THINGS TO REMEMBER
DURING AND PRIOR TO YOUR TRIP.
Provisions: Buy sustainable
food for the whole trip (preserves, canned goods, smoked/dried food).
To keep food cold bring along a cooler with your own freezer packs
which you can exchange for new ones at some of the camp sites, food
stores and kiosks along the river. Some places charge a service
fee of 2-5 swedish sek/freezer packs. Remember -not all of the places
have this service.
Open hours: Food stores: 9a.m. -6p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
saturdays.
Gas stations (most of them ): 8a.m. -8p.m. weekdays (some 9 p.m.)
Payment: It is best to have cash and swedish currency. Cards may
be accepted at some food stores and gas stations, but smaller businesses
can often not take cards, traveller checks or private checks. The
euro has not been introduced yet here in Sweden (2004).
Payment to us: See leasing contract.
Atm machine/Bank: There are few possibilities for this close (3-5
km) from the starting points (Sysslebäck - about 10 km north
from Ransby, Värnäs - go south 3 km to Stöllet and
one in Ekshärad). It is best to have done this in a larger
town before you arrive. When you do shopping and pay with card you
can often take out money there.
Camping - rent a cabin, / tent site / raft spot ; fill up your
water canteens ;wash/dry your clothes ; take a shower (5 kr coins
are needed for the showers at the camping grounds). Donīt leave
the bathrooms dirty! The camping areas are small businesses often
runned by families and the facilities are for their guests. You
must pay a camping or raft fee if you stop overnight and use their
facilities. If you are just passing by and stay for a short while
let the owners know of your presence. You can do some foodshoping,
get water and change your freezer packs. Phone numbers Byns Camping
in Ekshärad 0046-(0)563-40885, 30196, Värnäs Camping
0046-(0)563-81355 - these two are where the buses picks you up startdays.
More numbers for overnight preparation Björkebo Camping at
Gravol 0046-(0)563-85086. Hotel Värmlandsporten (by roadcross
in Värnäs 0046-(0)563-81200, Strandås Gästgiveri
(guesthouse with excellent kitchen) by Ransby 0046-(0)564-43027.
Telephone: Turn it off ----you´re on vacation. There is coverage
for almost all services. You can recharge at the camping grounds
(a fee is charged). Calling cards for booths are available at gas
stations.
Things we advise for the trip: Large garbage bags to put bags and
backpacks in against the moisture. Can also be used as rain coat.
Flashlight, extra batteries, kindling to start fires, toiletpaper.
You´ll receive fuel from us. ( 1 liter -3 days or 2 liters
-6 days). If you feel this is too little bring along extra, for
example T-blå which doesn´t soot.
Wines / Liqueurs: In Sweden all alcohol above 3.5% is bought at
a store called the Systembolaget. The nearest one of these is 70
km from the starting points. If you want such supplies aquire them
ahead of time. Alcohol and water don´t mix. Most accidents
on water occur in connection with alcohol.
Water supply: Bring your cannister to stores, gas stations or camping
sites. This is a free service. The river water is tested twice a
year and is safe to drink.
You should remember though that your bacterial flora is different
than the local peoples and one should drink sparingly. Use the water
for cooking ,brushing your teeth etc.
Car and car keys: During the high season we often have a bus which
enables you to leave your car at your final destination point taking
the bus up to where you´ll start from. When you cannot use
this bus there are two possibilities. Either you arrange your own
transportation with taxi or public transport or we can drive your
car down for you (this is not included in the ordinary fee). We
take no responsibility for your car during transportation or when
it´s parked. Check over your insurance. Foreign cars often
have different insurance policies about whom is allowed to drive
the car. Check this.
Keep your keys in something that will float. Always bring an extra
key.
Other advice:
Garbage is sorted and recycled. There are recycling bins at the
gas stations and food stores. Separate metal, paper, hard/soft plastic,
glass (non-returnable) and batteries. You can leave your returnable
bottles at the stores and gas stations also. Food scraps can be
given to the fish.
Log collectors (gatherers - catchers) are logs of wood that are
chained together.They catch the logs from the rafts people have
built themselves and then untie at the end of their trip. The logs
gather in a sort of "pocket" where a truck loads and transports
them back to a starting point to reuse for a new trip. The log gathers
is anchored a bit out from the rivers edge and marked by a buoy
in white or red. There are two such "pockets". The first
is app 800 meters after the bridge in Likenäs. The other is
app. 600 meters before Björkebo Camping in Gravol. Both are
on the east side of the river. When you see these buoys avoid them
by keeping to the right/west side.
When it is windy, don´t paddle like a madman. Use the tarp
as a anker. Nail the tarp to one side
Of the raft. Build a sail with the oars. Please do not cut or slash
the tarp - ask your guide at startingplace for instructions.
There are no mosquitos on the open water. When you go ashore choose
a place free of high grass and bushes. If you have a fire you can
use fresh spruce branches. You can also rub your skin with yarrow
(achillea millefolium) or bog myrtle( myrica gale). Bring mosquito
repellent, sunblock and clothes for all weather. How much fun you
have is up to you and your friends. We cannot predict the weather,
water level or mosquitos.
Most people bring along absolutely too much stuff. All the luggage
takes up alot of space so just bring what´s necessary.
Since you will be outdoors for several days you should be prepared
for strong sun, wind, rain and cold. Properly equipped and amongst
good friends you have the best opportunity for making your rafting
vacation an unforgettable memory. Remember to put your pack and
sleeping bag in a big dubbel plastic bag to protect against the
water. If you have very bad luck, the camp sites often have drying
facilities.
jacket and pants (wind and water resistant)
rain hatt/ southwester
1 thick sweater
rubber boots /waterproof boots
1pair of sandals
1 pair of thick socks
hat and mittens
longjohns or jogging pants
2 t-shirts
1 linen
1 shirt
sweatshirt
pair of jeans
a sarong (instead of lots of skirts or dresses)
4 pair of socks
1 pair of shorts
bathing suit
1big and little towel
mild soap
medicines
condoms
money (remember 5 kr coins for showers at the campsites)
sunblock
mosquito repellent
sleeping bag (packed watertight)
toiletries(not too much)
sunglasses
binoculars
camera and /or video
fishing tackle and worms
flashlight
extra batteries
small radio ( to hear local radio reportings on weather or fire
restrictions
cellphone ( agree on special hours with your family, spare the batteri
and enjoy the peace )
a book
air mattress/inflatable water toys for the children
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