Before a share a heavy post tomorrow let’s do a fun quick post about t things I learned on my arctic adventure. Things I knew nothing about. It’s always fun to learn and with my word of the year being CURIOUS I especially enjoyed to discover this knowledge.
- Norther Lights
I have mentioned in my previous post that apparently locals can smell if the northern lights will be happening. It has something to do with the air. When the air is colder northern nights will happen. When the air smells wet they will not happen. Some googling could not verify this so it might just be subjective experience. Old knowledge. In the genes of ancestors of Samí decent? My googling listed reports of people saying they can smell ozone (I usually smell that in summer too but I cannot confirm for northern lights), of burnt leaves or barbecue or garlic. Description of crisp, clean air also. Which would tie back to the local I talked to. I guess I need to see a few more to come to my own conclusion. - Meänkieli
I learned that the area we visited actually spoke three languages and if you were from Samí decent the tribe language as well. Many locals speak Swedish but als Finnish and a language called Meänkieli – a distinct Finnish dialect in a small regional area. It is disputed if it counts as independent language but it is being distinct enough that Finnish speakers may not understand. And it also a written form has only been developed since the 1970s. The language is listed as critically endanger by the UNESCO. Isn’t that amazing? - Sunscreening your nostrils
When you apply sunscreen do you poke your sunscreen into your nostrils? Are you thinking uhhh? I did so too at first. But the snow reflecting from below has you get sunburn in your nostrils and that is why it is important to apply sunscreen there as well. And I can confirm that it might be good to do. I was a bit lazy about it one day and I could feel it later at night. So make sure to not forget your nostrils next time you are in snowy, sunny conditions for a longer stretch of time. - Snow Compacting
Every night we had to stomp our campsite with our feet. Treading snow. To make it compact. Apparently even in the most powdery condition this treading will result in the snow changing texture. It takes about 30 minutes but then the snow will agglutinate again and be more firm. Who knew? - Snow Melting
I actually learned a few things about snow melting to gain drinking water. For one it takes forever to melt snow. It is a bit faster if you press and compact the snow into your pot. But the most fascinating and to me unknown thing is that melted snow water is completely devoid of minerals. It can be compared with distilled water. If you continue to only drink snow water for three weeks you will feel the effects. That is why having some electrolytes with you can be a life saver.
Have you seen Northern Lights and smelled something? Have you ever heard of Meänkieli? Ever melted snow to get some water? Some snow compacting in your life? Ever had nostril sunburn?
This is list #5 in my “Do a 50 lists blog project” from my 101 in 1001 days goal list.
12 comments
I learned five new things from your post. The sunscreen in the nose thing makes sense, but I’d never thought of it.
I know right? It probably also works for white sandy beaches if you play sports for hours I’d assume.
Glad to share some new things to you.
These are very interesting, and I didn’t know any of them. I have never put sunscreen in my nostrils, but I can see how they could get sunburned out on the glaring snow all day. I have only seen the Northern Lights once, and I didn’t notice any smell. I’m sure the people who live there get a deep understanding of the nature around them. Meänkieli sounds fascinating. I love learning about different languages, and it’s sad that they sometimes die out.
It’s been so fun to learn so many things on the trip. I am sure there was more I just couldn’t remember or it wasn’t as present.
Maybe we have a chance to see more northern lights and then I pay more attention to smells.
I did know about the sunscreen in the nostrils! I feel like that and the tips of the ears are the top tips given to people who live in snowy climates!
Why does snow melt faster if it’s compacted into the pot? I don’t understand the chemistry/physics!
I don’t either but I think it has to do with heating the air inbetween and it takes longer?! I’ll ask my dad over Easter who studied physics.
I love this! Cheers to curiosity! I have sunburned my nostrils, the underside of my chin and my lips in the snow. It was brutal. Also yes to packing down and melting snow! Camping in the snow is fun, eh?
Of course you knew that. You are a camping expert after all.
I have tamped down snow to make it firmer, when I lived in Alaska. I remember after a big storm, we would be walking on top of the snow and then just fall through. It would be up to my waist, which was more difficult, but fun because I was a kid and close to home. I remember my dog bounding around in joy, she loved it.
I have never heard of smelling the conditions that mean Northern Lights. Could be something they tell tourists? Or maybe it’s real, I don’t know. I don’t remember ever seeing them. Actually, when I was in Alaska in 2023, the Northern Lights were going on up in the sky, but we couldn’t see them because it was cloudy and raining. So they happen but you don’t see them. So I guess the smell might have to do with it being clear.
I haven’t uncovered the secret of the smell obviously. I don’t think the person telling me was doing it for touristy reason. I said I hoped to see northern lights to night. She took a deep breath and said it won’t happened. I jokingly said you can smell them and then she told me. I think it’s more being ingrained in the environment. Who knows maybe I romanticizing it.
Being waist deep in snow is fun the first two times but it gets old quickly if you try to take a pee.
Wow, I didn’t know about sunscreening your nostrils! That’s a great tip, something I would never have thought about.
I also didn’t know that melted snow was devoid of minerals! TMYK!
I was clueless too. I love learning stuff like that.