Driving to Nordkapp in Feb
Discussion
We want to see the northern lights, I want to drive my LR in the snow and to see Norway (Already seen Bergen, loved it) Sweden and Finland.
We haven't decided on the route yet as I change my mind every few days but I have one question which I can't seem to get a clear answer on.
How dark will it actually be in Feb?
I was under the understanding that after the end of December each week will gain you another 30 minutes of daylight, I can't remember where I heard that though.
I don't mind the dark but I don't want missus Howitzer to be dissappointed and not being able to see much.
Dave!
We haven't decided on the route yet as I change my mind every few days but I have one question which I can't seem to get a clear answer on.
How dark will it actually be in Feb?
I was under the understanding that after the end of December each week will gain you another 30 minutes of daylight, I can't remember where I heard that though.
I don't mind the dark but I don't want missus Howitzer to be dissappointed and not being able to see much.
Dave!
I've always wanted to do this, visited Bergen myself in 2006 and it is amazing.
What i've read and was told is this.
The Norwegian police are very very keen on speeding drivers.
Your lights need to be on during the day although i suspect it will be pretty much dark most of the time during that time of year anyway.
I think you have to have snow tyres during the winter months.
Oh and looking at it, its a bloody long way.
Out of curiosity what route will you be taking from the UK seeing as the Newcactle - Bergen ferry no longer runs?
What i've read and was told is this.
The Norwegian police are very very keen on speeding drivers.
Your lights need to be on during the day although i suspect it will be pretty much dark most of the time during that time of year anyway.
I think you have to have snow tyres during the winter months.
Oh and looking at it, its a bloody long way.
Out of curiosity what route will you be taking from the UK seeing as the Newcactle - Bergen ferry no longer runs?
I was intending to start the trip by getting to Copenhagen, then up to Stockholm, up the east coast of Sweden (faster roads) and then go across country to Norway and head up to Nordkapp, then down through Finland and there is supposed to be a Ferry which stops off at the Aland Islands and then back through Sweden again.
We will be doing it in a 110 Defender so have to find some snow chains for when the worst happens, plus we have a seperate diesel powered heater for the engine, insulation etc etc.
I think mainly i'd love to play in the snow and that far north is pretty much guaranteed to have some impressive light displays at that time of year.
Dave!
We will be doing it in a 110 Defender so have to find some snow chains for when the worst happens, plus we have a seperate diesel powered heater for the engine, insulation etc etc.
I think mainly i'd love to play in the snow and that far north is pretty much guaranteed to have some impressive light displays at that time of year.
Dave!
Having lived in Norway for many year, I've actually planed a route to do on a bike, (may now do it now as my daughter is in univesity in Trondheim), I am advised there is snow, and that going throught Norway is no problem, but if you come bacj through Sweeden you need to be carfull about not running out of petrol as there are few filling stations, any where North of Bergen doesn't get really dark in July, we used to play 'midnight golf' in Stavanger.
This is the first big trip in the Defender so i'm seeing if the work I have done is what it actually needs, camper style interior, auxillaries etc. It's also a test to see if the missus can put up with me for 2 weeks straight in a tin box 
I'd love to do Iceland, hot countries don't really do it for me so if this trip goes well it would definitely be on the cards.
I see Scandanavia as being a very safe place to travel through though for a first big trip, it should be easy to get any repairs I can't do myself done, easy to get help etc etc.
Dave!
I'd love to do Iceland, hot countries don't really do it for me so if this trip goes well it would definitely be on the cards.
I see Scandanavia as being a very safe place to travel through though for a first big trip, it should be easy to get any repairs I can't do myself done, easy to get help etc etc.
Dave!
Howitzer said:
How dark will it actually be in Feb?
In Kiruna, northernmost city in Sweden, February sunrise is generally around 09:00 local time and sunset before 15:00.So there is plenty of "dark."
