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I'm planning a trip to Norway next February, for photography. I'll be on Senja, which is off the west coast near Tromso. Obviously as it's a year away I need to start panicking about what to take.
Option 1. I have a giant North Face parka. I thought it was called "Yukon" but I don't see that on Google so maybe it's McMurdo. It's long and warm and generally ideal, except if effing heavy and bulky, so awkward on location and (more so) on the three flights there and three flights back.
Option 2. I have a Rab Neutrino Endurance down jacket. Also warm, but less weatherproof and much shorter than the parka. But - it's infinitely lighter and can be squished into airline bins etc. I'm thinking that if I supplement it with a hard shell I will have a more versatile and practical solution than the parka.
Any thoughts? Apart from "get a life", which is a perfectly reasonable response !
I spent 3 months up in Tromso one winter.
The weather was quite variable. Everything from 4c to -15c.
The sea temperature is relatively warm as it gets fed by the last of the Gulf Stream.
My advice would be layers, good base layers make a massive difference.
Gortex shell, down jacket, fleeces and merino bases worked for me. Much more versatile than a bog parka.
The darkness was the worst thing to me.
Lands End have a rather warm Stadium coat. Under £50. Blimey.
Just got back from a long weekend in Iceland. Weather was between 0C and +7C with winds ranging from 3m/s to 17m/s. It was cold in a way that only an exposed lump of volcanic rock near the arctic circle can be when it is winter. I had a relatively warm jumper and a shell jacket and, for the most part, was warm enough. If it had been a bit more cold, or a bit more windy, I would probably have regretted leaving the down jacket at home.
At that time in Norway, as has been said, anything goes. Prepare for cold, hope for not quite so cold and bring layers. And sensible shoes. Possibly with dubbar. As an example, I'm in "southern" Sweden on the east coast and we were having snowfall AND rain in Feb. It really is still winter.
We were in Hammerfest this morning, crossed the Arctic Circle a few days ago , I've been wearing an old Animal Parka / snowboard jacket. Everywhere we've been the locals have said it's exceptionally mild for the time of year 🤔
Personally thermals, gridfleece, primaloft then Goretex pro outer. I've been there. It could be anything, but expect a cold version of NW Scotland. Expect to be damp and cold.
Senja is spectacular. like Lofoten without tourists. Or decent roads ha ha. Not hogh but very wild. Where are you going to stay? Super geology as well if you're interested.
was there in Jan. minus 22 start of the week. big Quechua down coat.
only minus 3 end of week. fleece and a keela windproof was plenty warm.
take both options
Been there and it was -25 whilst we were northern lights watching. Just used by shell over fleece over light fleece over long sleeve top over base layer. Was more than warm enough. Biggest problem was camera stabilisation and keeping batteries warm.
No rway jacket required. 😉
Crikey, looking at the temperatures do you guys go there to work, for pleasure or self-torture?
I was thinking of volunteering to go to Norway for work for few days then realised it is still winter, nahhh, too cold, no can do, skip that. LOL! (now been told to go to Denmark instead sometime after winter which is acceptable)
Mind you it is also freezing here in GeordieLand (for me anyway).
p/s: I once wore normal jeans and clothing (without thermal layers) in two of the Scandinavian countries. Bad move. Nearly froze my precious off.