Embracing the Elements

‘Lapland with Chris’

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‘Christoph, an outdoor enthusiast and nature lover who shares his adventures on his YouTube channel, "Lapland with Chris." Growing up in a small village in eastern Germany, Chris developed an early fascination with the outdoors, spending countless hours exploring forests, lakes, and the art of fishing. Now residing in northern Sweden, he combines his craftsmanship skills with a deep respect for nature, showcasing Arctic survival techniques, including the intricate art of igloo building.’

Background

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I was born and raised in a small village in eastern Germany where my childhood mostly was about roaming around the nearby forest. Together with my friends we spent lots of time exploring the gravel-pit outside the village, fishing at a little lake or building simple shelters and later also mountain bike trails.

As a kid I felt like it would be a waste of time to sleep until 11am and couldn’t understand people sleeping that long. I got up at 7 and knocked at my friends door around 8am to ask if they wanna come out to play - yes, they didn’t like that too much and I often got a NO in response.

For those learning about you for the first time, can you share what your outdoor passion is?

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My biggest passion is fishing, though the lack of like-minded people up here made me lose interest in it a bit over the past years. Nonetheless I can’t stop looking for fish whenever I stumble across a small creek or lake in the forest.
I love to explore my nearby areas, first on Google Maps and later with my backpack, basic outdoor gear and my camera.

You host an impressive YouTube channel called "Lapland with Chris," where you showcase Arctic survival skills. Could you share how you developed your extensive knowledge in survival techniques?

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To begin with I wouldn’t call it extensive survival techniques to be fair. There are certainly things and skills I taught myself over time. Making fire in various ways has fascinated me since I was little and by doing that, I forget all the things happening in daily life and I can relax when sitting in front of a nice campfire. I am a craftsman, and I really like building simple shelters from materials you find in nature.

Besides that I grew up with my dad being a hunter from whom I learned a lot about wildlife. I don’t have a hunting license though instead I became an angler with another passion for life below the surface.

I have also lived in Switzerland for about 5 years prior to my time in Sweden and that’s where I got to try building a traditional Igloo for the very first time, without success. After moving to northern Sweden in 2018 I couldn’t resist and tried again without pressure, and it worked out perfectly.

What are the average temperatures in Lapland? Additionally, what is the lowest temperature you’ve encountered while wild camping?

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In summer we have temperatures from 5-30 degrees Celsius. In winter the average temperature lies around -15 to -30 Celsius. The lowest I have experienced so far was last winter with -46 Celsius. No-one wants to be outside then, and people avoid driving their cars in these temperatures because it can become very dangerous.

I always keep a snow-shovel, a blanket and something to light a fire in my car during wintertime. If your car breaks down on a lonely road in winter, it can happen that you don’t see another car for hours so it’s always good to be prepared for the worst case.

One of your notable skills is building igloos. How challenging is it to construct one, and what key techniques should be employed during the process?

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The building process is rather difficult for the average person. It also depends on the snow conditions… the more snow you find, the more it will be compressed at the bottom where you have to dig down to and cut your blocks.

The keys to a successful build are packed snow, keeping the blocks in a slight angle which is pointing to the middle of the igloo itself and you need to make sure each block you lay is connected properly at three corners - it doesn’t have to sit perfectly on top of the lower block if you make sure the three corners are touching the blocks around. Small gaps will be filled with snow at the very end.

Can you light a fire inside an igloo for warmth? If so, how does the structure withstand the heat without melting?

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I can not recommend heating the inside of an Igloo since it causes dripping water and more moisture in the air. Usually the heat of your body is enough if you have regular winter clothes.
To make the igloo last longer I sometimes pour water on top of the outside that way the blocks become solid ice.

There won’t be any risk of collapsing because of the structure supporting itself. Usually an igloo built from only snow can last 1-2 months if temperatures stay as low as -5 Celsius. A lot of sun makes it slowly shrink which in most cases takes a few days until it finally collapses.

For first-time visitors braving particularly cold months, what essential gear do you recommend for surviving in extreme temperatures, and why?

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Good, insulated shoes/boots and proper gloves! Standing on snow and especially ice makes you freeze at your feet very quickly without the right gear. Other than that, I always recommend winter overalls that come in one piece so that the heat can circulate from your feet all the way up to your chest - which makes a big difference.

What methods do you use to start a fire in wet or snowy conditions and which materials do you find most effective?

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Even when it’s wet, you can usually find dry materials nearby, such as grass or small twigs, often near big rocks and trees. Watch out for dead trees that are still standing since they stay mostly dry even if it has been raining. If you only find soaked wood, you can cut a log and split it in smaller pieces so you can cut off super thin pieces/slices from the middle of the log. I suggest you rather collect plenty and be well prepared. It can be frustrating to see the fire starting and dying right afterwards because of too little preparation.

What’s your plan in case of a sudden blizzard or unforeseen weather change during an expedition?

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I would either find a big pine trees with branches hanging down to the ground to use as a shelter or if no trees around dig a small cave to hide. If there is too little snow and no trees (like up here in the mountains) I would look out for some rocks or boulders to take cover from the wind. If you would stay out in the wind with parts of your skin not covered you can get frost bites very quickly.

Have you ever been caught out in an unexpected situation while recording one of your survival videos for your YouTube channel?

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Luckily not yet!

Lastly, what crucial first aid skills or knowledge do you possess for addressing cold-related injuries?

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If you have been badly freezing at your feet or hands the worst thing you could do is to put them into hot water. It can be very painful. I suggest warming them very slowly.
A little tip is to carry two pairs of gloves and to keep one always inside of your overall so you can swap once you start freezing at your fingers.

Some more facts about me that I would like to mention… I have always been driven by the adventure of walking into the unknown which I believe is the best way to create memories and make new experiences.

When I decided to leave Switzerland I sold all my material things and kept only a backpack which I used to carry the essentials for traveling. I later hitchhiked from Germany to Sweden where a few months later my ex-wife joined me. Together we hitchhiked through Canada and the USA for 8 months (there should still be a facebook page named Smileytravelblog and smileytraveling on Instagram if you wanna look into it).

I am always up to meet like-minded people to go on adventures together, feel free to reach out. Due to all our travels, I still find it fascinating to meet people who have had similar experiences. There's an immediate connection that you can feel.
I dream of building my own little camp for adventurers from around the world to spend time together and share stories at a nice campfire. Wish me luck that I find a suitable place for it! :)

Christoph Birnstengel

To continue following our explorers Christoph’s journey or simply want to reach out and say Hi, you can connect with them on the following accounts:

Facebook:

Hooked up Lapland

Chris Birn

Instagram:

@chris_birn

YouTube:

Lapland with Chris

Help support The Roamers Trail by following us on social media

Christoph Birnstengel

To continue following our explorers Christoph’s journey or simply want to reach out and say Hi, you can connect with them on the following accounts:

Facebook:

Hooked up Lapland

Chris Birn

Instagram:

@chris_birn

YouTube:

Lapland with Chris

Help support The Roamers Trail by following us on social media

Ethan Caldwell

Melanie Többe