Alluring Arcticvideo
780 km and 34 Days on the Largest Frozen Sea in Europe
June 14, 2026 · 40 min · 72K views · On the ice between Oulu and Kemi, Bay of Bothnia, Finland
Dog pulls sled across frozen Lake Ladoga under blue sky
What this video covers
Juho and his dog, Nova, attempt a 120-kilometer journey across the frozen Gulf of Bothnia, traveling from Oulu to Kemi, Finland.1:36 The expedition utilizes an Esla kick-sled to navigate the sea ice, which has become increasingly unstable due to an unusually warm summer.1:57 Frequent patches of open water and surface melt force the pair to detour, significantly slowing their progress.4:13 Throughout the trip, Juho manages Nova’s anxiety on the ice while navigating challenging wind conditions and varying ice thickness.2:24 The route includes stops at remote coastal shelters and volunteer-built cabins, such as those at Röyttä harbor, where they find refuge from high winds.20:45 Despite the original plan to finish in Kemi, Juho decides to conclude the journey in Tornio due to intense headwinds and deteriorating ice conditions.34:18 The experience highlights the unpredictability of Baltic sea ice during unseasonably warm periods and the logistical challenges of long-distance travel with a dog in a sub-arctic environment.
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