In a post in December last year I wrote about my plans for 2017.

I had a plan to get out on at least one overnighter each month of the year. I almost made it, but stumbled on the finish line, as I didn’t get out in November. But I did get out on a total of 16 trips, with car camping trips, canoe camping trips and hiking trips combined. I also tried social hiking for the first time , with the C2C Sweden, and really enjoyed it.

Another plan for 2017 was to spend 10% of the nights (36-37 nights) in a tent. I didn’t make this goal either, but I did spend 29 nights outside, which is a record for me so far.

I’ve made a few day hikes with my youngest daughter, and also a few overnighters, both with her alone and with the rest of the family. She has spent 11 nights outdoors during the summer and early fall.

When it comes to food, I did try a few other things than the regular freezer bag cooking. But much of the change came with me starting to do canoe camping trips, where weight wasn’t an issue. While hiking I wont be carrying that much heavy fresh food.

Buying a canoe was also a goal of mine, which I succeeded with. I bought a used, cheap heavy fiberglass canoe, and I loved canoe camping from the start. Since I’ll be paddling solo 99% of the time I needed a lighter canoe. The one I bought weighted 45kg and didn’t have a carrying yoke. I sold it, and got all my money back. With the new canoe I went back and forth between many different options; foldable, cedar strip, aluminum etc. But in the end I decided to buy a Mad River Explorer 14TT. I do love the cedar strip canoes from Esker, but they’re too expensive for me, and I think this one will be a great priceworthy canoe. I’ve prebooked it, and will order it in January.

Other than these goals I also had plans to be more active on the blog, to start making movies and to work on getting a hiking trail around Helgasjön.

• The blog has gotten a lot more readers, but I haven’t been as active as I want to be. Especially this fall.
• When it comes to movies I actually made a short one from an overnighter that I didn’t publish. And I thought that it took to much effort and focus from enjoying the serenity of nature while hiking, so I didn’t follow through with it.
• When it comes to getting a hiking trail around Helgasjön, I’ve contacted local authorities a couple of times, and tried to get a public interest by writing about it at the local outdoor Facebook group. But so far it’s been a dead end. I haven’t given up yet though, and plan to contact other organizations to see if I can get it done through volunteer work and donations.

Despite not reaching my goals I’m happy with the outdoor year 2017. I’ve been out a lot of trips. I’ve changes tents two times and finally found “the one” with the Tentipi Olivin. I finally bought a canoe.

I hope next year will bring a lot more for me and I can’t wait for the outdoor year 2018 to start.

Happy new years everyone!