The grey clouds spread over Österlen. When we arrive on Friday night, Snow Peak's team have already started unpacking tents and equipment from their packed, white-striped Snow Peak van. The night is spent in their tent to be followed by an Ultra Trail race of 60 kilometres. Seven hours of running in strong winds, steep slopes, and sandy beaches await.

Below we have selected some memories and reflections from the weekend, partly from the race but also from the stay together with Snow Peak.

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“You do not have to travel to the other side of the world to have a camping weekend, you can do it in your garden. Not least to be out in the fresh air, even if the air this particular weekend was extra fresh... and cold."

Snow Peak's Japanese influences are evident in both sake expertise and equipment. When the first tents are set up and a fire lit, Snow Peak mentions how they were set up the Japanese way and why that way is more respectful of their surroundings, such as how to fold up the tent pegs carefully. With ingredients found on the way to Österlen, such as Danish chili, Swedish herb salt (which turned out to be from Germany), and Japanese noodles, all the meals that belong to a weekend are prepared - over an open fire.

Saturday morning, the harbour in Simrishamn fills with runners of all ages, who nervously warm up before it is time to set off. Unlike many shorter races, this is like a setting off on a big adventure. It takes a head with willpower and a survival instinct to be able to continue all the way to the finish line. With constant thirst, pain in the knees and hungry stomachs, we went through the race side by side from the start, all the way to the finish line.

As we finish, David fetches a hot goulash soup and sits down convulsively. "Now we're going home," he says, and we go back to the camp where freshly caught fish, noodles and the Danish chili await us.

The weekend with the team from Snow Peak has taught us how to camp with respect, how to cook fresh and clean food with few simple ingredients, and the world that Snow Peak advocates about being one with nature. Snow Peak contributes not only with their well-made camping equipment, but also with warmth - partly with the portable fire pit and a cup of warming sake after the challenging race. However, above all, they contribute with their joyful and warm energy that spread throughout the camp.

How about that sake? Well, we learned that the cup should be poured with the giver's right hand with the palm visible, as the upper side of the hand means bad luck. It is good manners to pour the sake with the pinch of the bottle facing upwards, something that might seem a little unusual at first glance. The pinched part is called "En no Kireme", which is a homophone for "cutting ties" in Japanese. The drink is drunk with two hands and is also unexpectedly good hot.

- Viktor Gustafsson, Care of Carl

Exploration and inner drive

"Even if you are not competing against others, you are mentally competing in a constant battle with yourself. A struggle to ignore the uncomfortable, to convince you for the hundredth time to continue and brush away the negative thoughts that are difficult to avoid.”

Going through an extreme challenge requires the right attitude and true commitment. You have likely prepared yourself to stand strong within the challenge itself as well as afterward. The experience reminds me to be thankful that we were several people going through the same experience, both before and during the race, to share difficulties. To explore the surrounding landscape as well as one’s mind in the form of both mental and physiological strengths and weaknesses. Then you find energy to lift each other up when the going gets tough. Especially during a long-distance run, where both time and distance are two factors in a complex equation that for most people falls within the gradation of Type II fun*. Where the activity feels miserable during the actual execution, but our brains are merciful enough to glorify the experience in hindsight.

- Rasmus Motten Wernerby, Care of Carl

 (*Ed. note. The Fun Scale, coined in the 80s by a geology professor named Rainer Newberry who is said to have introduced it to his friend Peter Haeussler, who quickly began using the scale in his climbing community to easily describe the grading of various routes.)

Gear up

”The best feeling, I know is when I feel almost nothing at all. When out on the trails, I manage to forget that I'm running, thanks to being equipped with the right shoes, hydration vest, sunglasses, and a cap."

The reason I enjoy running is that it is an activity that requires relatively little equipment or planning. If you have shoes and clothes, you can hit the trails in a few minutes.

However, even though it is a minimal gear activity that does not mean it doesn't appeal to a gear geek like me. When it comes to so few products, there is room to invest in quality. Material, weight, construction, and functionality are crucial for comfort and experience. Therefore, I am always vigilant to look for and test products that are ideal for me and this type of running.

During this run, with different types of terrain and various physical ailments, it is extremely important to have the right clothes and equipment. The hydration vest allows me to carry all the necessary equipment and fluids. The cap keeps one’s head cool, the shoes, Salomon's XT-6, provide ultimate comfort and cushioning throughout the run.

- David Brink, Care of Carl

Read more about Salomon XT-6 here

Be outside and embrace stillness

”Spending time outside comes with many positives, such as feeling fully present and being disconnected from the intensive digital world.”

The sea waves grow intense throughout the day. Over the horizon, a golden eagle flies by. I breathe in the cool air and feel harmony. There is something liberating in being in the free, allowing you to feel your surroundings with more depth. The ability to appreciate the little things becomes easy, where you are surrounded by a group of people brought together for different reasons, where one’s self and nature end up in harmony.

The nature, fresh air and not least the feeling of togetherness means that we take a warm and refreshed feeling with us, despite the tangible biting winds. We leave Österlen and start planning for the next adventure out in nature, disconnected from the outside world.

- Ebba Lundberg, Care of Carl