However there will be lots of snow and what light there is will reflect but it will be dark enough for your purpose. Good luck with seeing the lights.
One thing you will need to watch for is the rubber on your Defender. You will probably be OK on fresh snow, and where it is churned up, but if you hit sections where it has been packed down and polished then you imho should have proper cold weather tyres. Even more so when you are further south and the roads have been cleared and think you are running on tarmac but are actually on ice.
I would not consider driving on the roads at that time of year with UK spec tyres, even s
t shovellers. It's not the keeping going but the stopping and cornering. Every year we get truckers from who get stuck and jackknife in the most stupid places because they are driving on standard southern European truck tyres. Usually the Frenchies last winter.Just my 2p.
F i F said:
Howitzer said:
How dark will it actually be in Feb?
In Kiruna, northernmost city in Sweden, February sunrise is generally around 09:00 local time and sunset before 15:00.So there is plenty of "dark."
However there will be lots of snow and what light there is will reflect but it will be dark enough for your purpose. Good luck with seeing the lights.
One thing you will need to watch for is the rubber on your Defender. You will probably be OK on fresh snow, and where it is churned up, but if you hit sections where it has been packed down and polished then you imho should have proper cold weather tyres. Even more so when you are further south and the roads have been cleared and think you are running on tarmac but are actually on ice.
I would not consider driving on the roads at that time of year with UK spec tyres, even s
t shovellers. It's not the keeping going but the stopping and cornering. Every year we get truckers from who get stuck and jackknife in the most stupid places because they are driving on standard southern European truck tyres. Usually the Frenchies last winter.Just my 2p.
Mine don't have a Snowflake on them but they do have Cold written in the information, i'm not sure if this is the old way of saying they were winter suitable or not?
They are quite old now and have light cracking round the edge so I may get a new set before travelling anyway. I'd get the same BFG ATs though as they have been excellent all rounders, very pleased with them.
That amount of light seems fine by me, enough to keep you awake.
Dave!
They are quite old now and have light cracking round the edge so I may get a new set before travelling anyway. I'd get the same BFG ATs though as they have been excellent all rounders, very pleased with them.
That amount of light seems fine by me, enough to keep you awake.
Dave!
I live in Oslo, we have to change to winter tyres in October. It's a chore to drive in the snow, we hardly grit, just plough, and you will get stuck behind one.
It'll be dark at 4 Oslo way, and obviously darker still the further up you go.
When looking at the map, what looks like a motorway is a single lane A road at best.
If it were me, I'd have a night or two in Oslo and then fly up to svalbard instead.
It'll be dark at 4 Oslo way, and obviously darker still the further up you go.
When looking at the map, what looks like a motorway is a single lane A road at best.
If it were me, I'd have a night or two in Oslo and then fly up to svalbard instead.
I'm just at the end of a front bulkhead swap.
I've insulated the back, the front, fitted a twin charging system and auxillary battery, a rear work light, stereo and then once it's driving again i'll be doing a central heating system using a Webasto diesel coolant heater. I also have a compressor i'm wiring direct to the battery which i'll plumb into an air receiver somewhere under the chassis. I also increased the size of the battery box and cubby box under the drivers seat so there is more space for the electrics and my odds and ends.
I polybushed it not long ago and fitted a re-con main box and transfer box. Plus I made a pull out draw for the back and boarded it out so we sleep in the back.
Dave!
I've insulated the back, the front, fitted a twin charging system and auxillary battery, a rear work light, stereo and then once it's driving again i'll be doing a central heating system using a Webasto diesel coolant heater. I also have a compressor i'm wiring direct to the battery which i'll plumb into an air receiver somewhere under the chassis. I also increased the size of the battery box and cubby box under the drivers seat so there is more space for the electrics and my odds and ends.
I polybushed it not long ago and fitted a re-con main box and transfer box. Plus I made a pull out draw for the back and boarded it out so we sleep in the back.
Dave!
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