandwiches at home and wrap them individually in e.g. butter paper as snacks
- Gas consumption in temperatures over 0C is approx. 30-60g per day per food pairing
- Take the 9V battery for the fire alarm device in the wilderness hut
Equipment list for autumn day and weekend trips -5C – +10C
This equipment list is intended for those participating in SOOPA’s day trip or weekend trip. On a weekend trip, hikers are divided into small groups, and the group usually can provide support and equipment loans. This equipment list is not a complete ”all-weather” and ”all-situation” equipment list, but only the necessary equipment is described here. For that reason, don’t leave out any equipment on the list! If necessary, ask the trip organizers or other experienced hikers for help. Before the hike, if you are missing equipment, ask your friends or fellow hikers to borrow it. If you notice on a hike that you are missing something, often on group hikes someone has equipment to lend or otherwise support a fellow hiker. Feel free to ask other members of the group.
When hiking, equipment suitable for the purpose and varying weather conditions is important – especially the importance of adequate rain gear cannot be overemphasized! On a hike, you usually spend the night in tents, and for this SOOPA has tents that are loaned to hiking groups for free. in September-November there are already frosty nights, so the sleeping bag and pads must be warm enough to spend the night in the tent.
Pack your sleeping bag and clothes waterproof. Similarly, you should protect the map, dry food, first aid supplies, etc. items that are sensitive to getting wet. The total weight of the backpack when leaving is about 15-20 kg.
Group specific equipment
Group members agree among themselves who will take the group’s equipment and who will carry it.
| Tents | SOOPA lends tents for weekend trips | |
| Duct tape/ Gorilla tape | Approximately 2m wrapped around e.g. a drinking bottle | |
| Blister Patch | The waterproof patch works in humid conditions | |
| First bandage / ideal bandage / elastic bandage | A sprained ankle is the most common hiking accident | |
| Axe | If there is a permit to make a campfire in the area |
The hiker’s own equipment
Clothing to wear
For sleeping
| Sleeping bag | Comfort temperature -5 to +5 °C | |
| Sleeping matress | Thick cellular foam or two thinner ones | |
| Earplugs | The wind or the snoring of a tent mate can disturb your sleep |
For meals and drinking
| Spoon | ||
| Plastic mug | The metallic one works too, but it weighs | |
| Plastic plate | or freezer box / ice cream box | |
| Water bottles | eg 2x 0.5L |
Hygiene accessories
| Toothbrush and paste | You can pack the paste, for example, in a bottle cap | |
| Toilet paper | For a weekend trip, half a roll is perfectly fine | |
| Big blister patches | 1-2 pcs | |
| Towel | If necessary | |
| Swimsuits | If necessary |
Non-essential gear
If you know you can carry these with you for the whole hike, then go for it.
| Thermos bottle | ||
| Big (wooden) spoon for cooking | ||
| Eyeglass case | and a cleaning cloth | |
| Seat pad | ||
| Playing cards or board game | E.g. Bohnanza, Exploding Kittens, Carcassone | |
| Power bank | ||
| Poop Shovel | ||
| Tick removal tool | If the trip is to a tick area | |
| Hand warmer bags |
Food pairings (1-3 hikers) supplies
| Cooker / amping stove | Alcohol or gas | |
| Fuel | For the weekend: Alcohol (Marinol / Sinol) 2-3dl or gas 230g | |
| Kettles | Depending on the food to be prepared, 1-2 | |
| Pot handle | ||
| Dish brush | ||
| Sharp knife | If you have | |
| Matches | watertightly packed |
Accessories for sauna bag
Often, but not always, SOOPA’s weekend trip includes a sauna or other possibility of washing at the end of the trip or hike. If one has been announced, bring a towel and clean clothes. You can also leave snacks and other entertainment for the bus trip in the sauna bag. Sometimes you can leave the sauna bag on the bus or in a similar place announced by the organizers for the duration of the hike, but often you have to carry this equipment in a backpack.
| Clean clothes | You can also take other shoes for traveling or use your camp shoes | |
| Shower equipment (soap, towel, etc.) | ||
| Snacks for the return journey |
Ulkoiluvaatteet ja -varusteet sekä näiden itserakentelijoille tarvikkeet ja kankaat.