More and more people are visiting the mountains, but despite this, mountain rescue has had less to do than expected.
– They've avoided taking mountain trips when there's been precipitation, says Rickard Svedjesten, chairman of the Swedish Mountain Rescue Organisation, to TT.
The pressure from tourists wanting to holiday in the Swedish mountains has increased compared to last summer. At the Swedish Tourist Association's (STF) mountain stations and huts, the number of booked guest nights increased by 17 percent for the June-September period this year compared to the same period in 2020.
– Everyone has developed a great appetite for it, even those who were first-time visitors last year have returned, says Rickard Svedjesten.
Most expressions of opinion in Norrbotten and Jämtland
During the period 1 June-31 July this year, Fjällräddningen (Mountain Rescue) carried out 72 operations, the same as last year, which is an increase compared to both 2019 and 2018. The most call-outs were made in Norrbotten and the Jämtland mountains, but Rickard Svedjesten, chairman of the Swedish National Organisation of Mountain Rescuers, had expected more rescue operations this summer given the high demand.
The beautiful summer weather is one of the explanations.
– The times it has rained, it has rained a lot, and then we've avoided going on a mountain tour on those days, he says.
More difficult to use a helicopter in the autumn
The mountain hiking season is far from over. Only half of the bare ground season has passed, and the autumnal colours usually attract a large number of visitors.
And with autumn comes the cold, something that usually results in more rescue missions. In winter, the Mountain Rescue can use snowmobiles, but during the snow-free season, the mountain rescuers often have to walk when visibility is too poor for helicopters and the terrain too steep for quad bikes.
If you're stuck on the mountain for a few hours waiting for help, you'll get very cold, so it's really important to have extra layers of clothing with you.
”Don't think it's crackpots who get hurt”
Besides the right equipment, Svedjesten stresses the importance of keeping an eye on the weather.
The weather can be very good in Östersund and then you drive an hour up to the fells and then it might start snowing.
Much of what happens can be difficult to predict – even if you are experienced.
– You shouldn't think that those who injure themselves or need mountain rescue are knuckleheads. It can be rough terrain and you can slip and break an ankle, he says.
Source: SVT
