Summer solstice strong upon us, a plan for a quick midweek getaway was brewing to compensate busy hours at work. I’ve done some paddling in Porkkala peninsula before, but always wanted to do a bit more exploration, zigzagging between and around islets, nooks and crannies, and combine it with a night out. Weather forecast for this week promised only mild winds and waves before the passing thunderstorms later in the week, a prerequisite for a comfy sea paddle on a packraft (which does not cope all too well with large swell and especially strong winds). From reflection to action, off I was on Tue evening, after work.

S t u n n e d . And I barely touched the surface.

I was traveling for work last week in this wonderland. Not the most typical business destination, I was stoked to have an opportunity to visit a country that has been on my to-do list for quite some time. The Rough Guide standing idle on the bookshelf (bought several years ago in anticipation of a trip that never happened) finally came handy.

Anyone cycling through the winter is likely no stranger to cold extremities, and while nothing like the screaming barfies familiar from ice climbing, it hardly raises the spirit. To cope with sub -10°C temperatures I’ve usually added layers and worn thicker gloves and mittens, to the point of losing all dexterity. To regain the control of my hands, I started to look into pogies which have proven themselves over and again for winter motorsports, and have also been gaining popularity among cyclists.