5. day 39 km (in total 164 km)

<Kabböle, Pernaja - Stornäsudden, Porvoo>

Very narrow and sheltered route

After arriving late in the night to Kabböle, I just immediately fell asleep. I had shortage of water and needed desperately recharging of my batteries for laptop, cell phone and GPS. I managed to charge all the batteries of different equipments, buy some more food and fill up my water bags. Now I can continue another 4 days without need of supplies.

This guy was cheering me up on my way

I started a bit over 10AM and chose a very sheltered route, because the weather forecast warned sailors and boat drivers of stormy weather and strong winds, even up to 20 m/s. The wind was occasionally rough in gusts, but I managed to reach my planned destination at Porvoo and found a small recreational area with tenting possibilities. There were dark clouds and heavy showers on the way. I'm hoping to see some sunny days during the rest of the trip :)

Didn't asked the price...

4. day 43 km (In total 125 km)

<Svartbäck Krokö, Pyhtää - Kabböle, Pernaja>

Wake up already at 4AM and paddling started at 4:30 due to milder wind during early morning. The wind was still blowing from SW and were headwind all the day. I paddled 5 hours and took a long lunch and rest break during 12AM - 6PM.

There are rocks everywhere

The wind was strongest at that time and there were no sense to try to do multiple 5-6 km crossing. In the evening I passed by Loviisa nuclear plant and completed paddling just before midnight. Now I'm having a well deserved rest...

Views at Loviisa

3. day 24 km (in total 82 km)

<Lehmäsaari, Kotka - Svartbäck Krokö, Pyhtää>

This was a windy day. I was fighting against 8-12 m/s (SW) headwind all day and managed to paddle on the waters of Pyhtää. I was hoping to continue still, but on gusts wind was so strong there were no sense to continue. I tried to find a camping spot and last found a small ledge, into which I pitched my tent. Sure this has been one of the hardest paddling days I have had. It seems headwind is going to continue, hopefully it will calm down a bit...

Camping spot on a ledge

2. day 38 km (in total 58 km)

<Suuri-Pisi, Virolahti - Lehmäsaari, Kotka>

At the beginning of paddling every item seems to be lost. I don't have routine for packing stuff into a kayak yet. It rained during the evening and night and the wind increased from yesterday. I started a bit after 9AM and noticed a strong headwind and moderate waves.

I pushed all the day in 6-8 m/s headwind (from W and SW) and long crossings between islands took all my strength. Finally I reached my camping place just in front of Kotka after 7PM. Actually this looks a nice spot with cooking shelters and toilets.

Lonely kayak at Lehmäsaari beach

When I was approaching the camping beach, one swan was trying to escort me a bit further by showing a way in front of my kayak. Maybe it had youngsters nearby...

Swan escorting me

1. Day 20 km (in total 20 km)

<Virojoki, Virolahti - Suuri-Pisi, Virolahti>

At start at Virojoki

1. Paddling day started after Saturday's 50 km adventure race and Sunday's Jukola orienteering relay. My body was totally exhausted already in the start. Quarter to five I headed onto a water at the center of Virojoki. The first leg was 20 km paddling in a calm weather, 2m/s from SE and occasional showers.

Approaching national park area, Suur-Pisi island in front

 I put my tent on a Suur-Pisi island in the national park of eastern gulf of Finland. I'm pretty sure I'll have a good sleep tonight...

Landing beach at Suur-Pisi island

First aid module 2

Hypothermia bag

Two days at Rovaniemi contained a first aid module 2, which were fine-tuned for the outdoor professionals. We were practicing a simulated snow-mobile accident at Saariselkä fell area in a virtual class room, which enabled us to see the actual terrain and snow fells of Saariselkä, felt the coldness and howling wind. This virtual environment for practicing different types of accidents was pretty real-like. Amazing!

First step : Digging the roots of spruce

On the second day we went outdoors and practiced how to make the stretchers from different trees like birch, pine and spruce.

Second step : bind pine frames together with spruce roots

Third step : use ropes/clothes/sheets/etc... to fill the center of the frames

Fourth step : Finalize stretchers and place injured patient on it and cover him

Fifth step : move injured person

Tomorrow on Saturday we'll have a 50 km adventure race at Rovaniemi, including following disciplines : roller skating, paddling, coasteering, running/orienteering and some adventure tasks. I need to fly after the adventure race in the Saturday evening to Southern Finland in order to compete in a Jukola orienteering relay on Sunday morning. Let's see on Sunday how I manage all this during one weekend...

Sea kayaking at the Baltic Sea

At the calm sea

It was sunshine and high pressure all over Finland during the weekend and thus it was a perfect weather for sea kayaking. The group of 11 paddlers headed on the waters of Pori on the western coast of Finland. The aim was to visit on 3 different lighthouses within 3 days and enjoy sea paddling.

At Kallo lighthouse

We succeeded to visit on all of three lighthouses, which were Kallo, Säppi and Kaijakari. All of these are not too far away from the coastline and only within 5-15 km distance from the city of Pori. The temperature were even bit too high (+30 degrees) and therefore we had constantly swimming breaks during the trip.

Refreshing feet

The route of the paddling trip was : First day, Second day and Third day.