‘Canoe Expedition to Finland’

Enthusiasm for canoeing in a remote foested wilderness!  Previous canoeing experience is useful but not essential.  Last year we had people with a range of canoeing experience, for novice through to very experienced canoeists.

Due to popularity, Tollymore will be running a second 5 day 4 night wilderness Canoe paddle trip in Finland’s newest national park ‘Hossa’, from the 22nd - 28th September.   Our 2018 course filled quickly and our course from the 15th - 21st September is now full.   National park regualtions limit group size into the park, so we have decided to run a second week. This is a pristine Boreal wilderness 9km from the Russian border. Site of ancient pine forests, pre-historic rock art, wilderness cabins; Europe’s deepest Lake Canyon. Wildlife in this area is prolific and it is home to the European Brown Bear, Lynx and Wolf.    

Available for anyone who is interested in a unique canoeing experience in one of the great forest wildernesses in Europe. Previous canoeing experience is useful, but not essential.  More important will be an enthusiasm for self sufficient journeying in a wonderful wilderness environment.

All paddling gear (canoes, paddles, buoyancy aids) is provided.  However, personal clothing and equipment is a matter of choice!  Stephen millar, who ran our trip last year and will be running it again this year, has put together some guidance: Clothing: We will have open fires for warming, drying and cooking at night however this is an artic Boreal forest so be prepared for the possibility of cold evenings and chilly morning. Warm waterproof footwear is essential and in most cases wellingtons liners or several pairs of good wool socks will cover most eventualities. A second set of footwear usually walking boots will be needed for general camp area or any hikes to sites that we cannot access from the water. Although not essential I found a good small set of binoculars excellent for wildlife watching. Thermals and strong durable trousers, fleece , wool , hats ,gloves , several pairs, scarf ; Think of a cold wet day on the hill in Ireland, a down or insulated jacket of some kind will be good. Camping and sleeping; all the campsites have composting toilets so eco-friendly toiletries. A good 3 season sleeping bag (A silk liner can massively increase the warmth that your bag can provide. Sleeping arrangements can be a mixture of wooden platforms in the cabins and lean-to’s, tents on the forest floors or hammocks and tarps. Although we will aspire to use what is in the park in terms of shelters , folk may decide that they wish to sleep under their own tent or cover ( I found a hammock tarp combination to be excellent , however sleeping in a hammock takes a bit of getting used to especially on a windy night). I paddled in extensively the same kit I would walk in and had high waterproof boots and would change to walking boots in the evening and warm dry layers. The weather is usually the same for several days unlike at home but this can mean both bad and good weather so plenty of warm clothes. This information is for guidance and the whole trip is aimed at folk who can be fairly comfortable for several days living outside. This is more of an essential skill than paddling ability which can be coached and improved on trip. A basic tandem open canoe ability is required there for both open water and gentle river system. Please do not hesitate to contact the centre - admin@tollymore.com In order to travel sustainably and minimize our impact on this pristine wilderness the numbers will be restricted to six people, this also allows a greater level of intimacy with the surroundings and better coaching and instruction ratio’s.  

• 2 nights luxury self-catered accommodation, famous Finnish hospitality and obligatory Sauna at start and end of trip.
• Airport pick-up and drop-off
• Rental of Canoes, paddles and Barrels (people are welcome to bring out and use their own paddles)
• Full instruction and coaching in Wilderness paddling, camp-craft, Canadian canoe journey skills,
• Fire lighting and forest living skills; Lake and river paddling skills and leadership
• 5 days and 4 nights on the water and wilderness journeying.
• All self – catering food included.
• Use of lean-to shelters and Wilderness cabins.
• There is a selection of camping gear available from Tollymore including Tents, sleeping mats etc.

Fees do not include Return flights from Dublin to Kuusamno (Finland). Any additional meals to the Breakfast Lunch and Dinners provided on the trip. Ie snacks

Useful websites: Hossa National Park: https://www.nationalparks.fi/en/hossa Our base in Hossa: https://www.hossanlumo.fi/en/ More information, including information about the rock art in the national park: https://finland.fi/life-society/jubilee-park-protects-finnish-treasures/   Useful books and maps: Any book by the legendary Bill Mason will be useful and interesting!   These include 'Path of the Paddle' and 'Song of the Paddle'.  These books are readily available on second hand book websites. Hossa Map: https://karttakauppa.fi/en/hossa-1-25-000-outdoor-map-2017/E204476/dp     Useful Films: In the 1980s, Bill Mason prodiced a range of films.  Although these films have aged, the techniques have not.  The films provide an insight in the the world and mind of one of the true pioneers and experts in canoe journeying and expeditioning.  The 'Doubles Basic' is a good starting point for those looking to journey in wilderness areas.  Ignore the funky whate water, it is beyond what will be experienced in Hossa! The National Film Board of Canada has made these films available to the general public: https://www.nfb.ca/directors/bill-mason/